Houston’s culinary landscape reached new heights with the Michelin Guide’s inaugural Texas awards, unveiled on November 11. It marked the first time Texas restaurants received the Michelin Star honour. Among the Houston winners was Musaafer, a breathtaking Indian fine-dining restaurant in Galleria Houston, which stood out with its cultural depth, artistry, and authenticity, which Michelin described as both “grand and thrilling.”
Musaafer, A Michelin Star Indian Restaurant In Houston
With grand arches, towering windows, and an intricate layout, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers an immersive experience for all diners. Executive Chef Mayank Istwal is inspired by a personal 100-day journey across India’s 29 states. At Musaafer, he brings ancient recipes and flavours to life.
Chef Istwal travelled to remote villages, learning from home cooks and renowned local chefs and preserving ancient recipes and techniques often overlooked in mainstream dining. Through these dishes, Musaafer seeks to offer its diners an educational and immersive culinary experience that celebrates India’s regional diversity.
Michelin inspectors were captivated by the restaurant’s dedication to detail, particularly in signature dishes like the 24-spiced onion xoxo, 72-hour-cooked Dal, and succulent prawns in coriander-coconut milk sauce.
Houston Restaurants Celebrated At The Ceremony
In addition to Musaafer, several other Houston restaurants were honoured by Michelin:
Michelin One Star Recipients
- BCN Taste & Tradition
- Le Jardinier Houston
- March
- Tatemó
- Corkscrew BBQ
Michelin-Recommended Restaurants
- Baso
- Brisket & Rice
- Bludorn
- Candente
- Hidden Omakase
- Late August
- Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Bib Gourmand Honorees
The Bib Gourmand category spotlights restaurants offering excellent food at a great value:
- Blood Bros BBQ – Bellaire
- Ema
- Kau Ba
- Killen’s BBQ Pearland
- Mala Sichuan Bistro
- Nam Giao
- Nancy’s Hustle
- Nobie’s
- Pinkerton’s BBQ
- The Pit Room
- Rosemeyer BAR-B-Q
- Rosie Cannonball
- Street to Kitchen
- Theodore Rex
- Truth BBQ
Musaafer’s win isn’t just a personal achievement and a triumph celebrating Indian cuisine’s complexity. It certainly highlights how traditional flavours and recipes from across India’s varied regions can captivate global palates.
The recognition of other esteemed restaurants is proof that Houston’s diverse dining options have cemented the city’s place as a major player in the American culinary scene.
Cover Image Courtesy: Musaafer/Instagram
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