Durham's Culinary Moment: MICHELIN Guide Recognition Elevates Bull City to International Food Stage
Four Durham restaurants receive recognition in inaugural Guide to American South

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[DURHAM, N.C.] — Durham's award-winning food scene has once again proven its place among the South's leading culinary destinations with the debut of the MICHELIN Guide American South, which covers six states, including North Carolina, and recognizes several Durham restaurants among its inaugural selections. The MICHELIN Guide revealed its regional selections at an invite-only ceremony held Monday, November 3, 2025 at The Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina.

Overall, four Durham restaurants are included in this edition of the guide:

• Nanas - Recommended
• Nikos - Recommended
• Little Bull - Recommended
• Seraphine – Recommended

“I think there is a ton of great talent in the Carolinas, and now with the well-deserved recognition from the MICHELIN Guide, a spotlight can finally shine on so many deserving chefs in the area,” says two-time James Beard semifinalist and Executive Chef Oscar Diaz of Little Bull. “The MICHELIN Guide allows chefs to push the bounds of creativity even further. Exceptional ingredients, innovation, and a love for the craft have always existed here – it's just time for the public beyond the region to experience it.”

The Guide's expansion marks a historic milestone for the American South — its first-ever regional edition since MICHELIN began covering North America in 2005. The inclusion of Durham reflects what locals and visitors already know: that the Bull City is a standout dining destination blending creativity, culture and community.

“The American South is so rich in culture and history, which has been imported from all around the world - it's such a melding of our heritage, inherited from our ancestors, and it's unique in such a special way,” said Megan Weddington, Head of Operations at Seraphine. “The stories being told through our food, and traditions maintained and evolved, is so important to us in the South.  Seeing this area of the country, which is so close to our hearts, thrive in this way is just a thrill.”

The MICHELIN Guide was originally created as a travel guide meant to encourage road trips and exploration. Its expansion into the American South — and into North Carolina, with Durham among the featured destinations — marks a powerful intersection of travel and taste. The guide's presence reinforces why culinary tourism matters: it inspires visitors to explore destinations like Durham not only for their acclaimed restaurants but for the full, authentic experience of the region's people, culture and hospitality. Being part of the MICHELIN Guide puts Durham on the global map for travelers seeking exceptional food and meaningful travel experiences.

“I moved to Durham knowing what kind of food scene it had for a reason,” said Nanas chef and owner, Matt Kelly. “Durham has a lot of traveling guests, it's a huge educational, biotech, and technology hub, and I think shedding light on the good work that people do here is great for the community...We're very lucky and fortunate that MICHELIN is exploring the southeast, coming to Durham, I never imagined that. I think a lot of people are going to continue to have a lot of pride in the work that's done over the years.”

MICHELIN recognition is awarded based on five criteria — ingredient quality, mastery of flavor and technique, the chef's personality in the cuisine, harmony of flavors, and consistency between visits. Restaurants can earn distinctions across several categories: MICHELIN Stars (one to three) for exceptional cooking, Bib Gourmand for good food at moderate prices, and Recommended for quality, well-prepared meals. The MICHELIN Green Star honors restaurants leading the way in sustainable practices.

“The MICHELIN Guide is a game-changer for Durham and North Carolina,” says Chef Douglas Rodriguez of Nikos. “For the restaurants included, there will be an unbelievable flow in business, as [we've] heard and seen with others in the industry. Chefs often called [it] the Michelin Bump, leading to increased revenue. Don't forget at the same time the opportunity to attract more talent, more chefs, and restaurateurs to open more concepts in the area. The opportunity is infinite.”

Durham has long been celebrated for its chef-driven restaurants, award-winning craft beverage scene and deep sense of collaboration that defines its culinary culture. From nationally acclaimed fine dining to inventive neighborhood spots, this MICHELIN recognition further cements Durham as one of the South's most dynamic food cities and invites diners to chef's tables to share in their personal culture and traditions.

The MICHELIN Guide's expansion to the American South was announced in partnership with Travel South USA, covering Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, along with Atlanta.

Durham's recognition in this prestigious global guide adds to a long list of accolades, including titles such as “Tastiest Town in the South” and one of the country's most creative small cities for food and drink.

“This recognition reinforces what visitors discover every day — Durham's restaurants, chefs and makers offer some of the most inspired food experiences in the country,” said Cara Rousseau, Chief Marketing Officer of Discover Durham. “We expect this new spotlight to attract even more visitors eager to explore our food scene, which in turn supports local jobs, entrepreneurship and the continued vitality of our community.”

MEDIA CONTACT:             

Victoria Wresilo

PR Manager, Discover Durham

victoria@discoverdurham.com

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About Discover Durham

Discover Durham, a globally accredited destination marketing organization, tells Durham, North Carolina's story to attract visitors and drive economic progress. Discover Durham strategically markets the community to millions of people each year, helping to fuel sales at local businesses, create jobs, generate tax revenues and enhance the quality of life for locals. These efforts are funded by occupancy tax revenue collected from visitors across the county. Discover Durham also operates both the Durham Sports Commission, a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to create economic and social impact by recruiting and supporting local sporting events at all levels, and Durham Next, a 501(c)(3) visionary community partnership for the sustainable advancement of Durham as the best place to live, work and visit. For more information about Durham, visit www.discoverdurham.com, or follow on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.