The Michelin Guide made its debut in the UAE in 2022, starting with Dubai and expanding to Abu Dhabi in 2023. The United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have become major culinary destinations, offering a wide range of Michelin-starred dining experiences. Here’s a detailed overview of some of the most notable Michelin-star restaurants in these cities:
Michelin-Star Restaurants in Dubai
1. STAY by Yannick Alléno
- Location: One&Only The Palm
- Stars: 2 Michelin Stars
- Cuisine: French
- Overview: Yannick Alléno, a world-renowned chef, brings an exquisite French dining experience to Dubai. The restaurant is famous for its meticulous attention to detail and its signature “pastry library,” where diners can personalize their desserts.
2. Il Ristorante – Niko Romito
- Location: Bulgari Resort Dubai
- Stars: 2 Michelin Stars
- Cuisine: Italian
- Overview: Chef Niko Romito’s restaurant focuses on modern Italian cuisine, with simplicity and respect for high-quality ingredients being central to every dish. The restaurant’s elegant design complements the refined dining experience.
3. Hakkasan
- Location: Atlantis, The Palm
- Stars: 1 Michelin Star
- Cuisine: Cantonese
- Overview: Known for its contemporary Cantonese menu, Hakkasan offers an array of signature dishes like Peking duck with caviar and black truffle roast duck. The restaurant’s sophisticated setting makes it a favorite among food enthusiasts.
4. Tasca by José Avillez
- Location: Mandarin Oriental Jumeira
- Stars: 1 Michelin Star
- Cuisine: Portuguese
- Overview: Celebrity chef José Avillez brings a taste of Portugal to Dubai. Tasca offers both traditional and modern Portuguese dishes, with fresh seafood being a highlight. The terrace view adds to the overall experience.
5. Armani/Ristorante
- Location: Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa
- Stars: 1 Michelin Star
- Cuisine: Italian
- Overview: This elegant restaurant offers a refined Italian dining experience. The menu blends traditional Italian flavors with innovative techniques, all served in a luxurious setting inside the iconic Burj Khalifa.
6. Trèsind Studio
- Location: Palm Jumeirah
- Stars: 2 Michelin Stars
- Cuisine: Indian
- Overview: Trèsind Studio offers an immersive Indian culinary journey, redefining traditional Indian flavors with modern twists. The tasting menus are a highlight, taking guests on a sensory adventure with every course.
7. Ossiano
- Location: Atlantis, The Palm
- Stars: 1 Michelin Star
- Cuisine: Seafood
- Overview: With an underwater setting, Ossiano provides a unique dining experience where guests are surrounded by the mesmerizing marine life of the Ambassador Lagoon. The seafood menu is curated to perfection, featuring dishes with global influences.
8. Moonrise
- Location: Eden House, Dubai
- Stars: 1 Michelin Star
- Cuisine: Modern
- Overview: Chef Solemann Haddad presents an innovative dining experience at Moonrise, which celebrates flavors from around the world. The tasting menu changes frequently, keeping the experience fresh and exciting for returning guests.
9. 11 Woodfire
- Location: Jumeirah
- Stars: 1 Michelin Star
- Cuisine: International
- Overview: Chef Akmal Anuar’s restaurant focuses on woodfire cooking, with a menu featuring a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables prepared over an open flame. The rustic and cozy ambiance adds to the overall experience.
Michelin-Star Restaurants in Abu Dhabi
1. Talea by Antonio Guida
- Location: Emirates Palace
- Stars: 1 Michelin Star
- Cuisine: Italian
- Overview: Chef Antonio Guida’s Talea brings authentic Italian cuisine to Abu Dhabi, focusing on seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes. The luxurious setting of Emirates Palace enhances the dining experience.
2. Hakkasan Abu Dhabi
- Location: Emirates Palace
- Stars: 1 Michelin Star
- Cuisine: Cantonese
- Overview: Much like its counterpart in Dubai, Hakkasan Abu Dhabi offers an upscale Cantonese dining experience. The menu features signature dishes, and the chic interior design makes it a standout venue in the city.
3. Li Beirut
- Location: Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- Stars: 1 Michelin Star
- Cuisine: Lebanese
- Overview: Li Beirut serves modern Lebanese cuisine with a touch of elegance. Signature dishes include foie gras kebbeh and wagyu beef with oriental spices, and the restaurant offers stunning views of the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
4. Coya Abu Dhabi
- Location: Al Maryah Island
- Stars: 1 Michelin Star
- Cuisine: Peruvian
- Overview: Coya brings the vibrant flavors of Peru to Abu Dhabi. The menu features a variety of ceviches, anticuchos, and other traditional dishes, served in a lively and colorful atmosphere.
Bib Gourmand Restaurants
The Michelin Guide also awards Bib Gourmand status to restaurants offering high-quality food at a more affordable price. Here are some notable Bib Gourmand restaurants in the UAE:
1. Reif Japanese Kushiyaki (Dubai)
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Overview: Known for its creative and playful take on Japanese street food, Reif offers an array of kushiyaki skewers and other dishes that blend traditional and modern Japanese flavors.
2. Brasserie Boulud (Dubai)
- Cuisine: French
- Overview: Helmed by Chef Daniel Boulud, this brasserie serves classic French dishes in a relaxed yet elegant setting. The menu highlights fresh and seasonal ingredients.
3. Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant (Dubai)
- Cuisine: Emirati
- Overview: Al Khayma offers a taste of traditional Emirati cuisine, set in a heritage house that reflects the UAE’s rich culture and history. The menu includes dishes like slow-cooked lamb and freshly baked bread.
4. Beef Bistro (Abu Dhabi)
- Cuisine: Steakhouse
- Overview: Beef Bistro is a casual steakhouse that focuses on serving high-quality beef in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu includes a range of cuts, cooked to perfection.
5. Otoro (Abu Dhabi)
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Overview: Otoro specializes in Japanese cuisine, offering dishes like sushi, sashimi, and grilled meats. The focus is on fresh ingredients and authentic flavors.
Additional Highlights
1. Dining Diversity
The UAE’s Michelin-starred restaurants showcase a diverse range of cuisines, reflecting the country’s cosmopolitan population. From French and Italian to Cantonese and Peruvian, there’s something for every palate.
2. Celebrity Chefs
Many Michelin-starred restaurants in the UAE are helmed by world-famous chefs, such as Yannick Alléno, José Avillez, and Antonio Guida. These chefs bring their signature styles and global culinary expertise to the UAE’s dining scene.
3. Unique Dining Experiences
Restaurants like Ossiano in Dubai, with its underwater setting, and Trèsind Studio, with its innovative Indian tasting menu, offer dining experiences that go beyond just food. These establishments focus on creating memorable and immersive experiences for their guests.
4. Luxurious Ambiance
Many Michelin-starred restaurants in the UAE are located in iconic venues, such as the Burj Khalifa, Emirates Palace, and Atlantis, The Palm. The luxurious ambiance of these locations adds to the overall dining experience, making it truly exceptional.
5. Focus on Ingredients
Michelin-starred chefs in the UAE emphasize the use of high-quality, seasonal, and locally-sourced ingredients. Whether it’s fresh seafood, prime cuts of meat, or organic produce, the focus on top-notch ingredients is a common theme across these restaurants.
The UAE’s Michelin-starred dining scene continues to grow and evolve, with new restaurants and concepts being introduced regularly. Whether you’re looking for a lavish French meal, a unique Peruvian experience, or traditional Emirati flavors, the UAE has a Michelin-starred restaurant to suit every taste.
