Latest Michelin Star Winners in San Francisco
The Bay is no stranger to earning Michelin Stars for its industry-leading restaurants. Not surprisingly, this year featured a number of new winners worth checking out on your next visit. Here’s a recap of the latest inductees:
Al’s Place | 1499 Valencia St.
Not only a new Michelin Star winner, but recently named by Bon Appetit magazine as “Best New Restaurant”, there’s not much more we need to say here. This casual Mission District corner restaurant is consistently packed with eager diners (with even more waiting outside) and the vibrant Northern Cali/New American cuisine is vegetable-centric, and always creative. You must try the pickled French fries. You. Must.
Aster | 1001 Guerrero St.
Chef Brett Cooper’s style is quintessentially Northern Californian, sensitive to seasonality, with an obvious love of vegetables and beautiful plating as well. His rustic-casual and inviting Mission restaurant is exquisite. Opt for a tasting menu for the full experience.
Californios | 3115 22nd St.
Chef-owner Val and Carolyn Cantu’s well-tailored restaurant is also well hidden (there’s no real discernible sign), but this Mission hideaway is so worth seeking out. Their nightly tasting menu is playful and delicious, with some nods to Mexican roots. Perfectly paired wines, warm service and the artistic style of the space round out the memorable experience.
Kin Khao | 55 Cyril Magnin St.
Pim Techamuanvivit’s Thai restaurant is tucked away in an unlikely location in Union Square, but once you find it, the expertly prepared curries and stir-fry dishes will keep you coming back for more. Dishes pop with vibrant and fresh flavors, featuring sustainable and seasonal ingredients, and the cocktail and wine adds lots of appeal.
Lazy Bear | 3416 19th St.
One of the city’s more unique dining experiences, diners at Lazy Bear in the Mission District must buy tickets to sit at the restaurant’s two long tables as waves of dishes come out of the open kitchen. One tasting menu is served nightly.
Lord Stanley | 2065 Polk St.
Husband and wife duo Carrie and Rupert Blease opened Lord Stanley after working together for many years in top-rated restaurants throughout Europe and the U.S. Their European style cuisine has an elegant touch without being too fussy and the all-white/light-toned dining room has an airy look to it, casual yet chic at the same time.
Mourad | 140 New Montgomery St., #1
Chef Mourad Lahlou is known for his restaurant in the Outer Richmond, Aziza, but this is his latest venture and exploration of Moroccan cuisine with a California lens and seasonal ingredients. You can expect some modern presentations, a tasting menu, and a full bar and extensive wine list in a spacious and stylish atmosphere.
Nico | 3228 Sacramento St.
Another one of the city’s underrated restaurants, this Laurel Heights gem is perfect for a dinner date or a night out with food-loving friends. Chef Nicolas Delaroque is French-born and shares an obvious love of Bay Area ingredients on his modern French menu. The wine list and apéritifs also have a lot to offer.
Octavia | 1701 Octavia St.
Already a beloved chef in San Francisco due to her success at Frances, Chef-owner Melissa Perello presents this sequel in Pacific Heights, full of style, warmth and approachable California elegance. Her enticing menu is fun to navigate, from the small plates like the “deviled” egg to beautifully presented roasted meats.
Wako | 211 Clement St.
This Inner Richmond sushi restaurant does everything right: beautifully selected fish, well-crafted sushi, friendly staff and it has a cool look, too. It’s the kind of place sushi aficionados like to keep to themselves, but the Michelin Star is exactly the kind of thing to blow a place’s cover. Try the nigiri omakase menu for the full tour.
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