Houston area claims 5 of Texas' 6 new Bib Gourmands in 2026 Michelin Guide
The Houston area won five of the six new Bib Gourmand awards in the 2026 Michelin Guide to Texas, Michelin announced Thursday, October 8. Bar Buena, Khoi Barbecue, Kitchen Rumors, Murray's Pizza & Wine, and Xolo joined the list of restaurants recognized for quality dining at a good value.
No Houston restaurant earned a new Michelin star this year, but the six local restaurants that held stars in 2025 retained them. Michelin said anonymous inspectors judged restaurants on ingredient quality, cooking techniques, flavors, the chef's personality, and consistency. Service and decor do not factor into the food awards.
Nearly half of Texas' Bib Gourmand restaurants are now in the Houston area. Michelin gives Bib Gourmands to restaurants where inspectors find strong food at prices that do not require a special occasion budget.
Houston chefs and hospitality workers also took three of the four special awards given statewide this year. Angel Bautista of Xolo received the Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award. Jessica Cano of Sushi Horiuchi won the Michelin Sommelier Award. Jacques Varon and Max Lappe of Baso shared the Michelin Young Chef / Culinary Professional Award.
Nine Houston area restaurants were newly added to Michelin's Recommended list, a category for restaurants that inspectors rate but that do not carry a star or Bib Gourmand.
One local name fell off the list. Killen's, which closed earlier this year, was removed. Killen's BBQ in Pearland retained its Bib Gourmand.
Elsewhere in Texas, Michelin awarded three new stars: two in Austin, including the plant-based restaurant Fabrik, and one in Fort Worth.
The 2026 announcement came by press release rather than through a live ceremony. Michelin held ceremonies in Houston during the first two years after it began rating Texas restaurants in 2024.
Aga's, the Indo-Pakistani restaurant, was left out of Michelin's selections for another year. The restaurant has drawn national attention for its devoted following and was the world's busiest single-location restaurant on Uber Eats in 2025.
