So, everyone is buzzing about the Michelin Guide California 2025 new stars September 2025 update, but honestly, if you're just looking at the press releases, you're missing the real drama. People think these stars are just about fancy tablecloths and waiters in white gloves. They’re not. It’s about the grit. This year, the ceremony in Sacramento—which happened back in June but really hit the cultural zeitgeist this September—proved that California isn't just playing the game; it’s basically rewriting the rules.
The Big Shake-up: Two New Three-Star Heavyweights
You've probably heard that Providence and Somni finally nabbed three stars. It’s about time. Michael Cimarusti has been grinding at Providence in Hollywood since 2005. Imagine doing something for twenty years and only now getting the ultimate "A+." That’s wild. His spot is basically a temple for seafood. If you go, the salt-roasted Santa Barbara spot prawns are mandatory. No questions asked.
Then there’s Somni. Chef Aitor Zabala basically pulled off a miracle. The restaurant reopened in West Hollywood and, within seven months, it’s sitting at the top of the mountain with three stars. Most chefs spend their whole lives chasing one star, and Zabala just walked in and took the whole deck. It’s a 20-plus course "dream" (that’s what Somni means in Catalan) that’s more like a theater performance than a dinner.
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Why the 2025 List Feels Different
The Michelin Guide California 2025 new stars September 2025 list isn't just about Los Angeles, though L.A. definitely hogged the spotlight. San Francisco and Sonoma grabbed some serious wins too.
- Kiln (San Francisco): This place moved from one star to two. It’s very Nordic—lots of curing, drying, and fermentation. It’s cold, industrial, and brilliant.
- Enclos (Sonoma): Tucked inside a Victorian house from the 1880s. They got two stars right out of the gate and a Green Star for sustainability. It’s very "farm-to-table," but like, the version where the farm is actually good.
- Mori Nozomi (Los Angeles): History was made here. Nozomi Mori became the first female sushi chef in the U.S. to lead a Michelin-starred team. It’s an eight-seat counter. Good luck getting a reservation now.
Honestly, the diversity of the 2025 selection is what’s actually cool. We saw Restaurant Ki in Little Tokyo get a star for Korean cuisine—a first for L.A. We saw Sun Moon Studio in Oakland and Lilo in Carlsbad prove that you don't have to be in a major skyscraper to be world-class.
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The "Cheap" Wins: Bib Gourmands
Not everyone wants to drop $500 on a tasting menu. That’s where the Bib Gourmands come in. These are the spots where you can actually eat without selling a kidney.
Six new spots joined the list this year. Pho Momma in Sacramento is a total vibe—unassuming but the broth is life-changing. In L.A., Rasarumah is doing Malaysian food that feels like a gut-punch of flavor. And Komal in Mercado La Paloma? If you don't like their heirloom corn quesadillas, we probably can't be friends.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Stars
People think Michelin is obsessed with French food. Okay, maybe a little. But look at the Michelin Guide California 2025 new stars September 2025 list again. It’s heavy on Japanese omakase, Korean influences, and hyper-local Californian ingredients. The "limitations" of the guide—the idea that it's only for the elite—are slowly fading.
However, let’s be real: the guide still has a massive bias toward tasting menus. It’s hard for a standard "order-off-the-menu" bistro to compete with a 15-course curated experience. That’s just the reality of how they judge.
Actionable Steps for the Foodie Traveler
If you want to experience the 2025 stars without the headache, here is what you actually need to do:
- Set Resy/Tock Alerts Now: Places like Somni and Mori Nozomi are essentially booked out for months. Don't check once a week; set an automated alert.
- Go for Lunch or Mid-Week: Some starred spots or Bib Gourmands like Atelier Manna in Encinitas are way easier to get into on a Tuesday afternoon than a Saturday night.
- Follow the Green Stars: If you actually care about where your food comes from, prioritize Enclos or Sons & Daughters. They aren't just sustainable because it’s trendy; they’re actually doing the work with local farmers.
- Explore the "New Additions": Michelin often adds restaurants to the guide throughout the year before they even get stars. Check the "New" tab on the Michelin app for spots like Ethel’s Fancy in Palo Alto. They might be the next star winners for 2026.
Basically, California's dining scene is peaking right now. Whether you're hitting up a taco stall in a market or a $400-a-head seafood spot in Hollywood, the Michelin Guide California 2025 new stars September 2025 list is your roadmap. Just don't forget to tip your servers—they're the ones making the magic happen.