Page 16 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2025

COAST NOTE
Coastal Cuisine Shines story by Cherie Ward photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi
Coastal Mississippi’s dining scene just stepped into the global spotlight.
Three Gulf Coast restaurants—Siren Social Club in Gulfport, White Pillars in Biloxi, and Vestige in Ocean Springs— have officially earned a spot on the Michelin Guide’s Recommended List, joining the ranks of some of the world’s finest dining destinations.
This recognition comes as part of the Michelin Guide’s first-ever American South edition, which expands the iconic red book’s reach to include Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee,
the Carolinas, and Atlanta. The announcement puts the Coast’s culinary talent squarely in the global spotlight and gives South Mississippi chefs a new stage to shine.
While the Magnolia State didn’t collect any Michelin Stars in this inaugural rollout, the Coast was heavily represented—a strong showing for its
debut in the world’s most prestigious dining guide.
For locals, it’s no surprise. South Mississippi chefs have been redefining what it means to dine on the Coast for years—blending coastal charm with world-class creativity.
At Siren Social Club, owners Chef Austin Sumrall and his wife, Tresse, turn Gulf bounty into art. Set just steps from the shoreline, the restaurant is as lively as it is refined. Dishes like roasted oysters, garlic shrimp, and caviar service pair with modern indulgences such as beef Wellington and foie gras mousse. Michelin called it “playful yet polished,” capturing the restaurant’s contemporary coastal soul.
Over in Biloxi, the Sumralls’ flagship, White Pillars, continues to impress. Housed in a lovingly restored 1905 mansion overlooking the Gulf, it’s where Southern heart meets fine dining
finesse. The Michelin team praised Chef Sumrall’s ability to “honor Mississippi’s bounty while redefining what fine dining means on the coast.”
And then there’s Vestige, where chefs Alex Perry and Kumi Omori are quietly crafting culinary poetry in Ocean Springs. Their tasting menu marries Southern ingredients with Japanese precision—Gulf fish, garden vegetables, foraged herbs—each plate a meditation on balance, artistry, and sustainability. Michelin called it “one of the South’s most distinctive dining experiences.”
Together, these three spots prove what coastal food lovers have known all along, the Mississippi Coast’s dining scene can stand toe-to-toe with any city in America.
So, whether it’s a glass of champagne at White Pillars, a night of seafood and laughter at Siren, or a serene, slow- savored meal at Vestige, one thing’s clear—the Coast isn’t just cooking—it’s making culinary history.
16 | December 2025
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Three South Mississippi Restaurants Earn Michelin Recognition