List of Michelin-starred restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California explained

This article contains a complete list of Michelin-starred restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.

The Michelin Guides have been published by the French tire company Michelin since 1900. They were designed as a guide to tell drivers about eateries they recommended to visit and to subtly sponsor their tires, by encouraging drivers to use their cars more and therefore need to replace the tires as they wore out. Over time, the stars that were given out started to become more valuable.[1]

Multiple anonymous Michelin inspectors visit the restaurants several times. They rate the restaurants on five criteria: "quality of products", "mastery of flavor and cooking techniques", "the personality of the chef represented in the dining experience", "value for money", and "consistency between inspectors' visits".[1] [2] Inspectors have at least ten years of expertise and create a list of popular restaurants supported by media reports, reviews, and diner popularity. If they reach a consensus, Michelin awards restaurants from one to three stars based on its evaluation methodology: One star means "high-quality cooking, worth a stop", two stars signify "excellent cooking, worth a detour", and three stars denote "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey".[3] The stars are not permanent and restaurants are constantly being re-evaluated. If the criteria are not met, the restaurant will lose its stars.[1]

The San Francisco Michelin Guide was the second North American city chosen to have its own Michelin Guide. Unlike the other U.S. guides which focus mainly in the city proper, the San Francisco guide includes all the major cities in the Bay Area: San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Berkeley, as well as Wine Country, which includes Napa and Sonoma.[4] In 2019, the San Francisco guide was combined with the Los Angeles guide to cover the entire state of California.[5]

2019 – 2024 lists

The 2019–2024 Michelin Guides cover the entire state of California.[5] [6] [7] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires in California, the French tire company's restaurant guide took a hiatus in California in 2020.[8]

See also: List of Michelin-starred restaurants in Los Angeles and Southern California.

CuisineLocation 20192020
No Guide
202120222023 2024
7 Adams Californian
AcquerelloItalian
AdegaPortuguese, Californian Closed
AL's PlaceCalifornian Closed
AnglerContemporary, Seafood
AphoticSeafoodMonterey
Contemporary
Auberge du SoleilCalifornian Rutherford
AubergineContemporary, Californian
Auro Contemporary, French Calistoga
AveryNew American San Francisco – FillmoreClosed[9]
Bar CrennContemporary
BarndivaCalifornianHealdsburg
BauméFrenchPalo AltoClosed[10]
BenuAsianSan Francisco – SoMa
BirdsongContemporarySan Francisco – SoMa
BouchonFrench Yountville
CaliforniosMexican, Contemporary San Francisco – Mission District
Campton PlaceCalifornian San Francisco – Union SquareTemporarily closed
Chez NoirContemporary Carmel-by-the-Sea
Chez TJContemporary Mountain View
CoiCalifornian-French San Francisco – North BeachClosed
CommisContemporary Oakland
CommonwealthAmerican San Francisco – Mission DistrictClosed
CyrusCalifornian Geyserville
Farmhouse Inn & RestaurantCalifornianForestville
Gary DankoContemporarySan Francisco – North Beach
Harbor HouseCalifornianElk
HashiriJapanese San Francisco – SoMaTemporarily closed
Hilda and JesseAmericanSan Francisco – North Beach
In SituSan Francisco – SoMaClosed
Jū-NiJapanese San Francisco – North Panhandle
Keiko à Nob HillJapanese-influenced French San Francisco – Nob HillClosed
KenzoJapaneseNapa
KilnContemporary San Francisco – Hayes Valley
Kin KhaoThai San Francisco – Union Square
KinjoJapaneseSan Francisco – Russian HillTemporarily closed
La ToqueContemporary Napa
Lazy BearContemporary San Francisco – Mission District
LocalisCalifornian Sacramento
Lord StanleyCalifornian-European San Francisco – Russian HillClosed
LuceMediterraneanSan Francisco – SoMa
ContemporarySan Anselmo
MaderaContemporaryMenlo Park
Madrona ManorCalifornian Healdsburg
ManresaNew AmericanLos GatosClosed
MarlenaAmericanSan Francisco – Bernal HeightsClosed
MaumKorean Palo AltoClosed
Michael MinaNew American San Francisco – Financial DistrictClosed
Mister Jiu'sChinese San Francisco – Chinatown
MouradMoroccan San Francisco – SoMa
Nari Thai San Francisco – Japantown
NicoCalifornian San Francisco – Financial DistrictClosed
Niku SteakhouseSteakhouse San Francisco – SoMa
NiseiJapanese San Francisco – Russian Hill
O’ by Claude Le Tohic French San Francisco – Financial District
OctaviaCalifornianSan Francisco – Lower Pacific Heights
OmakaseJapanese San Francisco – SoMa
OsitoContemporarySan Francisco – Mission District
Plumed HorseContemporary Saratoga
PressModern St. Helena
ContemporaryPalo Alto
QuinceContemporary San Francisco – Jackson Square
RasaIndian BurlingameClosed
Rich TableCalifornian San Francisco – Hayes Valley
SaisonCalifornianSan Francisco – SoMa
San Ho WonKorean San Francisco – Mission District
SingleThreadContemporaryHealdsburg
Selby's RestaurantAmerican Atherton
The ShotaJapanese San Francisco – Financial District
Sons & DaughtersContemporary San Francisco – Nob Hill
SorrelContemporarySan Francisco – Lower Pacific Heights
SPQRItalianSan Francisco – Fillmore
