Bay Area Michelin Star Restaurants - 2026 Edition

The latest Michelin Star Bay Area honorees were just announced about a few weeks ago. The Michelin guide is the most renowned rubric in the for measuring culinary success. Unfortunately, this year was uneventful. All of the new restaurants were in SF or Wine Country.

Michelin has three different star categories:

• One Star - A very good restaurant in its category with cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard. A good place to stop on your journey.
• Two Stars - Excellent cuisine, skillfully and carefully crafted dishes of outstanding quality. Worth a detour.
• Three Stars - Exceptional cuisine with distinctive dishes and superlative ingredients. Worth a special journey.

"Green Stars" are for restaurants that are at the forefront of sustainable, environmental, and ethical standards.

There are also restaurants in the Michelin guide that do not get a star, but are considered "Michelin Recommended." This is already a significant honor that a very small percentage of restaurants achieve. This distinction has gotten more rare since the guide now covers all of California instead of just the Bay Area. San Jose has a total of 3 Michelin Recommended restaurants, and it's almost the same list as the past few years except Adega is inexplicably not on the list even though their more casual sister restaurant Petiscos is.

San Jose Michelin Recommended Restaurants:

• Downtown
• Petiscos $$ (Bib Gourmand)
• Midtown
• Luna Mexican Kitchen $$ (Bib Gourmand)
• North San Jose
• LeYou $$

I created a Google doc listing all of the star recipients for 2026, along with tabs for all previous years and some general statistics. There is no longer a physical book for California, but Michelin will update their site after new stars are awarded.

Below is an image capture from the doc. This year there were a total of 44 Bay Area restaurants that were awarded Michelin stars. 61% of the restaurants are locating in SF, 11% in Silicon Valley (5% in the South Bay, 7% in the Peninsula), 20% in Wine Country, 5% in the East Bay, and 2% in Marin. There are three new restaurants on the list for 2024 and one that closed down. 

I'm again feeling optimistic about next year with Strata and hopefully Adega, Eox & Nyx, Le Papillion, and many others will get the recognition they deserve. How did not one San Jose Vietnamese restaurant make the cut for a recommendation? There used to be several in the guide.  

Dough Zone Brings Affordable Dumplings to Campbell’s Pruneyard Shopping Center

Seattle-based Dough Zone opened its sixth Bay Area spot last month in the former Patxi’s Pizza space at 1875 S. Bascom Ave., right between Trader Joe’s and Sports Basement. The 3,167-square-foot restaurant seats guests at 21 tables and plans to hire between 10 and 20 team members.

The menu focuses on approachable favorites such as soup dumplings, pan-fried pork buns, and Dan Dan noodles, all priced to keep families and regular visitors coming back. Centralized kitchens help the chain maintain consistent quality while controlling costs across its growing footprint of 30 locations in Washington, Oregon, California, and Texas. This approach lets Dough Zone scale thoughtfully without sacrificing the care that started with its mom-and-pop beginnings in Bellevue in 2014.

Campbell’s Pruneyard offers the kind of open-air, community-driven atmosphere that suits the brand well. Strong foot traffic and a mix of shops and restaurants create natural gathering spots, and the addition brings more variety to the center’s existing Asian concepts like Asian Box, Kyoto Palace, and Marufuku Ramen. Local leaders have welcomed the arrival as a sign of confidence in the market’s ability to support both national names and its own distinct character.

Source: SVBJ

Family Day on the Avenue Returns to Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen

Willow Glen merchants will fill Lincoln Avenue with family-friendly fun on July 25. From 11 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon, participating shops and restaurants along the tree-lined stretch will offer special deals, live music, games, and hands-on activities that turn a regular summer Saturday into a neighborhood celebration.

The free event serves as one last relaxed outing before school schedules take over. Families can collect book-themed prizes at Hicklebee’s, enjoy pizza specials at Round Table or Pizza My Heart, sample chocolate bites at Mariette Chocolates, or try sensory play stations and movement games. Many spots will also hand out stickers, discounts, and exclusive giveaways while supplies hold out.

Organized by the Willow Glen Business Association, the afternoon highlights the independent businesses that give the neighborhood its distinct character. Visitors will find everything from pet supply surprises and bookstore treats to aura photo sessions and studio tours, all within a compact area that stays easy to navigate with nearby parking.

This merchant-led gathering keeps the small-town energy that is still alive inside San Jose. It creates space for parents and kids to wander, discover new favorites, and support the local shops that make Downtown Willow Glen feel like its own destination.

