The festival promises three days of elevated gastronomy
PARTNER CONTENT: Abu Dhabi sets the stage for an exciting three-day gastronomic experience as the MICHELIN Guide Food Festival returns for its third edition from 21–23 November 2025 at the iconic Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental.
This year, the festival showcases world-class culinary talent, MICHELIN Selected restaurants, local homegrown concepts, and exclusive Star Table dinners, creating a sensory journey for food enthusiasts from around the globe.
International talent
Here are some of the names you can expect this year:
– Yakitori Abe, Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Tokyo 2026
Meet the culinary star chefs
- Stefan Stiller (Taian Table, 3 MICHELIN Stars, Shanghai)– German-born Chef Stefan Stiller is the visionary behind Taian Table, renowned for his European-Asian fusion and intimate counter-style service.
- Mano Thevar (Thevar, 2 MICHELIN Stars, Singapore)– Malaysian chef Mano Thevar blends South Asian flavours with European technique and premium Japanese ingredients, creating bold, modern interpretations of his heritage.
- Mitja Birlo (The Counter, 2 MICHELIN Stars, Switzerland)– Switzerland-based Chef Mitja Birlo is celebrated for his seasonal, expressive Alpine cuisine and refined, nature-inspired culinary storytelling.
- Peter Cuong Franklin (Anăn Saigon, 1 MICHELIN Star, Vietnam)– Chef Peter Cuong Franklin reimagines Vietnamese street food with contemporary techniques, honoring his mother’s cooking and heritage.
- John Bates (InterStellar BBQ, 1 MICHELIN Star, Texas)– Texan chef John Bates combines slow-smoked barbecue tradition with technical skill and a passion for soulful, flame-kissed storytelling.
- Ron Hsu (Lazy Betty, 1 MICHELIN Star, Atlanta) – Chef Ron Hsu draws on his Taiwanese-American upbringing to craft heartfelt tasting menus that make every guest feel cared for.
- Augusto Garcia (Zonda Cocina De Paisaje, 1 MICHELIN Star, Mendoza) – Argentine chef Augusto Garcia highlights local ingredients and terroir-driven cuisine inspired by the vineyards and gardens of Luján de Cuyo.
- Abe Tomohiko (Yakitori Abe, Bib Gourmand, Tokyo)– Chef Abe Tomohiko is known for his skillful yakitori, delivering traditional Japanese charcoal-grilled flavors with precision and passion
Local MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi selections include:
Talea – Italian homestyle cuisine elevated with modern finesse.
Hakkasan Abu Dhabi – Modern Cantonese fine dining.
ťazal, Ryba, Mika, Otoro, Mijana, Butcher & Still, Bord’eau by Nicolas Island, Namak – A curated lineup blending Mediterranean, Japanese, Lebanese, Indian, and steakhouse classics with modern flair.
Homegrown culinary concepts
The festival also shines a spotlight on some of the UAE’s most innovative local producers. Guests can indulge in Mirzam Chocolate, handcrafted bean-to-bar delights inspired by the ancient spice route, or savour the freshness of Dibba Bay’s premium oysters from the region’s first shellfish farm.
Yalla Kombucha offers naturally brewed, probiotic-rich beverages with bold, regional flavours, while Pure Harvest provides sustainable, premium-quality fruits and vegetables grown year-round using cutting-edge farming techniques.
For a hands-on experience, BloomSpoon combines sustainability with creativity: their plantable, zero-waste cutlery is paired with the Plant & Pot Herb Workshop, where guests of all ages can nurture fresh herbs and take a little greenery home.
The Plant & Pot Herb Workshop runs daily at 5.30pm and 7.30pm, offering a hands-on experience for all ages. Each session accommodates up to 20 participants, and tickets are priced at AED 85 per person.
Beyond the plate
Guests can indulge in interactive masterclasses, curated menus, limited-time dishes, and live entertainment, all set against the iconic luxury of Emirates Palace.
From family-friendly activities to intimate, immersive culinary experiences, the festival promises something for every epicurean.
21-23 November, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. For further information, visit Platinumlist
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