The Guide to

Michelin Restaurants Beyond San Francisco

Aubergine

Effortlessly blending easygoing luxury with refined elegance, Chef Justin Cogley combines classic techniques with a modern aesthetic, creating a unique culinary experience. Each dish showcases high-quality ingredients, skillfully prepared and artistically presented.

Enjoy a surprising "cabbage" taco filled with shallot jam, Madeira-braised treviso, Kaluga queen caviar, and cabbage chips. Delight in the rice roulade with Dungeness crab in a white dashi and butter sauce, or savor the triple-seared dry-aged ribeye brushed with wagyu XO.

Auberge du Soleil

180 Rutherford Hill Rd., Rutherford 

Regarded as a "must try" restaurant in wine country, and one that elevated Napa Valley dining, Auberge du Soleil serves quintessential California cuisine along with a fantastic wine list. Enjoy their six-course chef's tasting menu ($225 per person) overlooking rolling hills and vineyards.  

Auro

400 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga

Located in the beautiful Four Seasons Resort and Residences in Napa Valley, Auro is a celebration of local ingredients and rural splendor. The dishes are distinctly Californian, showcasing ingredients from their lush, on-site gardens and regional farms with meticulous technique. Their five-course tasting menu ($165 a person) rotates weekly and has an impressive wine pairing. 

Burdell

This James Beard Award-nominated restaurant serves up modern soul food, including fried chicken and cornmeal waffles, barbecue shrimp, and bacon sausage. Burdell celebrates Black culinary culture in America and elevates its impact on all palettes.

Chez TJ

938 Villa St., Mountain View

Chez TJ embodies the spirit of French fine dining with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant, located in an old Victorian home, showcases seasonal ingredients and produce picked from their own garden. Notable dishes include the Australian wagyu with chanterelle mushrooms, and the frangipane and peach tart with brown sugar. Make sure to browse their fantastic wine list.

Commis

3859 Piedmont Ave., Oakland

Just over the Bay Bridge in Oakland sits Commis, owner of two Michelin stars and the beacon of fine dining in the East Bay. Although the ten course tasting menu ($239 per person) is ambitious and bold, the space is small and minimally decorated, offering few distractions from the food. You can also try a four course tasting menu at the bar for $109 a person. The 31 seats include a counter overlooking the open kitchen in the front. The food is as delicious as it is intimate.

Cyrus

275 CA-128, Geyserville

Built in a former Sunsweet prune picking facility, Cyrus sits among stretches of rolling vineyards. Created by celebrated wine country chef Douglas Keane, the menu at Cyrus is global and energetic, utilizing the incredible farm-to-table ingredients found in wine country. Here, you'll start in the restaurant's lounge for canapes, smaller bites in the kitchen, mains in the dining room and dessert in their chocolate room. 

Enclos

139 E Napa St., Sonoma

Tucked inside an 1880 Victorian on the Stone Edge Farm Winery property, this intimate dining experience blends global flavors, refined technique, and farm-fresh ingredients. Chef Brian Limoges infuses subtle nods to his New England roots, with dishes like spiny lobster tartare in a crisp shell and clam chawanmushi, reminiscent of chowder. Desserts shine, too, like sorrel ice cream adorned with edible leaves flavored with makrut lime and pomegranate, all served with warm, effortless hospitality.

The French Laundry

6640 Washington St., Yountville

This is one of the most famous restaurants in America, having held three Michelin stars since 2007. The French Laundry is truly a must-visit for any die-hard foodie. Thomas Keller, now the proud owner of a restaurant empire, started running this ambitious restaurant in 1994 in the heart of Napa Valley. Here, you will dine on a 12-course tasting menu of French cuisine with modern American flair and ingredients sourced from the restaurant's gardens. Another unique feature is that not a single ingredient is duplicated between courses. It is also one of the most expensive restaurants on this list, at $390 per person, including service and taxes. Supplements and alcoholic beverages may be added at an additional cost. 

Harbor House Inn

5600 CA-1, Elk

Situated in beautiful Mendocino County, the Harbor House Inn sits peacefully upon the rustic coastline. Here you can indulge in their coastal cuisine-focused tasting menu, which offers delicacies like sea urchin, seaweed harvested from local waters and even lace lichen picked from the surrounding trees. Harbor House Inn is dedicated to sustainability, and their dishes are an incredible demonstration of technique. 

Kenzo

1339 Pearl St., Napa

At Kenzo, the prime seating is at the long counter, allowing diners to interact with the chefs while watching their meals being prepared. There is also a handful of small tables filling the quiet, intimate space. The kaiseki is artfully arranged and features highlights like seasonal hassun with poached eggplant in dashi and seared Sonoma duck breast. All of the fish is flown in daily from Toyosu market in Japan. 

