Chef Christopher Barnum-Dann of Localis was honored with the Sommelier Award at the 2025 MICHELIN Guide California Ceremony, held Wednesday evening in Sacramento. The award highlights Barnum-Dann’s exceptional approach to wine pairing and his pivotal role in defining Sacramento’s culinary scene.

Barnum-Dann is the chef and owner of Localis, a One MICHELIN Star restaurant in Midtown Sacramento, known for its evolving, travel-inspired tasting menu and carefully curated wine list. He took an unconventional path to the kitchen, beginning his career as an electrician and musician. While touring the country, he dined at 15 MICHELIN-starred restaurants in a single year and realized his passion was not just for eating fine food but for creating it. After attending culinary school and starting out at Hapa Sushi in Auburn, he opened Localis with his wife Jessica in 2016. The restaurant earned its MICHELIN Star in 2022 and has retained it every year since.

The Sommelier Award recognizes Barnum-Dann’s creative and thoughtful wine pairings, such as spicy Thai dishes with off-dry Riesling and octopus piccata with Austrian red. This achievement is even more notable given that he is not only the chef and owner of Localis but also curates the restaurant’s wine list himself. His selections reflect both deep expertise and personal passion, offering guests a uniquely elevated dining experience.

The ceremony also marked a proud moment for Sacramento, as 12 of the city’s MICHELIN-rated restaurants retained their distinctions. In addition, three new local establishments were added to the guide, further cementing Sacramento’s status as a culinary destination.

 

New Additions to the MICHELIN Guide California

This year, three Sacramento-area restaurants were added to the MICHELIN Guide.

  • Pho Momma – An unassuming strip-mall gem known for winning over pho lovers with its rich, long-simmered broths and high-quality ingredients, complemented by fresh, flavorful spring rolls.
  • Majka  – A charming neighborhood favorite, known for its naturally leavened sourdough pizzas, seasonal toppings, and a curated selection of natural wines.
  • Kin Thai - A vibrant Midtown spot, known for bold Thai street food flavors like pad Thai wrapped in an egg crepe and spicy clay-pot shrimp.

 

Michelin-Starred Restaurants

In the world of dining, there’s no higher honor for restaurants than Michelin Stars. Both The Kitchen in Land Park and Localis in Midtown Sacramento retained their Michelin stars again this year. 

The Kitchen was the first Sacramento restaurant to receive a Michelin star in 2019. Led by Chef Kelly McCown, The Kitchen features an open-kitchen setting, allowing you to witness the culinary team in action and fully immerse yourself in a dining experience unlike any other.

Localis, which is Sacramento’s newest Michelin-starred restaurant, earned its star in 2022. This intimate Midtown Sacramento restaurant, led by Chef Chris Barnum-Dann, features an ever-changing tasting menu utilizing the freshest seasonal ingredients to create beautifully presented dishes.

 

Bib Gourmand Restaurants

The Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand acknowledge eateries with “good quality, good value cooking.” Sacramento has four restaurants with Bibs Gourmand, each of which retained its recognition this year.

These restaurants include Canon in East Sacramento led by Chef Brad Cecchi, Nixtaco in Roseville led by Chef Patricio Wise, and Yue Huang Restaurant in Natomas.

 

Michelin-Recommended Restaurants

Sacramento is home to a number of Michelin-Recommended restaurants, meaning these restaurants have been recognized by the Michelin Guide for serving food to a high level.  

The nine Sacramento restaurants that retained their Michelin-Recommended recognition this year include Allora, Bacon & Butter, Camden Spit & Larder, Ella Dining Room & Bar, Grange Restaurant & Bar, Hawks Provisions and Public House, and Zócalo.

 

To read more about each of Sacramento’s Michelin-Rated restaurants, be sure to read our Guide to Sacramento’s Michelin-Rated Restaurants.