Getaway Guide: Yosemite National Park
Nestled within the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park is famous for its giant sequoias, granite monoliths, and cascading waterfalls.
If you can’t resist the urge to book a table at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants in California, don’t say we didn't warn you.
The Michelin stars are perhaps the best-known awards in the dining scene today. A hallmark of culinary excellence, this coveted award is reserved for the best of the best and even has a hierarchy of its own. Restaurants are awarded one, two, or three stars. The more stars a restaurant has, the higher it’s ranked by the Michelin inspectors.
While around 600 restaurants in California have received some kind of Michelin accolade, such as a Bib Gourmand or a Michelin Green star, only 80 have received an actual star (or two, maybe even three). Most of the Michelin-starred restaurants in California are in the Bay Area, but many more are scattered across the state.
Next time you want to feel extra fancy, treat yourself to dinner at one of these coveted spots. If you can’t resist the urge to book a table several times a month at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants in California, don’t say we didn’t give you a fair warning.
Southern California is home to many of the state’s iconic foods, so it’s no surprise you’ll come across a number of fine dining establishments. The diversity of the cuisines is apparent at first glance at the Michelin guide in California.
The number of Michelin restaurants in Los Angeles is second, right after the Bay Area. If you’re a true SoCal foodie, you probably already know many of the restaurants have been awarded a Michelin star in L.A. And. However, if you make a new discovery through this list, bon appetit!
Many of the restaurants awarded a Michelin star in Los Angeles are Japanese eateries and sushi places. However, you’ll also find plenty of other cuisines, such as American and contemporary on the list as well.
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Address: 5955 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, 90038
Opening Hours: 5:30/6 pm - 9 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 3599 Hayden Ave., Culver City, 90232
Opening Hours: 6 pm - 8:30 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 1320 E. 7th St., Ste. 126, Los Angeles, 90021
Opening Hours: 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm (Wednesday-Sunday)
Address: 3455 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 9 pm ( Wednesday - Saturday)
Address: 609 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, 90069
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 7:30 pm ( Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 250 E. 1st St., B1, Los Angeles, 90012
Opening Hours: 7 pm - 10:30 pm ( Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 738 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, 90013
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10:30 pm ( Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 923 E. 3rd St., Ste. 109, Los Angeles, 90013
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10/10:30 pm ( Friday - Monday)
Address: 6602 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 90038
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 9/10 pm ( Monday - Saturday)
Address: 122 W. 4th St., Los Angeles, 90013
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10 pm ( Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 815 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, 90014
Opening Hours: 6 pm - 9 pm ( Wednesday - Sunday)
Address: 777 Alameda St., Los Angeles, 90021
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10 pm ( Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 3655 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, 90007
Opening Hours: 11:30 am - 9 pm ( Tuesday - Sunday)
Address: 6703 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 90038
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 9:30/10 pm ( Wednesday - Sunday)
Address: 6600 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, 90028
Opening Hours: 4:30 pm - 8:30 (Sunday); 5 pm - 9 pm (Tuesday - Thursday); 5 pm - 9:30 pm (Friday - Saturday)
Address: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, 90028
Opening Hours: 11 am - 7 pm (Monday - Friday); 11 am - 8 pm (Saturday - Sunday)
Address: 212 N. Cañon Dr., Beverly Hills, 90210
Opening Hours: 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm (Monday - Tuesday); 6 pm - 11 pm (Wednesday - Saturday)
Address: 20918 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, 90503
Opening Hours: Check opening hours upon reservation
Address: 5722 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, 90038
Opening Hours: 6 pm - 9/9:30 pm ( Wednesday - Sunday)
Address: 16573 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 91436
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 9 pm (Tuesday - Sunday)
Address: 347 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 90210
Opening Hours: Please check the opening hours on the website
Address: 3133 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, 90039
Opening Hours: 6 pm - 9 pm ( Wednesday - Sunday)
Address: 16101 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 250, Encino, 91436
Opening Hours: 4:30 pm - 10 pm ( Wednesday - Sunday)
Address: 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 90401
Opening Hours: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Wednesday); 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Thursday - Saturday)
This two-star restaurant Mélisse Restaurant is a fine-dining experience you can’t miss. Considering the buzz around the restaurant with its two Michelin stars, you might have to reserve well in advance to score a seat.
