Here are the venues that have received MICHELIN recognition.
We already know that Dubai is a city packed with world-class restaurants, but it has once again been given the MICHELIN seal of approval. Today, the much-awaited MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2023 was announced and 14 restaurants have been awarded a MICHELIN Star – 11 received one MICHELIN Star, and three received two MICHELIN Stars.
The MICHELIN Guide 2023 ceremony took place on 23 May at the newly inaugurated Atlantis The Royal. Chefs and restaurateurs gathered in the Diamond Ballroom as Dubai's list of MICHELIN-lauded restaurants was unveiled, and here are the restaurants that were awarded the coveted stars.
The restaurants awarded two MICHELIN Stars include Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, Stay by Yannick Alléno and Trèsind Studio.
The restaurants awarded one MICHELIN Star include 11 Woodfire, Al Muntaha, Armani/Ristorante, Hakkasan, Hōseki, Ossiano, Tasca by José Avillez and Torno Subito. The new restaurants awarded one MICHELIN Star include avatāra, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Moonrise.
The Bib Gourmand celebrates restaurants that offer exceptional quality and value. This distinction has become a global hit, guiding food lovers toward unforgettable culinary experiences that don’t break the bank. The year saw three new Bib Gourmand selections: 21Grams, 3Fils and Aamara. The three restaurants join Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant, Bait Maryam, Brasserie Boulud, Fi’lia, folly, Goldfish, Ibn Albahr, Indya by Vineet, Kinoya, Ninive, Orfali Bros, REIF Japanese Kushiyaki, Shabestan and Teible as the MICHELIN Guide Dubai’s Bib Gourmand selections for 2023.
The MICHELIN Guide Dubai selection includes Akira Back, Al Mandaloun, Al-Fanar, Amazónico, Avli by Tashas, Bombay Bungalow, Carnival by Trèsind, CÉ LA VI, Celebrities by Mauro Colagreco, Cipriani, Clap, COYA Dubai, Demon Duck by Alvin Leung, GAIA, Hashi, Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen Dubai, Hutong, Il Borro, Indego by Vineet, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Little Miss India, Lowe, Marea, Masti, Mimi Kakushi, Netsu by Ross Shonhan, Nobu, Pierre's TT, Rhodes W1, Rockfish, Sea Fu, Shang Palace, Siraj, Sucre, Tàn Chá, The Artisan, Trèsind and Zuma.
The newly added selection includes 99 Sushi Bar, Ariana's Persian Kitchen, At.Mosphere, BOCA, Chic Nonna, City Social, Fouquet's, French Riviera, Jaleo, Josette, Jun's, L'Olivo at Al Mahara, La Mar by Gastón Acurio, Maya Bay, Milos, Mina Brasserie, Mott 32, Pierchic, RSVP and Rüya.
The Sommelier Award was given to Arturo Scamardella from Dinner by Heston Blumenthal; the Welcome and Service Award was given to the team at La Mar by Gastón Acurio; the Young Chef Award was given to Omkar Walve from avatāra; and a MICHELIN Green Star was awarded to BOCA, LOWE and Teible for their sustainable approach. Plus, there was a newly created award for Opening of the Year, which was given to Ariana's Persian Kitchen.
The MICHELIN Guide has been published since 1933 and is seen as the Oscars of the food industry. The guide already covers 36 destinations across North America, South America, Asia Pacific and Europe, and now the Middle East can be added to that list.
Currently, only 137 restaurants in the world have three MICHELIN Stars, and 491 have two MICHELIN Stars. The countries with the most MICHELIN-starred restaurants are France and Japan.
How restaurants receive a MICHELIN Star
MICHELIN inspectors have been eating their way through Dubai’s restaurants – albeit anonymously. One such inspector – whose name we cannot reveal, obviously – admits: “We dine in all types of establishments, from village inns to the restaurants of the finest hotels, looking for the best places across all price ranges and cuisine types. There are great surprises to be had everywhere, even in the more modest restaurants.”
For restaurants to be awarded a star, they must meet specific criteria: the quality of the ingredients, mastery of cooking, harmony of flavours, personality of the chef through the cuisine, and consistency over time as well as across the entire menu.
If the process is perplexing, we’re here to break it down: one MICHELIN star is awarded to restaurants for high-quality cooking that is worth a stop; two MICHELIN Stars for excellent cooking that is worth a detour; and three MICHELIN Stars for exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.
Stars aren’t for life – gaining or losing one can have an effect on the reputation of the restaurant, making the foodie news and bruising a chef’s ego. So, we look forward to seeing how the MICHELIN Guide affects Dubai’s dining scene and who else will be added to the illustrious list in the future.
Which Dubai Michelin star restaurants will you be visiting?
GO: Visit www.michelin.com for more information.
