Monday, June 29, 2026 Sign In
Full Belly Files

Full Belly Files | Michelin Man Comes to Central Coast

Three restaurants from Montecito to Paso Robles won coveted one-star ratings from the international dining guide. What’s that mean?

Full Belly Files | Michelin Man Comes to Central Coast

The Michelin Man now walks California’s Central Coast.

For the first time ever, Santa Barbara County is now home to Michelin-starred restaurants, as Bell’s in Los Alamos and Sushi | Bar in Montecito were both awarded with the coveted one-star designation by the Michelin Guide this week. A star also went to Six Test Kitchen up in Paso Robles, adding to the Central Coast tally. (Read my full report on the stars here .)

Founded as a road map to restaurants by the famous French tire company back in 1889, the Guide is considered the go-to source for quality dining suggestions across Europe, Asia, Brazil, and North America. It first came to the United States by including New York City in 2005, then involved San Francisco and the Napa Valley in 2007.

A lunch table spread at Bell’s | Credit: Bonjwing Lee