On June 25, the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento played host to the prestigious 2025 Michelin Guide California ceremony, bringing together chefs and restaurateurs from across the state.
The event is significant not only for the awards it bestows but also for its focus on sustainability, with green stars recognizing exceptional practices in environmentally friendly operations.
Leading up to this year’s ceremony, Los Angeles and Orange County were yet to have any three-star establishments. In 2024, the standout restaurant was Vespertine, which proudly held two Michelin stars.
That same year, several new eateries received their first Michelin stars, including chef Gilberto Cetina’s Holbox for its Mexican seafood undertones, along with Rebel Omakase in Laguna Beach, Uka at Japan House, and chef Jordan Kahn’s Meteora.
Alongside the accolades, the ceremony also reported restaurants that lost stars from the previous year. Notably, Beverly Hills’ Sushi Ginza Onodera and Palms’ kaiseki restaurant N/Naka each lost one star from their prior two-star status.
Excitement surged before the star announcements commenced this year when the Michelin Guide accidentally unveiled a video indicating that Aitor Zabala’s acclaimed tasting menu restaurant, Somni, had received three Michelin stars, marking a historic achievement for Los Angeles.
The evening continued to celebrate the notable culinary scene of Los Angeles, with chef Ki Kim awarded the Michelin Young Chef Award for his work at Restaurant Ki, which became the first Michelin-starred Korean restaurant in the city.
Two more establishments, Mori Nozomi and Silver Omakase, secured their first Michelin star following the announcements.
As the ceremony progressed, another noteworthy event unfolded: Michael Cimarusti’s Providence, a seafood tasting menu restaurant, also earned the coveted three-star rating, elevating Los Angeles’s total count to two three-star establishments.
However, the celebration was tempered with the loss of stars for Sushi Ginza Onodera and Hana, which failed to maintain their Michelin status.
The Michelin Guide first ventured into Los Angeles with its inaugural guides in 2008 and 2009 but left the city for a decade. San Francisco has had its guide since 2006, and with the California Tourism Board’s generous support in 2019, the Michelin Guide expanded to include the entire state upon returning to Los Angeles.
Despite a pause in awarding due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Michelin Guide resumed in 2022 with renewed enthusiasm.
While Michelin stars are widely esteemed, the guide has faced criticism for its emphasis on fine dining, often spotlighting elaborate tasting menus and chef-centric venues.
The Bib Gourmand designation has emerged as an appealing alternative, highlighting establishments that offer high-quality meals at reasonable prices. Typically, diners at these restaurants can enjoy two courses, along with a glass of wine or dessert, for approximately $50 before tax and tip.
However, the Michelin Guide continues to grapple with showcasing the full spectrum of dining experiences in diverse cities like Los Angeles. Although there are encouraging signs of progress towards acknowledging non-fine dining venues, numerous beloved local favorites, as well as exceptional street vendors, remain unrecognized.
Below is a comprehensive listing of restaurants in Los Angeles that earned Michelin stars:
**Three Stars:**
– Providence *
– Somni *
**Two Stars:**
– Hayato
– Mélisse
– Vespertine
**One Star:**
– 715
– Bell’s
– Camphor
– Caruso’s
– Citrin
– Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura
– Gwen
– Heritage
– Holbox
– Kali
– Kato
– Knife Pleat
– Meteora
– Morihiro
– Mori Nozomi *
– N/Naka
– Nozawa Bar
– Orsa & Winston
– Osteria Mozza
– Pasta Bar
– Rebel Omakase
– The Restaurant at Justin
– Restaurant Ki *
– Shibumi
– Shin Sushi
– Silver Omakase *
– Six Test Kitchen
– Sushi Inaba Restaurant
– Sushi Kaneyoshi
– Uka at Japan House.
image source from：la
