St. Augustine restaurant Bar Citra earned a a Bib Gourmand nod from MICHELIN dining guide | Bar Citra
Published on July 29, 2026 at 1:36 pm
Free local news and info, in your inbox at 6 a.m. M-F. Sign up for the Jacksonville Today newsletter.
When it comes to national accolades, Northeast Florida’s culinary talents often go underappreciated. The last time a chef in the area was nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award, considered the Oscars of the food world, was in 2015, when Chef Brian Whittington was a semifinalist for Best Chef: South during his tenure at Orsay. Before that Chef Tom Gray of Bistro Aix earned back-to-back semifinalist nominations for the same award in 2009 and 2010.
Recently, chefs at two local restaurants were nominated for the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards Best Chef: South category. Barry Honan at Lotus Noodle Bar in St. Augustine received a nod as a semifinalist, as did Chason Spencer and Maria la Mota at Chancho King in Jacksonville’s Murray Hill neighborhood. The latter couple reached the finalist stage, eventually losing to a chef from New Orleans.
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Even more acknowledgement of the region’s exceptional culinary talent came in 2026 with the expansion of the MICHELIN Guide into Northeast Florida. When the Guide launched in Florida in 2022, it featured Miami, Orlando and Tampa; greater Fort Lauderdale, the Palm Beaches and St. Pete-Clearwater were added in 2025. The statewide guide now includes 200 restaurants, nine of them from Jacksonville and surrounding areas.
The MICHELIN Guide has grown to be a respected source of information about restaurants since its inception in 1900. It has awarded coveted ‘stars’ to restaurants they considered fine dining establishments by rating the quality of food. According to MICHELIN, anonymous inspectors review restaurants and give out one to three stars based on five criteria: quality of the ingredients used, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in the cuisine, value for money and consistency between visits.
The MICHELIN Guide added another designation in 1997: the Bib Gourmand, celebrating restaurants that serve exceptional food at great value. These businesses are judged by the same criteria used for star designation. (The name Bib is short for Bibendum, the tire company’s mascot’s name.) The “Bibs” are given to restaurants that offer “good quality and good value.” The third designation in the guide is MICHELIN Recommended. This category of honors was established in 2017 and helps to highlight local dining establishments where the food is above average. Although none of the nine North Florida restaurants added this year gained a star, two of them received a Bib Gourmand award and the other seven are MICHELIN Recommended.
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
It’s great to see the local food culture garner attention from those in the industry and impartial outsiders. Did the James Beard Foundation and the MICHELIN Guide get it right? Follow this guide to the honorees and you be the judge, based on your personal tastes, budgets and preferences.
James Beard Foundation recognition
Chancho King | Murray Hill | $$
Ecuadorian café in Murray Hill known for their pork sandwich, llapingacho (cheese potato) cakes, empanadas and plantain bowls. Try the ceviche bar every Sunday or the Pearl Hour from 2-5pm for oysters and bubbly.
Lotus Noodle Bar | St. Augustine | $$$
Not your average ramen shop, this intimate restaurant where French cooking techniques collaborate with Japanese culinary flavors provides an intentional and exceptional dining experience. Although the menu changes with the season, the tuna sashimi and garlic mazemen ramen are house specialties. Also listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Michelin Guide-recognized
The Bearded Pig | San Marco | $$
This barbecue joint features a variety of meat cuts (a la carte by the pound or as a sandwich), including brisket, beef ribs, spare ribs and turkey. Veggie poutine and a selection of sides provide options for non-meat eaters.
Rue Saint-Marc | San Marco | $$$
This upscale yet approachable French bistro offers a menu that changes to reflect the season’s best ingredients. Try the Rue Experience five-course tasting menu for a complete taste of the restaurant’s culinary talents and extensive wine selection.
Eggboy | Mayport | $
Known for its breakfast sandwiches, this is a great pit stop on the way to or from the beach. All their sausages, sauces and pickles are made in house daily. Kickstart your day with a Cortadito (Cuban coffee) and choose one of their best-sellers: the Full Monty, Santa Maria, Outlaw Burrito or Hen House.
Asado Life | St. Augustine | $$$
Waterfront dining along the San Sebastian River featuring Argentinian-inspired live-fire grilling. Try the Asado Trio: parrilla grilled picanha, ember roasted signature spiced chicken thigh, and house-made Malbec infused chorizo with chimichurri, roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Or plan ahead and order the 40 oz USDA Chairman’s Reserve tomahawk steak. A second location is opening soon in Downtown Jacksonville.
Salt | Amelia Island | $$$$
Along with its award-winning fine dining menu, Salt offers The Kitchen Table. This exclusive, immersive experience is a curated five-course journey led by Chef Okan Kizilbayir. In addition to recognizing Salt for its outstanding culinary artistry, restaurant manager Christopher Tegreeny received the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Florida Service Award, further testament to an exceptional experience at the resort.
MICHELIN Bib Gourmand designation
Bar Citra | St. Augustine | $$
Beautifully curated coffee bar, bakery and wine bar serving seasonal plates. Pair a Salted Tahini Latte with a Spanish tortilla, their take on the classic Spanish potato omelet. Later in the day, enjoy a Caesar salad with a chilled glass of fizzy red wine. And always save room for a cardamom bun.
Sunday Gathering Table | St. Augustine | $$
Breakfast and lunch in St. Augustine’s Uptown neighborhood. Housemade sourdough bread stars in almost every dish at this cafe. For a classic brunch meal, try the eggs Benedict, a perfectly poached egg finished in hollandaise that has just the right amount of tang and acidity. Pair it with a French press coffee.
