Of over 13,000 restaurants and eateries in Dubai, 106 figure in the latest edition of Michelin Guide Dubai, marking a jump of 53.6 pc compared to 2022.

French restaurant guide Michelin has announced the third edition of its annual Michelin Guide Dubai 2024. Of the 106 eateries that made it to the guide, hoggin the limelight was ‘Row on 45’ that became fourth restaurant in Dubai to receive two Michelin Stars.

According to a press statement by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, this year’s guide has seen a 53.6 pc jump since the Guide’s inception in 2022 when it listed 69 restaurants. 

The statement adds that the restaurants were reviewed by Michelin’s anonymous inspectors and the increase in restaurants in this year’s edition is an increase from 2023 when 90 restaurants were included and it is a testament to Dubai’s expanding and increasingly diverse gastronomy scene.

It says that the 2024 edition recognises four two Michelin Stars restaurants, and 15 one Michelin Star restaurants, four of which are newly awarded. 

Dubai is now also home to 18 Bib Gourmand restaurants and three with a Michelin Green Star. 

The statement adds that Indian cuisine continues to carve a niche with its innovative concept-dining restaurants taking 11 places in the guide.

It says that building on the success of previous venues featured and awarded Stars and other recognition, Indian tapas bar Revelry joins the list, with inclusion in the Bib Gourmand category. Trèsind Studio and avatāra maintain their presence in the Guide, with two Stars and one Star respectively, while Indya by Vineet continues to be a Bib Gourmand restaurant. 

Conceptualised around the different seasons of India, taking the country’s agricultural heritage and culinary traditions into account, Revelry is an offering by Passion Food and Beverages, which is also the team behind Trèsind Studio and avatāra, continuing the company’s impressive run in the Michelin Guide Dubai.

The statement adds that some 35 different types of cuisine are represented across the 106 restaurants, with the selection underpinning Dubai’s burgeoning culinary scene. 

“We proudly celebrate the third edition of the Michelin Guide Dubai, reflecting on our journey from its debut in 2022, to celebrating the expansive list of selections this year. We extend our congratulations to all the restaurants recognised, as well as the restaurateurs, chefs and other talent involved in their respective successes,” says Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM).

“Dubai’s culinary scene continues to be a key pillar of the wider offerings that are making it one of the best cities to visit, live and work in, with diverse gastronomic offerings catering to all tastes and budgets for our visitors and residents,” Kazim adds.

“Dubai is now truly recognised as an international gastronomic destination and its impressive development continues year on year. Its appeal isn’t just with international travellers or local gourmets; talented chefs and restaurateurs from around the world are now also attracted by its vibrant dining scene and arrive keen to make their own mark in the city. With so many different styles of restaurant and types of cuisine, there really is something for everyone,” says Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides. 

Dubai is renowned for being a culinary capital and plays host to a diverse selection of more than 13,000 restaurants and eateries across the city, from street food, to hidden gems and fine dining, catering to almost 200 nationalities living in the city. The latest Dubai Gastronomy Industry Report ranks Dubai second in terms of restaurant density across the globe, in addition to being named one of the top 10 cities for food lovers.

The emirate’s development as a globally recognised gastronomy hub is evidenced through an eclectic range of awards, accolades, and initiatives, including being named No.1 global destination for a third successive year at the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024, and hosting the annual Dubai Food Festival, which celebrated its 11th edition this year.

As one of the oldest and most prestigious food guides globally, the Michelin Guide has been rating restaurants anonymously since its inception in the 1900s through a three-star system, as well as Bib Gourmand which recognises reasonably priced quality cuisine. Michelin Green Star awards were introduced in 2020 and recognize restaurants at the forefront of the industry when it comes to their sustainable practices.

The growth of the emirate’s gastronomic landscape continues to be on an upwards trajectory and is reflective of the success achieved within the tourism sector in 2023 alone, Dubai received a record 17.15 million international overnight visitors, a 19.4 pc year-on-year increase. This year, between January and May, a total of 8.12 million visitors stayed in Dubai, up 10 pc on the same period in 2023.