A mecca of gastronomy, Oakland hosts hundreds of restaurants from countless cuisines. Included in this mix of businesses are 24 Michelin Guide-rated restaurants, selected by the culinary world’s most distinguished reviewers on the merits of their food.
For all its prestige now, the Michelin guide started as a way for the French tire company to up its tire sales. How? Well, by inspiring diners to drive to culinary destinations, they’ll eventually wear out their wheels. That might explain the ranking system’s verbiage, which focuses on trip-planning:
“One star: High-quality cooking, worth a stop;
Two stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour;
Three stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”
Along with the famous stars, Michelin also awards restaurants the designation of “Bib Gourmand,” which signals a delicious menu at a great value, or a green star for sustainability. On top of that, the Michelin Guide highlights restaurants distinguished by their great food but not yet on the list for a star. Here are just a few of Oakland’s Michelin-recognized restaurants.
Commis on Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue has earned a well-deserved two stars from Michelin. A menu of precise and inspired contemporary cuisine borrows flavors from Chef James Cyhabout’s Chinese and Thai heritage. For food that looks and tastes beautiful, plus an equally creative cocktail menu, Commis stands tall as Oakland’s only Michelin-starred restaurant (at the time of writing). Reserve your seat in advance! The intimate dining room books up quickly.
Dedicated to farm-to-table ingredients and highlighting the nuances of local produce, Pomet (French for “orchard”) earned its Michelin green star in 2023. Proprietor Aomboon Deasy also works in farming as an owner of K&J Orchards, and Chef Alan Hsu takes Pomet’s agricultural roots seriously when crafting the restaurant’s artful menu — even the wood fire ovens use recycled logs. And after a meal of sustainably sourced meat and “ugly mushroom” pasta, guests receive a complimentary slice of fruit.
Perfect for plant-based foodies, Millennium prepares a vegan menu that will make even die-hard carnivores swoon. At least, so spake Michelin when it awarded Millennium the Bib Gourmand. This Rockridge restaurant serves innovative dishes from sustainable sources for ever-changing à la carte and tasting menus. Cashew cheesecake, anybody?
Another Bib Gourmand winner, Jo’s Modern Thai mixes well-loved recipes with modern experimentation. Run by Oakland native Kao Saelee, the restaurant harkens to the homey cuisine of Saelee’s family’s restaurant, Racha Cafe in Berkeley. But Jo’s menu, crafted by Chef Intu-On Kornnawong, perfects classics like pad thai while saving time for culinary twists, like a pork laab burger.
MAMA Oakland honors the owner’s late grandmother, carrying on her sugo and meatballs in its thoughtful Italian cuisine. True to its proud family origins, MAMA presents a simple but technically impressive dinner menu, taking the diner through three courses of well-crafted and seasonally inspired dishes. To top it all off, an attentive staff and inviting wine list make the Bib Gourmand winner feel like home.
Mägo’s inventive Colombian fare won it a place in Michelin’s California restaurant guide. Whether enjoying the nightly seven-course tasting menu or sitting at the bar for à la carte dining, guests will enjoy wood-grilled meats and produce with elegant cocktails to accompany their meal.
Nestled in Temescal, Snail Bar specializes in natural wine, crafting seasonal small plates to go with its expert drink selection. Oysters, crudité, charcuterie and fresh produce shine alongside complex vintages and interesting blends. Much more than just a hip atmosphere (which is impeccable in their cozy dining room), Snail Bar won the Bib Gourmand designation in 2023.
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