St. Petersburg restaurants were again included in the Michelin Guide’s Florida selection, as announced on May 28, but the city did not receive any Michelin stars for the second consecutive year as the guide expanded its coverage statewide.
Il Ritorno, Sushi Sho Rexley, and Fortu maintained their recommended restaurant status at the Michelin Guide’s 2025 Florida ceremony. Two additional St. Pete establishments—Elliott Aster at the Vinoy Hotel and In Between Days—were added to the list of recommended restaurants.
This expansion marks the first time that Michelin’s coverage includes all of Florida, after previously focusing on select cities such as Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beaches, and St. Pete-Clearwater. Last year was also notable as it marked St. Pete’s initial inclusion in consideration by the guide.
The Michelin Guide awarded two new one-star restaurants and ten new Bib Gourmands across Florida this year. In its recommendation of Elliott Aster within the Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, Michelin wrote: “Located within the Vinoy Resort and Golf Club…this Italian-inspired steakhouse has a grand feel…Begin with the focaccia ‘pull apart’ rolls with pecorino and taleggio cheese and wildflower honey…Complete your meal with a caramel coffee budino…” For In Between Days in Grand Central District, inspectors noted: “In Between Days…bills itself as Florida’s first Tokyo-style sake bar and vinyl house…Dive into some bouncy, chewy noodles by trying chef’s choice ramen consisting of a rich, silky bone marrow broth base…”
The guide distinguishes between recommendations (for high-quality ingredients and culinary prowess), Bib Gourmands (for quality food at affordable prices), and stars (the highest recognition based on ingredient quality, technique mastery, chef personality in cuisine, harmony of flavors, and consistency). Currently in Tampa Bay there are four starred restaurants—Koya, Rocca, Kōsen, Ebbe—and several Bib Gourmands; Lilac in Tampa lost its star this year.
Since entering Florida markets three years ago through collaborations with tourism boards such as Visit Tampa Bay and Visit St. Pete-Clearwater—as part of a two-year agreement where Visit St. Pete-Clearwater provides $90,000 annually from tourist development tax—the guide has highlighted local dining talent statewide.
“Florida continues to raise the bar with its emerging culinary talent…Over the past three years we’ve seen the Florida selection grow,” said Gwendal Poullennec last year.
