List of Michelin-starred restaurants in California

The Michelin Guides have been published by the French tire company Michelin since 1900. They were designed as a guide to tell drivers about eateries they recommended to visit and to subtly sponsor their tires, by encouraging drivers to use their cars more and therefore need to replace the tires as they wore out. Over time, the stars that were given out started to become more valuable.[1]
Multiple anonymous Michelin inspectors visit the restaurants several times. They rate the restaurants on five criteria: "quality of products", "mastery of flavor and cooking techniques", "the personality of the chef represented in the dining experience", "value for money", and "consistency between inspectors' visits".[1][2] Inspectors have at least ten years of expertise and create a list of popular restaurants supported by media reports, reviews, and diner popularity. If they reach a consensus, Michelin awards restaurants from one to three stars based on its evaluation methodology: One star means "high-quality cooking, worth a stop", two stars signify "excellent cooking, worth a detour", and three stars denote "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey".[3] The stars are not permanent and restaurants are constantly being re-evaluated. If the criteria are not met, the restaurant will lose its stars.[1]
The California Guide came about in 2019 as the result of the merger of two other ones; San Francisco and Los Angeles.[4] The San Francisco Michelin Guide was the second North American city chosen to have its own Michelin Guide beginning in 2007. Unlike the other U.S. guides which focus mainly in the city proper, the San Francisco guide included all the major cities in the Bay Area: San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Berkeley, as well as Wine Country, which includes Napa and Sonoma.[5] Michelin published restaurant guides for Los Angeles in 2008 and 2009 but suspended the publication in 2010.[6] In 2019 Michelin replaced the San Francisco guide with a statewide guide which would bring back the Los Angeles market along with the rest of Southern California and included Northern California as well. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires in California, the French tire company's restaurant guide for California took a hiatus in 2020.[7]
2019–2025 statewide lists
[edit]The 2019–2025 Michelin Guides cover the entire state of California.[4][8][9] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires in California, the French tire company's restaurant guide took a hiatus in California in 2020.[10]
Northern California
[edit]| One Michelin star | |
| Two Michelin stars | |
| Three Michelin stars | |
—
|
The restaurant did not receive a star that year |
| Closed | The restaurant is no longer open |
Southern California
[edit]| One Michelin star | |
| Two Michelin stars | |
| Three Michelin stars | |
—
|
The restaurant did not receive a star that year |
| Closed | The restaurant is no longer open |
2008–2018 Los Angeles lists
[edit]| One Michelin star | |
| Two Michelin stars | |
—
|
The restaurant did not receive a star that year |
| Closed | The restaurant is no longer open |
The Michelin Guide suspended guides for the Los Angeles area in 2010 "due to the economic environment."[52]
2007–2018 San Francisco Bay Area and Wine Country lists
[edit]| One Michelin star | |
| Two Michelin stars | |
| Three Michelin stars | |
—
|
The restaurant did not receive a star that year |
| Closed | The restaurant is no longer open |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Le Comptoir at Bar Crenn, specifically has the Michelin star
- ^ The original location in 2012 was West Los Angeles but relocated in 2021 to Santa Monica
- ^ The original location in 2019 was Beverly Hills but upon reopening in 2024 it is now in West Hollywood
See also
[edit]- List of restaurants
- List of Michelin 3-star restaurants in the United States
- Lists of Michelin-starred restaurants
References
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- ^ "How Restaurants Get Michelin Stars: A Brief History of the Michelin Guide". Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. February 9, 2024. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ Dixon, Rachel (June 24, 2008). "Q&A: Michelin stars". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ a b "MICHELIN Guide California 2019 Selection". MICHELIN Guide. June 4, 2019. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ "Michelin Selects San Francisco and Bay Area as North American Guide Destination" (Press release). PR Newswire. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ Hallock, Betty (June 25, 2009). "Michelin won't be publishing 2010 guides for L.A. or Las Vegas". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ "Michelin Reverses Course, Won't Issue California Star Ratings This Year". Eater.com. October 13, 2020. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ "2021 California New MICHELIN Stars". MICHELIN Guide. September 28, 2021. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ "2022 California MICHELIN Stars". December 5, 2022. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Michelin Reverses Course, Won't Issue California Star Ratings This Year". Eater.com. October 13, 2020. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ Yan, Matt. "First Michelin-starred restaurant in San Jose is closing". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Kadvany, By Elena. "After seven years and a Michelin star, this acclaimed S.F. restaurant is closing". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Kadvany, Elena. "Chef will close Michelin-starred restaurant, citing 'desolate convention center suck hole' in downtown S.F." San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ "Michelin-Starred Avery is Closing Permanently This Fall". October 11, 2023.
