California

These California restaurants received Michelin Stars in 2026. Here are the newcomers

By Sean Timberlake

Updated June 24, 2026 11:32 PM

The Oscars of the dining industry were awarded Wednesday evening in San Diego. The coveted Michelin Stars were awarded in a ceremony that unveiled the California ratings.
According to the Michelin Guide, restaurants may receive one to three Michelin stars for exemplary food. Chefs and their restaurants are rated based on five criteria: quality of the ingredients used, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in the cuisine, harmony of flavors and consistency between visits.
Statewide, stars rose and fell. The Bay Area saw significant gains, with two restaurants elevating to the highest ranking of three stars: Upscale Mexican restaurant Californios and Sonoma’s Enclos.
Los Angeles’s Kato stepped up to two-star status this year.
In the one-star tier, Southern California made major waves. Corridor 109, Kojima, Lielle, Miura and Seline, all from the Los Angeles region, made their debuts, as did La Jolla’s Lucien. San Francisco’s Naides and Wolfsbane, as well as Healdsburg’s Troubadour, made the cut.
The guide also offers the Bib Gourmand, a rating that recognizes more casual establishments that serve good food at moderate prices. Three Sacramento-area restaurants remain on the Bib Gourmand list: Canon, Pho Momma and Nixtaco.
As a practical measure, the guide also includes additional recommended restaurants deemed worthy without earning any official award.

Here are California’s 3 Michelin Star restaurants:

Here are California’s 2 Michelin Star restaurants:

Here are California 1 Michelin Star restaurants:

This story was originally published June 24, 2026 at 10:41 PM.

Sean Timberlake

The Sacramento Bee

Sean Timberlake is the food and dining reporter for The Sacramento Bee. He has been writing professionally about food for over 20 years.