The Kitchen

915 Broadway, Sacramento

Described as a "raucous party," the Kitchen invites diners to get up, walk around, and even chat with the cooks. Led by Chef Kelly McCown, The Kitchen's menu changes monthly and highlights ingredients from the Central Valley. You will surely have a delicious and entertaining experience at this Sacramento institution. 

Localis

2031 S St., Sacramento

Whimsical and imaginative, Localis is a warm and intimate restaurant with a globally inspired menu. Their 10-course tasting menu changes every five to six weeks, and draws from travel and food memories from the staff. If you sit at the counter, chef Christopher Barnum-Dann might even ask for feedback on the dish in front of you.

Madcap

98 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo

A refined yet approachable restaurant, Madcap is recognized as one of the best restaurants in the Bay Area for contemporary cuisine. Located just across the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County, the restaurant offers a variety of seasonal California and Japanese dishes, using organic and farm-raised products. There is an 11-course tasting menu, which costs $165 per person, as well as an eight-course menu that costs $140 a person. Both are unique and have plenty to offer.

Press

587 St Helena Hwy., St Helena

Modern American cuisine shines at Press, which sits right on Napa's St. Helena Highway. Here, among dark wood and under lofty ceilings, you can find the largest selection of Napa wines in the world. You can also find incredible food. There is a seven-course menu priced at $225 per person and a five-course menu priced at $175 per person. You can also order off an à la carte menu. All menus highlight locally sourced seafood, steak and produce.

Protégé

250 California Ave., Palo Alto

Both head chef Chef Anthony Secviar and Master Sommelier Dennis Kelly trained under French Laundry chef Thomas Keller, so you know dining at Protégé will be an experience. You'll find New-American experimental cuisine with flair. The seven course-tasting menu ($250 a person) is fantastic, and the à la carte menu available in the bar, lounge, and patio, is delicious, too. 

Selby's

3001 El Camino Real, Atherton

This charming restaurant embodies old-school Hollywood flair, complemented by a polished, well dressed service team. The menu offers modern twists on classic American cuisine, using ingredients from their private ranch. Start your meal with a freshly baked Gruyère popover, followed by vichyssoise. Steaks are masterfully prepared, and the Maine lobster vol-au-vent is a delicious, comforting choice. 

SingleThread

131 North St., Healdsburg

Recognized as one of the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2022, SingleThread is a 55-seat restaurant from the husband-and-wife team of chef Kyle Connaughton and farmer Katina Connaughton. Their 10-course tasting menu ($425 per person) takes diners on a complete culinary journey dictated by a seasonal bounty from their nearby farm. Your Japanese kaiseki (multi-course) dinner embraces the spirit of Japanese hospitality, as it celebrates their training in both Japan and England and is infused with California farm-to-table gastronomy.

Stationæry

San Carlos St. between 5th and 6th avenues, Carmel-by-the-Sea

This cozy neighborhood spot is a local brunch favorite known for its creative California-inspired takes on American classics. Highlights include potato pancakes with Korean-braised short ribs, vibrant avocado toast with local seaweed, and a buttery lobster roll from Ad Astra bakery—with optional caviar for a splurge. Dinner, offered three nights a week, features dishes like duck egg raviolo with brown butter and grilled swordfish with romesco.

Sun Moon Studio

1940 Union St., Oakland

Tucked away in an unassuming space, this intimate spot is one of the Oakland's toughest reservations. Chefs Alan Hsu and Sarah Cooper bring experience from top kitchens to a seasonal tasting menu that showcases California’s finest ingredients. Dishes range from squab to rockfish, with standouts like Dungeness crab with yuzu kosho butter and silky tofu. House-made treats, including savory egg tarts with salmon roe and steamed brioche buns with Taiwanese sausage, add to the appeal.

Table Culture Provisions

312 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma

From a mobile kitchen to one of Petaluma’s top dining spots, this cozy ten-table restaurant delivers elegant California cuisine with French flair. Chefs Stéphane Saint Louis and Steven Vargas offer a seasonal four- or seven-course tasting menu featuring dishes like flaky squab pithivier with Robuchon-style potatoes. Thoughtful desserts, like a chestnut Mont Blanc with almond sable and blackberry sorbet, round out the experience.

The Village Pub

2967 Woodside Rd., Woodside

Located south of the city in the charming town of Woodside, The Village Pub serves approachable, high-end American in a sophisticated setting. They use fresh produce, free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. If you're a wine lover, they also have a highly praised wine and spirits program with plenty of options.

Wakuriya

115 De Anza Blvd., San Mateo

Wakuriya is a Japanese restaurant in the kaiseki tradition, but with a contemporary twist. The restaurant is small but very serious, and it serves up some delicious cuisine. There is just one chef preparing meals for every guest, all of whom sit at a long open kitchen counter so you can watch him at work. Wakuriya offers a nine-course tasting menu ($158 per person) that changes monthly. The place books up and reservations are accepted one month in advance, so make sure to set a reminder!