Utah secured its first-ever Michelin star on Wednesday as South Salt Lake restaurant Monte earned the prestigious distinction during the inaugural Southwest Guide ceremony in Las Vegas. The guide also awarded Bib Gourmand honors and recommended status to several other eateries across the Wasatch Front and Park City.
Monte Earns Utah’s First Michelin Star
Utah’s culinary scene reached a historic milestone on Wednesday night when Monte, chef Martin Babio’s fine-dining establishment in South Salt Lake, was awarded one Michelin star during the launch of the Michelin Guide Southwest at an event in Las Vegas.
The restaurant, situated inside the Beehive Distilling space at 2245 S. West Temple, opened in 2025 and offers seasonal, chef-driven tasting menus that adapt to daily ingredients. Diners can choose between a short menu listed at $120 per person and a long menu listed at $180.
The new regional guide evaluates dining establishments across Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. According to Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, inspectors assess five core elements: ingredient quality, mastery of cooking techniques, flavor balance, chef personality, and consistency over time.
Bib Gourmand and Recommended Spots Across Utah
Beyond the single-star distinction awarded to Monte, the guide recognized several other Utah locations with Bib Gourmand designations, which highlight eateries serving great food at accessible values. The honored spots include Feldman’s Deli at 2005 E. 2700 S., Ste. D in Salt Lake City, Pho 777 at 3585 S. Redwood Road in West Valley City, and One More Noodle House at 3370 South State Street in South Salt Lake.
Five additional Utah restaurants received recommendations in the inaugural guide:
- Handle in Park City
- Koyote in Salt Lake City
- Matilda in Park City
- The Nelson Cottage by High West in Park City
- Star of India in Salt Lake City
Regional Expansion and State Reactions
The rollout of the Southwest Guide marks the first time Michelin inspectors have systematically vetted restaurants in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. While Las Vegas claimed star-rated restaurants—including two stars for Restaurant de Joël Robuchon (also listed as Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand) and one star each for é by José Andrés at the Cosmopolitan, Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace, and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand—Utah’s inclusion puts the state firmly on the map as a growing culinary hotspot.
The Michelin Guide Southwest was unveiled on Wednesday at an event at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Across the four states, the Michelin Guide Inspectors identified restaurants to receive a Bib Gourmand distinction. Other regional Bib Gourmand recipients announced at the ceremony included China Poblano at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Esther’s Kitchen at 1131 S. Main St. in Las Vegas, and Feldman’s Deli 2005 E. 2700 S., Ste. D, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said in a statement that hosting the inaugural ceremony was a proud moment for Las Vegas and a reflection of its continued evolution as a global dining destination. Meanwhile, back in Utah, Michelin released its first Southwest Guide highlighting nine total Utah restaurants, showcasing the Beehive State’s diverse dining scene.
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