Four restaurants in Abu Dhabi awarded MICHELIN stars

Here are the restaurants in the capital that have received the accolade.

We already know that Abu Dhabi is a city packed with world-class restaurants, but it has once again been given the MICHELIN seal of approval. Today, the MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi returned for its second edition and four restaurants have been awarded a MICHELIN Star. There were no two or three-star restaurants in the capital.

The MICHELIN Star Revelation Ceremony took place on 7 December. Chefs and restaurateurs gathered at the MICHELIN Guide Food Festival as the Abu Dhabi list was unveiled, and here are the restaurants that were awarded MICHELIN Stars.

The restaurants awarded one MICHELIN Star were 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant, Erth, Hakkasan Abu Dhabi and Talea by Antonio Guida.

The Bib Gourmand category is a distinction awarded to establishments that provide an excellent value-for-money three-course meal. The MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi Bib Gourmand selection featured Almayass, Al Mrzab, Beirut Sur Mer, Oii, Otoro and Tazal.

The Service Award was given to Chandran Thanggaraja from Kopitiam by Chandy’s, the Young Chef Award was given to Rigers Cuka from Oii, and the Opening of the Year Award was given to Les Dangereux.

The MICHELIN guide selection includes Al Farah, Al Mrzab, Butcher & Still, Byblos Sur Mer, Cafe James, Café Milano, Catch at St. Regis, Cipriani, COYA Abu Dhabi, Dai Pai Dong, Finz, Fishmarket, Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi, Grand Beirut, Hoi An, José by Pizarro, Kopitiam by Chandy’s, Les Dangereux, Li Beirut, Li Jiang, LPM Restaurant & Bar, Market Kitchen, Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi, Maté, MAZI, Meylas, Mijana, Moksh, Namak, NIRI, Oak Room, Oii, Paradiso, Punjab Grill, Ray’s Grill, Shang Palace, Silk & Spice, Tean, VaKaVa, Villa Toscana, Yadoo’s House, and Zuma.

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, Europe, and the Middle East.

Currently, only 138 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 Abu Dhabi 

The MICHELIN Guide has placed Abu Dhabi’s dining scene firmly on the culinary map. Speaking to FACT, Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, explains: “Our inspectors continue to be impressed by the dynamism of Abu Dhabi and the sheer variety of cuisines on offer. Our newest recipient of a Michelin Star, Erth restaurant, sums up the city so well, as it offers a truly unique experience inspired by the beauty and traditions of the region.”

How restaurants receive a MICHELIN Star 

MICHELIN inspectors have been eating their way through Abu Dhabi’s restaurants – albeit anonymously. 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 Abu Dhabi’s dining scene and who else will be added to the illustrious list in the future.  

GO: Visit www.michelin.com for more information.