MICHELIN Guide names 64 Southwest restaurants

MICHELIN added 64 restaurants to its first Southwest guide at a ceremony held on August 26 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, expanding the company’s U.S. coverage to Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. The new regional edition includes five starred restaurants, 18 Bib Gourmands and 41 recommended restaurants, according to Michelin’s North America release. The announcement also marked Michelin’s return to Las Vegas after a 17-year absence. ### Which restaurants actually won stars? Restaurant de Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand received two Michelin stars, the only two-star award in the Southwest selection, Michelin said. Four restaurants received one star: é by José Andrés, Guy Savoy Las Vegas, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Las Vegas and Monte in South Salt Lake, Utah. (michelinmedia.com) MGM Resorts said its properties accounted for four Michelin stars across three restaurants, more than any other Las Vegas resort operator. The company said six of its restaurants were recognized overall, with additional honors including Bib Gourmand or recommended designations beyond the three starred venues. (michelin.com) ### How broad was the Southwest selection? The 2026 MICHELIN Guide Southwest spans four states and 24 cuisine types, Michelin said in its release. Michelin said the full list totals 64 restaurants, broken into five starred restaurants, 18 Bib Gourmands for value-focused dining and 41 recommended restaurants. (investors.mgmresorts.com) The Adventurist, which published the full winners list, reported that Utah received its first Michelin star through Monte in South Salt Lake, while Arizona and New Mexico did not receive starred restaurants in the inaugural edition. Michelin’s official release also highlighted four special awards tied to service, cocktails, sommelier work and young chef recognition. (michelin.com) ### Why was Las Vegas central to this rollout? Las Vegas was chosen by Michelin as the host city for the inaugural Southwest ceremony, with the event scheduled and held at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Michelin announced in May that the ceremony would take place on the evening of August 26. Michelin said the ceremony represented its return to Las Vegas after 17 years. (theadventuristmagazine.com) Local coverage from Las Vegas Weekly said four Las Vegas Strip restaurants received stars and three additional local restaurants received Bib Gourmand recognition. ### Which names stood out beyond the stars? (guide.michelin.com) Sean Christopher of Restaurant de Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand received the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Southwest Service Award, according to Michelin’s awards page. Michelin also said the Southwest selection included four special awards recognizing individual professionals. MGM Grand emerged as the highest-profile single property in the guide because Joël Robuchon and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon both received stars there. (michelin.com) MGM Resorts said the results underscored Las Vegas dining’s standing in the new regional guide, though that characterization came from the company. (guide.michelin.com) ### Where can readers see the complete list? Michelin has published the Southwest selection through its official guide and corporate press materials, including the full list of starred, Bib Gourmand and recommended restaurants. The Las Vegas restaurant section of Michelin’s guide also shows current local listings tied to the new awards. (investors.mgmresorts.com) The next step for diners is practical rather than ceremonial: reservations at newly starred Las Vegas restaurants including Restaurant de Joël Robuchon, é by José Andrés and Guy Savoy Las Vegas are now listed through restaurant and guide channels, while Michelin’s Southwest pages carry the complete regional roster. (guide.michelin.com) (michelin.com)