GUIDE TO 18 MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANTS IN THE UAE
For those eager to embark on a culinary adventure, discovering the UAE’s Michelin stars is an exploration of cultural nuances, contemporary creativity, and gastronomic brilliance. So, don your finest attire, indulge your taste buds, and let the Michelin guide lead you through a symphony of flavors in the enchanting culinary landscape of the United Arab Emirates.
MICHELIN STARS
IL RISTORANTE-NIKO ROMITO, DUBAI
Located within the Bulgari Resort Hotel, this esteemed restaurant boasts 2 Michelin stars and offers diners a luxurious experience from the moment they enter, courtesy of the hospitable Italian staff. Renowned Italian chef Giacomo Amicucci crafts exquisite modern Italian cuisine that surpasses initial expectations with its depth and sophistication, characterized by balance, purity, and clarity. Utilizing top-tier ingredients imported from Italy, the menu presents dishes that are both intricate and satisfying. For the ultimate culinary journey, opt for the ‘Degustazione’ menu.
STAY BY YANNICK ALLENO, DUBAI
This elegant restaurant boasts breathtaking opulence in design, surrounded by magical tropical gardens and a private dock. The diverse menu offerings include surprise, tasting, seasonal caviar, and truffle options, with a culinary foundation rooted in French techniques and a ‘less is more’ approach to exceptional ingredients. The precise and sophisticated dishes are expertly executed, bursting with flavor, and thoughtfully conceived with an intelligent interplay of textures, flavors, and temperatures.
TRESIND, DUBAI
The surprise multi-course tasting menu at this venue is a masterpiece of originality, intrigue, and precision, showcasing flavors and tastes from all corners of India. A touch of theatre with certain courses enhances the overall dining experience, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. The magic of the place is amplified by its intimate setting, with only 20 seats and a rooftop location, making diners feel like they are part of a secret culinary journey.
MICHELIN STAR
AL MUNTAHA, DUBAI
Perched atop the renowned Burj Al Arab, this restaurant offers a sophisticated and refined dining experience. Guests are urged to request a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows for breathtaking views. The skilled chef crafts a menu with a French foundation and Mediterranean influences. He uses top-quality ingredients with precision to produce modern dishes featuring bold flavors and playful textures.
ARMANI RISTORANTE, DUBAI
Situated in the Armani Hotel on the lower levels of the Burj Khalifa, this Michelin star restaurant is a definition of modern Italian cooking. It showcases top-tier ingredients in rich, beautifully presented dishes characterized by vibrant colors, bold flavors, and textural contrasts. For a comprehensive Armani experience, patrons can opt for one of the tasting menus.
AVATARA, DUBAI
The set menu at this restaurant features 16 exquisite vegetarian dishes, drawing influences from various regions across India. The delightful team takes the time to share the stories behind each creation, highlighting the extraordinary fact that none of the dishes incorporate garlic or onion. Recently, the restaurant has expanded and relocated to a larger space in Dubai Hills.
DINNER BY HESTON. DUBAI
As you approach this expansive and atmospheric restaurant on the first floor of Atlantis The Royal hotel, the doors magically slide open, revealing a dark and inviting ambiance. ‘The menu mirrors the one in London, featuring British dishes spanning centuries, elevated with top-notch ingredients.
ERTH, ABU DHABI
Translated as ‘legacy,’ Erth encompasses various remarkable features, including its location within the Qasr Al Hosn cultural site and striking architecture. Inside, the ambiance is characterized by polished concrete, bespoke furniture, and modern majlis, creating a distinctive environment. The culinary experience is equally memorable, blending modernity with Emirati traditions, evident in the choice of ingredients, flavors, and even cooking ware.
HAKKASAN, ABU DHABI AND DUBAI
As a distinguished and expanding global brand, this Michelin star restaurant promises a captivating experience at every location, exemplifying a perfect blend of atmosphere, service, and culinary excellence. Boasting a reimagined menu of Chinese classics and exclusive offerings. The dishes, crafted with top-quality ingredients, are not only visually appealing with vibrant colors but also burst with punchy flavors.
HOSEKI, DUBAI
Nestled on the fourth floor of the Bulgari Hotel, this exquisite Michelin star restaurant is a true gem, embodying elegance. The intimate setting, featuring nine counter seats, ensures a comfortable dining experience, where the sixth-generation sushi master, Masahiro Sugiyama, and his team showcase impressive knife skills. Tailoring each omakase experience to individual tastes, the chefs skillfully blend these preferences with the day’s fresh, premium ingredients imported directly from Japan.
MOONRISE, DUBAI
At Moonrise, Solemann Haddad, a home-grown and self-taught talent, unfolds the narrative and inspiration behind each ingeniously conceived dish on his original omakase menu. Skillfully blending top-quality Middle Eastern ingredients and flavors, he introduces a unique twist by incorporating Japanese notes and techniques.
OSSIANO, DUBAI
A rare dining experience unfolds at this unique restaurant thanks to the massive windows providing a view into a mesmerizing aquarium housing 65,000 marine animals. Chef Grégoire Berger draws inspiration from his childhood memories and travels to curate the fish and shellfish set menu. Many dishes, adding a touch of theatricality, are expertly finished at the table, creating an unforgettable culinary spectacle.
TALEA BY ANTONIO GUIDA, ABU DHABI
This exquisite Michelin star Italian restaurant at the Emirates Palace, overseen by renowned chef Antonio Guida with a stellar reputation forged in Milan, embraces the spirit of ‘cucina di famiglia’ or family-style cooking. While the dishes may present themselves with apparent simplicity, the flavors are nothing short of exhilarating.
TASCA BY JOSE AVILLEZ, DUBAI
Nestled on the 6th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, this vibrant yet laid-back restaurant enjoys a picturesque setting. The chef, passionate about the culinary traditions of Portugal, and his kitchen team prioritize fresh, high-quality produce. The result is a menu that infuses Portuguese flavors with a modern twist, presenting vibrant, innovative dishes bursting with flavor.
TORNO SUBITO, DUBAI
Transporting diners to the vibrant Italian Riviera of the 1960s, this lively and chic restaurant is a bright throwback nestled within the striking W Hotel on the Palm. The setting is complemented by Italian music, and the warm, friendly, and unpretentious service adds to the overall experience. Choose between the five-course tasting menu and an appealing à la carte, both featuring understated, modern Italian dishes that are sophisticated, refined, and bursting with color and rich flavors.
11 WOODFIRE, DUBAI
99 SUSHI BAR, DUBAI
Under Spanish ownership, this Japanese restaurant emanates a hint of glamour. With a diverse menu encompassing both modern and traditional sushi, the establishment enhances its offerings through the skillful utilization of the robata grill. Catering to time constraints, there is also an attractively priced set lunch available. The service team, known for their helpful and attentive demeanor, further enhances the overall charm of the dining experience.