Michelin Guide awards stars to 18 restaurants in Mexico, including 1 with a California tie

For the first time in its 124-year history, Michelin has announced a restaurant guide for Mexico. The inaugural directory awarded 18 stars to restaurants in Baja California, Los Cabos, Mexico City, Nuevo Léon Oaxaca and Quintana Roo — 16 spots nabbed one star and two restaurants received two stars.

Two Mexico restaurants, lauded by Michelin at a ceremony in Mexico City this week, have chefs who also operate spots in Southern California — Carlos Gaytán, whose HA’ in Quintana Roo received one star, and Roberto Alcocer, whose Malva in Baja California landed on the recommended restaurants list.

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“I am deeply grateful to God, my family, and my team for the incredible culinary projects we have undertaken, which have allowed me to earn a Michelin star in the United States and now in my birth country, Mexico,” said Gaytán, in a written statement. “Achieving this would not be possible without the teamwork and dedication behind our great restaurants, previously with Mexique and now with HA’. This recognition is a testament to our passion and commitment to excellence.”

A trio of new restaurant concepts featuring cuisine by chef Carlos Gaytán (Paseo, Centrico and Tiendit) opened in May at Downtown Disney. Gaytan previously was awarded a Michelin star for his Chicago restaurant Mexique in 2013, becoming the first Mexican-born chef to receive the honor.

Six eateries were given green-star status (issued to places demonstrating sustainable and eco-friendly practices); 42 restaurants landed on the Bib Gourmand list, a rating that recognizes establishments that serve good food at reasonable prices; and 97 places earned recommended restaurant status.

No restaurant received three stars, the celestial guide’s highest honor.

“It’s a huge honor because we have been working so hard for the last 11 years,” said Alcocer, whose Malva opened in 2013. “While it wasn’t what we were expecting, we are still pleased. I can compared both places and think, ‘Malva has better food, but the service at Valle is better,’ but both places are great and I’m happy.”

Alcocer’s Valle in Oceanside earned its first one-star rating from the celestial guide in 2023.

“Mexico is a really rich country gastronomically-speaking,” added Alcocer. “When something like Michelin comes to Mexico, it helps validate to the world what we’re doing, even though they didn’t do the whole country.”

Taquería El Califa de León, located in Mexico City, has the distinction of being the first taqueria ever to win a Michelin sparkler, earning one star. “This humble taqueria in Mexico City’s San Rafael neighborhood has been in business for more than 70 years, and for good reason. They’re best known for their signature gaonera taco, an item our Michelin Inspectors took special note of during their multiple visits,” noted the Michelin Guide in its review.

Michelin Guide inspectors follow the following criteria when assessing restaurant for inclusion: The quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, personality of the chef as expressed in the dining experience and consistency both across the entire menu and over time. Michelin Tire created the first Michelin Guide in 1900 with the goal of creating a demand for automobiles, and thus a need for more Michelin tires.

Following are the restaurants that received stars from Michelin Guide Mexico 2024:

Two stars

Pujol, Mexico City
Quintonil, Mexico City

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