Lilo is the newest fine‑dining venture in Carlsbad by chef Eric Bost and restaurateur John Resnick. Opened in April 2025, it received its first Michelin star at the California Guide ceremony on June 25, 2025. The 2025 Michelin Guide California ceremony honored the efforts and expertise behind the fine delicacies served at Lilo.
Highlights
- Lilo is a 22-seat restaurant opened in Carlsbad in April 2025, where hospitality takes center stage.
- Coastal design, a 12-course journey of the menu, and helped Lilo earn a solid reputation in the industry.
- The efforts of Eric Bost, John Resnick, and the team were bestowed with a one-Michelin-star on June 25, 2025.
Lilo Has Been Crowned With One Michelin Star
During the 2025 Michelin Guide California ceremony on June 25, Lilo officially received its first Michelin star. California’s culinary scene was raised as regional restaurants earned one, two, and three stars.
In the ceremony, other awards and recognitions were also announced, along with different Michelin stars. The recognition of Lilo among other prestigious restaurants made it stand out in the San Diego region. One of the chefs of the team at Lilo took to Instagram to express gratitude for its coastal identity
Michelin stars are awarded based on different criteria. Food consistency is one of them, and the selection of a recently opened restaurant is a matter of pride.
The Michelin Guide praised the Lilo during the announcement of the awards by saying that “Good things often come in small packages, and it’s certainly true of Lilo.” Starting with small bites and moving to a petite dining room offers a unique experience to diners. The Michelin Guide also mentioned some dishes of the Lilo and the amount of expertise behind it by Bost and his team.
A Brief but Noteworthy Journey of Lilo in Carlsbad
Lilo officially opened on April 17, 2025. Bost and Resnick, who shook up Carlsbad with Jeune et Jolie, which is also a Michelin star restaurant, chose Dusan Todic as Chef de Cuisine at Lilo. The coastal-inspired interiors and tasting menu at Lilo have brought a vibrant dining locale to Carlsbad.
The involvement of chefs in presenting dishes to customers and describing each element helps the restaurant build a strong connection with its guests. The method of preparation and the manner of ending them with hand-poured sauces and fresh-pressed oils justifies its quick Michelin star win!
Lilo’s Michelin star is not only a personal success of Bost and Resnick. It is proof of the dedication of the team at Lilo. Belonging to an exclusive group of Michelin‑starred restaurants, the intimate counter-service, changing tasting menu, and immersive coastal design at Lilo are a symbol of growth for Carlsbad.
