INSIDE OCEANSIDE'S
MICHELIN ROOTS: A CULINARY FAMILY TREE
Oceanside’s dining scene boasts several Michelin honorees and their close culinary “relatives.” Many chefs in the area have honed their skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, learning under renowned culinary masters. Here’s a peek at Oceanside’s Michelin family tree.
Valle
The Michelin Star
Valle is the first and only restaurant in Oceanside to be honored with a prestigious Michelin Star. Chef Roberto Alcocer’s much-buzzed about restaurant near the Oceanside Pier pays tribute to Baja California’s vineyard-studded Guadalupe Valley, “which furnishes the restaurant’s wine list and serves as inspiration for Chef Alcocer’s refined, modern expression of Mexican cuisine,” Michelin inspectors said. They praised the four-course prix fixe meal, which “might start with a fluffy tamal made with creamy requeson cheese, paired with earthy mole and bright herbs.” The recognition is a major coup for Alcocer, who moved to Oceanside from Baja in 2021 with the express purpose of earning a Michelin star.
Follow Along: @ValleOceanside Â
Oceanside’s Michelin accolades include a Bib Gourmand honoree, recognizing exceptional restaurants that offer outstanding quality and value. Dija Mara is a Balinese-inspired restaurant that prides itself on mixing Southeast Asian flavors with a Western flair. Michelin’s inspectors enthuse, “you’ll find some serious Indonesian cooking here.” And they praise such dishes as the charred eggplant with smoked tomato sambal and crispy fried shallots, “a textural and flavor-forward delight.”
Follow Along: @Dija.Mara
Roxana Pavel opened allmine, a scratch-kitchen neighborhood restaurant in May 2022. Originally from Romania, she learned to cook from her grandmother at an early age. Holding a master’s in hospitality, Pavel has worked for multiple restaurants, including Hyatt’s Michelin-starred Blue Duck Tavern, and is a certified sommelier. Everything is made in-house from dough to pasta, burrata, sauces and dressing with an emphasis on sourcing ingredients from local farmers and crafters. Her pizza (try the top-selling Better than Pepperoni pie) was picked among AAA’s top 10 in SoCal and her uniquely plated round lasagna with Mornay sauce is an Instagram influencer’s dream. Allmine’s wine program focuses on all naturally made wine, without intervention or additives, made in small production by winemakers who focus on sustainable farming practices.
Follow Along: @allmine.OceansideÂ
24 suns
Michelin connection: Michelin three-star Addison
Former Addison Chefs Nicholas Weber and Jacob Jordan have created a dining journey where the rich traditions of Chinese cuisine blend harmoniously with Southern California’s farm-fresh bounty. 24 Suns honors the subtleties of nature, capturing the essence of each micro-season in thoughtfully curated, ever-evolving menus. Tucked away in a casual strip mall, the restaurants is worth seeking for its fine Chinese cuisine, artfully crafted cocktails, natural wines, and warm hospitality.
Follow Along: @24.Suns
tanner's prime burgers
Michelin connection: Michelin three-star Benu and French Laundry
After earning three Michelin stars as chef de cuisine of Benu in San Francisco, Chef Brandon Rogers set his sights on a new venture. Through Tanner’s Prime Burgers, he and partner Eric Brandt, promise a burger experience like no other, with every menu item crafted around 100% USDA prime-grade beef sourced directly from Brandt Beef, a family-owned ranch in California’s Imperial Valley with roots going back to 1945. With a focus on quality and simplicity, Tanner’s offers just one burger, available as a single or double, but elevates it with standout ingredients. The cheese, a special aged cheddar that melts like American, was developed by cheese expert Eric Greenspan of New School specifically for Tanner’s. Artifex Brewing Co., based nearby, has created signature Tanner’s Lager and Tanner’s IPA to pair with the menu, while Avery Girl Honey, another family-owned business, supplies the honey for their sweet tea. The restaurant’s signature hot sauce is house-made, featuring a 14-day fermented chile mash. With seating both indoors and outdoors, Tanner’s is a prime destination for burger lovers, serving up a simple yet indulgent menu that includes kid-friendly items, loaded fries, and even ultra-creamy beef-fat-enhanced ice cream for dessert.
Follow Along: @TannersPrimeBurgers
matsu
Michelin connection: Chef William Eick’s sous chef Declan van Dorp has worked in Michelin one and two-starred kitchens including Under in Norway, KOKS during their tenure in Faroe Islands, and Marche Moderne in Newport Beach.
Matsu Oceanside is a modern Japanese-inspired restaurant celebrated for its seasonal tasting menus that artfully balance traditional Japanese techniques with a contemporary Californian twist. Each dish is meticulously crafted using locally sourced, high-quality ingredients, with an emphasis on precision and harmony in flavor and presentation. The intimate, minimalist ambiance enhances the dining experience, allowing guests to focus fully on the thoughtfully plated dishes. Matsu’s menu is complemented by an extensive selection of sake, Japanese whiskey, and expertly crafted cocktails, creating an immersive culinary experience that is both elegant and deeply rooted in the essence of Japanese cuisine and hospitality.
Follow Along: @EatMatsuÂ
Â
HERITAGE BARBECUE & BEER CO.
Michelin connection: Heritage Barbecue’s original location in Orange County, CA is a recognized as Bib Gourmand.
Heritage Barbecue Oceanside brings authentic, Texas-style barbecue to the California coast. Known for its dedication to traditional, low-and-slow smoking techniques, Heritage Barbecue offers a mouthwatering selection of meats, including brisket, ribs, and sausage, all cooked over oak wood for hours to achieve tender, flavorful perfection. Alongside its barbecue, Heritage offers a range of local craft beers, house-made sides, and rotating specials that incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Follow Along: @Heritage.Oceanside
