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Numerous new restaurants are opened yearly in all major cities across the United States. Some focus on popular dishes, while others are trying to break away from what’s considered normal, traditional, and popular, and want to create a unique customer experience. Many of these restaurants that focus on creating unique dishes end up on the Michelin Star Guide, which is updated every year with the newest Michelin restaurants.
We already covered the Miami Michelin Star restaurants, Michelin restaurants in San Francisco, and Michelin Star restaurants in New York. However, there is another great city for all the foodies looking for unique experiences and unforgettable food - Los Angeles. Each year, there are plenty of new LA Michelin Star restaurants. Some of them manage to keep their Michelin Star for longer and even add one or two more, while others lose their Stars in time.
Today, we are not going to focus on additional Stars or lost ones. Instead, we are going to discuss the 2024 newest LA Michelin Star restaurants that you should pay a visit. These restaurants can serve as a great example to any business owner in the hospitality industry on what amazing food and great service truly mean.
If you are interested in learning about the cuisine of these newly awarded restaurants, let’s jump right into it!
New LA Michelin Star Restaurants That Should Be on Your “To Go” List
At this point, most of us know how to earn a Michelin Star. We know that the focus falls on the presentation of the food, the flavor qualities, and the mastery of the chef. That’s why people are commonly confused and say there are Michelin Star chefs, while the recognition is actually given the the restaurant and not the chef.
So although the focus is on the food, before we jump into the LA Michelin Star restaurants, we want to point out that the beverage menu is crucial too. It’s not part of the rating process, but for sure great drink and food pairings give the Michelin inspector a good impression. That’s why if you are striving to earn a Michelin Star yourself, keep that in mind.
Now, let’s see which are the newest LA Michelin Star restaurants to visit!
Uka - Japanese/Contemporary
At Uka, a restaurant located inside the Japan House at Ovation Hollywood, every detail is meticulously curated by Chef Yoshitaka Mitsue and Chef Shingo Kato. Both of them are former chefs at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations. Their precision shows in every meal. Fish, flown in twice a week from Japan, is carefully cured or aged in-house, while the highest quality local ingredients are sourced for a fresh, exceptional dining experience.
The offerings of the restaurant are centered around traditional kaiseki multi-course meals. Guests can choose from either six or nine courses. Most of the dishes remain rooted in the Japanese tradition, like the kabutamushi, a delicate dumpling filled with Japanese sea bream and shredded turnip. However, there are also nods to French cuisine.
Key Takeaway: There are plenty of new LA Michelin Star restaurants that are worth visiting, whether you are a foodie or a fellow restauranteur. There is a lot to learn from the way these restaurants are run, how the food is presented, and the level of service. Even the beverage menu or wine list can be a great source of inspiration.
Stella - Italian Cuisine
We can’t have the newest LA Michelin Star restaurants list without one with Italian cuisine. Italian food is well-loved almost everywhere, so there is no surprise this place with exceptional food made it to the Michelin Guide.
At Stella, Italian cuisine meets the best of California’s local ingredients, delivering a dining experience that’s both sophisticated and inviting. The two-story dining room with Art Deco aesthetic provides a stylish backdrop while the chef’s counter offers an intimate view of mesmerizing live-fire cooking.
A standout starter here is the lardo di Colonnata, where melt-in-your-mouth slices of lardo are beautifully paired with strawberries, ultra-thin caciocavallo cheese, and a tangy balsamic amaro. Also try the Su Filindeu, which includes hand-stretched pasta cooked in rich bone broth, served alongside braised lamb neck and pecorino dolce. Another must-try is the Iberico pork pluma, seasoned with porchetta spices and glazed with a saba lacquer, then finished over the live fire with a rich hen’s yolk. The handmade pizzas are an amazing option for anyone looking for something more classic.
Mae Malai Thai House of Noodles
As the name suggests, this is a place with exceptional Thai cuisine. This restaurant has a cozy atmosphere with a menu that is hard to resist. The noodles are the star of the show here, especially their boat noodles - rich, thick broth with your choice of pork or beef, noodle type, and spice level. The small bowls make it easy to try more than one variety. Don’t miss out on their stir-fried dishes like the chili holy basil with ground pork, bell peppers, and green beans. For dessert indulge in the delicious kanom tuay, a two-layer custard with pandan and coconut. You will see why this place landed on the list of LA Michelin Star restaurants.
Gwen - American/Steakhouse
By day, Gwen is a butcher shop offering humanely raised meats from local farms By night, it transforms into an elegant restaurant, named after Chef Curtis Stone's grandmother, with Art Deco flair, crystal chandeliers, and a roaring fireplace. The menu features house-made charcuterie and wood-fired steaks like the Blackmore Wagyu New York strip. Guests at the chef’s counter can watch the team expertly grill high-quality cuts. For dessert, the cheesecake with graham cracker crumbs and mango lime sorbet is a must-try.
Grá - Pizza Restaurant
Another gem among the LA Michelin Star restaurants is called Grá. This hip spot exudes a welcoming vibe with its focus on natural fermentation, serving up sourdough pizza, seasonal pickled veggies, and fermented drinks like tepache. Whether indoors or on the covered patio, all eyes are on the wood-fired oven where thin, crispy sourdough pizzas are crafted with top-notch ingredients. While classics like pepperoni are favorites, standout pies like stracciatella and prosciutto with coffee-infused honey are must-tries. Don’t overlook the flavorful salads or appetizers like grilled maitake in a rich broth. For dessert, try the soy sauce caramel sundae or chocolate tart.
There are even more LA Michelin Star restaurants that offer various unique dishes from different cuisines. You can learn all about them in the official Michelin Guide, or better yet - visit them. There is surely something new to learn from the way they serve their food, how they pair beverages, their wine lists, etc.
By observing their smooth operations, you can ask yourself how is that possible and we can assure you, they utilize technology to their advantage. Whether it’s restaurant inventory systems or beverage management software, automating processes can only improve the customer service and the profitability of a place. When time is not wasted elsewhere, chefs and other staff members can focus on improving the food, beverages, and overall service.
Frequently Asked Questions about LA Michelin Star Restaurants
If you want to know more about the newest LA Michelin Star restaurants, below you can find more information and answers to some common questions.
How Many Michelin Star Restaurants Are There in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is the home to several Michelin Star restaurants, and the number may vary each year with the release of new Michelin Guides. As of the latest guide, LA has multiple one-, two-, and three-starred restaurants.
What Is the Difference Between 1, 2, and 3 Michelin Stars?
Each Star is given for different reasons, as follows:
- 1 star indicates a very good restaurant in its category.
- 2 stars show excellent cooking worth a detour.
- 3 stars signify exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.
Do I Need to Make a Reservation at Michelin Restaurants in LA?
Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially for Michelin restaurants, as they fill up rather quickly. Some restaurants may require booking weeks or even months in advance.