For the first time in the brand’s history, the Michelin Guide awarded Michelin stars to restaurants in Abu Dhabi in November 2022. At the inaugural ceremony three restaurants were given one Michelin star each, while four others received Bib Gourmands for good quality food that also represents good value. Additional awards were handed out for best service, sommeliers and young chefs.
Abu Dhabi may be the capital of the UAE but at just 1.45 million people, it’s half the size of Dubai with a smaller tourist trade. Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, so it’s no surprise it has a food and hospitality scene to match - check out our list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Dubai for more on that. Still, Abu Dhabi boasts a vibrant, exciting culinary scene that serves the eclectic tastes of locals and visitors alike with great food from all over the world.
Enticed by the clear blue waters of the Persian Gulf, a number of famous chefs have brought their talents to Abu Dhabi, opening restaurants in the capital or lending their services as executive chefs and consultants. While we've curated our list below to include all the Michelin awarded restaurants, we've also added some top-quality contenders that we think will make the list in the future. The chefs at many of these restaurants hold Michelin stars in other parts of the world, and the food served in their Abu Dhabi restaurants maintains the same level of quality and attention to detail.
When will Abu Dhabi's Michelin stars for 2023 be announced?
The Michelin guide has revealed that it will announce the UAE’s new Michelin stars on the 23 May 2023. This announcement will include any new Michelin stars for Abu Dhabi, as well as potentially noting any restaurants that may have lost Michelin stars over the past 12 months.
SKIP TO THE BEST SECTION FOR YOU
So, ready for the best of Abu Dhabi’s Michelin star restaurants? Read on for our favourites.
Michelin starred restaurants in Abu Dhabi
For times when only the best will do, head for Abu Dhabi’s Michelin starred restaurants. At the moment, there are three one Michelin starred spots, with no two- or three-Michelin stars in the city.
Hakkasan: One Michelin star
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What: One of Hakkasan’s 10 locations worldwide, Hakkasan Abu Dhabi more than matches up to the Michelin star-wielding locations in Mayfair and Hanway Place. Expect the usual line in exceptional dim sum and modern Chinese cooking, all amidst a sumptuous, palatial setting.
Where: Emirates Palace, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi
Book now: Hakkasan
Talea by Antonio Guida: One Michelin star
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What: Found in the Mandarine Oriental's Emirates Palace, Italian restaurant Talea might sound like a relaxed spot thanks to its focus on family-style dining, but the genius of Antonio Guida means familiar favourites are elevated to new heights. Seemingly simple pizzas – for instance – are made with a carefully refined base recipe and then topped with high end ingredients like truffle or Iberico beef ham. Starters of antipasti, plus pasta and secondi are all also on offer.
Where: Emirates Palace, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi
Book now: Talea by Antonio Guida
99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant Abu Dhabi: One Michelin star
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What: It wouldn’t be the UAE without a glitzy sushi restaurant in the top echelons of the dining scene. 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant earned its place on the list with its flawless fish preparation and presentation. Famous for its crispy shrimp tempura and secret spicy sauce, this is the type of place with plenty of regulars who come for a spread of head chef Gerado Renart‘s fine dining style fare on repeat. Interestingly, a star has eluded its sister site in Dubai.
Where: The Galleria Four Seasons, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, 54854
Book now: 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant
Bib Gourmand restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Here at SquareMeal, we love a Bib Gourmand. Sure, you’re unlikely to get such detailed presentation or polished service, but the food is nearly guaranteed to be great and the prices shouldn’t break the bank – the best of both worlds we think.
Almayass: Bib Gourmand
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What: With its cosy interiors and please-all menu of Middle Eastern dishes, Almayass was always going to be a popular choice for an award. Here you can expect plates of both hot and cold mezze before mains of grills and an interestingly varied dessert line-up.
Where: Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi
Book now: Almayass
Beirut Sur Mer: Bib Gourmand
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What: Beirut Sur Mer benefits from a plum spot right on the beach, allowing guests the most beautiful sunset views as they enjoy the restaurant’s Lebanese fare. Colourful, cosy interiors reflect the warmth of the welcome here. The menu is packed with mezze plates and grills for the evening, but the restaurant is also open for breakfast.
Where: Jacques Chirac St, Al Sa'DiyatCultural, Cultural District, Abu Dhabi
Book now: Beirut Sur Mer
Otoro: Bib Gourmand
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What: A slick dining room and a menu of clean-cut Japanese favourites has helped Otoro win its place as one of Abu Dhabi’s best restaurants. Here you’ll find surprising value for money when you consider the skill at play in the kitchen. Kick off with a spinach and seaweed salad or a sashimi plate before moving on to classic spicy tuna or crab rolls. Mains include punchy garlic shrimp, or a burger topped with wagyu beef slices.
Where: Al Maqta' St, Rabdan, Al Maqta', Abu Dhabi
Book now: Otoro
Tazal: Bib Gourmand
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What: International menus can come under fire for being a bit jack of all trade, master of none. Here, however, the team have carefully put together a billing of brilliant things from all over the world, knitting them together with a subtle Arabic touch. Come in the morning for eggs any way you can dream of (with your choice of sourdough or tabbon bread) while in the evening chicken quesadillas are made with a traditional Middle Eastern kaak bread while sweet short ribs come with the expected barbecue sauce but also a side of couscous and a fruit tagine sauce.
