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Fine Dining Hub
San Diego's full MICHELIN Guide lineup — 1 three-star tasting room, 1 newly-starred kitchen in Carlsbad, 8 Bib Gourmands, and the rooms locals book when stars sell out.
Which San Diego restaurants have Michelin stars? San Diego has a small group of Michelin-starred restaurants plus a longer list of Bib Gourmand and recommended spots, concentrated in La Jolla, downtown and the coastal North County. Starred rooms book out weeks ahead, so reserve as early as the calendar opens.
Source: Sandi Spots — Last updated
Two restaurants in all of San Diego County hold a Michelin Star in the 2025 California guide.
Contemporary California / Tasting menu · $$$$ — ~$395 tasting · Chef William Bradley
San Diego's only Three-Star restaurant — and the only Three Star in Southern California outside of Los Angeles. A 10-course modern California tasting menu inside the Fairmont Grand Del Mar that elevated to 3 stars in 2024 and held the distinction in the 2025 guide.
Reservations: Tock — release dates monthly. Book the moment a window opens.
Contemporary tasting menu · $$$$ — ~$295 tasting · Chef Eric Bost
San Diego's newest Michelin-starred room — awarded a star in June 2025 just two months after opening. 22 seats, immersive multi-course menu, ingredient-driven and theatrical.
Reservations: Tock — limited seats, books out weeks ahead.
8 San Diego restaurants Michelin inspectors call out for outstanding cooking at honest prices. The smartest weeknight bookings in the city.
East Village
Mediterranean · $$
Wood-fire driven Eastern Mediterranean from chef Travis Swikard. Hummus, lamb skewers, and a smart wine list.
East Village
Mexican (tacos) · $
Chef-driven taqueria with heirloom-corn tortillas and the city's best margarita program.
Barrio Logan
Italian · $$
Husband-and-wife osteria pulling fresh pasta and Italian comfort cooking out of a small Logan Ave kitchen.
Little Italy
American brunch · $$
The pink, flower-walled brunch room with souffle pancakes and an actual Bib Gourmand to back the hype.
Bankers Hill
Italian · $$
Long-running Bankers Hill Italian — wine retail by day, lively dining room by night, and one of the city's best value Bib picks.
North Park
Spanish seafood · $$
Tinned-fish-forward Spanish wine bar from the Trust Restaurant Group. Conservas, vermouth, and seafood-driven small plates.
Golden Hill
Vietnamese · $$
Chef Jacqueline Le's modern Vietnamese — nuoc cham wings, clay pot rice, and one of the city's most talked-about openings of the last three years.
Barrio Logan
Contemporary · $$
Live-fire grill and seasonal Cal-Med plates inside the Bread & Salt arts complex. Patio seating, natural wines.
Recommended by the guide but without a Star or Bib — strong rooms worth knowing about when the headliners are full.
Sushi Tadokoro
Old Town · Japanese / Sushi
Cloak & Petal
Little Italy · Modern Japanese
Siamo Napoli
South Park · Neapolitan pizza
Coasterra
Harbor Island · Mexican (waterfront)
Soichi
University Heights · Sushi omakase
Jeune et Jolie
Carlsbad · Modern French
Kettner Exchange
Little Italy · Contemporary American
Born & Raised
Little Italy · Steakhouse
Herb & Wood
Little Italy · Wood-fire Mediterranean
Cesarina
Point Loma · Italian
Animae
Marina District · Asian-French
Realm of the 52 Remedies
Convoy · Asian speakeasy
Source: MICHELIN Guide California 2025. Distinctions can change with each annual release; we update this page after each ceremony.
Tock releases a new reservation window roughly once a month, usually 2–3 months out. Tables disappear in under a minute when the window opens. Be logged in 5 minutes early.
22 seats, one seating, and a national press wave after its 2025 star. Friday/Saturday are nearly impossible — try Wednesday or Thursday and look for cancellations 24–48 hours out.
Same Michelin inspectors, a fraction of the price. LOLA 55, Mabel's Gone Fishing, and Kingfisher are all walk-in friendly on weeknights and run $40–$80 a person.
Both starred restaurants (Addison in Carmel Valley, Lilo in Carlsbad) are 25–35 minutes north of downtown. Build dinner around the drive — pair with Torrey Pines or a Carlsbad walk.
Addison is jacket-encouraged and no shorts/athletic wear. Lilo is smart casual. Bibs and Selected restaurants have no dress code.
The MICHELIN Guide California reveal happens annually, typically in late June. Watch sandiegouniontribune.com and our blog for new additions.
As of the 2025 MICHELIN Guide California, San Diego County has two starred restaurants: Addison in Carmel Valley (Three Stars) and Lilo in Carlsbad (One Star). Eight additional restaurants hold Bib Gourmand recognition for great value, and 27 more are listed as Selected Restaurants.
Addison at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in Carmel Valley is San Diego's only Three-Star restaurant — and the only Three Star in Southern California outside of Los Angeles. Chef William Bradley serves a 10-course modern California tasting menu for around $395 per person.
Addison releases reservations on Tock approximately once a month, usually 2–3 months in advance. Tables sell out within minutes. Be logged in to Tock 5 minutes before the release time, and check back regularly for cancellations 24–48 hours before service.
Michelin Stars (1, 2, or 3) recognize the highest quality cooking. The Bib Gourmand is awarded by the same inspectors but recognizes outstanding food at moderate prices — typically a two-course meal and dessert under about $50 in the U.S.
Lilo, a 22-seat tasting-menu restaurant in Carlsbad from chef Eric Bost, was awarded its first Michelin Star in June 2025 — just two months after opening.
The MICHELIN Guide California reveal happens once a year, typically in late June. New stars, Bib Gourmands, and Green Stars are announced together at the annual ceremony.
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Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking.