For several years now, The Michelin Star has been an established indicator of the quality of a restaurant. Awarded by The Michelin Guide, the Michelin star is reserved for the best restaurants in the world based on the quality of the food, mastery of cooking techniques and flavors, the quality of the service provided, the chef’s personality in the cuisine, and the consistency between multiple visits.
History Of The Michelin Guide
The Michelin tire company runs the Michelin Guide. After the launch of their automobile business in 1889, the two Michelin brothers decided to launch a small guide that would include information about places people could visit with the help of their tires.
The Michelin Guide was launched as a separate product in 1920 with a list of top hotels and restaurants and eventually started awarding dining establishments with stars in 1926. The process has evolved over time, and the guide has become one of the most important and reputable recognitions in the food and beverage industry.
Restaurants can earn up to 3 stars, which are reviewed and revised annually by the Michelin Guide. This means that the restaurant has to maintain its standard year after year to retain its Michelin stars.
Restaurants can also earn a Bib Gourmand, which according to Michelin, is “not quite a star, but most definitely not a consolation prize.” The Bib Gourmand, named after the friendly official company mascot, recognizes friendly and top establishments that serve good food at reasonable prices.
The Michelin Guide In Dubai
While the Michelin star has been a big deal for a long time, it was not until 2022 that the awards came to the Middle East. With Dubai’s growing food scene, the Michelin Guide has finally arrived in town to award various restaurants with the highly regarded honor of Michelin Stars.
Currently, there are two 2-star Michelin restaurants, nine 1-star Michelin restaurants, and Fourteen Bib Gourmand restaurants, and one Michelin Green Star restaurant in Dubai. This list will take you through all the Michelin Guide restaurants in Dubai to help you plan your next outing.
2 Michelin Star Restaurants In Dubai
Il Ristorante-Niko Romit
Located in the Bulgari Resort Dubai, Il Ristorante brings an authentic Italian charm to the desert and celebrates its roots with a menu curated of modern and classic Italian delicacies curated by Italian Michelin-starred Chef Niko Romito and headed by his personally trained Chef Giacomo Amicucci.
The Italian heritage is well-reflected in the exquisite food made with outstanding techniques and top-quality ingredients that are flown directly from Italy to Dubai.
The restaurant’s intimate setting, with raised banquettes and black ceilings, creates a romantic atmosphere that takes this dining experience to a new level.
STAY by Yannick Alléno
Featuring a menu crafted by Chef Yannick Alléno, STAY offers an unforgettable dining experience with a modern French menu. The gorgeous venue reflects luxury with its high ceilings, breathtaking design, private dock, and beautiful tropical gardens all set inside a Colonial-style property in Palm Jumeirah.
With a range of sophisticated dishes made with exceptional flavors, techniques, and ingredients, a meal at STAY will stay with you for a long time.
1 Michelin Star Restaurants In Dubai
Tasca by José Avillez
A unique location reflecting the hustle and bustle of the city, Tasca boasts gorgeous views of the city from its 6th-floor location in Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah.
As you sit by the stunning open kitchen and infinity pool and take in the views, you can indulge in the exquisite Portuguese menu with a modern twist crafted by Chef José Avillez with delicacies that are bursting with creativity and flavor. The food is fresh and exciting and is created with high-quality ingredients that are pivotal to Chef’s vision.
With a shared menu, an exciting location, spectacular service, and gorgeous views, Tasca has become the city’s go-to place for a good time with family and friends.
11 Woodfire
Set in the residential suburbs of Jumeirah, 11 Woodfire reflects its bold personality with industrial-style interiors, subtle lighting, and a massive open kitchen and grill where the talented team skillfully cooks up the restaurant’s delicious menu.
Along with seafood, vegetables, and more, specialty meats are prepared over hickory, oak, or hay, giving them the signature woodfire flavor that is elevated with perfect seasoning and technique by the chefs. Pair that with their professional, high-quality service, and you will realize the reason why 11 Woodfire has been awarded the coveted Michelin star.
Armani Ristorante
Armani Ristorante features one of the finest and most authentic Italian menus in town, crafted by a team of top Italian chefs with a combination of delicious flavors, contemporary presentation, and authentic Italian roots.
Located in the iconic Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, the restaurant is set in an opulent setting with marble flooring, high ceilings, and a glass kitchen where you can witness the chefs preparing the delicacies.
Armani Ristorante also houses one of the best views of the Dubai Fountains for those seated by the window.
Hōseki
Offering one of the finest Japanese Omakase experiences in Dubai, Hōseki is a unique and intimate dining space with only nine counter-seats to create a personalized experience for each diner.
Headed by Chef Masahiro Sugiyama, a sixth-generation sushi master, the Omakase courses are crafted based on the preferences of the diners and the freshest ingredients on the table, creating a truly distinctive journey for each person where no two dishes are ever the same.
With fresh ingredients exported directly from Japan, lovely service by the staff, and a gorgeous view of the Dubai skyline, a meal at Hōseki is truly one not to be missed.
Al Muntaha
Set atop the world’s only 7-star hotel, The Burj Al Arab; Al Muntaha boasts a refined and spectacular menu reflecting its breathtaking interiors. Crafted by acclaimed Chef Saverio Sbaragli, the menu has both French and Mediterranean influences, with delicacies created with the finest ingredients and precise techniques.
The floor-to-ceiling windows on the 27th-floor location of Al Muntaha provide spectacular views of the Arabian coast and create an unforgettable dining experience.
Trèsind Studio
Giving a modern twist to Indian cuisine, Chef Himanshu Saini and his team have been making waves with their futuristic renditions of classic Indian delicacies. At Trèsind Studio, an intimate restaurant located atop Nakheel Mall, the team offers an immersive multi-course dining experience featuring original and creative dishes like Assam tea dashi and tandoori chicken dumpling crafted with extreme attention to detail.
With an ethos of serving guests with the highest levels of service, the team at Trèsind Studio creates an unforgettable dining experience for each visitor and has grown to become one of the most loved restaurants in the city.
Hakkasan
A global dining phenomenon, Hakkasan’s modern Chinese cuisine brings its charm to Dubai at the Atlantis The Palm location. Set in an edgy, modern setting, Hakkasan Dubai, like its counterparts around the world, impresses diners with its spectacular menu that features Hakkasan signatures and a few Dubai-exclusive delicacies.
Alongside their meal, diners can also indulge in one of the many cocktails from the exclusive beverage menu and enjoy one of Hakkasan’s special, creative desserts.
Ossiano
With an unmatched ambiance created by being surrounded by hundreds of marine species, Ossiano, located in Atlantis The Palm, offers one of the most dining experiences in the city. The restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows capture a beautiful view of the hotel’s large aquarium with sharks, sting rays, and more than swerve by you as you indulge in an exquisite menu crafted by Chef Grégoire Berger.
Featuring a little theatrics, a little nostalgia, and a lot of flavor and technique, the delicacies crafted by the team match perfectly with the spectacular view and create a truly unique and unforgettable meal.
Torno Subito
Internationally acclaimed, award-winning Italian Chef Massimo Bottura has brought his heritage to Dubai with this funky and bright old-school Italian restaurant.
Featuring bold, colorful interiors and a playful menu, Torno Subito offers a lively yet relaxed dining experience with sophisticated Italian delicacies bursting with creativity and flavors. The restaurant is the perfect place to experience fine Italian cooking in an exciting and fun atmosphere.
Bib Gourmand Restaurants In Dubai
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant
This unique restaurant takes you back in time to the traditional roots of Emirati and Arabian culture. With a rustic Emirati menu prepared with local ingredients, this heritage restaurant embodies the true spirit of the culture with olden artifacts, staff dressed in traditional robes, freshly cooked bread, and an unmatched atmosphere.
Shabestan
Bringing an authentic Persian charm to Dubai, this third-generation, family-run restaurant in Radisson Blu Hotel serves up traditional and delicious Persian dishes that diners can enjoy while overlooking the beautiful views of Old Dubai and Dubai Creek.
folly
A longstanding Dubai gem, folly offers a tranquil escape in the midst of Souk Madinat, with gorgeous views overlooking Burj Al Arab and the water from its spectacular terrace. With a warm and engaging staff and an exceptional chef team creating delicious ingredient-led dishes, folly is the perfect place for a good time.
Teible
This bakery and restaurant in the Jameel Arts Center is the perfect place for a little laidback getaway, with a relaxing atmosphere, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking beautiful views, and freshly baked pastries and bread wafting through the air. Spend a day at Teible and indulge in their seasonal, fresh, and local menu.
Brasserie Boulud
Bringing the spirit of France to Dubai, this classic French brasserie located in Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk provides an opulent setting with red leather banquettes and marble flooring for a traditional French menu. You can find French classics like rôti to tarte Tatin and escargots on the menu at Brasserie Boulud.
Orfali Bros
Headed by three Syrian brothers passionate about creating amazing food, Orfali Bros has become a crowd favorite with its traditional yet playful menu inspired by Mediterranean flavors with a global twist. The two-story open kitchen concept provides a light and relaxing atmosphere for diners. Don’t forget to leave space for delicious desserts created by Chef Waseem Orfali.
Fi’lia
Lead by a female-first team headed by Chef Sara Aqel, highlighting culinary knowledge that has been passed down through many generations of women, Fi’lia gives classic Italian delicacies a modern twist. The 70th-floor location in SLS Dubai also offers spectacular views of the Dubai skyline and Burj Khalifa.
Goldfish
Enjoy a delicious and authentic Japanese meal with modern influences at this trendy establishment. Indulge in sharing plates of sushi, Wagyu steak, and yakitori as you enjoy the hustle and bustle of this trending spot and watch the chefs at work through the counter.
Ninive
An oasis escape right in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city, Ninive is a gorgeous restaurant set in a Bedouin-tent-inspired venue with low tables, traditional rugs, cozy sofas, and lanterns creating a relaxing yet opulent vibe. With a delicious menu featuring Middle Eastern and North African delicacies, Ninive is the perfect place for an unforgettable meal.
REIF Japanese Kushiyaki
This Japanese kushiyaki-inspired restaurant led by Chef Reif Othman offers the classic kushiyaki grilled meat skewers but also amps up the menu with a variety of sushi, ramen, and other creative delicacies that will keep diners coming back for more. Try their classic menu or book an omakase experience at this quaint little Japanese spot.
Indya By Vineet
Giving Indian cooking a modern twist, this funky restaurant headed by Chef Vineet Bhatia features an exciting and bold menu with sharing plates, street food, and much more. The colorful interiors and dishes perfectly embody the eclectic spirit of Indian food and culture and make for a great dining experience.
Ibn AlBahr
Built by the fishermen of the coast, Ibn AlBahr brings the flavors of the sea to your table with a Lebanese twist. Rightfully located by the beach with gorgeous views of the Arabian coast and a boat, Ibn Al Bahr’s menu features fresh food prepared with Lebanese flavors and influences.
Bait Maryam
Led by Chef Salam Dakkak, this heartwarming restaurant creates a comforting atmosphere, making you feel like you’re dining at a friend’s home. Relax in the glass lakeside terrace or the peaceful dining room and enjoy Chef’s special Levantine delicacies inspired by her mother’s cooking.
Kinoya
Since its launch, Chef Neha Mishra’s Kinoya has won hearts around the city. The selective and authentic Japanese menu featuring world-class ramen dishes and other Japanese delicacies like robata, karaage, tempura, and sushi is sure to impress the toughest critics. Set in a low-light, cozy atmosphere, Izakaya is a must-visit for a unique yet comforting experience.
