These Are the Ultimate Bucket-List Restaurants in California, According to the Michelin Guide

Recently in Oakland, Michelin Guide announced its 2023 Stars for California, which included four new Green Star restaurants, and six new MICHELIN-star restaurants. California now has 15 of the 17 Green-Starred restaurants in North America, more than any other state. The coveted awards have been around since 1926, and remain one of the gold standards of accomplishment in hospitality.

Seafood-centric San Francisco restaurant Aphotic and Long Beach based farm-to-table eatery Heritage each were awarded one MICHELIN Star, plus a Green Star. Michael Cimarusti’s Providence in Los Angeles reclaimed its status as a two-MICHELIN-Star restaurant, and also was awarded for the first time the Green Star, which makes sense given the team’s commitment to sustainable seafood sourcing through their Dock to Dish program. Pomet in Oakland received a MICHELIN Green Star as a recommended restaurant as well.

This week, the famed France-based guide also added 10 restaurants to the Bib Gourmand list, which recognizes eateries for great food at a great value, including Cali favorites like Bansang, Bombera, Carnes Asadas Pancho Lopez, Cobi’s, Eat Joy Food, Mabel’s Gone Fishing, Maligne, Petiscos, Snail Bar and Villa’s Tacos.

The accolades for California solidify that the West is indeed one of the most exciting places to eat in the country, if not the world, with a breadth of experiences that range from mom-n-pop international street food spots to high-end fine dining.