5 Michelin-Star Restaurants in Los Angeles You Need to Try

Known for its thriving entertainment industry, Los Angeles is home to the iconic Hollywood Sign, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Grammy Museum, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and more! There are easily so many reasons to visit “The Entertainment Capital of the World.”

But apart from all the sights to see and attractions to visit, Los Angeles is also known for its food scene. The city offers a diverse and excellent culinary selection that ranges from famous taco trucks to fine dining restaurants. But hey, if you’re looking for something a little more specific, say Michelin-star restaurants in Los Angeles for a world-class culinary experience, then you’ve come to the right place! If you want a quick Michelin guide in Los Angeles so you know where to eat next, read on below.

This Mexican seafood restaurant, one of the highlights in the Michelin star LA scene, is known for its ceviche and tacos with raw or Yucatan-style seafood as the main ingredient. Since Holbox prioritizes sourcing fresh local ingredients, best believe that every dish here offers vibrant flavors.

Holbox is owned by Mexican-born chef Gilberto Cetina, who draws inspiration from the traditional flavors of Mexico, more specifically, where he was born: the Yucatan Peninsula. The restaurant’s menu frequently changes to ensure that they have only the best, in-season, and freshest local ingredients, so rest assured that each dish is nothing short of exquisite and always prepared with care. They also have 8-course tasting menus, available only on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Some must-tries at Holbox include Ceviche de Atún (Baja California bluefin tuna ceviche), Smoked Kanpachi Tostada (house-smoked kanpachi, shrimp, scallops, arbol-guajillo sauce, avocado), Pescado a las Brasas (whole grilled branzino, cilantro rice, black beans, avo, pico & handmade tortillas), Coctel Mixto (wild Mexican shrimp, Gulf of Mexico octopus, Baja Bay scallops in house-made sweet & sour coctel sauce), and Smoked Kanpachi Taco (house-smoked fish, queso Chihuahua, salsa cruda, avocado & peanut chili oil).

One of the many Michelin-star restaurants in Los Angeles is Gwen, a steakhouse serving house-made charcuterie and wood-fire grilled steaks. Apart from the delectable meal you’re bound to have here, the overall experience is even more elevated with the elegant but warm atmosphere and interiors. And hey, Gwen is not only a fine-dining restaurant; they also have a butcher shop where you can score premium cuts of meat from the US and beyond.

Gwen is owned by chef Curtis Stone, together with his brother, Luke Stone. Guests of the restaurant get to choose between dining à la carte or going for a five-course menu. Some must-haves include: House-Made Charcuterie (selection of cured salami, whole muscles, and spreads), 30-Day Dry-Aged Ribeye (Creekstone Farm, 36 oz), Halibut (cabbage, dashi beurre blanc, seaweed), Beef Tartare (spiced lavash, smoked miso aioli, pickled wood ear mushrooms), and Pork Chop (fennel apple salad, cider glaze, creamed onions).

Mélisse opened its doors in 1999, with chef Josiah Citrin at its helm. The chef coordinates with California farmers to make sure that the restaurant only uses fresh ingredients. They only offer tasting menus, so the menu always changes. They serve modern French cuisine here, and to give you a glimpse of the dishes to expect, here’s some of what they have in the sample menu: Santa Barbara Spot Prawn, Uni Cromesquis, Hokkaido Ginsei Salmon, Hope Ranch Mussel, Tomato-Kombu Marmalade, Espelette and Rosé, and Don Watson Napa Valley Lamb.

Do note that they don’t only serve French cuisine here; they serve global flavors fused with contemporary techniques.

Japanese food is always good! Another one of the many Michelin-star restaurants in Los Angeles is Hayato, a Japanese restaurant that only has one seating (consists of seven seats) per night. They like to keep things intimate as each specially curated dish is served. At Hayato, their purpose isn’t only to serve good food, but also to showcase the amazing work of craftsmen in different fields. The restaurant is complete because of the work of many people, such as fishmongers, potters, kimono makers, carpenters, and more.

Get ready to taste the best of Japanese food at Hayato, kaiseki style. Some small dishes to expect are grilled Hokkaido scallop, snow crab tofu, charred eggplant with ginger and dashi, duck breast, and more.

Providence, a modern seafood restaurant, is home to the award-winning cuisine of chef Michael Cimarusti. Their mission and dedication lie in finding and serving only the finest sustainable seafood. They offer both a dining menu and a tasting menu.

For the dining menu, some must-haves include salt-roasted Santa Barbara spot prawns (rosemary, lemon, extra-virgin olive oil), uni egg (sea urchin, champagne beurre blanc, brioche croutons), and farm-raised, sustainable caviar (blini and traditional accompaniments). For the tasting menu, some dishes to expect are A5 wagyu, red abalone, sashimi, black cod, and house-made Hawaiian chocolate.

Apart from all the Michelin-star restaurants in Los Angeles you’ll be adding to your itinerary, we recommend adding this experience too: a Los Angeles Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour! This open-top bus will take you on a scenic ride across the city, where you can marvel at stunning city views or simply people-watch. You can choose between 24 or 48 hours to explore the city’s most famous landmarks, such as the Venice Boardwalk, Paramount Studios, Sunset Strip, and more.

It’s important to stay connected during any trip! You’ll be needing the internet for navigation, communication, and social media. Good thing this 5G eSIM USA is only a click away and is so easy to book! Simply choose between two package types: data per day or data in total; your SIM card validity: 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 15, 20, or 30 days (data per day), or 1 day, 15, or 30 days (data in total); then lastly, select a data package: unlimited or 1GB (data per day), or 500MB, 1, 3, 5, 10, or 20GB (data in total).

The eSIM pretty much covers all of the United States, including Hawaii. The best part? You don’t have to claim your SIM from a booth at the airport; you simply have to activate your eSIM via the Klook app or the QR code sent to your email upon confirmed booking.

Now you’re definitely more than ready for your Los Angeles trip! Make sure to add the Michelin-star restaurants in Los Angeles that we mentioned above to your itinerary for an extra special taste of the city. Remember, some destinations are best experienced through their food. Happy and safe travels!

Yes, Nobu has both Michelin-starred restaurants and hotels that are included in the Michelin Guide's selection.

Yes, California is home to numerous Michelin-starred restaurants such as Somni, Providence, Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura, n/naka, and more.

There are two restaurants in Los Angeles with three Michelin stars: Providence and Somni.

It really depends on where you’re eating and the cuisine, but a rough estimate would be USD 179.