SpruceCalifornian San Francisco – Presidio Heights
SsalKorean Russian Hill
State Bird ProvisionsCalifornian San Francisco – Fillmore
Sushi ShinJapaneseRedwood City
Sushi YoshizumiJapaneseSan Mateo
The French LaundryContemporary Yountville
The KitchenCalifornian Sacramento
The ProgressCalifornian San Francisco – Fillmore
The Restaurant at MeadowoodCalifornian St. HelenaTemporarily closed
The Village PubContemporary Woodside
WakoJapanese San Francisco – Richmond District
WakuriyaJapanese San Mateo
Reference[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]
Indicates a restaurant with one Michelin star
Indicates a restaurant with two Michelin stars
Indicates a restaurant with three Michelin stars

2007 – 2018 lists

The 2007 to 2018 Michelin Guides cover the San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country.

CuisineLocation2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
AcquerelloItalian
Portuguese San Jose
Alexander's SteakhouseSteakhouse
All SpiceCalifornian
AL's PlaceCalifornian
AmeNew American Closed
ApplewoodHaute Closed
AsterCalifornian
Atelier CrennContemporary
AquaSeafood Closed
Californian
AzizaMoroccan
French
Asian
Bistro JeantyFrench
French
American
Bushi-TeiCalifornia-Asian JapantownClosed
CaliforniosMexican
Campton PlaceCalifornian
Chez PanisseCalifornian
Chez TJContemporary
CoiCalifornian-French
CommisContemporary
CommonwealthAmerican
CortezNew American Closed
CyrusCalifornian Closed
Dio DekaGreek
Dry Creek KitchenNew American
El PaseoNew American Closed
EtoileCalifornianClosed
Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant Californian
Fifth FloorAmerican, French Closed
French Closed
FrancesCalifornian
Contemporary
HashiriJapanese
In SituHaute
Jū-NiJapanese
K&L Bistro French
Keiko à Nob HillJapanese-influenced French
KenzoJapanese
Kin KhaoThai
KinjoJapanese
KusakabeJapanese
La CostaneraPeruvian
La FolieFrench
La ToqueFrench
Lazy BearNew American
Lord StanleyCalifornian-European
LuceMediteranean
MaderaContemporary
Californian
ManresaNew American
Martini HouseNew AmericanClosed
MaruyaJapanese
Masa'sFrench Closed
Michael MinaNew American
MirepoixFrench Closed
Chinese
MosuNew American
MouradMoroccan
Murray CircleAmerican
NicoCalifornian
OctaviaCalifornian
OmakaseJapanese
One MarketNew American
Plumed HorseContemporary
Contemporary
RangeAmerican Closed
RasaIndian
Rich TableNew American
ReddAmericanClosed[17]
RubiconNew American Closed
Californian
SanteFrench
Contemporary
SolbarAmerican
Sons & DaughtersContemporary
SPQRItalian
SpruceCalifornian
Californian
Sushi RanJapanese
Sushi YoshizumiJapanese
TerraAmerican
Terrapin CreekAmerican
The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton New American Closed
Contemporary
Californian
Californian
The Village PubContemporary
TreveseNew American Closed
Vegetarian Closed
WakoJapanese
WakuriyaJapanese
Reference[18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29]
Indicates a restaurant with one Michelin star
Indicates a restaurant with two Michelin stars
Indicates a restaurant with three Michelin stars

