Los Angeles Restaurants Achieve Three Michelin Stars

An exquisite dish from Somni, one of the first Los Angeles restaurants to earn three Michelin stars.

News Summary

Los Angeles has made culinary history as two of its restaurants, Somni and Providence, have received the prestigious three Michelin stars for the first time. This marks a significant moment for the city’s dining scene, as it had previously lacked any three-star establishments. Somni re-emerged with a new menu after closing during the pandemic, while Providence has long been a staple of fine dining in the city. The 2025 Michelin Guide showcases the growing diversity and rising culinary talent in Los Angeles, while also highlighting the challenges of maintaining star status.

Los Angeles has made history as two of its restaurants have received the coveted three Michelin stars for the first time, a landmark achievement that highlights the city’s vibrant culinary scene. The announcement was made during the Michelin Guide California presentation held on June 25, 2025, at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento.

Aitor Zabala’s culinary masterpiece, Somni, has become Los Angeles’s first three-Michelin-starred restaurant. This avant-garde establishment had previously earned two stars in 2019 but closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After re-opening in late 2024 at a new location in West Hollywood, Somni introduced a completely new tasting menu that impressed the Michelin inspectors enough to earn the highest accolade. Alongside Somni, Providence, run by chef Michael Cimarusti, also achieved the prestigious three-star status, making it one of the city’s distinguished dining experiences.

Before this year, Los Angeles and the neighboring Orange County had no restaurants honored with three Michelin stars. This year’s guide marks a significant turning point, especially after 2024, where the only two-star restaurant in Los Angeles was Vespertine. Other restaurants that received their first Michelin stars in 2024 include Holbox, Rebel Omakase, Uka, and Meteora.

The 2025 guide doesn’t just highlight rising culinary stars; it also tracks establishments that have lost their Michelin recognition. Notably, the restaurants Sushi Ginza Onodera and N/Naka both lost one star in 2024, illustrating the competitive nature of Michelin’s stringent rating system.

In 2025, Chef Ki Kim from Restaurant Ki captured the Michelin Young Chef Award, and his establishment made history by becoming Los Angeles’s first Michelin-starred Korean restaurant. Additionally, new entries like Mori Nozomi and Silver Omakase received their first Michelin stars, demonstrating the growing diversity in the dining landscape.

Not every restaurant maintained its star status this year; Sushi Ginza Onodera and Hana Re did not retain their awards, signaling the high standards expected by Michelin. The Michelin stars are awarded based on a rigorous evaluation of various factors including the quality of ingredients, cooking techniques, and flavor harmony.

The Michelin Guide has a long-standing history, having awarded stars in Los Angeles since 2008. After a decade-long pause, the guide returned in 2019 after the California Tourism Board provided funding to support its expansion. The pandemic affected the Michelin ratings process as no stars were awarded in 2020 and 2021, but the 2025 guide reflects a renewed interest in culinary excellence.

This year, the California Michelin Guide recognized a total of 123 restaurants with Bib Gourmand awards, which honor establishments that offer good quality and good value cooking. In total, the guide includes 548 restaurants covering a remarkable 55 different cuisine styles.

While the guide aims to showcase a diverse range of dining experiences, it has faced criticism for its tendency to focus on fine dining establishments, often overlooking popular local restaurants and street vendors that contribute to the area’s rich culinary culture. This balance between fine dining and local gem recognition remains a topic of discussion as food enthusiasts eagerly await future editions of the Michelin Guide.