In a city where every restaurant aims to be stand-out, you can expect lashings of innovation. Dubai has a grand total of 19 Michelin-starred restaurants, two of which have three stars, three have two stars, and the rest proudly boast a single star.
While all have exquisite food and taster menus (some with as many as 17 courses), all have carved out their own niche in the market; from underwater dining with spectacular seafood and meat made to look like fruit, to dishes decorated with flowers and a dedication to elevating vegetarian food. Whether you’re in search of a solo delight or a romantic evening for two, these are the best Michelin-restaurants in dazzling Dubai.
1. Trèsind Studio
The first Indian restaurant in the world to secure a coveted three Michelin stars, Trèsind Studio in St. Regis Gardens, The Palm truly has the wow factor. Here, you’ll be taken on a culinary journey, where taste and design come together for some truly spectacular creations. The decor is as unassuming as the food is outstanding, and the innovative menu has long put Trèsind on the map as one of the top restaurants in Dubai.
Chef Himanshu Saini is on a mission to elevate Indian cuisine, and boy is he succeeding here. Try the immersive degustation menu (which has an early and a later sitting), and experience Indian food as you’ve never seen it before. We love the flower decorations. Taster menu from AED 1095.
2. FZN by Björn Frantzén
Three-Michelin starred FZN at Atlantis The Palm is a blend of modern European and Japanese cuisine. Expect to take both a literal and culinary journey when you choose the 12-course taster menu (AED 2,000 per head) – the first few courses are served in a cozy sitting room, while the remainder see diners seated at a wooden table wrapped around the kitchen area (so you can watch the master chefs at work). There’s an extensive drinks list and the menu changes regularly enough that you’ll want to come back to try the next new thing.
3. Row on 45
Expect an intimate setting at Row on 45, located in Grosvenor House Dubai Marina, where there are just 22 seats up for grabs. In fact, there are only slightly more seats available than there are courses; this 17-course menu is split into three “acts” and each has its own story (and drinks pairing). The chefs are described by the restaurant as the “stars of the show”, and there’s an element of the theatrical about the taster menu. Views (particularly from the Chef’s Library) are outstanding, and the staff are as attentive as you would imagine for a place of this calibre.
4. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
There are a few different taster menus offered at this one-Michelin star restaurant in Atlantis, The Palm, from the signature tasting menu to the smaller (and cheaper) discovery menu. You can even go a la carte if committing to numerous courses doesn’t float your boat. Expect British fare with a twist, along with some splendidly silly dishes like the Meat Fruit (chicken liver parfait inside mandarin jelly, that looks like a whole mandarin). The Sunday roast here is also very good, and not unreasonably priced (AED 395 for three courses). Decor is all wood paneling and heavy booths, with a view that’s to die for.
5. STAY by Yannick Alléno
If you’re looking to impress a date, you can’t go far wrong with this picturesque spot at One&Only, The Palm. Tables on the terrace are lit with pretty lanterns and dim table lights, and there’s always a low buzz of chatter in the air. The two-starred eatery is classic French with a modern twist – expect beautifully presented small dishes served with mouth-watering sauces. Opt for the “immersive” six-course menu for AED 1,250 or – if you want to get a little of the experience for a fraction of the price – try the three-course lunch menu for AED 500.
6. Moonrise
Bring your appetite and an open mind to Moonrise, because there is one 12-course menu with no option for deviation. Strict? Yes, but with food this good we’ll take a little rigidity. The menu at this one-Michelin starred restaurant on the rooftop of Eden House in Satwa is a culinary homage to Dubai – Middle Eastern eats with a decent dollop of global influence.
The tasting menu (AED 995) features everything from a signature grilled cheese with 36-month aged Parmigiano emulsion and truffle to muskmelon and sweet labnah with Emirati honey froyo. Much like the menu, the setting is stylish and fun, with oversize lamps and hanging plants, and the staff are attentive and know the menu well.
7. Avatara
This one-Michelin starred Indian vegetarian joint has a menu focused on locally sourced ingredients, gathered in season. Chef Rahul Rana, who describes cooking as meditation, grew up in a largely vegetarian community and aims to change the perception that vegetarian food can’t be high end.
The 16-course menu does just that, with many of the dishes featuring a personal story from Chef Rahul, as well as details about where the ingredients have been sourced. The surroundings are very green, with fun patterned chairs, but most of the fancy has been poured into the food, which arrives with pretty patterns, adorned with flowers and shaped like things you’d find in a garden.
8. Ossiano
It wouldn’t do this place justice if we didn’t mention the decor first. This is an underwater restaurant where you’re surrounded by a variety of sea creatures from The Atlantis aquarium, as well as hanging lights that look like bubbles and a blue bubble-esque carpet. In short, it’s immersive. The food reflects its surroundings; the menu is both fishy and sea-themed, with various ingredients shaped to look like coral, sea foam and other ocean shapes. Try the six-course taster menu (AED 750) or splash out on the ten-course tasting menu (AED 1,250).
