Charlotte's Culinary Scene Shines in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide

The Story of Mi Cariño earned the Bib Gourmand distinction and the restaurant’s executive chef, Héctor González-Mora, received the Young Chef Award.  

Chef Sam Diminich of Restaurant Constance earned the Mindful Voices honor. New for 2026, Mindful Voices platforms hospitality tastemakers who are “rewriting the rules in their respective fields.”

Here’s what MICHELIN Inspectors noted:

“Chef Sam Diminich from Restaurant Constance in Charlotte, North Carolina, works with a team committed to sourcing ingredients from over 30 local farms within a 50-mile radius of the restaurant. This approach supports the local farming community while allowing the team to create a menu that reflects the seasons.”

Building off last year’s success, Counter- received another year of MICHELIN-star recognition, Lang Van repeated its MICHELIN Bib Gourmand distinction and all of the 2025 Charlotte‑area recommended restaurants maintained status, showcasing the region’s continued culinary excellence.