The Michelin Guide inspectors are constantly on the road searching for the best new restaurants to highlight. This year has already seen several exciting additions to the Michelin Guide California selection, including 10 new Bib Gourmands, 4 new Green Stars, and 6 new One Stars. And the inspectors have now uncovered 5 more not-to-miss restaurants in LA and Orange County. In this article we Check Out Michelin 5 New Recommendations for Dining in LA & OC.
From the San Gabriel Valley to Echo Park and Culver City, LA dining continues to impress. The county welcomed spots like Manohar’s Delhi Palace dishing up flavorful North Indian specialties. Neighborhood gem Elf Cafe plates up Mediterranean skewers with a focus on seasonal and local ingredients. And for something more playful, Lustig in Culver City gets creative with dishes like steak tartare “paprikash.”
Craving authentic Italian instead?
Cedro Italian Restaurant in Newbury Park is handmaking pasta and serving up tender osso buco over saffron risotto. And no new LA-area additions would be complete without tacos – Lola Gaspar in Santa Ana combines handmade tortillas with high-quality fillings and uses happy hour to draw in crowds.
Keep reading to discover what makes each of these 5 new Michelin-recommended restaurants in LA and OC worth a visit.
Cedro Italian Restaurant – Traditional Italian Flavors in Newbury Park
Close friends opened Cedro Italian Restaurant, naming it after their grandparents’ love of citron plants. Despite the strip mall location, the food here transports you straight to Italy. Handmade pastas are a standout, like the tagliatelle topped with parmesan and olive oil. Fork-tender osso buco served over saffron risotto provides a perfect shared plate. And save room for sweets like their spot-on tiramisu.
Elf Cafe – Intimate Echo Park Wine Bar with Mediterranean Small Plates
Elf Cafe is an apt name for this cozy neighborhood spot with just a few people running the entire operation. Grab a glass of wine or cider from their well-curated list and take your pick from small Mediterranean plates. Formerly vegetarian, Elf Cafe now includes proteins like lamb skewers seasoned with sumac and served with a refreshing yogurt sauce. For veggies, opt for the maitake mushrooms kissed by the wood fire grill and served over smashed potatoes.
Lola Gaspar – Playful Tacos and Handmade Masa in Downtown Santa Ana
The team at Lola Gaspar recently pivoted to focus more on quality ingredients and thoughtful technique. The result is a tighter menu centered on tacos, quekas, and churros. Fill up on tacos stuffed with everything from carnitas to suadero during their hopping happy hour. Quekas highlight hand-pressed masa and fillings like confit potatoes and mushrooms. Add some cheese for extra decadence.
Lustig – Austrian-Inspired Culver City Spot with Global Influences
Led by Chef Bernhard Mairinger, Lustig mixes Austrian inspiration with international flair. The wine list skips across Central Europe to match the fun, shareable menu. Go for steak tartare “paprikash” with grilled asparagus or schnitzel with peppers and a lingonberry chutney. The modern dining room with pops of red keeps things energetic.
Manohar’s Delhi Palace – Beloved North Indian Dishes in La Puente
This Punjab-focused spot has earned its following thanks to reliably delicious dishes served by a welcoming staff. With a focus on milder flavors, samosas, chicken tikka masala, and gulab jamun are safe bets. The tandoori chicken demands an order too thanks to the tender and juicy meat hot off the skewers.
The Michelin inspectors clearly have their fingers on the pulse of the LA and OC dining scenes. These 5 new additions span a variety of cuisines and neighborhoods, giving locals and visitors alike more delicious reasons to dine out across the region. With meticulous technique, high-quality ingredients, and loads of flavor, each restaurant provides an excellent addition to California’s standout Michelin selection. I sincerely hope you like reading this “Check Out Michelin 5 New Recommendations for Dining in LA & OC” article.
Julio Figueroa is a seasoned chef with over 12 years of experience in fine dining. He holds a degree in Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu and is passionate about culinary innovation. As the lead contributor to chefdecuisinelosangeles.com, Julio shares his expertise and unique recipes with food enthusiasts. Connect with him on Instagram for more culinary inspiration.