San Diego is one of California’s most vibrant cities. Known for its beaches, parks and warm weather, it makes for a somewhat idyllic setting for some of the finest Michelin Star restaurants in San Diego. Up until recently, the city had just one Michelin Star. However, it now boasts a total of four, with several other establishments taking home Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. These awards are handed out to restaurants that are more on the affordable side, but still offer diners exceptional dining experiences.
Now, without further ado, we present to you the best Michelin Star restaurants in San Diego, all of which are home to the industry’s finest Michelin Star chefs.
Addison
Addison is undisputedly the most famous of all the Michelin Star restaurants in San Diego. Located at the exclusive Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Chef William Bradley has turned this eatery into quite the epicurean juggernaut. This restaurant has the highest Michelin Star rating in the city and is well-known for its nine-course tasting menu that takes diners on a culinary journey of note. The chef has also worked carefully to ensure each and every one of the nine courses on offer evolves with the season, so he uses only the freshest seasonal ingredients available.
Diners can also indulge in an extensive wine list that showcases selections and vintages from around the world, specifically top finds from the state of California.
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 2
- Address: 5300 Grand Del Mar Ct, San Diego, CA 92130
- Type of food: Mediterranean
- Must-try: Tasting menu.
Soichi
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If you’re looking for authentic Japanese Omakase dining, then Soichi is exactly the kind of Michelin Star restaurant in San Diego you need to visit! Chef Soichi has spent years perfecting his craft to artistically master the delicate balances of Japanese cuisine. This restaurant is one that appeals to all the senses and provides an authentic Japanese dining experience, complete with first-rate cuisine, stellar service and a captivating ambience.
The entire dining experience at Soichi is driven by the chef, who coincidentally, is also connected to two other restaurants on this list.
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 1
- Address: 2121 Adams Avenue, San Diego, California 92116
- Type of food: Japanese
- Must-try: Chef’s tasting menu.
Jeune et Jolie
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Jeune et Jolie, which translates to “Young and Beautiful”, has made quite a splash on San Diego’s culinary scene ever since its doors were first opened in 2018. What sets Jeune et Jolie apart from other Michelin Star restaurants in San Diego is the fact that it reimagines French cuisine in a way that has never really been done before. Owner John Resnick, as well as Executive Chef Eric Bost are credited for bringing this eatery its first Michelin Star.
Set against the Southern Californian landscape, Jeune et Jolie serves up a four-course menu that diners are able to make their own selections. The restaurant property consists of both indoor and outdoor spaces, and guests can choose whether or not they want to participate in the wine pairing option too.
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 1
- Address: 2659 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008
- Type of food: French
- Must-try: Tartare, Betterave, Gnudi, Wagyu, Chocolat.
Sushi Tadokoro
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Sushi Tadokoro is where Chef Soichi of Soichi honed his skills before branching off on his own. Based in Old Town, this is one of the best Michelin Star restaurants in San Diego to get the finest, freshest, expertly-prepared sushi dishes. Under the guidance of Takeaki Tadokoro, who serves as both the chef and the owner, and with the help of young chef Tatsuro Tsuchiya, Sushi Tadokoro is said to “take great pleasure in providing diners with a delightful dining experience”. The Michelin inspectors who awarded the restaurant its star said that at this establishment, “attention to detail is a hallmark, as sauces are homemade and the fish of the day rests within a wood box awaiting very special treatment.”
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 1
- Address: 2244 San Diego Avenue, Suite C, San Diego, CA 92110
- Type of food: Japanese
- Must-try: Saba salmon toro, grilled chilean seabass, ebi, gunkan maki.
Michelin Bib Gourmand
Just a few short years ago, Michelin bestowed eight San Diego-based restaurants with its Michelin Gourmand honours. Now, five more have just been added to the list. Take a look at some of our favourite ones below:
Cesarina
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Cesarina is a delightful neighbourhood trattoria located in Point Loma. It was opened in February 2019 by Cesarina Mezzoni, Niccolo Angius and Giuseppe Capasso. This Italian joint was created to celebrate the finest Italian foods in all of their simplistic glory. Mezzoni, after whom the restaurant was named, is its muse and chef. Daily, the eatery serves up heaped plates of fresh pasta, regional Italian entrees, vegan options and tableside desserts too! Absolutely every product is made in-house, something which the founders pride themselves on.
Diners can expect to experience an open-air pasta factory, where they can witness the authenticity of their foods first-hand. The restaurant’s seating arrangements include a mix of bistro-style tables and custom-built booths, as well as two dog-friendly patios. According to the good folks at Michelin, if you’re looking for something to indulge in, you should “look no further than the truffled gnocchi with a cream sauce, served in its own copper pot.”
- Price: $
- Address: 4161 Voltaire Street, San Diego, CA 92107
- Type of food: Italian
- Must-try: Truffled gnocchi, filleto de manzo, caprese salad.
Callie
Named after the Greek word for “the most beautiful”, Callie does an excellent job of showing off the most beautiful Michelin Star restaurants in San Diego. With Chef Travis Swikard at its helm, Callie combines all of the glorious flavours of Greece, Morocco, Spain, Italy and the Middle East in the eatery’s menu.
While he may be focusing on flavours from abroad, all of his produce is locally sourced. Chef Travis makes a point of putting San Diego’s farmers, fishermen and ingredients at the forefront of Callie’s creations. According to the Michelin judges, the meals at Callie take full advantage of the best ingredients in South California and feature all of the bold, sunny flavours of the Mediterranean coastline.
- Price: $
- Address: 1195 Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
- Type of food: Meditteranean
- Must-try: Avocado labneh, ora king salmon, lemon saffron rigatoni.
Dija Mara
Dija Mara is perhaps one of San Diego’s most vibrant eateries. It serves up Balinese-inspired cuisine that diners are sure to agree are rich in flavour and has plenty to offer even the pickiest of pallets. Located in the coastal area of North County, Dija Mara prides itself on the delicate balance it has achieved between Southeast Asian and Western cuisines.
There are plenty of dishes to choose from, each one more flavourful than the last, and everything from the starters to the mains, and the desserts to the sides scream “value for money”.
- Price: $
- Address: 232 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
- Type of food: Balinese
- Must-try: Grilled roti, coconut rice, pork belly skewers, beef tartare, lime leaf panna cotta.
Sebastian is a former hedge fund trader who worked only to indulge his true passion – food.
He has dined at over 240 Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, savoring culinary masterpieces and understanding the stories behind them. He now advises restaurants on menu design, decor and holistic diner experience.
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