Michelin adds 11 Los Angeles restaurants

Michelin added 11 Los Angeles restaurants to its California Guide in a May 20 update, expanding the city’s presence in the 2026 California selection ahead of the guide’s June 24 ceremony. Michelin said the additions are part of its regular process of adding new establishments to the Selection twice a year, before stars and Bib Gourmands are announced. Los Angeles magazine reported the new local entries on May 21, describing a group that stretches from Beverly Hills and Studio City to Mar Vista, Sawtelle and Rosemead. ### How is this different from getting a Michelin star? Michelin said the newly added restaurants have joined the California Selection, not yet the list of star or Bib Gourmand winners. The guide said its distinctions — Stars and Bib Gourmands — will be revealed at the annual ceremony on June 24. Los Angeles magazine said the guide “has not specified which restaurants warrant a star versus a Bib Gourmand,” and that those recognitions will be announced at the San Diego event. (guide.michelin.com) That means the May additions function as new recommended entries now, with possible further awards still pending. ### Which Los Angeles restaurants were added? Michelin’s May 2026 California additions included Beverly Hills sushi counter Miura, Studio City live-fire restaurant ALTO, Los Feliz tapas restaurant Casa Leo, Mar Vista bistro Electric Bleu, Sawtelle counter KOJIMA, and Lielle, a tasting-menu restaurant led by chef Marcus Jernmark. Michelin also added pizza spot Lynx, according to its California additions page. (lamag.com) Los Angeles magazine said the full Los Angeles-area group totaled 11 restaurants and included places in Beverly Hills, Downtown LA and Rosemead. The magazine’s article highlighted Miura, ALTO, Casa Leo, Electric Bleu, Kojima and Lielle among the additions. ### What did Michelin say about some of the new entries? (guide.michelin.com) Michelin described Miura as “a fresh start for an address long revered as a destination for outstanding sushi,” and said chef Derek Wilcox delivers a “highly tuned omakase” after training extensively in Japan and working in New York City. Michelin said ALTO brings “the flavors of Argentina and Uruguay” to Studio City through chefs Juana Castellanos Lagemann and Esteban Klenzi, while Casa Leo offers Joshua Whigham’s Spanish-inspired plates including bay scallop ceviche, Iberian flatbreads and rabo de toro. (lamag.com) Michelin said Electric Bleu is a French bistro with “a California accent,” and called KOJIMA, an eight-seat Sawtelle restaurant from Hayato Kojima, a hidden gem where diners are seated and served together. (guide.michelin.com) ### Why are these additions coming out before the ceremony? Michelin said inspectors spend the year looking for restaurants to recommend and that some finds are added to the Selection before the annual awards event. The guide said those establishments are posted on its website and mobile app with a “New” symbol. The California guide page currently lists hundreds of restaurants statewide, and Michelin’s May article shows additions beyond Los Angeles, including Lucien in La Jolla. (guide.michelin.com) Los Angeles magazine said the May 20 release covered restaurants across California, from Palm Springs to Los Gatos. ### What happens next for these restaurants? June 24 is the next date that matters. (guide.michelin.com) Michelin said that is when California’s 2026 Stars and Bib Gourmands will be revealed at the annual ceremony, and Los Angeles magazine said this year’s event is scheduled for San Diego. Until then, the 11 Los Angeles restaurants appear as new additions to the California Selection on Michelin’s website and app. (guide.michelin.com)