MICHELIN Guide Inspectors spend all year on the road uncovering the best restaurants to recommend—and what they've found is too good to keep a secret. Whet your appetite with a sneak peek of the 2022 MICHELIN Guide California—37 new additions from French fare in Paso Robles to Vietnamese in San Diego. All new Bib Gourmands and Stars will be announced in December. Bon appétit!
Wine Country
Cyrus (Geyserville, Sonoma)
Cuisine: CalifornianCelebrated Wine Country chef Douglas Keane has returned to the fore with his re-launch of Cyrus in Geyserville. Dinner is an ebullient experience that progresses from canapés and Champagne in the lounge, to small bites in the kitchen, and concludes with substantial compositions in the dining room.
Cyrus © Cynthia Glassell/Cyrus
San Francisco Bay Area
Itria (San Francisco)
Cuisine: ItalianThis welcoming, easygoing retreat draws in a lively crowd with Italian cooking that's appealingly modern. Chef Daniel Evers employs a confidently uncomplicated approach, bringing a light touch to classic flavors and allowing simplicity to shine.
Itria © Angelina Hong/Itria
Ken (San Francisco)
Cuisine: SushiThe city has its share of intimate omakase counters, but few offer quite as much cozy charm as this six-seat gem in the Lower Haight.
Ken © Angel Wong/Ken
Osito (San Francisco)
Cuisine: ContemporaryChef Seth Stowaway puts his heart, soul, and even his nickname (osito means "little bear" in Spanish) into this rustic, lodge-like spot where live fire cooking takes center stage. Warmth radiates from the central hearth and from the supremely hospitable staff.
Osito © Molly DeCoudreaux/Osito
Yuji (San Francisco)
Cuisine: JapaneseSpecializing in kappo cuisine, the 12-course menu similarly reflects the seasons, featuring a progression of dishes spanning a series of delicate bites, both hot and cold, and culminating in a hearty dish of steamed rice (which might be enriched with hairy crab or a similar delicacy), paired with pickled and savory miso soup.
Yuji © Hiro/Yuji
Bird & Buffalo (Oakland)
Cuisine: ThaiPicnic tables gift-wrapped with colorful plastic tablecloths and unhurried, nonchalant service readily evoke the casual roadside restaurants scattered throughout Thailand—and happily, so do the multifaceted, punchy flavors.
Bird & Buffalo © Emma Wong-Stephens/Bird & Buffalo
Hi Felicia (Oakland)
Cuisine: CalifornianThe transformation of a popular underground supper club into a fully formed brick and mortar may sound like a familiar tale, but rest assured that there's nothing formulaic about this East Bay iconoclast, whose name is a clue to the kind of exuberant irreverence diners should expect.
Hi Felicia © Will Blunt/Hi Felicia
Central Coast
Ember (Arroyo Grande)
Cuisine: CalifornianIts inviting industrial-rustic interior is the perfect setting for their heartfelt and down-to-earth cooking. You'll likely never tire of the contemporary menu filled with comforting favorites
Ember © Harmony Collins/Ember
Bar Le Côte (Los Olivos)
Cuisine: SeafoodSlide in to one of the booths or banquettes and settle in for a meal that is an ode to the sea and is best enjoyed with shared plates.
Bar Le Côte © John Troxell/Bar Le Côte
AMA Sushi (Montecito)
Cuisine: SushiIt's worth going all in on the omakase here to sample the chef's artistry, which begins with a trinity of bites from soba noodles and fried eggplant to sesame tofu.
AMA Sushi © Rosewood Miramar Marketing/AMA Sushi
peasants FEAST (Solvang)
Cuisine: American
It may seem impossible to be even more charming than its Solvang surroundings, but peasants FEAST doubles down, and delivers. This daytime-only café from Sarah and Michael Cherney spotlights the seasons on its sandwich-driven menu.
peasants FEAST © Bri Burkett/peasants FEAST
The Dutchess (Ojai)
Cuisine: BurmeseThis quirky concept features a bakery/cafe by day and a trendy Burmese restaurant by night. Come hungry, as this heartfelt menu is brimming with snacks, salads, curries and large plates designed for sharing.
The Dutchess © Elise Freimuth/The Dutchess
Nate's on Marsh (San Luis Obispo)
Cuisine: AmericanNate Long is the consummate host and the service is exceptionally warm, though it certainly doesn't hurt that the menu is loaded with classics and riffs on favorites that will have you coming back for more.
Nate's on Marsh © Ashley Ludaescher/Nate's on Marsh
in bloom (Paso Robles)
Cuisine: CalifornianExecutive Chef Kenny Seliger and Executive Sous Chef Ron Frazier take the now-classic Californian menu and give it a clever update (sweet parsnip cannoli, anyone?) at in bloom. Their cooking is confident and their dishes really come alive.
in bloom © Hugo Martinez/in bloom
Les Petites Canailles (Paso Robles)
Cuisine: FrenchMeals begin with a warm gougère before moving on to a selection of hearty appetizers. The menu features several entrées, though most eyes land on the perfectly cooked steaks.
Les Petites Canailles © Jayme Burrows/Les Petites Canailles
The Hatch (Paso Robles)
Cuisine: AmericanIt's all hail to the bird at The Hatch. This downtown Paso Robles restaurant reveres the rotisserie and roasted chicken is indeed the must order.