- ^ "Bistronomie by Baumé on California Avenue closes its doors after 13 years of luxury French food". August 17, 2023.
- ^ Bitker, By Janelle. "Coi, famed chef Daniel Patterson's last Bay Area restaurant, has closed".
- ^ Phillips, By Justin. "Commonwealth to close on Aug. 26: 'We were having one of our best years'".
- ^ HashiriSF. "We are pleased to announce that Hashiri SF will open to the public starting Tuesday, September 19th..." Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
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- ^ Duffett, Becky (September 10, 2021). "Oakland Soul Food Icon Brown Sugar Kitchen Shutters After 15 Years, and More Closings". Eater SF.
- ^ Cortez, Mario. "After 10 years and a Michelin star, this S.F. restaurant is closing".
- ^ Guerrero, Susana. "San Francisco restaurant once led by chef Dominique Crenn has quietly closed".
- ^ Kadvany, Elena. "One of the Bay Area's only three-Michelin-starred restaurants is closing after 20 years".
- ^ "Brasserie B by Bobby Flay is a welcome addition to the Strip's French dining scene - Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. August 1, 2024.
- ^ Guerrero, Susana. "Michael Mina permanently closes Michelin-starred SF restaurant".
- ^ Guerrero, Susana. "Michelin star restaurant Nico closes to make way for new concept".
- ^ "Michelin-Starred Osito Reportedly Closing Due to Rent Dispute". SFist - San Francisco News, Restaurants, Events, & Sports. May 7, 2025.
- ^ Wells, Madeline. "'I'm fully in shock': Chefs react to Napa restaurant burning down".
- ^ a b "San Francisco Bay Area's Michelin Stars Announced for 2019, Again". Eater. June 3, 2019. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ a b Elliott, Farley (June 3, 2019). "Here are all of LA's new Michelin-starred restaurants, from Somni to N/Naka". Eater LA. Archived from the original on November 25, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "The 2021 MICHELIN Guide California Celebrates Five New two MICHELIN Stars and 22 New one MICHELIN Star Awards". Michelin Guide. Michelin North America. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Avalle, Alma (December 6, 2022). "A Full List of California Restaurants That Kept, Earned, or Lost Michelin Stars in 2022". Bon Appétit.
- ^ a b "California 1 Star Michelin Restaurants". Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
- ^ a b "All 25 of L.A.'s Michelin star restaurants, updated for 2022". Time Out Los Angeles. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- ^ a b Goldstein, Li (July 19, 2023). "The Full List of California Restaurants That Kept, Earned, or Lost Michelin Stars in 2023". Bon Appétit.
- ^ a b "The Full List of California Restaurants That Kept, Earned, or Lost Michelin Stars in 2023". Bon Appétit. July 19, 2023. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "Michelin just released its 2023 starred restaurants in California — with a new star in L.A." Los Angeles Times. July 19, 2023. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "Here Are the 2024 Michelin Star Winners in the Bay Area". August 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "All the 2024 California Michelin Guide Stars". Michelin Guide. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Dobson, Jim. "California Gets 9 New Michelin-Starred Restaurants For 2025". Forbes.
- ^ Elliott, Farley (December 30, 2020). "Dave Beran's Tiny, Michelin-Starred Dialogue Closes on November 7". Eater Los Angeles. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Roland, Rebecca (November 24, 2025). "Five-Year-Old Gucci Osteria Beverly Hills Suddenly Closes". Eater LA.
- ^ "Two of L.A.'s most lauded chefs are closing their Michelin-starred restaurant and its downstairs bistro". Los Angeles Times. February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Curtis Stone to close Maude next month and replace it with Pie Room". Los Angeles Times. August 7, 2024.
- ^ Balla, Lesley (April 12, 2021). "'It Always Comes Back': Josiah Citrin on the Upcoming Restaurant Boom". Resy | Right This Way. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
- ^ "This Michelin-starred chef wants to feed people. So she closed her restaurants". Los Angeles Times. October 10, 2024.
- ^ "After almost a decade, a Michelin-starred izakaya closes in downtown L.A." Los Angeles Times. July 14, 2025.
- ^ Kang, Matthew (August 4, 2020). "José Andrés Restaurants the Bazaar and Somni Will Close Inside SLS Hotel Due to Contract Termination". Eater LA. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ "Ginza Onodera". www.sushionodera.com.
