OC Restaurant Loses Michelin Star: Report

COSTA MESA, CA — An Orange County sushi spot lost its Michelin star status this week, The Orange County Register reported.

Costa Mesa's Hana re, known for its kaiseki-style sushi, was originally awarded the star in 2019 and retained it until this year, the newspaper said.

The announcement was made at the Safe Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento on Wednesday, June 25 for the annual announcement of the 2025 Michelin stars.

No new stars were awarded in Orange County this year, though Knife Pleat in Costa Mesa and R|O-Rebel Omakase in Laguna Beach retained one-star rankings.

Michelin bestowed nine California restaurants with first-time and upgraded star ratings this week as part of its bid to recognize culinary excellence across the Golden State.

Two restaurants earned Michelin's highest three-star rating — both mark the first-ever three-star rankings in Los Angeles. Seven eateries earned two- and one-star ratings across the state. The restaurants were celebrated at the Michelin Guide California Ceremony on Wednesday.

“Tonight marked a momentous evening for California and its culinary community,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide. “Our anonymous Inspectors discovered extraordinary culinary gems to highlight in this year’s selection, including two new Three-Star restaurants."

Michelin's California Guide is published annually. Earning a Michelin star is the gold standard for restaurants — two stars are even better and three puts a restaurant in a rare category of culinary experiences that Michelin deems "worth a special journey."

There are just eight three-star restaurants in the entire state.

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