Here are the venues that have received MICHELIN recognition.
Dubai is packed with world-class restaurants, and it has once again earned the MICHELIN seal of approval. Today, the much-anticipated MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026 was announced: 14 restaurants received one MICHELIN Star, four received two MICHELIN Stars, and two were awarded three MICHELIN Stars.
The MICHELIN Guide 2026 ceremony took place at Atlantis The Royal. Chefs, restaurateurs and media gathered as Dubai’s list of MICHELIN-lauded restaurants was unveiled, and here are the restaurants awarded the coveted stars.
The restaurants awarded three MICHELIN Stars were FZN by Björn Frantzén and Trèsind Studio. FZN by Björn Frantzén opened in 2024, and Trèsind Studio is the world’s first three-MICHELIN-starred Indian restaurant. There were no new thee-MICHELIN-starred restaurants for 2026.
Orfali Bros was the only new restaurant to be awarded two MICHELIN Stars, while Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, Row on 45, and Stay by Yannick Alléno retained their two MICHELIN stars.
The new restaurants awarded one MICHELIN Star were BIRCH at The Ritz-Carlton DIFC and Chef Izu Ani’s KIGO at Four Seasons DIFC.
The restaurants retaining one MICHELIN Star were 11 Woodfire, Al Muntaha, avatāra, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Hakkasan, Hōseki, Jamavar, Manāo, Moonrise, Ossiano, Smoked Room, and Tasca by José Avillez.
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. Dubai’s four new Bib Gourmands for 2026 were Middle Child, S.E.A. Bistrot, Three Bros and YUBI Dubai.
The MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026 Bib Gourmand selection included 22 restaurants: 21grams, 3Fils, Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant, Bait Maryam, Berenjak, DUO Gastrobar Creek Harbour, DUO Gastrobar Dubai Hills, Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori, Harummanis, Hawkerboi, Khadak, Kinoya, Konjiki Hototogisu, REIF Japanese Kushiyaki Dar Wasl, REIF Japanese Kushiyaki Dubai Hills, Revelry, Shabestan and Sufret Maryam.
The newly selected restaurants for the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026 were Barrafina Dubai, CARBONE Dubai, China Tang Dubai, Kasumigaseki, KEN by Kamatsuda, Maison Dali, Nazaara, Ramen Hisa, Revolver, Rialto, Shinobi, Tezukuri and WINDOW.
The MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026 selection also includes Akira Back, Al-Fanar, Amazónico, Ariana’s Persian Kitchen, Armani/Hashi, At.Mosphere, Atrangi by Ritu Dalmai, Avli by Tashas, Bâoli Dubai, Bordo Mavi, Brasserie Boulud, Brasserie Frantzén, Carnival by Trèsind, CÉ LA VI, Chic Nonna, Cinque, City Social, CLAP, COYA Dubai, Demon Duck by Alvin Leung, Estiatorio Milos Dubai, Fi’lia, Gerbou, Hutong, Ibn Albahr, Il Borro Tuscan Bistro, Indego by Vineet, JARA by Martin Berasategui, Josette, Jun’s, L’Olivo at Al Mahara, La Mar by Gastón Acurio, La Petite Maison, Late Eatery, L’Atelier Robuchon, Leña Dubai, Little Miss India, Lowe, Masti, MayaBay, Mimi Mayfair, Mina Brasserie, Mott 32, Netsu by Ross Shonhan, Ninive, Nobu, Pierchic, Pierre’s TT, Rhodes W1, Riviera by Jean Imbert, Rockfish, Ronin, RSVP, Rüya, Sea Fu, Sexy Fish, Shang Palace, Siraj, TakaHisa, Tang Town, The Experience by Reif Othman, The Artisan, The Spaniel, Trèsind, The Guild, XU Dubai and Zuma.
The Sommelier Award went to Ninad Jani from avatāra, the Service Award went to Chef Akinori Tanigawa from KIGO, the Young Chef of the Year Award went to Rémy Marquignon from Ossiano, while Zahra Erfanian Azmoodeh from Carbone Dubai was awarded the exceptional cocktail award
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. 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 perhaps bruising a chef’s ego. So, we look forward to seeing how the MICHELIN Guide will shake up Dubai’s dining scene and who else will be added to the illustrious list.
Which of Dubai’s Michelin-starred restaurants will you be visiting?
Contact: www.michelin.com