No new Michelin stars for Orlando restaurants this year, 2 lost them

The Michelin Guide has announced its 2026 Florida recommendations in a year that marks its expansion to cover the entire state.

Six area restaurants - 1921 Mount Dora, Smoke & Donuts,June, Kappo Tsan, Osteria Ester and Sparrow - were added to its list of general recommendations.

Most of Orlando’s constellation remains intact, with Camille, Kadence, Ômo by Jônt, Soseki and Victoria & Albert’s retaining their one-star distinction and Sorekara retaining its two stars. Losing their stars were Capa at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort and Papa Llama in Orlando’s Curry Ford West neighborhood. They were relegated to the list of general recommendations.

No new stars were awarded in Central Florida.

Jason Chin, co-owner of Good Salt Restaurant Group, was thrilled to see two of his eateries, Osteria Ester and Sparrow, join the Michelin ranks.

“It is a great feeling to be included this year,” Good Salt Restaurant Group’s Jason Chin told the Orlando Sentinel in the wake of the reveal. “I’ll be honest, I was beginning to think it wasn’t in the cards for us as a group.

“Until now, we haven’t gotten so much as a recommendation, but I am happy we finally got their attention.”

Chin noted the pride in the Good Salt teams’ work as the most important facet.

“I could not be more proud,” he said. “This industry is a grind and many times we forget to look up and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

“I hope the members of our teams are as proud of themselves as I am, and that they are able to revel in this moment.”

In lieu of a splashy party, which has been the MO since the tire company first started honoring Florida restaurants in 2022, this year’s state selections were announced via livestream on The Michelin Guide’s YouTube Channel, which according to a representative, reaches more than 7 million followers globally.

“As the Michelin Guide now spans over 60 destinations worldwide, we have evolved our approach and diversified the formats through which we unveil our annual restaurant selections,” a spokesperson for the company told the Sentinel. “In some cases, selections are released digitally via press release and our online platforms - including our social media channels.”

Dramatic music preceded the 2 p.m. ceremony, which was led stateside by Michelin Guide Master of Ceremonies Java Ingram along with International Director of The Michelin Guide, Gwendal Poullennec, live from Paris. They took viewers through this year’s lengthy roster, which included restaurants from every corner of the state - spanning from Gainesville to Key West.

“You are now in the company of your peers. You belong here. Welcome to the table of all Chef’s Tables, Welcome to The Michelin Guide,” came the narrator’s voice ahead of the announcements.

June’s executive chef, Jason Campbell, was pleased with Team Market Group‘s first-ever inclusion.

“It’s an amazing club to be a part of and the recognition of all the hard work and dedication from the back-of-house and front-of-house teams that carry June’s vision and soul to our guests and our community,” Campbell said.

In March, June was named Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards.

For Johnny Tung's Omei Restaurant Group - which boasts 11 Michelin-selected restaurants in both Orlando and Tampa, including two-starred Sorekara in Baldwin Park - the inclusion of Kappo Tsan, their latest, was indeed a thrill.

“We’ve been planning Kappo Tsan for the last three years, so receiving Michelin recognition in our very first year honestly came as such a welcome surprise,” Tung said. “Even though the ceremony wasn’t in person this year, we will still celebrate just as hard with our teams.

“We’re incredibly grateful to retain our awards and never take this recognition for granted. It truly means so much to all of us and we’re deeply thankful for the continued support. Go Orlando!”

Juan Valencia, from one-starred Omo by Jont in Winter Park, received the Michelin Sommelier Award. The award was also won by Orlando sommelier Benjamin Coutts in 2023. He is now the beverage director at Kappo Tsan.

Sparrow was named Best New Restaurant in this year’s Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards.

Kaya in Mills 50 retained its Green Star distinction - awarded to restaurants “at the forefront of sustainable gastronomy.”

Two restaurants received their first star: Emelina, a Cuban restaurant in West Palm Beach, and Mutra, a Middle Eastern restaurant in North Miami Beach. The Omei-owned Kosen in Tampa retained its star and Lilac at the Tampa Edition Hotel lost its star but was placed on Michelin’s list of recommendations.

Inspector notes will be made available on the individual restaurant pages on guide.michelin.com and the app.

The complete Orlando Michelin selection can be found at guide.michelin.com/us/en/florida/orlando/restaurants.

Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, For more foodie fun, join the Let's Eat, Orlando Facebook group.

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 4:14 PM.