See also

Notes

Bibliography

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Michelin Guide history: How did a tire company become an elite restaurant rating guide?. Elisabeth. Buchwald. CNN. 10 February 2024. 19 May 2024. 20 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240220221317/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/10/business/michelin-guide-history/index.html. live.
  2. Web site: How Restaurants Get Michelin Stars: A Brief History of the Michelin Guide. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. 9 February 2024. 19 May 2024. 8 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240408062334/https://www.escoffier.edu/blog/world-food-drink/a-brief-history-of-the-michelin-guide/. live.
  3. Web site: Q&A: Michelin stars. The Guardian. 24 June 2008. Rachel. Dixon. 19 May 2024. 20 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240520183602/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/jan/24/foodanddrink.travelfoodanddrink. live.
  4. Web site: Michelin Selects San Francisco and Bay Area as North American Guide Destination. PR Newswire. September 19, 2016. February 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202061649/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/michelin-selects-san-francisco-and-bay-area-as-north-american-guide-destination-55978632.html. live.
  5. News: MICHELIN Guide California 2019 Selection . MICHELIN Guide . June 4, 2019 . June 5, 2019 . June 4, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190604063851/https://guide.michelin.com/th/en/article/news-and-views/michelin-guide-california-2019-results . live .
  6. Web site: 2021 California New MICHELIN Stars. September 28, 2021. December 14, 2021. December 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211214042416/https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/california/article/news-and-views/2021-california-michelin-stars. live.
  7. Web site: 2022 California MICHELIN Stars. December 5, 2022. April 20, 2023. April 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230420205033/https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/michelin-star-revelation/2022-california-michelin-stars. live.
  8. Web site: Michelin Reverses Course, Won't Issue California Star Ratings This Year . Eater.com . 13 October 2020 . 22 October 2020 . 19 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201019114339/https://la.eater.com/2020/10/13/21514759/michelin-guide-california-no-ratings-stars-2020 . live .
  9. Web site: Michelin-Starred Avery is Closing Permanently This Fall . 11 October 2023 .
  10. Web site: Bistronomie by Baumé on California Avenue closes its doors after 13 years of luxury French food . 17 August 2023 .
  11. Web site: San Francisco Bay Area's Michelin Stars Announced for 2019, Again. Eater. June 3, 2019. June 5, 2019. June 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190604063832/https://sf.eater.com/2019/6/3/18651115/michelin-restaurants-san-francisco-sacramento-california-stars-2019. live.
  12. Web site: Michelin Reverses Course, Won't Issue California Star Ratings This Year . Eater.com . 13 October 2020 . 22 October 2020 . 19 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201019114339/https://la.eater.com/2020/10/13/21514759/michelin-guide-california-no-ratings-stars-2020 . live .
  13. https://www.opentable.com/blog/california-michelin-stars-2021/
  14. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/california-michelin-guide-restaurants-list-2022?srsltid=AfmBOopE3RQKWfSWsfhfsH7JT9gt3ET0RUF2n3cXljpbpMaN8Mo-yVfB
  15. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/california-michelin-guide-restaurants-list-2023?srsltid=AfmBOopFPQKI2gKUQmaK1qvOv-BnrfU_4Vxdp6UK-xXQHpvRTEbPlHs_
  16. Web site: Here Are the 2024 Michelin Star Winners in the Bay Area . 6 August 2024 .
  17. Web site: A Wine Country Dining Icon Closes in Yountville . 3 October 2018 .
  18. Web site: Bay Area stars fail to make Michelin cut / French Laundry is lone restaurant to win top rating in guide's S.F. edition. 3 October 2006 . SFGate.com. September 19, 2016. August 28, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160828132331/http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Bay-Area-stars-fail-to-make-Michelin-cut-French-2488140.php. live.
  19. Web site: More Michelin stars fall on Bay Area. BizJournals. September 19, 2016. October 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161027124817/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2007/10/22/daily8.html. live.
  20. Web site: MICHELIN GUIDE SAN FRANCISCO, WINE COUNTRY 2009 ANNOUNCED. October 2008 . Food Fashionista. September 19, 2016. October 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161027124019/http://www.foodfashionista.com/2008/10/michelin-guid-1.html. live.
  21. Web site: 39 Bay Area restaurants get Michelin stars. 20 October 2009 . SFGate.com. September 19, 2016. October 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161009123556/http://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/article/39-Bay-Area-restaurants-get-Michelin-stars-3213814.php. live.
  22. Web site: Michelin Guide Bay Area 2011: Meadowood elevated to three stars, Chez Panisse loses its star. SFGate.com. September 19, 2016. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224144848/https://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2010/10/26/michelin-guide-bay-area-2011-meadowood-elevated-to-three-stars-chez-panisse-loses-its-star/. live.
  23. Bay Area Restaurants Shine in 2012 Michelin Guide. BizJournals. September 19, 2016. October 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161027141732/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bay-area-restaurants-shine-in-2012-michelin-guide-132569463.html. live.
  24. Web site: Michelin Stars for 2013 Announced: Atelier Crenn Gets Two, SPQR Earns a Star, Fleur de Lys Loses Theirs. 23 October 2012 . Grub Street. September 19, 2016. October 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161027124432/http://www.grubstreet.com/2012/10/michelin-stars-2013-spqr-atelier-crenn-twitter.html. live.
  25. Web site: Michelin releases 2014 San Francisco Bay Area Guide: Quince, State Bird Provisions shine. SFGate.com. September 19, 2016. August 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160809035650/http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2013/10/22/michelin-stars-san-francisco-bay-area-2014/. live.
  26. Web site: Here Are the 2015 Michelin Stars for San Francisco; Benu and Saison Both Get Major Upgrades. 21 October 2014 . Grub Street. September 19, 2016. September 29, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160929030014/http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/10/san-francisco-michelin-stars-2015.html. live.
  27. Web site: The 2016 San Francisco Michelin Guide's Big Winner Is David Kinch's Manresa. 20 October 2015 . Eater. September 19, 2016. November 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108130114/http://sf.eater.com/2015/10/20/9577813/michelin-stars-san-francisco-2016. live.
  28. Web site: Six Bay Area Restaurants Now Have Three Michelin Stars, As Many As New York. 25 October 2016 . Eater. October 26, 2016. December 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201215180211/https://sf.eater.com/2016/10/25/13401254/michelin-restaurants-san-francisco-bay-area-quince-2017. live.
  29. Web site: San Francisco Bay Area's Michelin Stars Announced for 2018. Eater. October 25, 2017. October 26, 2017. October 26, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171026035439/https://sf.eater.com/2017/10/25/16537724/michelin-restaurants-san-francisco-stars-2018. live.