Boston Restaurants Earn First Michelin stars, Bib Gourmands in Inaugural Guide
Boston’s culinary scene has officially arrived on the global stage with the release of the inaugural Michelin Guide Boston, awarding its first star to Japanese restaurant 311 Omakase and recognizing a total of seven restaurants in its debut edition. The guide,a highly anticipated arrival after years of speculation,marks a significant moment for the city’s dining landscape and promises to elevate its profile as a premier food destination.
The first star went to 311 Omakase, a 10-seat counter located in a South End brownstone basement (605 Tremont Street). Led by wei fa Chen,a former chef at Masa,the restaurant offers an 18-course Edomae-style menu priced around $250. Together, the guide awarded six restaurants ”Bib Gourmand” designations, recognizing exceptional good food at moderate prices. Among them is Mahaniyom, a Brookline Village restaurant that opened in 2020, celebrated for its hard-to-find dishes like pomelo salad, nom prik patter, crab curry, and variations on larb, alongside drinks designed to complement its small plates. Boonnak, Mahaniyom’s beverage director, previously worked at boston’s Shojo.
The arrival of the Michelin Guide in Boston follows a deal struck in May 2023 between Meet Boston and the Cambridge tourism board to include the region in the new Northeast Cities edition. According to Michelin, a one-star rating signifies “high-quality cooking, worth a stop,” two stars denote “excellent cooking, worth a detour,” and three stars represent “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.” A Bib Gourmand highlights restaurants offering “good food at a moderate price.”
The guide’s release promptly impacts Boston’s restaurant industry, potentially boosting tourism and increasing demand for the recognized establishments. The question now turns to the future-how quickly the list will expand and which restaurants will join 311 Omakase and Mahaniyom in earning accolades in subsequent editions.
