The Tennessee Michelin Guide: Star Worthy Restaurants
Eric Barton | The Adventurist
The Michelin Guide announced this year that it’s finally expanding into the South, including Tennessee, and we here at The Adventurist weren’t content to sit back and wait for it to happen.
So our team traversed from Chattanooga to Memphis, Knoxville to Nashville—dish-by-dish, chef-by-chef—to uncover the 15 restaurants that truly ought to be in the Guide.
Whether it’s a coveted star, a Bib Gourmand, or a solid Recommended mention, these kitchens deliver creativity, technique, and flavor rooted in their place. Here’s where you’ll find Tennessee’s finest.
Set in a former blacksmith’s shop in downtown Memphis, Amelia Gene’s—led by Chef Nate Henssler—serves globally inspired dishes like rabbit pappardelle with mint and sweet peas, alongside warm biscuits, honey butter, and an unforgettable cheese cart. The hospitality is as rich as the food.
What it deserves: One Star