The Michelin guide Dubai 2022 was launched on Tuesday and includes 69 restaurants. Eleven were awarded Michelin stars and 14 received a Bib Gourmand (considered value for money) – along with 44 more “Michelin-selected” restaurants. The guide spans 21 kitchens and aims to reflect the culinary diversity of a place where the vast majority of the population is foreign labor from around the world.
Two restaurants received two Michelin stars – Stay by Yannick Alleno and Il Ristorante – Niko Romito. Il Ristorante, located at Bulgari Resort, was recognized for “its modern Italian food, which comes with balance, purity and clarity” and Stay for its “less-is-more approach” to French cuisine, according to a Michelin press release.
Nine restaurants were awarded one Michelin star, including nine-seater Japanese restaurant Höseki, innovative Chinese restaurant Hakkasan and Tasca by José Avillez, which serves Portuguese cuisine.
Despite the selection, which includes cuisines from across the European and Asian continents, no restaurant specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine was awarded a star. But there was recognition for Middle Eastern cooking among Bib Gourmand recipients – a category for restaurants that offer a three-course gourmet experience at an average price of 250 dirhams from the United Arab Emirates (around $ 68). Recipients include the Levantine restaurant Bait Maryam and Al Khayma – which offer rustic Emirati cuisine.
The Dubai guide can form the basis of Michelin, which recognizes culinary expertise elsewhere in the Middle East, and since Dubai hosts around 16 million tourists each year, the guide can help increase tourism further.
Top image: “Pancotto,” at Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, Dubai, which has been awarded two Michelin stars. Credit: The Restaurant – Niko Romito / Bulgari Hotels
