MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026 unveils fifth edition with 122 restaurants
In short
The MICHELIN Guide unveiled its fifth Dubai edition on October 6 (per Gulf News and Emirates 24|7) at Atlantis The Royal, with 122 restaurants across 38 cuisine types. Orfali Bros was promoted to Two MICHELIN Stars, while FZN by Björn Frantzén and Trèsind Studio retained Three Stars. The 2026 selection added 19 new restaurants: two One Star, four Bib Gourmand and 13 MICHELIN-Selected.
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The MICHELIN Guide unveiled the fifth edition of its Dubai selection, with 122 restaurants representing 38 cuisine types, according to Gulf News, Emirates 24|7 and WAM. The ceremony took place at Atlantis The Royal, though the outlets differed on the date: Gulf News and Emirates 24|7 reported the unveiling on October 6, while WAM’s report dated October 7 said the guide unveiled the selection “today”. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The guide’s top distinction, Three MICHELIN Stars, was retained by FZN by Björn Frantzén and Trèsind Studio, Gulf News and Emirates 24|7 reported. Orfali Bros was promoted to Two MICHELIN Stars, two years after earning its first star. Two-star restaurants Il Ristorante-Niko Romito, Row on 45 and STAY by Yannick Alléno maintained their distinctions, the two outlets said. [ 1 , 2 ]
The 2026 selection added 19 new restaurants, including two One MICHELIN Star establishments, four Bib Gourmands and 13 MICHELIN-Selected restaurants, the outlets said. Gulf News and Emirates 24|7 noted that the additions highlight the rise of standalone concepts and menus increasingly tailored to local diners. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, said the selection has grown significantly since its inception and now features nearly twice as many establishments as when it was first launched. He said the combination of homegrown talent and international arrivals reflects a city that is developing its own culinary identity while embracing traditions from around the world. He added that the strength of Dubai’s hospitality sector underlines the city’s hunger, passion and determination to enhance its reputation as a global gastronomic destination, giving food lovers compelling reasons to visit and to return. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The guide was produced alongside destination partner the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), according to Emirates 24|7 and WAM. WAM is the UAE’s official news agency. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The guide’s expansion and the retention of top stars reinforce Dubai’s positioning as a global gastronomic destination, a point emphasised by the MICHELIN Guides director and the official WAM report. The inclusion of 19 new restaurants and the rise of standalone concepts signal a maturing local dining scene that could attract more culinary tourism.
Key facts
- The fifth edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai was unveiled with 122 restaurants across 38 cuisine types. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Orfali Bros was promoted to Two MICHELIN Stars. [ 1 , 2 ]
- FZN by Björn Frantzén and Trèsind Studio retained Three MICHELIN Stars. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The 2026 edition added 19 new restaurants: two One Star, four Bib Gourmand and 13 MICHELIN-Selected. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Gwendal Poullennec is the International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism was a destination partner. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The MICHELIN Guide unveiled the fifth edition of its Dubai selection at Atlantis The Royal. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The selection includes 122 restaurants representing 38 cuisine types. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Orfali Bros was promoted to Two MICHELIN Stars. [ 1 , 2 ]
- FZN by Björn Frantzén and Trèsind Studio retained Three MICHELIN Stars. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Il Ristorante-Niko Romito, Row on 45 and STAY by Yannick Alléno maintained their Two MICHELIN Stars. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The 2026 edition added 19 new restaurants: two One MICHELIN Star, four Bib Gourmand and 13 MICHELIN-selected. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Gwendal Poullennec is International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The date of the unveiling ceremony: Gulf News and Emirates 24|7 reported October 6, while WAM’s report dated October 7 said the guide unveiled the selection “today”. The documents disagree on the date of the ceremony.
- The names of all 19 new additions were not available in the article text. Gulf News and Emirates 24|7 articles were truncated before listing all new restaurants.