Do Any Of Bobby Flay's Restaurants Have A Michelin Star?

Although Bobby Flay is one of the most well-known chefs in America, none of his restaurants (at the time of writing) hold any Michelin stars. But they used to. His brief relationship with the prestigious Michelin Guide started at his second Mesa Grill restaurant location, in Las Vegas, which specialized in Southwestern cuisine. The restaurant earned one star back in 2008. Flay had several Mesa Grill locations, including in New York City and the Bahamas, but the Las Vegas location stood above the rest. Unfortunately, the honor was short-lived. Only one year later, Mesa Grill lost its Michelin star — not because it had it taken away from it, but because Michelin stopped publishing a Las Vegas guide. Every Mesa Grill location shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Flay's restaurant empire includes several beloved spots, each with an excellent reputation. He first opened Mesa Grill in New York City in 1991, which was the foundation of his career. The Las Vegas location opened in 2004 at Caesars Palace, and although it had a star for only a year, the restaurant was a hit for over a decade. After its closure in 2020, Flay shifted focus to a new style with the high-end restaurant Amalfi, which opened in 2021 at the exact location. The restaurant offers fresh takes on traditional Italian dishes from the Amalfi Coast. Also in Ceasar's Palace, Flay opened Brasserie B, a classic Parisian brasserie serving fare like pastries, steak frites, and duck confit.

Flay has been particularly successful with his two burger joints, Bobby's Burgers and Bobby's Burger Palace, which have multiple locations throughout the U.S. Although his restaurants may not have stars, their popularity and continued success show that the Michelin Guide isn't the only judge of culinary excellence.

Bobby Flay has proven that a chef's success doesn't always come from Michelin stars. Beyond his restaurants, he has built a remarkable television career as a Food Network star. He's gained national attention through shows like "Iron Chef America," "Grillin' and Chillin'" (which Flay absolutely hated filming), "Throwdown with Bobby Flay," "Bobby and Giada in Italy," "Bobby Flay's Barbecue Addiction," and "Beat Bobby Flay," and he has won several Emmy Awards for his work. His cookbooks have flown off the shelves, and he's a two-time James Beard Foundation Award winner. As a television celebrity, cookbook author, and cultural icon, he's cemented his place as one of America's top chefs.

His success extends to many other honors, including being the first chef to receive a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. While Flay never regained the honor of a Michelin star, his culinary career has flourished without one. Ultimately, Flay's success isn't defined by Michelin stars. His influence on American cuisine, innovative restaurants, and entertaining television programming have made him a culinary legend and a larger-than-life household name.