Writer: Joshua Andino
2 min read May 2023 – Earlier last week, Tampa got its first Michelin star restaurants ever.
Unveiled at an invite-only ceremony at Miami’s Loan Depot Park on Thursday, the prestigious Michelin Guide announced which restaurants had received its vaunted stars. Of the stars bestowed to Florida restaurants, only four of them were new, and three of them – Koya, Lilac, and Rocca, are all in Tampa.
The Michelin Guide maintains a high degree of secrecy regarding its selection process, with the company acknowledging that its inspectors dine anonymously and rate the experience on five assessment criteria, including quality of product, mastery of flavor and technique, personality of the chef’s cuisine, consistency between visits and value for money.
Michelin began its assessment of Florida markets last year, making a splash as it entered the market and bestowed 15 stars between Orlando and Miami restaurants – with none in Tampa receiving the recognition. The France-based guide traditionally only focused on a select few cities in the U.S., but has expanded its footprint in the state as a result of a partnership with Visit Florida and tourism agencies within Tampa, Orlando and Miami
Those looking for a culinary experience can expect a variety of flavors and cuisines from Tampa’s Michelin star restaurants. Koya, an exclusive eight-seat per night venue, provides a “singular interpretation” of the Japanese omakase experience, with Adriana Fralick, who alongside her husband Erick opened the restaurant in 2019, said, “You never know what to expect, but we are so excited.”
For Lilac Executive Chef John Fraser, the recognition is a return to form. The new star marks the third in the chef’s repertoire, having run famous New York restaurants Dovetail, which closed in 2018, and NIX, which closed its doors later in 2020. Lilac provides a four course, $140-per person prix-fixe menu which impressed inspectors with its “Mediterranean influences, Florida-focused ingredients and French techniques.”
Finally, but by no means least, Rocca, which last year received Bib Gourmand status by the Michelin guide, secured its own star, leaving chef and owner Bryce Bonsack “speechless,” saying after the ceremony that “I think after last year we really wanted to bring home a star. We’ve got such a talented team that have been working hard all year.” Rocca provides its patrons with a modern take on Italian cuisine. Inspectors praised the establishment’s originality, in-house pastas, that all came together “showcasing classic flavors and scrupulous technique.”
Tampa’s restaurants can now shine its stars alongside their peers across the state. Florida now hosts 19 Michelin-starred restaurants and an additional 33 Bib Gourmand recipients. Only Miami’s L’Atelier, owned by chef Joël Robuchon, is the sole two-star recipient. The guide also recognized Matthew Braden, general manager of Lilac, as its 2023 service award winner.
The complete guide includes 92 recommended restaurants and 18 spots across Tampa Bay, such as Bern’s Steak House, Cena, and Ponte.
For more information, visit:
