Five editions in, and MICHELIN Guide Dubai still knows how to make an entrance. This year's ceremony lands on 6 October at Atlantis The Royal. Chefs, restaurateurs and the local dining press will gather for the evening's real business: finding out who makes the 2026 cut.
The Dubai edition has earned its place on the calendar. It's tracked the city's gastronomy scene as it's grown, both in quality and range, since it launched. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism backs its presence here as destination partner, underlining Dubai's standing as one of the world's leading destinations for dining and hospitality.
Dubai's dining culture pulls in talent from everywhere, and it shows – a genuine spread of cuisines and restaurant styles keeps local regulars and visiting food-lovers coming back.
MICHELIN judges every restaurant in the Selection against the same five things it looks for anywhere in the world: ingredient quality, technique, flavour harmony, whether the chef's personality comes through on the plate, and whether it all holds up, visit after visit.
Once MICHELIN announces the new Selection, Guests move into a curated reception for a tasting ceremony. The highlight is a lineup of MICHELIN-recognised restaurants whose chefs serve signature canapés and small bites.
Confirmed for the evening are Row on 45, carrying Two MICHELIN Stars from the 2025 Dubai guide, and One-Star holders avatāra and Hōseki, both also from 2025. Glass Hostaria brings its One Star from the 2026 Italy guide. Berenjak returns with its Bib Gourmand from 2025.
The ratings haven't changed. One Star means high-quality cooking worth a stop. Two means excellent cooking worth a detour. Three, reserved for exceptional cuisine, means it's worth a special journey. The Bib Gourmand sits alongside the Stars, MICHELIN's mark for restaurants doing genuinely good food at a moderate price.
Stay tuned for this year's Dubai Selection.