The Hatch © Alyson Magda/The Hatch
Los Angeles
matū (Beverly Hills)
Cuisine: SteakhouseThe inviting ambience is elevated by a visible kitchen with views of the action, and the warm, courteous wait staff rounds out the experience.
matū © Eddie Sanchez/Hungry in LA/matū
asterid by Ray Garcia (LA)
Cuisine: CalifornianThe evolving menu draws from seasonal local produce and Latin American, Asian, and European influences with Chef Garcia's distinctive Angeleno point of view.
asterid by Ray Garcia © Jim Sullivan/asterid by Ray Garcia
Caboco (LA)
Cuisine: BrazilianThis airy, industrial-chic space welcomes guests with a well-rounded menu of deeply flavorful and thought-provoking modern Brazilian dishes.
Caboco © Dylan and Jeni/Caboco
Camphor (LA)
Cuisine: FrenchCamphor plates seriously good French fare with a sprinkle of spicing from India and Southeast Asia. Creative cocktails, including the refreshing Saint-Germain, complete the experience.
Camphor © Wonho Frank Lee/Camphor
Damian (LA)
Cuisine: Mexican
Housed within a repurposed warehouse with polished concrete, exposed brick and pendant lighting, Damian has that industrial chic look down pat, and the menu speaks to a kitchen that is rooted in the nuances of Mexican cooking.
Damian © Damian
Hatchet Hall (LA)
Cuisine: AmericanThis is open-flame cooking, rendered with a Southern twang and seasonal focus thanks to an abundance of local product.
Hatchet Hall © Ashley Randall/Hatchet Hall
Kinn (LA)
Cuisine: KoreanChef Ki Kim delivers something special with Kinn and his experience in upscale restaurants informs the menu, which features dishes retooled with a Korean bent.
Kinn © Jesse Hsu/Kinn
kodō (LA)
Cuisine: IzakayaOff-menu specials, such as the Japanese sea snail, are especially memorable, while sea bream and octopus are impeccable. A steaming bowl of little neck clams garlic and butter is dreamy.
kodō © Gry Space/kodō
LA Cha Cha Chá (LA)
Cuisine: MexicanThis sister spot to Mexico City's Terraza Cha Cha Chá delivers on its name with its upbeat atmosphere. The menu is refreshingly uncomplicated yet inventive with a round-up of snacks, platos principales, and well-crafted desserts.
LA Cha Cha Chá © Wonho Frank Lee/LA Cha Cha Chá
Meteora (LA)
Cuisine: CreativeChef Jordan Kahn means to cast a spell with his highly inventive cuisine, which defies neat categorization, making use of ancient cooking techniques like hot stones and live fire while utilizing a uniquely modern tapestry of eclectic, global ingredients.
Meteora © Irina Logra/Meteora
Pizzeria Bianco (LA)
Cuisine: PizzaThose who think Los Angeles can't compete with New York when it comes to pizza obviously haven't been to Pizzeria Bianco. There is a reason long lines snake through ROW DTLA and queue up at the takeout window with diners hankering for a taste of Chef Chris Bianco's pizza.
Pizzeria Bianco © Ashley Randall/Pizzeria Bianco
Saffy's (LA)
Cuisine: Middle EasternFrom the hitmakers behind Bavel and Bestia comes this breezy space awash in shades of Starburst pink and orange marmalade. Lamb and pork kebabs cooked on long metal skewers are the main event, but appetizers easily hold their own.
Saffy's © Joseph Weaver/Saffy's
San Laurel (LA)
Cuisine: SpanishExpect modern Californian dishes with Spanish leanings from a talented team put together by visionary chef, José Andrés.
San Laurel © Reema Desai/San Laurel
Sushi Kaneyoshi (LA)
Cuisine: JapaneseGreat care is taken with every detail, whether it's the quality of ingredients or the artful plating—some of the dishes are handmade by Chef Yoshi-san.
Sushi Kaneyoshi © Kaneyoshi/Sushi Kaneyoshi
Yangban Society (LA)
Cuisine: AsianKatianna and John Hong are behind Yangban Society, a DTLA multihyphenate that is equal parts deli, mini-mart and restaurant offering a multicourse prix fixe featuring straight-up comfort food with Korean flair.
Yangban Society © John Troxell/Yangban Society
Yunomi Handroll Bar (LA)
Cuisine: JapaneseChef David Movsisian's Yunomi Handroll is located on a stretch of East 3rd Street that has become a hotbed of terrific restaurants and nightlife, and this cool, inviting spot is certainly keeping up with its neighbors.
Yunomi Handroll Bar © Van Urfalian/Yunomi Handroll Bar
Chulita (Venice)
Cuisine: MexicanTacos are served all day at this spot where Oaxacan-style, California-influenced Mexican food rules.
Chulita © Wonho Frank Lee/Chulita
Ramen & Tsukemen TAO (Buena Park)
Cuisine: RamenThis unassuming spot in an easy-to-miss location in an open-air mall belies the wondrous steaming bowls found within.
Ramen & Tsukemen TAO © Ramen & Tsukemen TAO
R|O-Rebel Omakase (Laguna Beach)
Cuisine: JapaneseAs its name suggests, omakase is indeed the name of the game here, and with its seasonal, ever-changing fish selection, you’re sure to have a unique experience at each visit.
R|O-Rebel Omakase © Yellow Nguyen/R|O-Rebel Omakase
San Diego
Valle (Oceanside)
Cuisine: MexicanThe name is a reference to the Guadalupe Valley of Baja California, Mexico’s premier viticultural region, which furnishes the restaurant’s wine list, and serves as inspiration for Chef Alocer’s refined, modern expression of Mexican cuisine.
Valle © Jordan Younis/Valle
Kingfisher (San Diego)
Cuisine: VietnameseA striking central bar provides the perfect perch for thirsty guests to wet their beaks with a terrific assortment of inventive cocktails, which serve as excellent complements to the mouth-watering menu of inspired Vietnamese cooking.
Kingfisher © Kimberly Motos/Kingfisher
Hero image: The Dutchess © Diana Yen/The Dutchess
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