Where: Al Qana Walk Rabdan Area, Al Maqta', Abu Dhabi
Book now: Tazal
Restaurants with Michelin credentials in Abu Dhabi
If you fancy trying somewhere top-drawer but don’t want to pay the prices associated with the classic Michelin starred restaurants (or can’t bag a table!) then these places should hit the spot. All run by critically acclaimed chefs who have ties to Michelin somehow, here’s a little round up of some of Abu Dhabi’s finest restaurants.
Oak Room at EDITION
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What: The sleek and sophisticated Oak Room at the EDITION hotel is overseen by Tom Aikens - once the youngest British chef to ever receive two Michelin stars, and the current holder of a Michelin star at Muse in London. The Oak Room’s wood panelled walls, high ceilings and cosy tub chairs make it one of the most comfortable, luxurious restaurants in Abu Dhabi, and the speciality steaks are really good. Grab a table with a view of the on-site butchery where you can glimpse the chefs at work.
Where: The Abu Dhabi Edition, Al Bateen Marina, Abu Dhabi, 127799
Book now: Oak Room at EDITION
Market at EDITION
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What: The second of Tom Aikens’ EDITION Hotel outposts, Market is a more informal proposition than the stylish Oak Room, with a focus on healthy food - an area Tom is very passionate about. Head here for a wide range of salads, skinny pizzas and burgers, and all day breakfasts, all in a beautiful organic setting.
Where: The Abu Dhabi Edition, Al Bateen Marina, Abu Dhabi, 127799
Book now: Market at EDITION
Fouquet’s
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What: There are few chefs as acclaimed in the world as Pierre Gagnaire - the legendary French chef holds 12 Michelin stars across multiple restaurants worldwide. Appropriately, Gagnaire has overseen the menu at Fouquet’s, in the Louvre Abu Dhabi, instilling the menu with his typical spin on French classical cookery with dishes like Burgundy snails with garlic butter, terrine of duck foie gras with pumpkin seeds and roast chicken breast with morel cream.
Where: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Book now: Fouquet’s
Marco’s New York Italian
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What: Marco Pierre White needs no introduction, and this Italian diner might not have quite the same vibe as two Michelin-starred Harvey’s once did, but it still does a solid line in Italian home cooking. Feast on cicchetti, pasta and sourdough pizza, washed down with classic Italian cocktails. There's also a fantastic brunch on a Sunday.
Where: Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, 114304
Book now: Marco’s New York Italian
Market Kitchen
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What: Another Abu Dhabi eatery with a Michelin heavy-hitter attached, the Market Kitchen menu features an array of Jean-Georges Vongerichten (who holds two Michelin stars elsewhere) classics, from soy-glazed beef short ribs with apple jalapeno puree and rosemary crumb, to black truffle pizza with Fontina cheese. The vibe here is informal, but food is first rate and the restaurant is beautiful, especially when it’s lit up at night.
Where: Sheikh Khalifa Street, Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
Book now: Market Kitchen
Alba Terrace
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What: This leisurely Mediterranean bistro is the last of Tom Aikens’ EDITION Hotel trio, offering simple, traditional dishes from Spain, Italy and Provence. There’s a focus on fish and seafood, but lean grilled meats also feature alongside salads, pasta, risotto and antipasti plates. The Alba Terrace is a great place to lounge on a weekend, and catch the sunrise or sunset with a spritz in hand.
Where: The Abu Dhabi Edition, Al Bateen Marina, Abu Dhabi, 127799
Book now: Alba Terrace
Martabaan
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What: Martabaan is the brainchild of chef Hemant Oberoi, who strictly speaking is not a Michelin star holder, but he is widely celebrated as one of the greatest chefs of his generation. Martabaan’s menu seeks to remind diners of long forgotten traditional Indian recipes, and it does so in extravagant, opulent surroundings.
Where: West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, 39999
Book now: Martabaan
Namak by Kunal Kapur
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What: Kunal Kapur hasn’t yet been recognised by Michelin but the Masterchef India presenter is a big deal in his native India. Namak presents a more modern, international side of Indian food with foams and gels galore, but he still respects the core flavours of each traditional dish. Meanwhile, the room is split into two distinct areas - one side bright and warm, the other cooler and more reserved, reflecting the duelling spirits of this intriguing restaurant.
Where: Dusit Thani Hotel, 925 Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street, Abu Dhabi
Book now: Namak by Kunal Kapur
COYA Abu Dhabi
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What: Another international restaurant behemoth, COYA has a wonderful reputation worldwide. Executive chef Benjamin Wan has a long history in Michelin-starred restaurants and he brings that wealth of experience to COYA Abu Dhabi, where his complex, precise, perfectly balanced Peruvian menus ensure that the restaurant is packed on most evenings.
Where: Four Seasons Hotel, The Galleria, Abu Dhabi
Book now: COYA Abu Dhabi
If you're looking for some new restaurant ideas, try expanding your search with our best restaurants in Abu Dhabi guide. Or perhaps you just want to relax and have a bite to eat by the sea? Check out these great Abu Dhabi waterside spots.