The coveted Michelin Star could find its way to Northeast Minneapolis restaurants as early as April 2027.
“We know that the Michelin Guide’s anonymous inspectors were already making dining reservations and scouting for culinary gems throughout Minneapolis, prior to the announcement on April 8, 2026,” Courtney S. Ries, the senior vice president of destination and brand strategy at Meet Minneapolis, wrote in an email interview with the Northeaster.
The newest edition of the guide will be hosted in Detroit, Mich., and will feature seven cities, including Minneapolis. “They will continue to dine throughout our city leading up to the 2027 Michelin Guide American Great Lakes award ceremony on April 21, 2027,” Ries added.
The city drove the effort
The Michelin Guide didn’t just show up in Minneapolis. The city had to make a concerted effort, generally through money and time, to get the nearly 127-year-old publication to the area.
“This opportunity for Minneapolis was made possible through the investment by the newly-formed Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District (MTID),” Ries wrote. “The MTID is investing $250,000 per year for three years (through 2029) in this partnership with the Michelin Guide.”
The MTID is a hotel-led initiative to attract more overnight visitors and increase visitor spending in Minneapolis through marketing, sales and events. Restaurants, by rule of the Michelin Guide, had no part in bringing this award to Minneapolis.
“Thanks to the investment by the MTID in our culinary community, we are able to promote our award-winning culinary scene in a new way and help solidify our city’s global culinary status,” Ries added.
Gustavo and Kate Romero, owners of the heirloom-corn centered restaurant Oro by Nixta, 1222 2nd St. NE. Both chefs and the restaurant have been nominated for James Beard awards and recently received a Sello M a ward, given by the Mexican Academy of Gastronomy. (Kadi Kaelin)
Northeast is on the map
Inspections have already begun. Northeast Minneapolis restaurants, such as Oro by Nixta, 1222 2nd St. NE, are aware of the award and the distinction it could bring to the area.
“We know that we work in a city with a massive amount of culinary talent, and the other destinations in the Great Lakes category also feature pools of excellent chefs and restaurants,” Oro by Nixta Chefs Kate and Gustavo Romero wrote in an email. “We are just very grateful that the city has invested in bringing the Michelin guide to cement our market’s reputation for high-caliber cuisine and hospitality.”
The James Beard-recognized restaurant and chefs were supported by the community during their founding amid the COVID pandemic and in the recent year. They hope the inclusion of the Michelin Guide will help them continue to support the neighborhood.
“We think that it will allow our industry to grow and have opportunities to serve, and that’s critically important after a very difficult winter last year, where livelihoods and survival were on the line,” the Romeros added. “Many of us are still in the throes of recovery, so it’s nice to have another reason to motivate us all, and our dreams.”
A new gear for the economy
The numbers confirm that getting a Michelin Star restaurant is an economic boon. A 2025 study called “Beyond the Michelin Stars,” took a deeper look at this award.
In the study, the authors discovered that 60% of international travelers aged under 34 declare using the Michelin Guide when choosing a restaurant, and 74% consider the presence of the Guide when choosing a destination.
On top of that, the study states that restaurants included in the Guide see an increase in new talent and a positive effect on the pride and motivation of their staff members.
“(People) may travel to the Twin Cities to review specific restaurants, but they also may visit the parks, the museums, a coffee shop, or add a day trip to visit the BWCA, Mississippi headwaters, etc.,” the Romeros wrote.
Further down the road
When April 21 nears, invitations will be sent to restaurants and destinations that have made it into the Guide.
“It’s important to remember that just being included in the selection is an honor — the Guide does not include every restaurant in a market, only those that are notable,” Carly Padgett, public relations manager for Michelin Lifestyle, wrote in an email to the Northeaster. “Whether our inspectors are judging a potential three Stars, two Stars, one Star, or Bib Gourmand, the criteria is always the same: It’s all about the food on the plate.”
Even with the possibility of this international recognition, local restaurants like Oro by Nixta don’t plan to make much of a change in the way they operate.
“We’re going to keep doing what we do; we know our guests and regulars support us because of that, and our priority will always be service to them,” the Romeros wrote.
Editor’s note: This is the debut of du Nordeast, a column by Davis Steen exploring the food, culture and character of the Northeast area.