Oxford’s culinary scene shines in second year of MICHELIN Guide American South, with five local restaurants recognized for exceptional dining and cocktails
Visit Oxford MS celebrates the city’s continued culinary excellence following the second annual MICHELIN Guide American South ceremony on October 21 in Nashville, where Miscellanea Spirit House earned two prestigious distinctions. The restaurant received a coveted Bib Gourmand recognition, while its own Ally Bowen was honored with the MICHELIN Exceptional Cocktail Award for her creativity and innovation behind the bar. In addition to Miscellanea’s achievements, four other Oxford-area restaurants retained MICHELIN recommendations, further cementing the destination’s reputation as one of the South’s premier culinary destinations.
“Oxford has long been a destination for exceptional food and Southern hospitality, and seeing Miscellanea Spirit House recognized with both a Bib Gourmand and the MICHELIN Exceptional Cocktail Award is an incredible moment for our culinary community,” said Kinney Ferris, Executive Director of Visit Oxford MS. “These honors, alongside the continued recognition of our local restaurants, are a testament to the talented chefs, mixologists, and hospitality professionals who make Oxford’s dining scene so special. We’re proud to see their creativity and passion celebrated on an international stage.”
Oxford’s restaurants and culinary professionals recognized by the 2026 MICHELIN Guide include:
MICHELIN Exceptional Cocktail Award
Ally Bowen, Miscellanea Spirit House
At Miscellanea, Bowen oversees the development of a highly inventive cocktail program across the establishment’s experiential rooms. Her work focuses on Prohibition-inspired classics, handmade infusions, and bespoke flavor combinations. This award celebrates her technical precision, creativity, and unique approach to flavor curation behind the bar.
Bib Gourmand
Miscellanea Spirit House
Framed by global traditions and anchored in warm Southern hospitality, Miscellanea’s evolving menu reads like a curated travel journal. Every bite and sip offers a familiar comfort with an adventurous twist, inviting guests to explore a world of flavors crafted to spark curiosity. Created with the ever-explorer in mind, their speakeasy invites guests beyond an unassuming storefront into a collection of three distinct cocktail rooms, each offering its own atmosphere, story, and sense of discovery. Every space is designed to encourage guests to linger, explore, and experience something unexpected.
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