The Michelin Three-Star Rooms I Actually Go Back To
Three stars is a lot of money and, more often than not, a long evening you endure rather than enjoy. Two in San Francisco are worth it to me, and I go back to both — one of them is the only Mexican restaurant in the world holding three stars.
San Francisco holds four three-star restaurants in the 2026 Michelin guide: Atelier Crenn, Benu, Californios and Quince. Californios is the newest — promoted in June 2026, the first Mexican restaurant in the world to reach three stars. (Star counts as published by Michelin, 2026 California guide.)
That's the full list. The two I spend my own money on, and go back to, are below.
Best Mexican food anywhere, and it isn't close — three Michelin stars, and the only Mexican restaurant to hold them. The moles are the reason to go: several of them, each completely different, and they change. The sourdough tortilla is unlike any tortilla you've had. I've been going since 2015, back at the small Mission room when they had no stars at all, and followed them to 11th Street. I've been eating their food for eleven years. The stars came later — the cooking was always there.
A tasting menu on the Mendocino coast, and it changes with the season. My favourite was the Mendocino stew: an unassuming name for a bowl with the best of the coast in it, abalone, seaweed, mushrooms. The menu keeps moving, so the stew comes and goes.
How many Michelin three-star restaurants are in San Francisco?
Four in the 2026 guide: Atelier Crenn, Benu, Californios and Quince. Californios was promoted in June 2026 — the first Mexican restaurant in the world to hold three stars.
Which Michelin three-star restaurants in San Francisco are worth it?
Benu and Californios. Californios is the best Mexican food anywhere and it isn't close — the only Mexican restaurant to hold three stars. Benu is one of the few three-star rooms I like enough to return to.
How many stars does Saison have?
Two in the 2026 Michelin guide. San Francisco's three-star rooms are Atelier Crenn, Benu, Californios and Quince.
