Tampa Bay Just Made the Michelin Guide in a Big Way — Here's Every Local Restaurant That Earned Recognition in 2026

TAMPA, FL — The 2026 Michelin Guide Florida put Tampa Bay's restaurant scene firmly on the national radar — and the recognitions handed out this year signal that the region's culinary moment is real, not just hype.

Fat Beet Farm Kitchen and Bakery in Tampa was awarded a Michelin Green Star for leading the way in mindful gastronomy — joining an elite group of just five restaurants statewide to hold this eco-conscious distinction. Kinjo chef Jada Vidal was also awarded the Michelin Young Chef Award. Both recognitions were announced alongside the 2026 Florida Michelin Guide ceremony and came as genuine surprises to the recipients.

The Green Star — What It Means 

The Green Star recognizes establishments leading the way in sustainable gastronomy and ethical sourcing. Fat Beet Farm Kitchen and Bakery is highlighted for its inspiring and committed vision for the future of gastronomy. Located at 13830 W. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa, Fat Beet is exactly what the name suggests — a farm-based breakfast and lunch operation where the restaurant came to the farm, not the other way around. It has been a local sensation among those in the know, and Michelin just made sure a lot more people know.

The Young Chef Award 

Jada Vidal said she was completely surprised by the news. "I had no idea," Vidal said. "I was not expecting this." Vidal, chef de cuisine at Kinjo in Hyde Park and a contestant on Season 24 of Hell's Kitchen, earned the recognition for her work creating layered dishes with premium imports, fresh seafood, and unexpected flavor pairings at one of Tampa's most acclaimed dining rooms.

New "Recommended" Restaurants in Tampa Bay 

Beyond the special awards, several Tampa Bay restaurants were newly added to Michelin's recommended list for 2026:

• Fat Beet Farm Kitchen and Bakery — Tampa

• Kinjo — Tampa (Hyde Park)

• Bar Terroir — Tampa

• The Brisket Shoppe — Tampa

• Elliott Aster — St. Petersburg

• In Between Days — St. Petersburg

The Bigger Picture 

No new Michelin stars were awarded to Tampa Bay restaurants in 2026, and Lilac in Tampa dropped from one star. But the growing number of recommended restaurants, two special awards, and Tampa Bay's continued presence in the guide signal that the region is on a serious upward trajectory. The guide first entered Florida in 2022 by evaluating dining in Tampa, Miami, and Orlando, before growing to include additional regions in 2025 and moving statewide in 2026.

For Wesley Chapel residents who make the drive into Tampa for a special night out, the Michelin recommended list is the best single resource for finding where to go.

📍 Fat Beet Farm Kitchen and Bakery — 13830 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33635 

📍 Kinjo — 1215 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606 (Hyde Park) 

🌐 guide.michelin.com/us/en/florida for the full Florida guide