The Michelin Guide just released a new list of eighty-five restaurants achieving various Michelin designations across California. This list is not only for the fine dining crowd — in fact, L.A. gained a nice lineup of Bib Gourmand recognitions, which highlight “affordable” restaurants serving good quality food for a good value. Out of the ten new Bib Gourmand restaurants across California, eight of them are in L.A.
Here’s a quick rundown of the local restaurants that made the cut:
- Cedro Italian Restaurant (Newbury Park) – This casual restaurant serves delectable Italian cuisine including traditional handmade pastas.
- Grá (Echo Park) – Enjoy wild-fermented pizzas and natural wines at this restaurant near Echo Park Lake.
- Little Fish (Echo Park) – Try the popular fried fish sandwich at this counter-service seafood restaurant open only for breakfast and lunch.
- Liu’s Cafe (Koreatown) – Purchase delightful Chinese food and baked goods inspired by the flavors of Taiwan, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
- Mae Malai Thai House of Noodles (Hollywood) – Michelin specifically calls out Mae Malai’s boat noodles as a specialty, but the portions are small so plan on ordering multiple dishes.
- Manohar’s Delhi Palace (La Puente) – Order the flavorful tandoori dinner at this casual strip mall restaurant serving Punjabi cuisine.
- Pollo a la Brasa (Koreatown) – The line outside of this Peruvian restaurant is well worth it for a helping of spit-roasted chicken.
- Quarter Sheets (Echo Park) – This massively popular restaurant combines the nostalgia of an old-school pizza parlor with the finesse of a gourmet kitchen.
According to the Michelin Guide, Bib Gourmand restaurants are often personal favorites among Michelin inspectors in their day-to-day lives. To qualify for a Bib Gourmand designation, restaurants must serve a three-course meal for “a reasonable price,” which varies depending on location.
While the regular Michelin stars laud heavy hitters like two-starred Providence and n/naka, we love the Bib Gourmand option as a more accessible way to enjoy the best quality at more affordable prices. Which restaurant will you visit first?