The first-ever Michelin Guide Dubai was revealed on Tuesday, with a total of 69 restaurants recognised within it.
However, only 11 of them were awarded the coveted Michelin stars. Of these, nine won a single star and two received two stars. None received the highest accolade of three stars which validates it as being an exceptional restaurant, according to Michelin.
One star is awarded to restaurants that Michelin regards as those with a high-quality of cooking. The nine Dubai restaurants that won a single star each are: Al Muntaha, 11 Woodfire, Armani Ristorante, Hakkasan, Hoseki, Ossiano, Tasca by Jose Avillez, Torno Subito and Tresind Studio.
The two restaurants which received two stars each and which are therefore categorised as restaurants with exceptional cooking are Il Ristorante – Niko Romito and Stay by Yannick Alleno.
There were a further 44 restaurants, which although did not earn any stars, were still selected and recommended by the Michelin inspectors.
At the awards ceremony on Tuesday held in Dubai Opera, Michelin also unveiled a selection of restaurants in the Bib Gourmand category. Bib Gourmand refers to those restaurants that offer value-for-money three course meals. In the case of Dubai, the average price for the three-course meals of restaurants that made it to this list was Dhs250.
The 14 restaurants were awarded under the Bib Gourmand category in Dubai include Al Khayma, Bait Maryam, Brasserie Bouloud, Fi’lia, folly, Goldfish, Ibn Albahr, Indya by Vineet, Kinoya, Ninive, Orfali Bros, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki, Shabestan and Teible.
Meanwhile, one Dubai restaurant – Lowe – won a Michelin Green Star, an accolade that recognises a restaurant’s efforts and commitments to sustainability.
The other awards announced in the inaugural edition included a Sommelier Award for Danijela Tesic of Ossiano, the Welcome & Service award for the Bait Maryam team and the Young Chef Award for Solemann Haddad of Moonrise.