California just got 7 new Michelin-starred restaurants. Where are they?
Top chefs across California are celebrating their restaurants’ new Michelin star status.
Considered one of the most prestigious honors in the culinary arts community, Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants “offering outstanding cooking” and exquisite dining experiences, according to the Michelin Guide,
“We take into account five universal criteria: the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavors, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and, just as importantly, consistency both across the entire menu and over time,” the guide says.
This year, seven new California restaurants earned a single Michelin star, while three restaurants celebrated two-star status for the first time.
In addition, a total of 10 new restaurants received Bib Gourmand status, which recognizes exceptional yet budget-friendly dining experiences.
California now boasts 85 Michelin-starred restaurants, a slight decrease from the 87 eateries that boasted stars in 2023.
“It’s easy to see why our Inspectors have taken a shine to the Golden State with innovative cuisine, buzzy chefs, and oodles of flavor,” the guide says.
Which California restaurants earned new Michelin stars?
Vespertine in Culver City earned two Michelin stars in recognition of its contemporary cuisine, as well as green star status to celebrate its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Dishes created by chef Jordan Kahn are served inside “a strikingly futuristic edifice of red steel” that offers an extraordinary dining experience, according to the Michelin guide.
“Each dish is visually stunning, with cuisine that is not only daringly inventive (at times downright whimsical), but also marshals finely honed technique and impeccably balanced flavors,” the guide says.
Aubergine in Carmel-by-the-Sea was awarded two stars.
“Chef Justin Cogley balances classic technique with a sleek, modern aesthetic, and his cooking captures a sense of place that feels wholly his own,” the guide says.
Dishes such as a cabbage taco with shallot jam, Kaluga queen caviar and cabbage chips are skillfully prepared and artistically presented, according to the guide.
Sons & Daughters in San Francisco also earned two Michelin stars for its minimalist, Nordic-inspired cuisine created by chef Harrison Cheney, according to the guide.
The tasting menu features a blend of preserved fruits and vegetables, seafood and aged meats, such as cured California trout with chilled fish bone broth and smoked pork fat sauce.
“Offering an abundance of poise, polish and charm, this cozy Nob Hill jewel box remains quietly impressive,” the guide says.
Los Angeles, San Francisco eateries get Michelin stars for the first time
In California, seven restaurants were awarded their first Michelin stars:
- Hilda and Jesse in San Francisco
- Holbox in Los Angeles
- Kiln in San Francisco
- Meteora in Los Angeles
- R|O-Rebel Omakase in Laguna Beach
- Uka in Los Angeles
- 7 Adams in San Francisco
Which Michelin-recognized restaurants kept their stars?
In Sacramento, The Kitchen and Localis held onto their single Michelin stars, while Canon, Frank Fat’s, Yue Huang and Nixtaco maintained their Bib Gourmand ratings.
In San Luis Obispo County, two Paso Robles restaurants maintained their Michelin star status: The Restaurant at Justin and Six Test Kitchen.
Three star restaurants in California:
- Addison in San Diego
- Atelier Crenn in San Francisco
- Benu in San Francisco
- Quince in San Francisco
- SingleThread in Healdsburg
- The French Laundry in Yountville
Two star restaurants in California:
- Acquerello in San Francisco
- Birdsong in San Francisco
- Californios in San Francisco
- Commis in Oakland
- Harbor House in Elk
- Hayato in Los Angeles
- Lazy Bear in San Francisco
- Mélisse in Santa Monica
- Providence in Hollywood
- Saison in San Francisco
One star restaurants in California:
- Angler SF in San Francisco
- Aphotic in San Francisco
- Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford
- Auro in Calistoga
- Bell’s in Los Alamos
- Camphor in Los Angeles
- Caruso’s in Montecito
- Chez Noir in Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Chez TJ in Mountain View
- Citrin in Santa Monica
- Cyrus in Geyserville
- Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Beverly Hills
- Gwen in Los Angeles
- Hana Re in Costa Mesa
- Heritage in Long Beach
- Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad
- Kali in Hollywood
- Kato in Los Angeles
- Kenzo in Napa
- Kin Khao in San Francisco
- Knife Pleat in Costa Mesa
- Le Comptoir at Bar Crenn in San Francisco
- Madcap in San Anselmo
- Mister Jiu’s in San Francisco
- Morihiro in Los Angeles
- Nari in San Francisco
- Niku Steakhouse in San Francisco
- Nisei in San Francisco
- Nozawa Bar in Beverly Hills
- O’ by Claude Le Tohic in San Francisco
- Orsa & Winston in Los Angeles
- Osito in San Francisco
- Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles
- Pasta | Bar in Encino
- Plumed Horse in Saratoga
- Press in Saint Helena
- Protégé in Palo Alto
- San Ho Won in San Francisco
- Selby’s in Atherton
- Shibumi in Los Angeles
- Shin Sushi in Encino
- Soichi in San Diego
- Sorrel in San Francisco
- Ssal in San Francisco
- State Bird Provisions in San Francisco
- Sushi Inaba in Torrance
- Sushi Kaneyoshi in Los Angeles
- The Progress in San Francisco
- The Shota in San Francisco
- The Village Pub in Woodside
- Valle in Oceanside
- Wakuriya in San Mateo
Which eateries lost Michelin star status?
In San Francisco, Gary Danko lost its Michelin single-star status after 17 years.
Q Sushi in Los Angeles lost its star, as did recently closed restaurant Maude.
Barndiva in Healdsburg, Sushi Shin in Redwood City and Sushi Yoshizumi in San Mateo also had their Michelin stars revoked.
Sushi Ginza Onodera and n/naka in Los Angeles, which both previously held two stars, now have one apiece.
This story was originally published August 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "California just got 7 new Michelin-starred restaurants. Where are they?."
