13 Mississippi restaurants and culinary professionals earned 14 recognitions during the second annual Michelin Guide American South ceremony
The ceremony honoring the region’s top eateries was held Wednesday night in Nashville. Three local spots earned the Bib Gourmand distinction, which recognizes eateries “for great food at a great value,” according to Michelin. 11 restaurants made the guide’s recommended list, while a mixologist at an Oxford restaurant received the Exceptional Cocktail Award.
“The continued recognition of the culinary prowess of Mississippi is a testament to the enduring passion, talent, and heart of our community,” Visit Mississippi Director Rochelle Hicks said. “To see our chefs and restaurants celebrated on such an esteemed stage for the second year in a row is an honor we do not take lightly. The culmination of time-honored tradition and fresh creativity is what makes Mississippi an unforgettable culinary destination.”
The following descriptions of the recognized restaurants and culinary professionals were provided by Visit Mississippi.
Winners of Michelin’s Bib Gourmand Award
Elvie’s – 809 Manship St. in Jackson
Inspired by his grandmother’s timeless recipes and his travels through France, Chef Hunter Evans has transformed Elvie’s into one of Jackson’s most beloved dining destinations. The cozy, light-filled café serves refined Southern fare with French sensibility infused with Gulf seafood, local produce, and house-baked pastries. Guests can expect thoughtful, seasonal dishes paired with polished yet welcoming service.
Sacred Ground Barbecue – 1052 Pocahontas Rd. in Flora
Chef Derek Emerson channels his passion for craftsmanship and Southern flavor into a true labor of love at Sacred Ground BBQ, literally built by hand. Emerson constructed two massive smokers himself, the heart of a smokehouse, where patience and precision define every dish. The menu spans pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoked turkey, tri-tip, and yes, beef ribs – a unique treat in the southeast and a revelation for those tasting them for the first time.
Miscellanea Spirit House – 306 S. Lamar Blvd. in Oxford
Framed by global traditions and anchored in warm Southern hospitality, Miscellanea’s evolving menu reads like a curated travel journal. Every bite and sip offers a familiar comfort with an adventurous twist, inviting guests to explore a world of flavors crafted to spark curiosity. Created with the ever-explorer in mind, their speakeasy invites guests beyond an unassuming storefront into a collection of three distinct cocktail rooms, each offering its own atmosphere, story, and sense of discovery. Every space is designed to encourage guests to linger, explore, and experience something unexpected.
Recommended by Michelin
Ajax Diner – 118 Courthouse Sq. in Oxford
Located on Oxford’s historic Courthouse Square, Ajax Diner is a beloved institution that serves up soulful comfort food prepared from scratch with generous portions. From fried catfish and country-fried steak to chicken and dumplings, every dish reflects the spirit of Mississippi’s warm hospitality. It’s the kind of place where the sweet tea never stops flowing and every meal feels like a southern Sunday supper.
City Grocery – 152 Courthouse Sq. in Oxford
Under the leadership of Chef John Currence and Chef de Cuisine Jon “JD” Davis, City Grocery stands as a cornerstone of Oxford’s dining scene and a creative force in contemporary Southern cuisine. Housed in a historic brick building on the Square, the restaurant marries elevated technique with down-home warmth – think collard green dolmas, Mississippi minestrone, smoked duck, and other globally-inspired plates that honor Mississippi’s flavors.
Poppy Pies – 800 Manship St. in Jackson
At Poppy Pies, founders Gray Welch and JeriAnna Shaw turned a pop-up pizza concept into a full-scale operation, delivering exceptional, scratch-made pizza without compromise. This neighborhood favorite pairs expertly crafted Neapolitan, Detroit, and New York-style crusts with creative, bold flavor combinations. With a welcoming, community-focused spirit, Poppy Pies feels both artisan and delightfully down-to-earth.
Pulito Osteria – 800 Manship St., Ste. 104, in Jackson
At Pulito Osteria, Chef Chaz Lindsay celebrates the spirit of Italian cooking through the lens of Mississippi ingredients. The open kitchen hums with the rhythm of handmade pasta, locally sourced meats, and vegetables grown by nearby farmers. With a minimalist interior and warm, attentive service, Pulito feels both elevated and inviting.
Siren Social Club – 1409 24th Ave. in Gulfport
Just steps from the Gulf, Siren Social Club draws inspiration from the coast beyond its doors, bringing seafood to the forefront through inventive, globally influenced dishes. The lively atmosphere and vibrant cocktails set the stage for a menu that celebrates both indulgence and artistry – garlic shrimp, roasted oysters, caviar service featuring trout, paddlefish, and kaluga, alongside refined plates like Beef Wellington and foie gras mousse. Playful yet polished, Siren captures the modern spirit of coastal Mississippi dining.
Snackbar – 721 N. Lamar Blvd. in Oxford
Part brasserie, part oyster bar, Snackbar captures Oxford’s distinctive blend of literary charm and Southern ease. Chef Sebastian Markowitz continues the restaurant’s tradition of marrying French technique with Mississippi soul. The menu celebrates the seasons through locally sourced ingredients, like pecan-crusted quail, butternut squash risotto, cider-glazed scallops, and a daily raw bar featuring Gulf oysters and marinated crab claws.
Maringouin – 604 Porter Ave. in Ocean Springs
Set within the boutique charm of The Roost Boutique Hotel in historic Ocean Springs, Maringouin offers a restaurant and speakeasy experience that pairs Southern soul with a bold global bite. Executive Chef Brennan Edmonds crafts a dynamic menu that bridges local Gulf bounty with vibrant international influences, all presented with creative flair. Named after the local term for mosquito, the restaurant captures the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s layered, unpredictable, and deeply flavorful character through every thoughtfully curated course.
Taylor Grocery – 4A Depot St. in Taylor
Affectionately known as “that catfish place” since 1977, Taylor Grocery has been a beloved gathering spot for locals and visitors alike for generations. Its weathered charm, live music, and perfectly crispy fried catfish capture the essence of small-town Mississippi dining. The menu offers deep-fried oysters, chicken and shrimp gumbo, Cajun pork chops, and catfish prepared six different ways, alongside homemade desserts like pecan pie and peach cobbler – each dish steeped in Southern comfort and tradition.
Vestige – 715 Washington Ave. in Ocean Springs
At Vestige, chefs Alex Perry and Kumi Omori merge Southern tradition with Japanese precision to create one of the South’s most distinctive dining experiences. The seasonally driven tasting menu highlights locally sourced vegetables, Gulf fish and foraged coastal ingredients – a reflection of the duo’s thoughtful fusion of cultures, artistry and commitment to sustainability.
White Pillars – 1696 Beach Blvd. in Biloxi
Set within a restored 1905 mansion overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, White Pillars offers a dining experience that blends coastal sophistication with Southern heart. Chef and owner Austin Sumrall crafts dishes that spotlight Gulf seafood, heritage grains, and foraged ingredients, all presented with an eye for elegance. The restaurant’s MICHELIN distinction reflects Sumrall’s talent for honoring Mississippi’s bounty while redefining what fine dining means on the coast.
Michelin Exception Cocktail Award
Ally Bowen, Miscellanea Spirit House in Oxford
At Miscellanea, Bowen oversees the development of a highly inventive cocktail program across the establishment’s experiential rooms. Her work focuses on Prohibition-inspired classics, handmade infusions, and bespoke flavor combinations. This award celebrates her technical precision, creativity, and unique approach to flavor curation behind the bar.
