Here are the venues that have received the accolade.
We already know that Dubai is a city packed with world-class restaurants, but it has now been given the MICHELIN seal of approval. Today, the much-awaited MICHELIN Guide Dubai launched and 11 restaurants have been awarded a MICHELIN Star – nine received one MICHELIN Star and two received two MICHELIN Stars.
The MICHELIN Guide and Event Ceremony took place on June 21, and the official partner was Classic Fine Foods. Chefs and restaurateurs gathered as the first-ever list in Dubai was unveiled, and here are the restaurants that were awarded Michelin Stars.
The restaurants awarded two MICHELIN Stars include Il Ristorante – Niko Romito and Stay by Yannick Alléno.
The restaurants awarded one MICHELIN Star include 11Woodfire, Al Muntaha, Armani/Ristorante, Hakkasan, Hoseki, Ossiano, Tasca by José Avillez, Torno Subito and Trèsind Studio.
The Bib Gourmand category, which is a distinction awarded to establishments that provide an excellent value for money, three-course meal.
The MICHELIN Guide Dubai selection includes 3Fils, Akira Back, Al Mandaloun, Al-Fanar, Amazónico, Avatara, Avli by Tashas, Bleu Blanc, Bombay Bungalow, Carnival by Trèsind, Cé La Vie, Celebrities by Mauro Colagreco, Cipriani, Clap, Coya, Demon Duck by Alvin Leung, Gaia, Hashi, Hell’s Kitchen, Hutong, Il Borro, Indego by Vineet, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Little Miss India, Lowe, LPM, Marea, Masti, Mimi Kakushi, Moonrise, Netsu by Ross Shonhan, Nobu, Pierre’s TT, Rhodes W1, Rockfish, Sea Fu, Shang Palace, Siraj, Social by Heinz Beck, Sucre, Tàn Chá, The Artisan, Trèsind and Zuma.
The Sommelier Award was given to Danijela Tesic from Ossiano; the Welcome and Service Award was given to the team at Bait Maryam; the Young Chef Award was given to Solemann Haddad; and a MICHELIN Green Star was awarded to Lowe for its sustainable approach to food.
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 132 restaurants in the world have three MICHELIN Stars, and the countries with the most MICHELIN-starred restaurants are France and Japan.
What the MICHELIN Guide means for Dubai
The MICHELIN Guide will place Dubai’s dining scene firmly onto the culinary map. Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, explains: “We are delighted to announce that Dubai will be joining the MICHELIN Guide family. We will be showcasing the best of Dubai’s gastronomy, to reflect not just the sophistication that the city is famed for, but also the wide diversity of cuisines that the city’s location and history provide.”
Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, adds: “With Dubai home to thousands of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines from fine dining to street food, and talented chefs, the MICHELIN Guide Dubai will provide a fresh perspective and new insights into the diversity, creativity and multicultural nature of Dubai’s culinary offering. We are excited to discover the special selection for Dubai.”
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.
GO: Visit www.michelin.com for more information.
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