San Jose gains when its neighborhoods host simple, welcoming events like this one. Family Day on the Avenue strengthens connections between residents and the businesses that line the Avenue, adding another layer to the everyday vibrancy that sets Willow Glen apart.

For a full list of deals and giveaways, head over here.

Japantown Set to Gain New Housing and Taiko Performance Hub

City officials cleared the way for a six-story mixed-use building at 653 North 7th Street that will bring 65 residential units together with a dedicated San Jose Taiko performance space. Staff approval arrived on July 8 and locates the project inside San Jose’s historic Japantown, one of only three remaining Japantowns in the United States.

Shea Properties leads the effort, building on its earlier work with the completed Sixth and Jackson apartments just a block away. The plans include roughly 14,100 square feet of commercial space that will house the Taiko performance building along with an office, workshop, and gallery. The site sits next to a proposed public park, extending outdoor green space and seating areas that stay open to the broader neighborhood.

Taiko San Jose has anchored cultural life in Japantown since 1973. The nonprofit keeps traditional Japanese drumming vibrant through original performances and education that crosses cultures and generations. Placing a permanent performance facility on the block gives the art form a stronger home while adding daily activity to the street.

Designers focused on an activated urban edge where housing and arts meet public space. Residents and visitors alike will share the green areas and seating that offer room to pause outside. The combination of homes and cultural facilities is meant to lift the everyday rhythm of the neighborhood.

San Jose keeps finding ways to honor its historic districts while adding the housing and gathering places that keep them alive. This Japantown project threads new residences and performance energy into an already distinctive corner of the city. It would be amazing to see more local projects in the future seamlessly incorporate arts and culture like this.

Source: The Mercury News

Mixue Ice Cream and Tea Debuts First Bay Area Outpost in Sunnyvale

Mixue Ice Cream and Tea just opened its first Bay Area location in Sunnyvale. The Chinese chain, which operates more than 53,000 stores worldwide and ranks as the planet’s largest fast food operation by unit count, chose a compact space inside the Shoppes at Homestead shopping center. Service began in late June, with grand opening celebrations running through this weekend.

The brand traces its roots to a single shaved ice stand founded in Zhengzhou in 1997. It grew through company-owned factories that control ingredient costs and a small-store format that keeps overhead low. Every item on the menu stays under five dollars, a notable contrast to typical Bay Area pricing for similar drinks and desserts.

Inside the Sunnyvale shop, a life-size Snow King statue anchors the space while walls display branded merchandise. Three touchscreen kiosks handle orders, and the chain’s signature jingle loops in the background. Staff focus on rapid preparation behind the counter, keeping lines moving even during peak times.

Soft serve options include vanilla at $1.59 and matcha at $1.99. Pearl milk tea and other drinks run around four dollars, with full control over sweetness and ice levels. Toppings such as boba pearls, taro balls, coconut jelly, or pudding cost just 49 cents each. The vanilla soft serve leans lighter and less sweet than many American versions, while the matcha delivers a clear grassy note.

You can visit Mixue at 1641 Hollenbeck Ave in Sunnyvale between the hours of 11am and 7pm, seven days a week. The shop is already very popular and has a four star rating on Yelp.

Source: SFGATE

SJC Prepares to Transform 15 Acres into Thriving Aviation Hub

San José Mineta International Airport stands ready to turn a quiet corner of its property into a vibrant center for general aviation services. The 15-acre site at the corner of Martin Avenue and De La Cruz Boulevard once handled long-term passenger and employee parking. Now largely unused, the land will soon invite developers through a formal request for proposals that aims to deliver fresh facilities while generating solid new revenue for the airport.

Airport leaders remain flexible about what takes shape there. A fixed-base operator, specialized aviation service operator, or even aviation manufacturing could all fit. The ground lease will run a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 50 years, with an extension option available. Proposals must include at least $2.75 million in annual ground rent plus a share of tenant revenue. If FAA approvals come through, the site could expand to 20 acres and open even more possibilities.

Anyone may submit a bid, and partnerships among multiple parties are welcome. The airport wants partners who strengthen the local general aviation community and deliver benefits that reach beyond the runway into surrounding neighborhoods. An industry outreach day already took place in June to gather feedback and share early details. The request for proposals is expected to launch in the coming months, with a final selection targeted for the end of the year and San Jose City Council approval anticipated in January.

