Arizona’s culinary industry received well-earned recognition today as 19 restaurants were selected for the first-ever MICHELIN Guide Southwest. The honors highlight Arizona as a premier dining destination defined by rich cultural roots, regional ingredients and world-class talent.
“This recognition by the MICHELIN Guide validates what travelers and locals have known for years: Arizona is home to one of the most vibrant, diverse and elevated culinary scenes in the nation,” said Alix Skelpsa Ridgway, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. “From sophisticated desert dining to authentic regional dishes, our chefs and restaurant staff craft experiences that define our state’s culture. We congratulate every chef honored tonight.”
Arizona shined in the highly-competitive Bib Gourmand category by securing 7 of the 18 total designations – the most for any individual state – for high-quality, high-value dining. Grand Canyon State chefs also stood out with multiple individual recognitions for rising culinary talent, sustainable leadership and wine program curation.
“This is an incredible honor for the restaurants recognized, as well as our entire destination,” said Rachel Sacco, president and CEO of Experience Scottsdale. “Talented chefs and restaurateurs have long honed and elevated their craft in Scottsdale. We are thrilled to see their dedication to quality, creativity and hospitality celebrated on one of the world’s most prestigious culinary stages, and we are excited for first-time and returning visitors to discover Scottsdale’s vibrant dining scene.”
There were no MICHELIN Stars awarded to Arizona in 2026.
MICHELIN Individual Honors Special Awards
• MICHELIN Young Chef Award: René Andrade – Bacanora & Huarachis Taqueria, Phoenix
Celebrated for standout talent, fire-grilled Sonoran flavors, and dynamic leadership shaping the future of regional gastronomy.
• MICHELIN Mindful Voices Award: Charleen Badman – FnB, Scottsdale
Spotlighted for pioneering local farm-to-table supply chains, seasonal vegetable-forward menus and community food advocacy.
• MICHELIN Sommelier Award: John Germain – RESERVE, Scottsdale
Honored for exceptional wine curation, pairing expertise and world-class table-side hospitality.
2026 MICHELIN Guide Southwest Honors – Arizona
Bib Gourmand (7): Recognizes exceptional quality cuisine served at an approachable, high-value price point.
- FnB – Scottsdale
- Huarachis Taqueria – Phoenix
- kid sister – Phoenix
- Little Miss BBQ – Phoenix
- Lom Wong – Phoenix
- Pizzeria Bianco – Phoenix
- Valentine – Phoenix
MICHELIN Guide Recommended / Selected (12): Recognizes verified quality and culinary mastery that meets the strict global standards of Michelin inspectors.
- Atria – Flagstaff
- Bacanora – Phoenix
- Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion – Phoenix
- Fry Bread House – Phoenix
- Glai Baan – Phoenix
- Hush Public House – Scottsdale
- INDIBAR – Paradise Valley
- Latha – Phoenix
- Pretty Penny – Phoenix
- RESERVE – Scottsdale
- Shinbay – Scottsdale
- Tratto – Phoenix
“I’m grateful to be recognized alongside such a talented group of chefs and restaurateurs across Arizona and the Southwest,” said chef Rochelle Daniel, who owns and operates Atria, the modern American restaurant in Flagstaff. “None of this happens without my team, many of whom have been with me since we opened our doors in 2021. And I owe a lot to this community, too, for believing in fine dining in Flagstaff long before there was any reason to. This recognition motivates me to keep raising the bar.”
By the Numbers: 2026 MICHELIN Guide Southwest
- 4 states: Arizona, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico
- 64 total selections
- 5 starred restaurants (0) 3-star; (1) 2-star, (4) 1-star
- 18 Bib Gourmands
- 41 Recommended / Selected
A Regional Benchmark for Culinary Excellence
The inclusion of Arizona in the MICHELIN Guide’s new regional guide – encompassing Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico – connects the state’s hospitality community directly to a global, dining experience-driven audience. As an international authority on dining, MICHELIN Guide distinction provides unprecedented visibility to culinary travelers who build entire travel itineraries around world-rated destinations.
“Having advocated for our local dining scene for decades and watching this industry grow into a world-class culinary force has been a great privilege,” said Steve Chucri, president and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant Association. “MICHELIN Guide recognition isn’t just a badge of honor for our kitchens; it’s international validation of the blood, sweat, and artistry our chefs and hospitality teams pour into their craft every single day. These ratings are extraordinarily well-deserved and this momentum will fuel our industry’s continued growth on the world stage.”
The MICHELIN Guide’s anonymous inspectors evaluated establishments across the four-state Southwest region using five universal criteria: quality of ingredients, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in the cuisine, harmony of flavors, and consistency across menu items and visits.
The full regional selections were unveiled during an industry ceremony held at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on August 26, 2026.
