Michelin adds seven San Francisco Bay Area restaurants

Michelin added seven San Francisco Bay Area restaurants to its California Guide in an update published on May 20, widening the region’s presence in the statewide selection ahead of the guide’s annual awards ceremony. Eater San Francisco reported the additions on Wednesday and said the group included newcomer Vicinity in Los Gatos, along with several restaurants in San Francisco and Oakland. Michelin says new restaurants are added to the California selection twice a year and marked with a “New” symbol on its website and app, while Stars and Bib Gourmands are held back for the annual ceremony. ### Which part of Michelin changed this week? Michelin’s May California update was not a star announcement. The guide said the new additions join the selection now, while distinctions including Stars and Bib Gourmands will be announced at the annual California ceremony on June 24. Michelin used the same May update to add restaurants in Los Angeles, La Jolla and other parts of the state. (sf.eater.com) Eater San Francisco said seven Bay Area restaurants were included in this round. The outlet described the additions as spanning San Francisco, Oakland and Los Gatos. ### Which Bay Area restaurant stands out most in the new group? Vicinity in Los Gatos was one of the most prominent names in the Bay Area additions because it extends the update beyond San Francisco and Oakland. (guide.michelin.com) Michelin’s listing describes Vicinity, at 368 Village Lane in Los Gatos, as a “Creative, Californian” restaurant with a modern tasting menu overseen by chef Julian Silvera. Michelin’s inspectors said Silvera’s menu draws on his Lower East Side upbringing and foraging in coastal California. (sf.eater.com) Michelin’s entry for Vicinity says dishes include a small everything bagel with salmon and cream cheese rillettes and Californian lamb with spring vegetables, mole and black garlic. The restaurant is marked “New” on Michelin’s site. ### Which San Francisco spots were specifically named? Maria Isabel and Kitchen Istanbul were among the San Francisco restaurants identified in coverage of the update. (guide.michelin.com) Michelin lists Maria Isabel, at 500 Presidio Ave., as “Mexican, Contemporary” and says the restaurant is the latest project from Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz. Michelin said the menu draws on ingredients from California and flavors from Guerrero, with heirloom corn from Oaxaca and regional spirits in the drinks program. Kitchen Istanbul, at 349 Clement St., is listed by Michelin as “Turkish, Californian.” Michelin’s inspectors highlighted dishes including hummus with chili oil, börek with goat cheese and leek, browned chicken legs over pearl couscous and künefe kadayif for dessert. ### Does a Michelin addition mean a star? Michelin’s own California additions page says no. The guide said these additions are restaurants that have entered the selection, while Stars and Bib Gourmands are only revealed at the annual ceremony. (guide.michelin.com) That means the seven Bay Area restaurants have been recognized by inspectors, but they have not yet been assigned Michelin stars through this update alone. (guide.michelin.com) The distinction matters because Michelin has been making California additions in stages this year. Michelin published a March 2026 additions update before the May round, following the same pattern of adding restaurants first and reserving awards for the later ceremony. ### What happens next for these restaurants? June 24 is the next date to watch. Michelin said its annual California ceremony on that date will reveal Stars and Bib Gourmands for the state’s 2026 guide, including for restaurants newly added in March and May. (guide.michelin.com) Eater San Francisco’s report places the Bay Area additions into that pipeline, with Vicinity and the other six now in the running for whatever distinctions Michelin announces at the ceremony. (guide.michelin.com)