A new two-star restaurant in Dubai

Published at: 07/08/2024 VAE, Guide, Michelin

Four restaurants receive their first star

A new two-star restaurant in Dubai

(08 July 2024) - MICHELIN launched the third edition of its annual MICHELIN Guide Dubai on 4 July during a prestigious ceremony at the recently opened One&Only Za'abeel. Highlights included Row on 45 becoming the fourth restaurant in the city to be awarded two MICHELIN stars.

This year's edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai includes a total of 106 restaurants, an increase of 53.6 per cent compared to the first edition in 2022 with a total of 69 restaurants. The selection, made by MICHELIN's famous anonymous inspectors, confirms Dubai's growing and increasingly diverse gastronomic offering, which has also increased further compared to the 90 restaurants in 2023.

The 2024 edition recognises four two-star restaurants and 15 one-star restaurants, four of which are newly awarded. Dubai is also now home to 18 Bib Gourmand restaurants and three Green Star restaurants, which recognises concepts that are pioneers in sustainability and take an environmentally friendly approach. (See below for full list of restaurants).

In total, 35 different cuisines are represented across the 106 restaurants, underlining Dubai's burgeoning culinary scene and commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences across the city.

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: "We proudly celebrate the third edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai and look back on our journey from the inaugural edition in 2022 to this year's extensive list of selections. - A milestone for the development of the city's gastronomy scene. We congratulate all the restaurants honoured this year, as well as the restaurateurs, chefs and other talents on their successes." He further emphasised: "Dubai's culinary scene remains an important part of the comprehensive offering that makes the city one of the best places to live, work and visit. Visitors and residents alike will find a variety of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets."

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, adds: "Dubai is once again recognised as an international gastronomic destination and its impressive development continues year after year. Its appeal is not just limited to international travellers or local foodies; talented chefs and restaurateurs from around the world are attracted to the vibrant gastronomic scene and come to the city to establish their own brand here. With so many different styles of restaurants and cuisines, there really is something for everyone."

Dubai is known as a culinary capital and is home to over 13,000 restaurants and eateries, ranging from street food to secret spots to fine dining, catering to the city's nearly 200 nationalities. The latest Dubai Gastronomy Industry Report ranks Dubai second in the world in terms of restaurant density and ranks the city among the top 10 destinations for foodies.

The emirate's emergence as a globally recognised gastronomy hub is evidenced by a host of awards, accolades and initiatives, including being named the world's number one destination three times in the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards 2024 and hosting the annual Dubai Food Festival, which took place for the eleventh time this year.

As one of the oldest and most prestigious food guides in the world, the MICHELIN Guide has been rating restaurants anonymously with a three-star system since its inception in the 1900s, as well as the Bib Gourmand, which recognises affordable quality cuisine. The green MICHELIN star was introduced in 2020 and recognises restaurants that are at the forefront of the industry in terms of their sustainable practices.

The growth of the emirate's gastronomic landscape continues on an upward trajectory, reflecting the success in the tourism sector - in 2023 alone, Dubai welcomed a record 17.15 million international overnight visitors, an increase of 19.4 per cent year-on-year. This year, between January and May, the city welcomed a total of 8.12 million visitors, an increase of 10 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

Two stars for Row on 45

The Row on 45 restaurant was not only included in the guide, it also immediately won two stars. This restaurant, run by renowned British chef Jason Atherton, is located on the 45th floor of Grosvenor House and seats 22 guests. These privileged people are offered a tasting menu of refined and elegant dishes prepared with Japanese ingredients and refined with French techniques. Although the name of the restaurant may seem mysterious at first glance, it was not chosen by chance as it reflects the chef's philosophy. It is an acronym that means "refinement of labour" and could be translated into French as "in search of perfection".

Four new one-star restaurants

Four restaurants receive a star for the first time:

La Dame de Pic Dubai: the first restaurant by Michelin-starred chef AnneSophie Pic in Dubai, was awarded a star for its modern French cuisine. The chef offers her signature dishes here, which she refines with a few local influences.
The Smoked Room is also in the star category. Chef Dani García opened this address in 2024 to offer locals the opportunity to sample the cuisine of his Madrid restaurant. At the counter overlooking the open kitchen, guests can enjoy creative dishes that are sometimes prepared right in front of them on the coals.
Sagetsu by Tetsuya is a place with an elegant and refined atmosphere. The talented chef Tetsuya Wakuda and his team offer their guests an exceptional gastronomic experience, characterised by dishes with Japanese and French influences. This address also made it into the selection by immediately winning a star.
Orfali Bros is run by three brothers of Syrian origin. Inspired by world cuisine, they create small dishes that are as daring as they are balanced. If this restaurant fully deserves the reputation it enjoys today, it has been included in our selection in the "Bib Gourmand" category for the first time. After impressing our inspection team with its incredible development, it has now been awarded its first MICHELIN star.

All restaurants awarded a MICHELIN star in 2023 will retain their award this year, bringing the number of two MICHELIN star restaurants to 4 and the number of addresses with one star to 15.

Six new Bib Gourmand restaurants

In addition, six restaurants will now be honoured with a Bib Gourmand. Named after Bibendum, the famous "Michelin man", the Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants that offer high-quality cuisine at moderate prices.
The 6 new addresses are:

DUO Gastrobar: a modern restaurant serving dishes with Asian and European flavours.
Revelry: the little brother of the neighbouring Avatāra restaurant. This Indian "tapas bar" is characterised by its offer, which oscillates between tradition and modernity.
Berenjak: In this restaurant, the twin of a London address, gourmets can enjoy many classics of Persian gastronomy.
Hoe Lee Kow: The famous chef Reif Othman offers Korean cuisine here, especially grilled dishes.
REIF Japanese Kushiyaki: In the Dubai Hills neighbourhood, chef Reif offers a wider range of dishes at this address, including kushiyaki skewers and Korean classics with a modern twist.
Konjiki Hototogisu: This charming Japanese restaurant on the second floor of the Mall of the Emirates mainly serves ramen, but you can also enjoy other Japanese specialities.