What is a Michelin star?
A Michelin Star is a prestigious award given to restaurants by the Michelin Guide, a French tire company that began publishing a guide to restaurants in 1900. The guide rates restaurants on a scale of one to three stars, with three stars being the highest rating.
History of Michelin Stars
The Michelin Guide was created by André Michelin and Édouard Michelin, two brothers who owned a tire company. The guide was originally intended to help motorists find good restaurants along their travels. The first Michelin Guide was published in 1900 and included 300 restaurants in France.
The Michelin Guide quickly became popular and soon expanded to other countries. Today, there are Michelin Guides in over 20 countries around the world.
Little-known Facts About Michelin Stars
- The Michelin Guide is the most prestigious restaurant guide in the world.
- To be awarded a Michelin star, a restaurant must consistently offer excellent food, service, and atmosphere.
- Michelin inspectors are anonymous and dine at restaurants unannounced.
- Michelin stars are awarded for the quality of the food, not the price of the menu.
- The most Michelin stars awarded to any restaurant in the world is three stars.
Different Categories of Michelin Stars
The Michelin Guide awards restaurants with one, two, or three stars.
- One star: A restaurant that offers excellent food in its category.
- Two stars: A very good restaurant in its category, worth a detour.
- Three stars: A truly exceptional restaurant that is worth a special journey.
Other Michelin Restaurant Ratings
- Bib Gourmand: A special award given to restaurants by the Michelin Guide that offer good food at moderate prices (Less than $50). The award was first introduced in 1997.
- MICHELIN Green Star: A special award given to restaurants by the MICHELIN Guide that demonstrate outstanding environmental and ethical leadership. The award was first introduced in 2020.
Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Los Angeles
As of December, 2024, there are 25 Michelin-starred restaurants in Los Angeles. Currently, they are 5 restaurants with a two stars(* *) rating, and 20 restaurants with one star (*) rating. There are no three Michelin-Starred restaurants in Los Angeles…yet.
One Star
1. Gwen
Chef: Curtis Stone
Location: 6600 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Cuisine: “World Class Butcher Meets Elegant Fine Dining.”
Website: https://www.gwenla.com/
2. n/naka *
Chef: Niki Nakayama
Location: 405 N. La Cienega Blvd., LA CA 90036
Cuisine: “Japanese Culinary Art Form of Kaiseki.”
Website: https://n-naka.com/
3. Uka
Chef: Yoshitaka Mitsue & Chef Shingo Kato
Location: 6801 Holywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Cusine: Japanese Contemporary
Website: https://www.ukarestaurant.com/
4. Sushi Kaneyoshi
Chef: Yoshiyuki Inoue
Location: 250 E. 1st. Street B1, Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cuisine: Japanese, Sushi, Omakase Dining Experience.
Website: https://kaneyoshi.us/
5. Orsa & Winston
Chef: Josef Centeno
Location: 122 W. 4th. Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Cuisine: Contemporary With Japanese & Italian Influences.
Website: http://www.orsaandwinston.com/
6. 715
Chef: Tamura Seigo
Location: 738 E. 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013
Cuisine: Japanese/ Edomae Style Sushi
Website:https://www.715sushi.com/
7. Camphor
Chefs: Max Boonthanakat & Lijo George
Location: 923 E. 3rd. Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Cuisine: Classic French Bistro, Contemporary
Website: https://www.camphor.la/about
8. Shibumi
Chef: David Schlosser
Location: 815 S. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90014
Cuisine: Japanese/ Kappo Omakase
Website:https://www.shibumidtla.com/#japanesekappostyle
9. Kato
Chef: Jonathan Yao
Location: 777 S. Alameda St., Building 1, Suite 114 Los Angeles, CA 90021
Cuisine: Asian/Tasting Menu/Taiwanese Influence
Website: https://www.katorestaurant.com/
10. Holbox
Chef: Gilbert Centina
Location: 3655 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Cusine: Mexican, Seafood
Website: https://www.holboxla.com/#/
11. Morihiro
Chef: Morihiro Onodera
Location: 3133 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039
Cuisine: Japanese, Omakase at Table.
Website: https://morionodera.com/
12. Kali
Chef: Kevin Meehan
Location: 5722 Merlose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038
Cuisine: Contemporary California. Farm to table
Website: https://kalirestaurant.com/los-angeles-hollywood-kali-restaurant-about
13. Osteria Mozza
Chef: Nancy Silverton
Location: 6602 Merlose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038
Cuisine: Italian, Osteria
Website:https://www.osteriamozza.com/about-us/
14. Meteora
Chef: Jordan Kahn
Location: 6703 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Cuisine: Creative, Contemporary
Website: https://meteora.la/
15. Sushi Ginza Onodera
Chef: Chef Yohei Matsuki
Location: 609 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
Cuisine: Japanese, Edomae Sushi, Makiyaki (Firewood Cuisine), California
Website: https://www.sushionodera.com/sushi-ginza-onodera-la
16. Nozawa Bar
Chef: Osamu Fujita
Location: 212 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (at the Maybourne Beverly Hills)
Cuisine: Japanese/ Sushi Bar Omasake Style.
Website:https://www.nozawabar.com/nozawa_ba/
17: Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura
Chef: Mattia Agazzi
Location: 347 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 900210
Cuisine: Modern Italian, Osteria
Website: https://www.gucciosteria.com/en/beverlyhills/about/
18. Citrin
Chef: Ken Takayama
Location: 1104 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Cuisine: Modern Californian With French Influence.
Website:https://www.citrinandmelisse.com/
19. PastaΙBar
Chef: Philip Frankland
Location: 16101 Ventura Blvd., # 255, Encino, CA 91436
Cuisine: Contemporary With Italian Influence, American.
Website: https://www.exploretock.com/pastabar
20. Sushi I-NABA
Chef: Yasuhiro Hirano
Location: 20920 Hawthorn Blvd., Los Torrance, CA 90503
Cuisine: Japanese, Sushi.
Website: https://www.restaurantinaba.com/
21. Shin Sushi
Chef: Taketoshi Azumi
Location:16573 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91436
Cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Shinsushicorp/
Q Sushi * Chef: Hiroyuki Naruke Location: 521 W. 7th. Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014
TWO STARS
1. Mélisse
Chef: Josiah Citrin
Location: 1104 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Cuisine: Modern French.
Website:https://www.citrinandmelisse.com/
2. Hayato
Chef: Brandon Hayato
Location: 1329 E. 7th. St. #126, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Cuisine: Japanese/Omakase Style Fine Dining, Seafood.
Website:https://hayatorestaurant.com/
3.Providence
Chef: Michael Cimarusti
Location: 5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Cuisine: Modern American Seafood.
Website: https://providencela.com/
4. Vespertine
Chef: Jordan Kahn
Location: 3599 Hayden Ave., Culver City, CA 90232
Cuisine: Japanese/Omakase Style Fine Dining, Seafood.
Website: https://hayatorestaurant.com/