San Diego’s hottest restaurants not only have exceptional menus, but they also boast oceanfront views, prime entertainment, and an authentic dining experience. While there are currently only a handful of restaurants with Michelin stars in San Diego, there are many other fine dining spots you should check out. After all, the city does hold significant leverage in the California dining scene, so we reckon it’s only time until there are more Michelin star restaurants in San Diego. Besides, is there anything better than discovering something before it’s big?
Address: 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, 92130
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 11 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 2121 Adams Ave., San Diego, 92116
Opening Hours: 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm (Wednesday - Sunday)
Address: 2659 State St., Carlsbad, 92008
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10 pm (Wednesday - Sunday)
With a vibrant culture like no other, it’s not surprising that the dining scene is just as lively in the O.C. There are currently three Michelin-star restaurants in Orange County, both located in Costa Mesa. In any case, finding a good spot to eat here is a non-issue, be it Michelin or no Michelin star.
Address: 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 92626
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 10 pm (2Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 3333 S. Bristol St., Ste. 3001, Costa Mesa
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Santa Barbara is an entirely new addition to the list of Michelin-starred restaurants in California. The wonderfully rustic Bell’s is the restaurant that put Santa Barbara on the Michelin star map—and that place is as delicious as you expect it to be.
Address: 406 Bell St., Los Alamos, 93440
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Along with Santa Barbara, Paso Robles also enters the list of California cities with Michelin-starred restaurants with its first-ever spot. The contemporary eatery Six Test Kitchen has come a long way since it started in a garage many years ago. Today, the swanky restaurant offers a multiple-course tasting menu inspired by the seasons of the Central Coast, and we’re obsessed.
Address: 3075 Blue Rock Rd., Paso Robles, 93446
Opening Hours: 6 pm - 6:30 pm (Wednesday - Saturday)
There are currently 2 restaurants rewarded with a Michelin star in Central California, and that’s in Carmel-by-the-Sea. These Michelin-star restaurants in Monterey County are luxurious yet simple, offering an elevated take on contemporary California cuisine.
Address: 5th Ave. btw. Dolores and San Carlos Sts., Carmel-by-the-Sea
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 8:30 pm (Monday - Saturday)
Address: Monte Verde at 7th Ave., Carmel-by-the-Sea, 93921
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 8 pm (Wednesday - Sunday)
At this point, Northern California is practically synonymous with fine dining and tasty eateries. NorCal’s reputation as a big player on the dining scene is undeniable—it has such a high concentration of Michelin-star restaurants, and plenty of others make the list almost every year. From Michelin-starred ramen to the best food in the Bay, these are the restaurants that represent Northern California in the Michelin league.
The Bay Area cities also host an impressive number of spots you won’t want to miss. From Palo Alto to Santa Clara, these are Michelin-starred restaurants in the bustling Bay Area to have on your radar.
Address: 250 California Ave., Palo Alto, 94306
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 9:30 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 115 De Anza Blvd., San Mateo, 94402
Opening Hours: 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm (Wednesday - Sunday)
Address: 938 Villa St., Mountain View, 94041
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 8 pm (Wednesday - Saturday)
Address: 198 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, 94960
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 8:45 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 14555 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, 95070
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10 pm (Tuesday - Sunday)
Address: 2967 Woodside Rd., Woodside, 94062
Opening Hours: Please check the website
The Greater San Francisco area reigns supreme with the most number of Michelin restaurants in the Golden State. Whether you’re into traditional dining or experimental menus, you’ll find an incredible dish at one of the many Michelin restaurants in San Francisco. On top of having the highest concentration, the City by the Bay is the only city with not one, not two, but three Michelin star restaurants in California.
