Michelin Guide Returns to Las Vegas and Why Anyone Gives a Crap

By Scott Roeben, on December 09 2025

3 min read 0 comments

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) announced the Michelin Guide will launch a first-ever Southwest edition in 2026. We don’t care about the Southwest (or its turquoise jewelry or tumbleweeds or patchouli oil or “dry heat”), but we do care about Las Vegas.

Bottom line: Las Vegas restaurants will be eligible for Michelin Stars again, after years of insulting and high-handed snubbery.

Michelin Stars are highly sought-after accolades, like AAA Diamonds or notches on your headboard, and it’s about time Vegas was back in the mix again.

It’s unacceptable to be lumped in with three other states, but as opposed to nothing, we’ll accept it.

The last Michelin Las Vegas guide was published in 2009. At that time, 17 local restaurants were awarded Michelin Stars. And Pizza Rock didn’t even open in Las Vegas until 2013!

Michelin’s new guide will cover four states: Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

Note: Anyone wishing to purchase the Southwest Michelin Guide in Utah will be required to wear magic underwear. We kid! We love Utah because it’s convenient knowing where all the whackjobs are, all due respect.

Here are more words from the official news release about the return of the Michelin Guide to Las Vegas: “As the Michelin Guide embarks on this regional approach, the edition will look to explore the diverse and dynamic cuisine and impeccable experiences offered throughout these four states. The Southwest is home to an evolving and growing culinary community, evident by Las Vegas’ own dining evolution, and the creation of this new guide will serve as a trusted roadmap to discover the best the region has to offer.”

So many words, so little substance. You know, just like our Las Vegas Mayor.

Oh, snap.

Let’s be honest, nobody’s reading this story but you. Because it’s a boring subject.

Michelin’s rating has four categories: One star (“A very good restaurant in its category”), two stars (“Excellent cooking, worth a detour”), three stars (“Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”) and not starred (“You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting.”)

Here’s a graphic for the visual learners.

Hey, Michelin, we give your “star” zero stars. That’s a stylized six-petal flower, a less creative Yelp burst. Yeah, we said it.

Why would anyone care about where the Michelin Guide is giving out stars?

Your insolence is duly noted.

Chefs care. Restaurant owners care. Marketers care. The ad departments at local news publications care. (Restaurants love buying ads patting themselves on the back after receiving accolades.)

Michelin Stars are one of the highest forms of external validation a restaurant can receive. In the restaurant world, they aren’t just awards, they are currency, credibility and global status.

A Michelin star (or AAA Five Diamond) signals a restaurant isn’t just good, it’s operating at the elite, world-class level.

As a practical matter, such accolades drive huge surges in business. A Michelin Star can be worth millions in yearly revenue.

Another aspect of why Michelin Stars matter: They attract talent like a magnet.

For chefs and their teams, the allure and significance of winning a Michelin Star can’t be overstated.

Blood, sweat and tears isn’t just a cliche, it’s every day for many chefs. They deserve whatever accolades they can get.

It puts a chef or restaurant into a small, exclusive club. A Michelin Star becomes part of a chef’s name forever. The Michelin Star follows them through their career, influencing every job, consulting gig, partnership, book deal, and TV appearance.

Why should you care about any of this?

Michelin Stars let you know a dining experience is going to be extraordinary.

Inspectors scrutinize everything so you don’t have to. Here’s the list of criteria by which Michelin awards its stars.

Here’s more from the LVCVA’s news release: “The Michelin Guide’s anonymous Inspectors are already in the field, making reservations and scouting for culinary gems. The full restaurant selection will be revealed during the annual 2026 Michelin Guide Southwest Ceremony, which will be announced next year.”

The ad department at Las Vegas Weekly is beside itself.

Welcome back to Las Vegas, Michelin Guide. We take back all the nasty things we’ve said about you over the years.

While Las Vegas restaurants don’t need the Michelin Guide’s validation, we’ll accept them.

Anyway, make some room on your wall, Pizza Rock.