NASHVILLE – Michelin and Travel South USA today announced that the MICHELIN Guide American South is coming this year to six states in the American South as part of a new regional approach. The geographic scope includes Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and the pre-existing Atlanta Guide. The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp is partnering with the state of Tennessee in support of the American South project.
“We are thrilled that for the first time, our Nashville restaurants have the opportunity to be considered by the prestigious MICHELIN Guide, which reflects the incredible talent and creativity found across our culinary scene,” said Deana Ivey, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “While we’re known globally for our music, our restaurants and chefs have earned national acclaim and are consistently honored among the best in the country. Recognition by the MICHELIN Guide would further cement our reputation as a must-visit destination for food lovers.”
By launching this regional approach, the MICHELIN Guide is going beyond the urban areas to better uncover the region’s authentic food culture. Travel South USA, participating state tourism offices, and destination marketing organizations will collaborate on marketing efforts to promote authentic Southern cuisine to food enthusiasts traveling domestically and internationally. The American South is a culturally diverse region with a vibrant culinary scene, boasting a range of restaurants from fine dining experiences to creative takes on Southern staples to international favorites.
The MICHELIN Guide’s anonymous Inspectors are already in the field, making dining reservations and scouting for regional culinary gems. The full 2025 restaurant selection will be announced later this year during the annual MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for the American South.
History and methodology: The upcoming restaurant selections will follow Michelin’s historical methodology, based on five universal criteria, to ensure each destination’s selection equity: 1) quality products; 2) the harmony of flavors; 3) the mastery of cooking techniques; 4) the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; 5) consistency between each visit and throughout the menu (each restaurant is inspected several times a year).
The MICHELIN Guide remains a reliable companion for any traveler seeking a great meal. The Guide was first published in France at the turn of the 20th century to encourage tire sales by giving practical advice to French motorists. Michelin’s Inspectors still use the same criteria and manner of selection that were used by Inspectors in the very beginning, now applied in destinations around the world.
Michelin announced its first North American Guide in 2005 for New York. Guides have also been added in Chicago (2011); Washington, D.C. (2017); California (San Francisco in 2007, statewide 2019); Florida (Greater Miami, Orlando and Tampa in 2022, adding Greater Fort Lauderdale, The Palm Beaches and St. Pete-Clearwater in 2025, statewide in 2026); Toronto (2022); Vancouver (2022); Colorado (2023); Atlanta (2023), Mexico (2024), Texas (2024), Quebec (2024) and today, the American South (2025). About Michelin North America, Inc. Michelin is the leading mobility company and manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences.
Michelin North America, Inc.
Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America, Inc. has approximately 23,500 employees and operates 36 production facilities in the United States (michelinman.com) and Canada (michelin.ca).
Travel South USA
Travel South USA is America’s oldest and largest regional travel promotion organization, formed in 1965 by a resolution presented at the Southern Governor’s Conference. The long-standing regional collaboration of the state tourism offices of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Caroline, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia provides a foundation to positively position tourism as a vital and dynamic element in the region’s economic development. Tourism ranks throughout the region as one of the top industries behind manufacturing and agriculture, and is responsible for $220 billion in spending by visitors, generating 1.56 million direct jobs, and more than $15.5 billion in state and local taxes.
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City
The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City is to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination. Visit the NCVC’s website at visitmusiccity.com and follow us on social media @VisitMusicCity.
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