The Michelin Guide’s debut in Abu Dhabi was nothing short of a glamorous affair, with three restaurants walking away with a precious star.
It’s a big moment for the culinary scene in Abu Dhabi with the Michelin stars sparkling at last!
The debut Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi event was a starry affair, to say the least, with the capital’s guide coming in five months after the UAE got its first guide for Dubai.
The ceremony at Emirates Palace on Thursday had 42 restaurants making the final cut. Of them, three walked away with one Michelin star, four earned a spot in the Bib Gourmand category, and a few other dynamic awards were bestowed as well.
If you’re in the region looking for a special Michelin-rated meal, you can now visit 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant, Hakkasan and Talea by Antonio Guida. According to the Michelin Guide ratings, the ‘one-star’ category denotes a very good restaurant.
Each Michelin inspector is expected to dine anonymously, never visit a restaurant more than once, and have at least 300 meals out in a year to familiarise themselves with all sorts of cuisines. This allows multiple inspectors to monitor the consistency of quality within restaurants, and then make a collective decision before awarding stars and other awards.
Four restaurants made it to the special Bib Gourmand category, namely Almayass, Beirut Sur Mer, Otoro and Tazal. The category, named after the Michelin mascot, is for exceptional eateries at moderate prices. According to the authorities, the section may not be the same as a star but definitely isn’t a consolation prize of any kind.
Three additional special awards were also announced including the Sommelier Award for Marlon Nuque of Zuma; the Service award for the Li Beirut restaurant team; and the Young Chef Award for Luigi Stinga from Talea by Antonio Guida.
So far, no restaurant in Abu Dhabi was given two stars and none were awarded three stars, the same as Dubai.
Since the 1900s, the red guide has come to be something of an enviable benchmark for all culinary outlets and gourmands alike. Restaurants are constantly vying for the prestigious star, upping their quality, service, and of course, taste.
List of restaurants selected for the Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi
- Al Mrzab, Al Mushrif
- Butcher & Still, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
- Byblos Sur Mer, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
- Cafe James, Shams Boutik
- Cafe Milano, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
- Catch by St Regis, The St Regis Abu Dhabi
- Cipriani, Yas Island
- Coya Abu Dhabi, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
- Dai Pai Dong Restaurant, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
- Finz, Beach Rotana
- Fishmarket, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
- Fouquet’s, Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Grand Beirut, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
- Hoi An, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
- Li Beirut, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- Li Jiang, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
- LPM Abu Dhabi, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
- Market Kitchen, Le Royal Meridien Al Markaziya
- Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi, Emirates Palace
- Mazi, The St Regis Al Saadiyat Island
- Meylas, Al Muneera
- Mijana, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
- Moksh, Etihad Towers
- Namak, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
- Niri Restaurant and Bar, Mamsha Al Saadiyat
- Oak Room, Abu Dhabi Edition
- Oii, Al Qana
- Paradiso, Yas Bay
- Punjab Grill, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
- Shang Palace, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
- Silk & Spice, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
- Tean, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
- VaKaVa Pan Latin Grill and Lounge by Richard Sandoval, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
- Villa Toscana, The St Regis Abu Dhabi
- Zuma Abu Dhabi, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
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