Three eateries in Tampa earn Michelin star

The Michelin guides have spoken: Three restaurants in Tampa were recently named to the guide.

The 2023 edition of the Michelin guide includes Tampa-based restaurants Koya, Lilac and Rocca, which all received one Michelin star rating. 

In total, the guide’s inspectors awarded stars to 19 restaurants in the Miami, Orlando and Tampa areas. 

"Florida has three distinct culinary hotspots that make the state a premier destination for gourmet-travelers, who can experience a wealth of flavors and creative cooking styles," Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, says in a release. "Congratulations to these restaurant teams and to all who received guide distinctions. Your guests are always in for a treat."

Koya, a Japanese cuisine restaurant, is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood. The Italian cuisine restaurant, Rocca, is located on Palm Avenue. 

Contemporary restaurant Lilac is situated in the Tampa Edition hotel on Channelside Drive with a menu that combines Mediterranean influences with Florida-focused ingredients and French techniques. 

"Earning a Michelin star for Lilac is an incredible milestone both for us and Tampa’s growing dining scene,” Chef and restaurateur John Fraser says in a release. “Receiving this recognition, especially in our first year of opening, is a testament to our commitment to culinary excellence and a validation for our entire team."