TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Five Florida restaurants have earned the coveted Michelin Star status.

It’s an honor that many recognize as a hallmark of culinary excellence. The selection was announced Thursday evening at Disney’s luxury resort in Orlando.

“Florida has proven to be an international culinary destination, with the expansion to three new cities and five restaurants being welcomed into the Michelin Star family in this year’s selection,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides. “Our anonymous inspectors continued to be delighted by Florida’s culinary community, and we congratulate all of the chefs and restaurants being honored in this year’s selection.”

While no Tampa Bay restaurants made the list this year, some of the winners are just a few hours away. Florida’s new Michelin Star restaurants are listed below.

Two Stars

Sorekara (Orlando; Japanese cuisine)

This Baldwin Park restaurant offers a tasting menu highlighting Japan’s 72 micro seasons and features many highly original dishes, such as a course designed to mimic a convenience store snack run or the “nigiri.”

“Another hint that this is far from typical? Sorekara is open for one seating only a few nights a week,” an inspector wrote.

One Star

Chef’s Counter at MAASS (Fort Lauderdale; Contemporary cuisine)

Located inside the MASS dining room at the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, Chef’s Counter offers a distinctive dining experience, full of French techniques, Japanese ingredients, and a few Florida highlights, according to the Michelin Guide.

“Ingredients take center stage in courses like the single seared diver scallop over a truffle puree,” an inspector noted.

Itamae Ao (Miami; Peruvian/Japanese cuisine)

The Michelin Guide refers to Itamae Ao as a “restaurant within a restaurant,” offering a 10-seat counter in Midtown where diners can enjoy Peruvian-Japanese dishes with searing levels of acidity and spice.

“From lobster bisque with sweet potato gnocchi to creamy rice with Hokkaido scallops and parmesan, the cooking possesses style and substance in spades,” an inspector wrote.

Konro (West Palm Beach; Contemporary cuisine)

Konro offers an intimate dining experience set within a mixed-use building in West Palm Beach. Diners can expect bold cooking, including rich, unmami-packed dishes. An inspector also noted that the wine pairing “isn’t just a suggestion — it’s required.”

“The chef’s creativity is displayed in dishes like barley risotto with enoki mushrooms, caramelized crispy fried onions, and black truffle shavings, served in a golden egg,” the guide says.

Ômo by Jônt (Orlando; Contemporary cuisine)

This Winter Park restaurant echoes the spirit of its D.C. counterpart, featuring classic French techniques married with pristine Japanese ingredients and a few unique Florida touches.

“The larger space allows for discrete moments at each meal, while three tasting menus run the gamut from tightly edited and more affordable to loaded with luxury ingredients,” an inspector said.

Other awards

This year’s selection also welcomed two new Green Stars in Miami with EntreNos and Stubborn Seed being recognized for their efforts in sustainable cooking. To see a full list of award-winning restaurants, click here.