News Summary
Los Angeles celebrated the milestone of having its first two three-star Michelin restaurants, Somni and Providence, while Costa Mesa’s Hana re lost its single star. The 2025 Michelin Guide announcement highlighted other notable restaurants and recognized chef Ki Kim with the Michelin Young Chef Award. This shift in dining status underscores the evolving culinary landscape in California, showcasing both achievements and challenges for chefs in the region’s competitive dining scene.
Los Angeles Celebrates First-Ever Three-Star Michelin Restaurants as Costa Mesa’s Hana re Loses Its Star in 2025 Michelin Guide Announcement
The 2025 Michelin star rankings for California were revealed on June 25, 2024, during a ceremony at the Safe Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento. This year marks a notable achievement for Los Angeles, which proudly welcomed its first two three-star restaurants, while Costa Mesa’s Hana re lost its star, a status it had held since 2019.
Los Angeles is now home to the prestigious three-star accolades for Somni, a Spanish tasting menu establishment led by chef Aitor Zabala, and Providence, an acclaimed seafood restaurant under the guidance of chef Michael Cimarusti. These recognitions elevate California’s total of three-star restaurants to eight, the highest number of any state in the United States. Other high-ranking establishments include Addison, Atelier Crenn, Benu, Quince, SingleThread, and The French Laundry.
In contrast, this year’s Michelin awards did not add any new stars to restaurants in Orange County. Notably, Costa Mesa’s Hana re lost its one-star rating, which it had received in 2019 and maintained until this year. Conversely, two other Orange County restaurants retained their one-star status: Knife Pleat in Costa Mesa, which celebrated its fifth consecutive year as a Michelin-starred establishment, and R|O-Rebel Omakase in Laguna Beach.
New Michelin Stars and Key Awards
Los Angeles also witnessed the introduction of new one-star restaurants, including Mori Nozomi, specializing in Japanese sushi, and Restaurant Ki, known for its contemporary Korean cuisine. Additionally, two restaurants were elevated to a two-star rating this year: Enclos in Sonoma and Kiln in San Francisco. Other establishments receiving one-star awards included Lilo in Carlsbad, Silvers Omakase in Santa Barbara, and Sun Moon Studio in Oakland.
The Michelin Star Rating System
The Michelin Guide’s star rating system classifies restaurants by caliber, where one star denotes high-quality cooking, two stars indicate excellent cuisine worth a detour, and three stars reflect exceptional cooking worth a journey. The stars are awarded based on an evaluation process involving anonymous inspectors who assess five core criteria: product quality, mastery of flavors and cooking techniques, chef’s personality, flavor harmony, and consistency across multiple visits.
The awards ceremony also introduced the Michelin Young Chef Award, which recognized chef Ki Kim of Restaurant Ki for his remarkable culinary contributions.
Impact and History of the Michelin Guide
The announcement of Michelin star ratings has historically been a milestone for restaurants, significantly impacting their reputation, visibility, and business viability. Founded in 1900 as a free guide to promote car travel, the Michelin Guide introduced its star rating system in 1926, subsequently becoming the gold standard for evaluating dining experiences worldwide. Unlike the James Beard Awards, which are confined to the U.S., the Michelin Guide acknowledges exceptional dining across the globe.
As the culinary landscape evolves, Los Angeles’s newest three-star restaurants and the shifting status of establishments in Costa Mesa highlight both the challenges and triumphs facing chefs and restaurateurs across California. With the rich tapestry of flavors being celebrated this year, the Michelin Guide continues to play a crucial role in showcasing the region’s diverse and sophisticated culinary scene.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Chef Ross Pangilinan Expands Culinary Ventures in California
Costa Mesa Welcomes Il Girasole, a New Italian Restaurant
Additional Resources
- Eater: 2025 Michelin Star Winners
- Wikipedia: Michelin Guide
- OC Register: Hana re Loses Its Michelin Star
- Google Search: Michelin Star Restaurants
- Daily News: First Three-Star Restaurants
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Michelin Guide
- Eater: Los Angeles 2025 Michelin Stars Mapped
