Enjoy a meal worthy of a splurge at these 9 Michelin-starred restaurants in Southern California

Originally a modest red guide published by the French tire company to encourage motorists to get out and explore the road, the Michelin Guide has since evolved into a prestigious ranking system for hotels and restaurants around the world. . Luckily, you don’t have to book a flight for a truly remarkable meal — here are nine Michelin-starred restaurants that continue to elevate SoCal’s dining scene. Best SoCal Michelin Restaurants

LOS ANGELES

Rating: ☆☆

Known for its remarkable wine list and intimate setting, Mélisse is a luxurious 14-seat restaurant (yes, you read that right) nestled inside Citrin. With Executive Chef Ian Scaramuzza and Chef and Owner Josiah Citrin at the helm, guests can expect unique and exclusive ingredients sourced from California farms in San Diego, Napa Valley and everywhere in between. Don’t think of this as your typical dinner; When you book a table at Mélisse, get ready to experience a fabulous 2.5-hour seven-course tasting menu featuring canapés, sweet treats, appetizers and tantalizing flavors from around the world.

Location: Santa Monica

Best SoCal Michelin Restaurants

Rating: ☆☆

Contemporary, avant-garde and undoubtedly unique, Vespertine is more than a restaurant, it is an experimental gastronomic experience. Chef Jordan Kahn shares his vision with diners not only through unforgettable dishes, but through other sensory outlets like sound, smell and texture. It’s otherworldly, a little weird and will absolutely take you out of your comfort zone. Vespertine currently offers themed home experiences that encapsulate all of the senses as well as incredible food and beverages that allow you to turn your kitchen table into a fabulous sanctuary.

Location: Culver City

Rating: ☆☆

A modern take on kaiseki, a traditional Japanese multi-course dinner, n/naka takes a holistic approach to dining; guests can expect all the intricate and ingenious parts of the 13-course meal to come together and create a beautiful overall experience. Born in Los Angeles, Chef Niki Nakayama is no stranger to the demands of LA’s fiercest foodies and has created truly remarkable dishes that celebrate the flavors and techniques of Japanese cuisine as well as the seasonality and balance of ingredients. Come see for yourself why n/naka has attracted a cult following.

Location: Los Angeles

Best SoCal Michelin Restaurants

ORANGE COUNTY

Rating: ☆

With Chef Carlos Salgado’s vision and goal to honor his heritage, Taco María marries Mexican and American cultures in what can only be described as Alta California cuisine. The menu is made up of a careful selection of Mexican-inspired dishes, such as aguachile, mole de pato, snatch, piloncillo and, of course, the restaurant’s homemade blue corn tortillas. Chef Salgado sources heirloom varieties of corn from small Mexican farms, then nixtamalises and processes the masa in-house to create tortillas you won’t soon forget.

Location: Costa Mesa

Rating: ☆

Quite possibly one of the crown jewels of South Coast Plaza, the glamor of Knife Pleat fits right in with the tastes of nearby boutiques like Oscar de la Renta, Canali and Chanel. Created by chef Tony Esnault and restaurateur Yassmin Sarmadi, this restaurant has all the elegance and modernity to keep up with its chic French cuisine but is presented in an approachable and SoCal-friendly way. Guests can choose from special tasting menus, prix fixe dinners, lunch, afternoon tea, and a fun cocktail menu named after some familiar designer brands.

Location: Costa Mesa

Best SoCal Michelin Restaurants

Rating: ☆

Offering dishes that allow the freshness of their ingredients to take center stage and shine, Hana Re offers a quiet and perhaps unexpected oasis inside the bustling LAB Anti-Mall. Although a hidden gem, Chef Atsushi Yokoyama works with ingredients that are anything but semi-precious. Sit at the Omakase Bar to watch Chef Yokoyama work his magic creating artistic dishes from luxurious ingredients like kegani, A5 Tajima Wagyu, conch and sea urchin. And don’t forget to ask the staff for sake pairings!

Location: Costa Mesa

SAN DIEGO

Rating: ☆☆

As the first restaurant in San Diego to receive the honor of two Michelin stars, Addison, led by Chef William Bradley, pushes the boundaries of San Diego’s dining scene. Addison offers a rotating nine-course tasting menu that changes with the seasons to celebrate regional ingredients at their peak. With each dish, the staff will suggest a wine pairing to enhance the dining experience, and you can definitely trust that recommendation – Addison has upheld the Wine Spectator Grand Award standards for 12 consecutive years.

Location: Del Mar

Best SoCal Michelin Restaurants

Rating: ☆

Come and enjoy traditional edomae-style sushi and stay for the omakase and homemade sauces from owner and chef Takeaki Tadokoro and chef Tatsuro Tsuchiya. Sushi Tadokoro is located a bit off the beaten path in an unassuming mall, but don’t judge this book by its cover. Each ingredient is carefully selected for freshness and flavor, and you can taste years of experience and technique in every bite. Chefs Tadokoro and Tsuchiya demonstrate immense skill, ensuring that every dish and every experience will keep customers coming back.

Location: Old Town San Diego

Best SoCal Michelin Restaurants

Rating: ☆

Take your omakase experience to the next level in Soichi, where Chef Soichi Kadoya will personally select and delight you with a special eight-course meal filled with freshness, flavor and excitement. Soichi is deeply rooted in the Japanese philosophy of omotenashi: the practice of wholeheartedly following guests. The restaurant proves it with balanced meals, intriguing ingredients and its loyal regulars. Chef Kadoya honed his skills at Michelin-starred restaurant Sushi Tadokoro, so guests can expect the same attention to detail, precision and overall excellence.

Location: University Heights