For the primary time in its 124-year history Michelin has announced a restaurant guide for Mexico. The first directory awarded restaurants in Baja California, Los Cabos, Mexico City, Nuevo Léon Oaxaca and Quintana Roo 18 stars – 16 establishments received one star and two restaurants received two stars.
Two Mexican restaurants recognized by Michelin at a ceremony in Mexico City this week have chefs who also run establishments in Southern California – Carlos Gaytán, whose HA' in Quintana, Roo received a star and Roberto Alcocer, whose Mauve in Baja California landed on the list of really helpful restaurants.
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“I am deeply grateful to God, my family and my team for the incredible culinary projects we have undertaken that have allowed me to earn a Michelin star in the United States and now in my native Mexico,” said Gaytán one written statement. “This would not be possible without the teamwork and commitment of our great restaurants, formerly at Mexique and now at HA'. This recognition is a testament to our passion and commitment to excellence.”
Six restaurants received Green Star status (awarded to locations that display sustainable and environmentally friendly practices); 42 restaurants landed on the Bib Gourmand list, a rating that recognizes establishments that serve good food at reasonable prices; and 97 locations received “recommended restaurant” status.
No restaurant received three stars, the very best award from the Himmelsführer.
“It’s a great honor because we’ve worked so hard over the last 11 years,” said Alcocer, whose Malva opened in 2013. “Although it wasn't what we expected, we are still satisfied. I can compare 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 received its first one-star review from the sky guide in 2023.
“Mexico is a really rich country gastronomically,” Alcocer added. “When something like Michelin comes to Mexico, it helps validate to the world what we are doing, even if that wasn’t the case across the country.”
Taquería El Califa de León in Mexico City is the primary taqueria ever to win a Michelin sparkler and thus a 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 are best known for their signature gaonera taco, a product that particularly caught the eye of our Michelin inspectors during their numerous visits.” took note of the Michelin Guide in its review.
Michelin Guide examiners consider the next criteria when assessing a restaurant's inclusion: quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, personality of the chef expressed within the dining experience, and consistency each across the menu and over time. Michelin Tire created the primary Michelin Guide in 1900 with the aim of accelerating demand for automobiles and subsequently the necessity for more Michelin tires.
Below are the restaurants which have received stars from the Michelin Guide Mexico 2024:
Two stars
- Pujol, Mexico City
- Quintonil, Mexico City
A star
- Animalon, Baja California
- Stone shells, Baja California
- Damiana, Baja California
- Signature Cuisine Los Cabos, Baja California Sur
- Em, Mexico City
- Esquina Comun, Mexico City
- Rosetta, Mexico City
- Sud 777, Mexico City
- Taqueria El Califa de Leon, Mexico City
- KOLI Cuisine of Origin, Nuevo León
- Pangea, Nuevo Leon
- Yeast from Olla Restaurant, Oaxaca
- The Dancers Oaxaca, Oaxaca
- Signature Cuisine Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo
- HA', Quintana Roo
- Quintana Roo
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