Address: 470 Pacific Ave., San Francisco, 94133
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 9 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 3127 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 94123
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 8:30 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 22 Hawthorne St., San Francisco, 94105
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm (Tuesday - Thursday); 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Friday - Saturday)
Address: 708 Bush St., San Francisco, 94108
Opening Hours: 6 pm - 8 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 3859 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, 94611
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 1722 Sacramento St., San Francisco, 94109
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 355 11th St., San Francisco, 94103
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 178 Townsend St., San Francisco, 94107
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 9:30 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 3416 19th St., San Francisco, 94110
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 1085 Mission St., San Francisco, 94103
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 9 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 149 Fell St., San Francisco, 94102
Opening Hours: 6 pm - 8 pm (Tuesday - Thursday); 5 pm - 8:30 pm (Friday - Saturday)
Address: 1625 Post St., San Francisco, 94115
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 9 pm
Address: 55 Cyril Magnin St., San Francisco, 94102
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 1525 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 94115
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Address: 1529 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 94115
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Address: 1963 Sutter St., San Francisco, 94115
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 165 O'Farrell St., San Francisco, 94102
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 816 Folsom St., San Francisco, 94107
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 61 Division St., San Francisco, 94103
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 2226 Polk St., San Francisco, 94109
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 9 pm (Wednesday - Sunday)
Address: 28 Waverly Pl., San Francisco, 94108
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 2316 Polk St., San Francisco, 94109
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 9 pm (Wednesday - Sunday)
Address: 115 Sansome St., San Francisco
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm (Tuesday - Saturday)
Address: 2875 18th St., San Francisco
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 701 Union St., San Francisco, 94133
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 2170 Bryant St., San Francisco
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 9/10 pm
Address: 3228 Sacramento St., San Francisco, 94115
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 9 pm (Wednesday - Sunday)
Address: 3131 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 94123
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 132 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, 94105
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 198 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, 94960
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 115 De Anza Blvd., San Mateo, 94402
Opening Hours: Please check the website
The Kitchen and Localis are the only restaurants with a Michelin star in Sacramento boasting incredible cuisine. These places invite guests to practically feel at home while dining here. Feel free to get up and walk around, chat with the chefs, ask for a second round, and, most importantly, have fun.
Address: 915 Broadway, Ste. 100, Sacramento
Opening Hours: 6:30 pm - 11 pm (Wednesday-Saturday)
Address: 2031 S. St., Sacramento, 95811
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 9/9:30 pm (Wednesday-Saturday)
The dreamy Mendocino looks even more enchanting from the terrace overlooking the ocean at Harbour House in Elk. Not only does this delightful restaurant have two Michelin stars, but it also has a green star for its commitment to sustainability.
Address: 5600 CA-1, Elk, 95432
Opening Hours: Please check the website
The Napa and Sonoma Valleys are known for their exceptional vinos, but the coveted NorCal vacation spot’s dining scene is just as impressive. Find a range of cuisines to choose from among the Michelin-starred restaurants in Wine Country and book a table well in advance to try your new favorite dish.
Address: 131 North St., Healdsburg, 95448
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 6640 Washington St., Yountville, 94599
Opening Hours: 4 pm - 8 pm
Address: 1339 Pearl St., Napa, 94559
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 400 Silverado Trl., Calistoga, 94515
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 9 pm (Wednesday - Saturday)
Address: 180 Rutherford Hill Rd., Rutherford, 94573
Opening Hours: Please check the website
Address: 587 St. Helena St., Saint Helena, 94574
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 8:30/9:30 pm
Nestled within the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park is famous for its giant sequoias, granite monoliths, and cascading waterfalls.
Discover California's top fall destinations: from Yosemite's serene beauty to Julian's apple harvest. Autumnal magic awaits.
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