Step into a world of culinary excellence.

The Michelin Guide and its prestigious Michelin Star awards are globally synonymous with exceptional fine-dining experiences, and the Middle East is not short of unique, exceptional and innovative restaurants.

It should be noted that despite a wide selection of home-grown dining concepts, alongside a number of internationally renowned restaurants, the Kingdom's culinary scene is yet to be awarded any coveted Michelin stars.

Join us as we reveal five must-try, Michelin-starred dining experiences across the Middle East, from the farmlands of Turkey to high-rise city of Dubai, there is plenty to discover in the region.

Indulge in innovative interpretations of local delicacies to presenting international fusion cuisine, these restaurants offer not only exceptional food but also an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you craving more.

Perfect For: A Unique Chef's Table Experience

OD Urla

Awards: 1 Michelin Star & 1 Green Star

Cuisine: Open Wood Fire Seasonal Dining

Location: Urla, Turkey

A refined farm-to-table experience in Urla, Turkey. OD Urla combines flavourful, farm-fresh, locally sourced ingredients with the umami of open, wood-fire cooking. The restaurant's unique, shared counter-top chef's table gives guests an up-close view of the open-kitchen, and overall this seating arrangement gives the fine-dining experience a rustic, community feel which is off-beat compared to other fine-dining chef's tables.

@odurla

odurla.com

Rüstem Mahallesi 2018/9 Sokak No:28 Sütpınarı Mevkii Urla, İzmir / Urla, Türkiye

Perfect For: Exceptional Views and Exceptional Service

Al Muntaha

Awards: 1 Michelin Star

Cuisine: Curated Mediterranean Fare

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Located in one of the most famous hotels in the world, Al Muntaha sits atop the Burj Al Arab: we recommend booking a table before sundown to truly get the best of the views. Picture perfect from the moment you step in the doors of the hotel, Al Muntaha combines French flair and Italian flavours to create a curated menu of Mediterranean-inspired masterpieces.

@almuntaha.dubai

jumeirah.com

27th Floor of Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Perfect For: A Private Dining Experience

Talea by Antonio Guida

Awards: 1 Michelin Star

Cuisine: Contemporary Italian

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The opulent surrounds and decor of the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental only serves to perfectly set the scene for the chic, contemporary Italian dining experience of Talea by Antonio Guida. Offering a gorgeous private dining room for small groups or a more intimate experience, the modern Italian menu is perfectly complemented by the lavish, art gallery-esque interiors of the man dining room. Expect to make difficult decisions as the menu is filled with intriguing, mouth-watering, contemporary Italian dishes.

@taleauae

mandarinoriental.com

Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Perfect For: A Farm-to-Table Dining Experience

Vino Locale

Awards: 1 Michelin Star & 1 Michelin Green Star

Cuisine: Modern Aegean

Location: Urla / İzmir, Türkiye

Fresh. Flavourful. Farm-to-table. Fine dining. Vino Locale offers a wholesome, local dining experience, where guests can sit be centuries-old olive trees in the perfectly preened terrace seating. To maintain the highest of service standards, and ensure top-quality dining, the restaurant limits the total capacity to just 7 tables at any one time.

@urlavinolocale

urlavinolocale.com

Kuşçular Mahallesi, 8037. Sokak No:3, Urla / Izmir, 35430, Türkiye

Perfect For: Discovering Authentic & Experimental Emirati Cuisine

Erth Restaurant

Awards: 1 Michelin Star

Cuisine: Emirati Cuisine

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A dining destination where the traditional and authentic meets the intriguing and innovative, Erth Restaurant is the world's only Michelin Star restaurant serving local Emirati cuisine. The restaurant offers guests the perfect fusion of traditional, wholesome flavours in ultra-modern dining room.

@erth.alhosn

erthrestaurant.com

Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Perfect For: Indulging in Edible Artistry

Trèsind

Awards: 2 Michelin Stars

Cuisine: Modern Indian

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Michelin Star dining often conjures images of artfully plated dishes, and the two-star Trèsind offers just that. Although, the Trèsind dining experience does extend well beyond the beautifully arranged plates, and transcends into the thoughtfully curated menu that showcases the traditional character of Indian cuisine in modern and innovative mouthfuls of moreish flavours.

@tresinddubai

tresind.com

One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

michelin-star