California is home to 88 Michelin-starred restaurants. Of those, a whopping 50 call San Francisco their home. Here are five your tastebuds will thank you for visiting:
Benu
Opened in 2010, Benu is among the most recognized restaurants in San Francisco. It was the city’s first restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars, and Forbes’ travel guide recently gave it a 5-star rating. Chef Corey Lee reimagines Korean dishes to elevate traditional cuisine. The fixed menu offers a variety of seafoods, vegetables, meats and desserts. Plan on arriving hungry: Benu serves about 20 courses and keeps patrons eating for 3 hours. Its impressive wine list has about 300 selections spanning France, California, Germany and Austria.
Aziza
Located in the Richmond District, Aziza is the first Moroccan restaurant in the U.S. to garner a Michelin star. Chef Mourad Lahlou showcases his knowledge of Moroccan spices and flavors, while adding a modern spin on traditional Moroccan dishes. The basteeya is a fan favorite, a perfect combination of golden phyllo dough filled with chicken confit, caramelized onions, sultana raisins and spiced almonds. Another favorite is the braised lamb shank made with farro, celery root, parsnips, moyer prune and an herb salad. Besseha!
Lazy Bear
Lazy Bear — an anagram of Chef David Barzelay’s last name — originated as a beloved pop-up with communal dining before becoming a “Modern American Dinner” restaurant. Its tasting menu is inspired by nostalgia and the wild, utilizing the best seasonal ingredients from the Bay Area. The menu is ever-changing. Previous dishes include grilled lamb made with carrot, spring herbs and flowers, and potato fondue made with morels, peas and fines herbes powder. A recurring favorite on the menu is the whipped scrambled eggs combined with bacon maple and hot sauce. Enjoy your 15-course meal as a chef introduces each dish upon arrival.
Atelier Crenn
Atelier Crenn is a three-Michelin star fine dining destination from Chef Dominique Crenn. Its menu is inspired by both French and Californian cuisine with dairy-free, pescatarian meals. Crenn has built the six-course tasting menu around locally sourced ingredients and produce from their own farm in Sonoma. Each dish is designed to take you on a tour of California’s geographical and cultural landscape. In 2012, Crenn was the first woman in the United States to receive two Michelin stars and in 2018, she became the first female chef in the U.S. to have three.
Boulevard
Located in the historic Audiffred Building on the Embarcadero waterfront, Boulevard is quintessentially Californian. Its menu incorporates seasonal ingredients while using classic and modern techniques. The multi-course menu, you can savor the seared scallops, Portuguese tomato rice, saffron aioli, mussels, artichoke escabeche, and salt and pepper calamari. For dessert, enjoy a delectable apple cookie crisp, burnt cinnamon and chestnut ice cream, poached petite apple and bourbon caramel. Boulevard was chosen by The New York Times as one of the 25 Best Restaurants in San Francisco Right Now.
