This Mexican seafood restaurant in South Central L.A. is retaining the honor of being one of the most awarded restaurants in SoCal.
Holbox is setting records by becoming the first Mexican marisquería in the United States to earn a Michelin star. (A marisquería is a “Mariscos” stand or seafood stand.) And Holbox continues to earn culinary awards. It was just announced that they retained their Michelin star for the second year in a row.
In a statement emailed to Secret Los Angeles, Chef Gilberto Cetina, Owner and Executive Chef of Holbox, stated, “Earning our first Michelin star last year was an incredible honor and retaining it for a second year is a true testament to the dedication and excellence of my team. We are deeply proud to represent the South Central Los Angeles community and to share our cuisine with diners from near and far.”
A Unique Michelin-starred Restaurant
This order-at-the-counter Mexican seafood stand is one of just eight restaurants inside Historic South Central L.A.’s Mercado La Paloma. It’s a very unique and perhaps unexpected Michelin-starred restaurant since they offer super casual counter service in a food hall setting.
The restaurant is named after the island of Holbox, located off Mexico’s northern Yucatán Peninsula. It’s a Mayan word and is pronounced “hole-bosh.” It was opened in 2017 by a second-generation chef, Gilberto Cetina Jr.
Awards and Accolades
Since opening 7 years ago, Holbox has quickly garnered praise and recognition across the country. It made the Michelin Bib Gourmand list in 2019, 2021, and 2022. It was an L.A. Times Restaurant of the Year in 2023 and ranked #5 on the 2023 L.A. Times 101 Best Restaurants list. Of course, it earned 1 Michelin Star in 2024. And as if all that wasn’t enough, Chef Cetina was a 2023 James Beard Finalist for Best Chef California and a 2025 James Beard Awards Semifinalist for Outstanding Chef.
Holbox was named #1 on Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat in 2025.” And it’s official – Holbox continues to retain its Michelin star in the 2025 California Guide.
Sustainable Seafood
The main focus of Holbox’s menu is delicious and sustainable seafood. Their seasonal menu is the chef’s choice and features the very best fresh, local products. SoCal’s best seafood is infused with the delicious flavors found in different coastal regions of Mexico. Even though they don’t serve beer, wine, or spirits, you won’t miss it during this incredible meal.
Hot and Cold Menus
They offer both cold and hot seafood menus. The cold menu showcases ceviches, tostadas, cocteles with a house-made sweet and sour coctel sauce, and aguachiles with a delectable marinade of lime, serrano, and cilantro. Plus, they offer fresh live oysters, clams, and urchins.
Holbox’s hot menu features tacos like Taco de Pulpo en su Tinta and Smoked Kanpachi Taco. Their hot entrees include Camarones al Mojo de Ajo and Sopa de Mariscos. And save room for dessert! Their Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake and Churros with Chocolate Sauce are the perfect end to this Michelin-starred meal.
Weekly Tasting Menu
Holbox also hosts a special weekly dinner with an 8-course tasting menu. The dinners are hosted on Thursdays and Fridays, and weekly reservations fill up quickly. The dinner features both raw and cooked seafood, and diners sit in communal counter seating at the ceviche bar. Watching the chefs prepare the tasting menu is part of the fun!
Get more information and make reservations on Holbox’s website.
Holbox
🕙Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 11:30 am – 9 pm (Closed on Mondays)
📍Location: 3655 S Grand Ave #C9 Los Angeles, CA (Inside Mercado la Paloma)