August 7, 2024

California Michelin Guide Revealed For 2024

Seven restaurants in California received their first Michelin star, while three were upgraded to two.

the french laundry california michelin star restaurant — The three-Michelin-starred French Laundry / ©Michael Grimm

Though it can be controversial, the Michelin Guide continues to be held in high esteem by chefs, restaurateurs and fans of fine dining. California has long been a top destination for those seeking some of the best cuisine in the world. It is clear that California’s restaurants continue to shine and impress the inspectors’ exacting standards, as a total of ten new stars and one green star were awarded in the 2024 California Michelin Guide. This means that the Golden State is currently home to 85 Michelin-starred restaurants – while some locations shut since last year, others lost stars.

California’s shining stars

Returning from a hiatus, Vespertine is better than ever: chef Jordan Kahn’s dishes are daring and creative whilst displaying his skill. Highlights from the menu include wild scallops with passiflora, Andean chile and horseradish, and Spring, a kaleidoscopic dish featuring a wild onion and almond milk custard topped with seasonal flowers.

Vespertine was also awarded with a green Michelin star for exemplary sustainable practice. All ingredients, including meat and fish, are sourced ethically from biodynamic, organic or wild origins. The chef also avoids waste by using ingredients from the same origin, such as lamb, in multiple dishes.

Helmed by the British executive chef Harrison Cheney, Sons & Daughters was awarded its second star for its stunning Nordic-inspired cuisine using produce from Northern California. Cured trout is dressed with fish bone broth and herbed oil while roasted quail is served with a flavorful jus and greens from Napa Valley. The menu changes depending on the season, but each iteration promises to be just as surprising and exciting.

The other restaurant upgraded in the California Michelin Guide is Aubergine, a laid-back yet refined and intimate eatery nestled in L’Auberge Carmel. Here, the eight-course tasting menu curated by chef Justin Cogley and pastry chef Yulanda Santos changes daily, highlighting the best ingredients and carefully honed techniques. The restaurant also boasts an impressive wine menu with some 3,500 bottles, which an expert sommelier can guide you through.

singlethread — The dining room at SingleThread, which holds three Michelin stars / ©SingleThread

In addition to these upgrades, some restaurants received a Michelin star for the first time. Bright, fun and luxe, Hilda and Jesse offers a unique, fine dining twist on brunch. Alongside classics such as buttermilk pancakes, diners can opt for a tasting menu featuring dishes such as loaded hash browns and coconut sorbet. Chef and co-owner Kristina Compton have crafted a tasting menu that is sophisticated and satisfying.

Located in San Francisco, Kiln is owned by experienced chef John Wesley and general manager Julianna Yang. An unassuming warehouse has been turned into a sophisticated restaurant with a brutalist design serving a tasting menu that features a whopping 18 or 20 dishes. Inspired by Nordic cuisine, dishes involve simple yet masterfully prepared ingredients that highlight preservation techniques like curing and fermentation.

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Back in LA, chef Gilbert Cetina works his magic at Holbox, where dishes focus on seafood and draw on Cetina’s Mexican roots. Expect fresh, high-quality produce and mouth-watering flavors in each dish, from ceviches to tacos served on handmade corn tortillas. Though the eatery normally serves food over the counter in a food hall, the latest addition to the California Michelin Guide offers a highly coveted tasting menu experience twice a week.

Described as whimsical and otherworldly, Meteora promises an unforgettable, multi-sensory dining experience in a unique setting. Nature is at the center of everything in this restaurant, from the interiors to the ingredients, which are cooked over live fire. Another one of chef Jordan Kahn’s creations, Meteora also champions sustainability and a zero-waste ethos, so we would not be surprised to see a green star also coming here soon.

Would it be a Michelin guide without an omakase restaurant? Enter R|O-Rebel Omakase, an intimate and serene restaurant overseen by chef Jordan Nakasone. Here, fixed plates are prepared before guests, showcasing only the highest-quality produce. Aside from next-level sushi featuring premium ingredients such as white salmon, guests can also expect other Japanese specialties and a top-notch sake menu.

Also joining the California Michelin Guide is 7 Adams, where husband-and-wife pair chefs David and Serena Fisher work together to create world-class menus in a cozy and sleek setting. The cuisine is modern and distinctly Californian but draws on international influences, featuring intriguing flavor combinations spotlighting seasonal ingredients. Acclaimed for her mastery as a pastry chef, Serena Chow Fisher takes care of desserts, which ensure that each meal ends as well as it begins.

Last year, Uka introduced the elevated kaiseki experience to Los Angeles with a refined omakase menu that encapsulates the very best of Japanese cuisine and culture. The skill of chefs Yoshitaka Mitsue and Shingo Kato, who were previously private chefs for the UN Ambassador for Japan in New York, is indubitable. Dishes are deceptively simple but exquisite, including seasoned rice with miso soup, Japanese pickles and organic Hojicha tea. Opt for the beverage pairing to enjoy your meal with rare sake and local wines.