Providence. Photo credit: Daniel Collopy.
The Michelin Guide California 2024 awards ceremony took place last night at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, and some of the best restaurants in and around Los Angeles were presented with the prestigious awards.
Holbox, the Mexican seafood eatery inside South LA’s Mercado Paloma, earned its first Michelin star. Two Hollywood restaurants, Meteora and Uka at Japan House, earned first-time Michelin stars, as did Rebel Omakase in LA-adjacent Laguna Beach.
One Los Angeles restaurant, Vespertine in Culver City, was awarded two Michelin stars for the first time. Vespertine was also awarded its first Green Michelin Star. Green Michelin Stars are awarded to restaurants with exceptional sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
Two other California restaurants were awarded two Michelin stars for the first time: Aubergine in Carmel and Sons & Daughters in San Francisco.
Renowned for its exquisite, ever-changing seafood tasting menu, Providence retained its two Michelin Stars for a staggering 15th year. Michael Cimarusti’s world-class fine dining establishment also held onto its Green Michelin Star.
Providence earned its Green Star in part due to its unique rooftop garden, which was deemed a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation in 2023. The rooftop garden hosts two beehives that are home to a colony of 160,000 bees. The garden also produces a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. Providence’s zero-waste bar and cocktail program and its zero-waste chocolate program also contributed to its Green Michelin Star.
Other LA restaurants that held on to their two Michelin stars were Mélisse in Santa Monica and Hayato in Downtown.
Camphor, a French bistro in DTLA’s Arts District, retained its Michelin star from last year. Renowned for marrying classical French techniques with Asian influences, Camphor’s menu is both comforting and innovative. It’s also the only BIPOC restaurant in California to hold a Michelin star.
Pasta Bar, the from-scratch pasta restaurant from Chef Phillip Frankland Lee and Executive Pastry Chef Margarita Kallas-Lee, carried over its Michelin star for the fourth consecutive year. Located in Encino, Pasta Bar serves 12-course pasta-tasting menus inspired by what’s freshest and best at the market.
Other LA restaurants that retained one Michelin star: 715, Citrin, Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura, Gwen, Kali, Long Beach’s Heritage, Kato, Morihiro, n/naka, Nozawa Bar, Orsa & Winston, Osteria Mozza, Shibumi, Shin Sushi, Sushi Ginza Onodera, Torrance’s Sushi Inaba, and Sushi Kaneyoshi.
In addition, Ian Krupp of Anajak Thai in Sherman Oaks was honored with the special Michelin Sommelier Award.
