×
Get latest travel news
Moody Tongue Sushi, nestled within the Hilton West Palm Beach, has achieved remarkable recognition once again, garnering a prized MICHELIN Selection in the 2026 Florida MICHELIN Guide. This accolade signifies the restaurant’s commitment to excellence, affirming its status as a leading player in Florida’s vibrant fine-dining scene for the second consecutive year.
This prestigious recognition was part of the much-anticipated statewide culinary guide, which annually showcases exceptional dining options throughout Florida. Having launched in January 2025, Moody Tongue Sushi quickly established itself as one of the region’s must-visit dining venues.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Florida’s reputation as a premier destination for leisure travel has escalated, with gastronomy playing an increasingly crucial role in enhancing hospitality experiences. According to Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism marketing organization, culinary tourism is emerging as a significant draw for visitors, stimulating economic growth in cities like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.
In this evolving culinary landscape, Moody Tongue Sushi’s MICHELIN accolade illustrates the rising acclaim of Florida’s dining establishments, as globally recognized food guides like MICHELIN spotlight the state’s gastronomic offerings. The MICHELIN Guide evaluates restaurants based on quality, creativity, and consistency, and a Selection signifies an establishment that consistently delivers noteworthy cuisine as judged by professional inspectors.
This West Palm Beach location marks the third restaurant from Moody Tongue to receive a MICHELIN recognition, joining its esteemed counterparts in Chicago and New York City. Specializing in immaculately crafted sushi, Moody Tongue focuses on hyper-seasonal ingredients balanced with innovative beverage pairings.
At the helm of the kitchen, Executive Sushi Chef Hiromi Iwakiri presents a refined omakase experience, offering a prix-fixe tasting menu typically comprising 13 courses. This traditional Japanese term, meaning “I’ll leave it up to you,” empowers Chef Iwakiri to create a unique dining experience each evening based on the freshest available ingredients and inspired creativity.
Moody Tongue Sushi distinguishes itself not just through culinary artistry, but also through its inventive approach to beverage pairings, integrating artisanal brewing with traditional dining practices. Each dish is thoughtfully paired not only with sake or wine but also with specially crafted beers created by co-owner and Brewmaster Jared Rouben.
Rouben’s brewing philosophy focuses on achieving balance and flavor complexity, akin to a chef’s meticulous menu development. Amongst the popular pairings are:
Rouben’s approach to brewing merges his culinary expertise with brewing education, extending beyond traditional styles. His creations incorporate seasonal ingredients and brewing techniques to harmonize with the food menu.
Guest might find delightful specialties like:
To celebrate its entrance to West Palm Beach, Rouben curated a limited-edition West Palm Beach Pilsner, available only at the Hilton venue.
In addition to its exceptional beer pairings, Moody Tongue Sushi curates a premium selection of Japanese whiskies, wines, and sakes, each selected to pair harmoniously with the omakase menu, allowing guests to enhance their culinary journey.
“We are incredibly grateful to have received this recognition for two consecutive years in the Florida MICHELIN Guide,” shared Jared Rouben. “Our first permanent Florida location opened just a year ago, and we appreciate the warm reception we’ve received. This honor reflects our team’s dedication to excellence and the flourishing food scene in West Palm Beach.”
Chris Inman, general manager of the Hilton West Palm Beach, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We take immense pride in the Moody Tongue Sushi team’s achievements. Since its opening, the restaurant has enhanced the guest experience, making our property a distinguished dining destination in the region.”
Moody Tongue Sushi operates Wednesday to Saturday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. To ensure availability, guests are encouraged to make reservations through the restaurant’s OpenTable page, securing their spot at one of West Palm Beach’s premier culinary experiences.
Though relatively new to the West Palm Beach dining scene, the Moody Tongue portfolio boasts four world-class venues: two in Chicago and two in New York City, recognized for their innovative cuisine and beverage offerings. Particularly, the Chicago location has received stars in the Chicago MICHELIN Guide for multiple years, establishing a legacy of culinary excellence.
Moody Tongue’s reputation reverberates within the craft brewing and fine dining realms, as its Chicago establishment became the first wholesale brewery to receive recognition from the MICHELIN Guide, bridging the worlds of craft beverages and haute cuisine.
As highlighted by Visit Florida, culinary experiences, exemplified by awards like the MICHELIN Selection, play a pivotal role in attracting visitors to the state. They not only boost interest in culinary tourism but also highlight Florida as a destination where top-tier gastronomy meets cultural enrichment.
With Moody Tongue Sushi’s second MICHELIN selection, West Palm Beach gains further recognition as a culinary hub, reflecting the area’s growth in hospitality and gastronomy. As dining tourism expands, Moody Tongue Sushi illustrates how innovative approaches to cuisine and local engagement can lead to substantial culinary recognition.
Image: The Buzz Agency
Source: The post West Palm Beach’s Moody Tongue Sushi Secures Back to Back MICHELIN Selection, Highlighting Florida’s Culinary Growth: All You Need to Know first appeared on www.travelandtourworld.com.