Keep an eye on flysanjose.com for the official request for proposals once it appears. The opportunity will move quickly, and the right development could set a new standard for how our airport serves private and specialized aviation. Personally I'm hoping for a boutique operator like JSX, which already has operations in Oakland.

Source: SVBJ

Prologis Advances Major Data Center Plans in South San Jose

The company Prologis has set its sights on 5977 Silver Creek Valley Road for a substantial data center project. The vacant site in South San Jose offers strong access to utilities and a skilled local workforce ready for such developments.

Plans call for a multi-level building exceeding 500,000 square feet in total interior space. At least 30,000 square feet would serve as office space while the remainder houses the servers and equipment essential for data processing and storage.

The facility would draw up to 99 megawatts of power. Developers intend to build an on-site substation near the existing PG&E one just three miles away, plus backup generation systems. Water needs would match those of roughly 40 households, with commitments to limit effects on nearby areas.

Early designs show a functional, blocky three-story structure in grey and white tones. Landscaping and facade details aim to soften the overall appearance despite the emphasis on practicality. Construction could wrap up within about two years if approvals come through.

This project underscores San Jose's ongoing appeal to major tech investors. It promises to expand the region's capacity for advanced computing while creating opportunities in construction and operations.

Source: SF YIMBY

Music in the Glen Marks 25 Years of Free Summer Concerts in Willow Glen

Willow Glen has hosted Music in the Glen for a full quarter century in 2026, with the Kiwanis Club of Willow Glen continuing its sponsorship of these Sunday afternoon gatherings at Frank Bramhall Park. The series runs through the summer on Willow Street, drawing residents who arrive early to claim spots on the grass.

Attendees spread blankets and chairs across the open grounds while local bands perform from 4-6pm each evening. Children dart between the trees, adults chat in small groups, and the park atmosphere stays relaxed even as the music builds momentum from one set to the next.

Performers such as Big Mike and the Hartbeats or The Iconics deliver sets that mix rock, pop, and soulful classics, appealing to listeners across generations without any admission fee required. Different acts appear each week, keeping the lineup fresh while honoring the neighborhood tradition of accessible live entertainment.

Today's performance will be by Cisco Kid. For more information on the Kiwanis Club of Willow Glen head over here.

Lasers and Bad Bunny Beats Create Magic at The Tech Interactive

San Jose delivers an electrifying summer highlight through the Dome Series at The Tech Interactive. This July, the Global Beats theme brings a laser light show set to the music of Bad Bunny right into the heart of Downtown San Jose.

The IMAX Dome Theater becomes a vibrant 360-degree spectacle where pulsing lights sync perfectly with reggaeton rhythms and hits from the Puerto Rican artist. Attendees enjoy surround sound that immerses everyone in the energy of tracks like Callaita and I Like It, turning a regular evening into an unforgettable visual and auditory adventure.

The event forms part of a broader lineup that combines technology and entertainment in creative ways. Visitors combine a museum visit with the show for a full day of discovery, then settle into the dome for the main event. Easy access via transit and parking validation at nearby garages makes attendance convenient.

Purchase tickets at https://tickets.thetech.org/events/019bbec2-853f-d728-371f-ebc8007bd3c8

Silicon Valley International Invention Festival Invites Global Creators to the Heart of Innovation

Inventors, entrepreneurs, and curious minds from more than 30 countries will gather in Santa Clara this August for the Silicon Valley International Invention Festival. The three-day showcase at the Santa Clara Convention Center highlights groundbreaking ideas and transformative technologies from around the world while offering direct access to the people behind them.

Free visitor admission removes barriers and opens the event to students, professionals, investors, and anyone interested in what comes next. Attendees can wander through exhibits, engage with creators, and explore emerging solutions in an environment built for discovery and conversation. The format encourages both casual exploration and purposeful networking across borders and disciplines.

Santa Clara sits at the core of a region long defined by its capacity to turn bold concepts into reality. This festival extends that tradition by welcoming international perspectives and creating space for collaboration that might otherwise happen far from home. It reinforces the area’s role as a place where ideas from every corner of the globe find fertile ground.

Organized by the International Federation of Inventors Associations, the program spans multiple days with hours designed for broad participation. Programming suits all ages and includes opportunities to see practical inventions alongside forward-looking concepts. It stands as a clear reminder that the drive to invent and improve remains a powerful force here, drawing talent and attention that continue to shape the future.

The festival runs August 14 through 16 with free parking and doors open at 10am each morning.