Aubergine in Carmel-by-the-Sea has been officially recognized as the first restaurant in Monterey County to receive two Michelin stars. The new rating was announced in the Michelin Guide on Monday. The star rating is awarded annually as a recognition of culinary excellence across a restaurant’s menu. Michelin inspectors taste chefs’ menus whenever possible and visit restaurants repeatedly throughout the year to ensure consistency. Located inside L’Auberge Carmel at the intersection of Monte Verde Street and Seventh Avenue, Aubergine is known for its eight-course “tasting menu,” which changes daily. Michelin attributes the restaurant’s win to Executive Chef and Director Justin Cogley’s contemporary cuisine and artful presentation. The second Michelin star is the restaurant’s latest culinary honor. Aubergine has received numerous accolades, including Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence, Forbes Travel Guide’s highest rating of five stars, and multiple nominations from the James Beard Foundation. Aubergine received its first Michelin star in 2019. Another Carmel-by-the-Sea restaurant was also listed in the 2024 Michelin Guide. Chez Noir, located near 5th Avenue and San Carlos Street, maintained its one star. Chez Noir boasts California coastal cuisine rich in ingredients locally sourced from the Monterey Peninsula and was awarded a Michelin star in 2023. Read more of the Central Coast’s top stories here | Download the Very Local app | Download the Very Local app
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California —
Aubergine in Carmel-by-the-Sea has officially become Monterey County’s first restaurant to receive two Michelin stars. The new recognition was announced by the Michelin Guide on Monday.
Star ratings are awarded annually as a recognition of culinary excellence across a restaurant’s menu, and Michelin inspectors dine at restaurants repeatedly throughout the year, tasting as many of a chef’s menus as possible to ensure consistency.
Aubergine is located inside L’Auberge Carmel near Monte Verde Street and Seventh Avenue and is known for its eight-course “tasting menu” that changes daily.
Michelin credited the restaurant’s award to Executive Chef and Director Justin Cogley’s contemporary cuisine and artful presentation.
The second Michelin star is just the latest culinary honor bestowed upon the restaurant: Aubergine has received numerous accolades, including Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence, Forbes Travel Guide’s highest Five Star rating, and multiple James Beard Foundation nominations.
Aubergine received its first Michelin star in 2019.
Another Carmel-by-the-Sea restaurant has also been featured in the 2024 Michelin Guide.
Chez Noir, located near 5th Avenue and San Carlos Boulevard, maintained its one-star rating. Chez Noir, which prides itself on its California coastal cuisine featuring plenty of local ingredients from the Monterey Peninsula, is in line for a Michelin star in 2023.
Read more of Central Coast’s top stories here | Download the App | Download Very Local