In July, the prestigious Michelin Guide unveiled its 2023 picks for the finest restaurants in all of California. The Bay Area was very well-represented; in all, 45 restaurants were awarded at least one Michelin star. Next to NYC, our region offers the highest amount of Michelin-starred restaurants in the whole country!
Aside from the oh-so-desirable Michelin star, one of the Guide’s designations includes that of Bib Gourmand. This is awarded to eateries found to provide affordable, premium-quality dishes across three courses. Sixty-five Bay Area restaurants received this honor, and four of them are located right here in South Bay!
Take a glimpse of what these local 2023 Bib recipients have to offer:
Luscious food that is local, unrefined, natural, and authentic (LUNA) takes center stage at this culinary destination nestled along The Alameda in San Jose. Featuring a made-from-scratch menu based on the Mexican staples of beans, chile, and corn, LUNA also offers a full bar, a bustling brunch scene, and a secondary outpost in Campbell’s Pruneyard Center.
The offspring of Michelin-starred Adega, Petiscos serves up a tapas-style spread of Portuguese delicacies in a casual yet vivacious setting in Downtown San Jose. The menu is subject to change, but fan favorites include duck rice, pastel de nata (custard tartlet), and francesinha, a traditional sandwich of layered meats, melted cheese, and a beer-and-tomato sauce.
Situated just moments from Downtown Campbell, OCK provides mouthwatering meals in a trendy facility infused with industrial chic glam. Chef Jeffrey Stout, a well-known figure in the Bay Area culinary realm, presents a cosmopolitan menu with concoctions like brûléed eggplant, bone marrow pasta, and pizza squash with gouda.
This stylish diner brings the hospitality and trademark flair of New Orleans to Los Gatos—and in typical Southern fashion, it pulls out ALL the stops. From the cocktail menu to the seafood classics, each creation brims with panache. For brunch, enjoy sizzling selections of smoked meat or signature plates like French toast with bourbon honey and bananas.
Of course, there are many wonderful restaurants all over our area that don’t carry a Michelin designation, yet they still provide insanely delicious food in exciting surroundings. If you’d like the inside scoop on some of these gourmet best-kept secrets, I’m always happy to share! 🙂
