lilo Shines as San Diego’s Sole Michelin Star Winner in 2025 California Guide
The 2025 California Michelin Guide, revealed on June 25 in Sacramento, awarded Carlsbad’s Lilo the only Michelin star in the San Diego area. Atelier Manna in Leucadia secured a Bib Gourmand designation, highlighting the region’s evolving culinary landscape. The awards spotlight Chef Eric Bost and partner John Resnick’s innovative approach at Lilo.
San Diego’s michelin Star Recognition: Lilo Takes the Lead
Lilo, a restaurant that opened just over ten weeks ago, is located behind Wildland, Bost and Resnick’s casual dining establishment. The restaurant accommodates 22 guests, primarily at a counter surrounding an open kitchen, with additional seating at two four-top tables. Diners are treated to a seven-course meal, enhanced by tableside presentations from the kitchen staff. Before and after the meal, guests are invited to relax in lounge areas for snacks and drinks. The tasting menu at Lilo presents a more ambitious dining experience compared to Jeune et Jolie, Bost and Resnick’s other Michelin-starred restaurant, suggesting potential for future accolades.
Did You Know? Michelin stars are awarded based on anonymous visits by Michelin inspectors who assess the quality of the ingredients, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in the cuisine, value for money and consistency between visits.
Bib Gourmand Awarded to Atelier Manna
Atelier Manna, situated in Leucadia, opened its doors in April 2023. This stylish neighborhood cafe, led by former Jeune et Jolie chef Andrew Bachelier, embraces a “food as medicine” philosophy. the cafe’s menu features items like overnight oats with ancient grains and Turkish-style poached eggs, earning it the San Diego area’s only new Bib Gourmand.
Pro Tip: Bib Gourmand restaurants offer exceptional food at a moderate price, making them a great option for experiencing high-quality cuisine without breaking the bank.
San Diego’s Presence in the 2025 Michelin Guide
The limited number of awards for San Diego raises questions about the guide’s focus on larger cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Southern California now boasts six Michelin-starred restaurants, with five holding one star and Addison holding three. San Diego also faced disappointment at the recent James Beard foundation Awards, where Animae chef Tara Monsod was a finalist but did not win. Simultaneously occurring, in Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe, Olivea Farm to Table and Lunario received Michelin stars for the first time [[1]].
| Restaurant | Award | Location |
|---|---|---|
| lilo | one Michelin Star | Carlsbad |
| Atelier Manna | Bib Gourmand | Leucadia |
The Michelin Guide’s expansion into mexico highlights the growing culinary scene in Baja California, with restaurants like Fauna in Valle de Guadalupe earning recognition [[2]].
Michelin Stars in Southern California
The Michelin Guide continues to recognize culinary excellence across Southern California. While San Diego’s representation was subtle this year, the recognition of Lilo and Atelier Manna underscores the region’s commitment to innovative and high-quality dining experiences. The guide’s focus on larger locales like San Francisco and Los Angeles, which saw significant gains in Michelin stars, highlights the competitive nature of the culinary landscape.
what are your thoughts on San Diego’s Michelin star representation this year? Which restaurant are you most excited to try?
The History and Importance of the Michelin Guide
The Michelin Guide, originally created by the Michelin tire company in the early 1900s to encourage more driving (and thus, more tire sales), has evolved into a highly respected and influential restaurant guide. The guide’s anonymous inspectors visit restaurants and evaluate them based on the quality of ingredients, cooking techniques, flavor combinations, the chef’s personality as expressed in the cuisine, value for money, and consistency between visits. A Michelin star is a symbol of culinary excellence, and restaurants that receive stars often experience a significant increase in popularity and prestige.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michelin Stars
- What do Michelin stars mean?
- One star signifies a very good restaurant in its category, two stars indicate excellent cooking worth a detour, and three stars represent exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.
- How frequently enough are Michelin stars awarded?
- michelin stars are typically awarded annually, though the timing and frequency can vary by region.
- Can a restaurant lose a Michelin star?
- Yes, a restaurant can lose a Michelin star if the quality of its food or service declines.
Disclaimer: this article provides information about Michelin star awards and is not intended as professional culinary advice.
share this article and let us know your favorite San Diego restaurants in the comments below!