- ^ "Star-winning Taco María is closing this Saturday. 'It's not the end,' chef says". Los Angeles Times. July 25, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
- ^ "Trois Mec, Ludo Lefebvre's tasting menu restaurant, has closed permanently". Los Angeles Times. July 25, 2020. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ "Michelin won't be publishing 2010 guides for L.A. or Las Vegas". Los Angeles Times. June 25, 2009.
- ^ Scattergood, Amy (May 24, 2011). "Bastide Closes: This Time For Good". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ Rodell, Besha (December 4, 2014). "Hatfield's to Close at End of Year". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ Snyder, Garrett (February 1, 2016). "Farewell to Joe's Restaurant, One of Venice's Last Remaining Dining Icons". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ Odell, Kat (February 10, 2014). "La Botte in Santa Monica Done, "Next Chapter" To Come". Eater Los Angeles. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ Scattergood, Amy (January 12, 2011). "Ortolan Closes". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ Hallock, Betty (May 13, 2010). "David Myers' culinary empire in flux". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ Gold, Jonathan (May 25, 2012). "Counter Intelligence: Ración is Basque country". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ Elliott, Farley (August 7, 2018). "Legendary Italian Restaurant Valentino to Close After 46 Years in Santa Monica". Eater Los Angeles. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ Balla, Lesley (November 9, 2007). "Breaking: Michelin Stars Are Out". Eater Los Angeles. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ Balla, Lesley (October 20, 2008). "Michelin Results Are Out: No Three Stars, Providence Ups to Two, New One Stars Added". Eater Los Angeles. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ "A Wine Country Dining Icon Closes in Yountville". October 3, 2018.
- ^ "Bay Area stars fail to make Michelin cut / French Laundry is lone restaurant to win top rating in guide's S.F. edition". SFGate.com. October 3, 2006. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "More Michelin stars fall on Bay Area". BizJournals. October 22, 2007. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "MICHELIN GUIDE SAN FRANCISCO, WINE COUNTRY 2009 ANNOUNCED". Food Fashionista. October 2008. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "39 Bay Area restaurants get Michelin stars". SFGate.com. October 20, 2009. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "Michelin Guide Bay Area 2011: Meadowood elevated to three stars, Chez Panisse loses its star". SFGate.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "Bay Area Restaurants Shine in 2012 Michelin Guide" (Press release). BizJournals. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "Michelin Stars for 2013 Announced: Atelier Crenn Gets Two, SPQR Earns a Star, Fleur de Lys Loses Theirs". Grub Street. October 23, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "Michelin releases 2014 San Francisco Bay Area Guide: Quince, State Bird Provisions shine". SFGate.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "Here Are the 2015 Michelin Stars for San Francisco; Benu and Saison Both Get Major Upgrades". Grub Street. October 21, 2014. Archived from the original on September 29, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "The 2016 San Francisco Michelin Guide's Big Winner Is David Kinch's Manresa". Eater. October 20, 2015. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "Six Bay Area Restaurants Now Have Three Michelin Stars, As Many As New York". Eater. October 25, 2016. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
- ^ "San Francisco Bay Area's Michelin Stars Announced for 2018". Eater. October 25, 2017. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
Bibliography
[edit]- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2007. Michelin Travel Publications. 2007. ISBN 978-2-06-712084-6.
- Michelin Guide Los Angeles 2008. Michelin Travel Publications. 2008. ISBN 978-2-06-712990-0.
- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2008. Michelin Travel Publications. 2008. ISBN 978-2-06-712985-6.
- Michelin Guide Los Angeles 2009. Michelin Travel Publications. 2009. ISBN 978-2-06-713708-0.
- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2009. Michelin Travel Publications. 2009. ISBN 978-2-06-713707-3.
- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2010. Michelin Travel Publications. 2010. ISBN 978-2-06-714694-5.
- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2011. Michelin Travel Publications. 2011. ISBN 978-2-06-715336-3.
- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2012. Michelin Travel Publications. 2012. ISBN 978-2-06-716529-8.
- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2013. Michelin Travel Publications. 2013. ISBN 978-2-06-717693-5.
- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2014. Michelin Travel Publications. 2014. ISBN 978-2-06-718697-2.
- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2015. Michelin Travel Publications. 2015. ISBN 978-2-06-719411-3.
- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2016. Michelin Travel Publications. 2016. ISBN 978-2-06-720298-6.
- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2017. Michelin Travel Publications. 2017. ISBN 978-2-06-721237-4.
- Michelin Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country 2018. Michelin Travel Publications. 2018. ISBN 978-2-06-722092-8.
- Michelin Guide California 2019. Michelin Travel Publications. 2019. ISBN 978-2-06-724129-9.
External links
[edit]- California at Michelin Guide
- Map of Michelin rated restaurants in San Francisco