Dubai’s evolving culinary landscape is whetting the appetite of international business delegates, with 106 establishments, covering 35 different types of cuisine, now included in the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2024. Dubai Business Events gives us a taste of this current culinary scene:
Dubai’s top-tier infrastructure, accessibility, and world-class venues have cemented the emirate’s status as a leading global business events destination. And its multicultural culinary scene has further elevated the delegate experience, adding a new dimension to conferences and high-powered networking events.
According to Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the MICHELIN Guides, Dubai has established itself as an international gastronomic destination, attracting not just international travellers, but talented chefs and restaurateurs from around the world, who are drawn to the city’s vibrant dining scene and want to make a mark here.
Dubai’s culinary offerings are truly exceptional. Guests can indulge in fine flavours from around the world with a spectacular selection of restaurants, highlighting the city’s high culinary standards, diverse cuisines and innovative concepts. Gourmands can choose from a wide variety of restaurants from world-famous celebrity chefs, which sit alongside homegrown concepts that can only be found in Dubai.
Delegates will always find there is always something new and exciting to choose from or add to their next gourmet itinerary – from hidden neighbourhood gems and creative menus that reflect Arabian traditions to authentic Michelin-star restaurants. And the gastronomic experience can be found at every price point – from budget to blowout. This is served in family-friendly cafes, celebrity restaurants, and Instagram-worthy dining hotspots.
Dubai welcomed the third edition of MICHELIN Guides for 2024 and a selection of its restaurants was awarded the ‘Bib Gourmand’ distinction, highlighting restaurants offering impressive value for money, while others have been awarded with one or two MICHELIN Stars. Business guests will find themselves spoilt for choice.
The MICHELIN Guide recognised Dubai as a world gastronomic destination in 2022 – the first city in the region to earn this prestigious reputation. Two years later, the culinary landscape has become even more competitive. Recently, the MICHELIN Guide announced its 2024 list for Dubai, awarding one star to 15 restaurants, two stars to four restaurants, and choosing 18 venues as part of its Bib Gourmand category.
Dubai’s restaurants are also committed to shrinking their environmental footprint. Notably, Lowe, Boca and Teible achieved the MICHELIN Green Star in 2023, a recognition bestowed upon restaurants that uphold high ethical and environmental standards, who work with sustainable producers and suppliers, and reduce or remove plastic and other non-recyclable materials from their supply chains.
Here are some of the most popular Michelin star and Bib Gourmand restaurants that can be considered for any business itinerary:
Bib Gourmand Restaurants in Dubai
21 Grams
21 Grams is a homegrown neighbourhood bistro serving up Balkan-style cuisine. Tucked away in Umm Suqeim, it is a hub for good food, coffee and chatter. Signature dishes include chicken liver plate, crisp spinach borek, signature phyllo pie and tempting baklava. Diners can also pre-book the private dining room where chef’s table events are hosted.
Bait Maryam
Bait Maryam has quickly transformed into a staple choice for unpretentious and authentic Middle Eastern meals. Serving manakish, falafel, lamb chops and Levantine specialities, like spicy potatoes and fried eggplant, this restaurant helmed by Salam Dakkar, delivers hearty favourites coupled with touch of nostalgia.
Shabestan
Shabestan has been the go-to place for traditional Iranian dishes for over three decades. Situated at the Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek, it offers grilled meats, fresh seafood and slow-cooked stews. The generous portions and relaxed ambience are a hot favourite with the regulars.
Michelin Star Restaurants in Dubai
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
British celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal puts a contemporary spin on historic dishes from the UK to take diners on a gastronomic voyage. Located in Atlantis The Royal, Dinner offers a private dining room for up to 12 guests with chic leather seating and lush lighting. Expect to indulge in signature dishes like the Meat Fruit, a chicken liver parfait presented to resemble a whole mandarin, and a spit-roasted pineapple dessert from the 1800s.
Moonrise
Intimate and innovative Moonrise by Chef Soleman Haddad serves a set multi-course degustation menu in a sleek glass box with views of the city on all sides. Guests can expect signature dishes like a mushroom-topped version of the Indian snack pani puri, as well as refreshing mocktails paired with the courses.,
STAY by Yannick Alléno
STAY by Yannick Alléno features classic French dishes cooked using contemporary techniques, and a Pastry Library where desserts are custom-made. STAY is also one of only four restaurants in the city to be awarded two Michelin stars in the guide’s first Dubai selection in 2022. Located at One&Only The Palm, it offers flavourful seafood and meat mains. For those feeling a bit more adventurous, there is a special eight-course meal that promises to take the diner on an unforgettable Parisian sojourn.
Il Ristorante – Niko Romito
Niko Romito is one of the four two MICHELIN-star winners in Dubai. The restaurant, helmed by the chef of the same name, is located at the Bulgari Hotel & Resorts, and offers an exquisite culinary treat, transporting diners to the scenic Italian countryside. Choose from Parmigiano Reggiano soup to roasted langoustines salad or oven-baked black cod and spaghetti with sea urchins. Guests can round off these signature Italian dishes with a selection of fresh sorbets and delectable desserts.
Trésind Studio
Bagging two stars, Trésind Studio features cleverly curated, Indian-accented tasting menus. Offering an exclusive evening to 20 guests, seat space, Trésind delivers fine dining techniques and Instagram-friendly plating. Whether it is the crisp pani puri or corn crusted spinach kebab, everything on the menu is packed with flavour. It’s no surprise that the restaurant was ranked the fourth best restaurant in the region.
Supporting Dubai’s culinary evolution are a series of consumer and business-led culinary festivals and events, including Gulfood and the Dubai Food Festival. Established in 1987, Gulfood has grown rapidly to become the world’s biggest food and hospitality show, providing opportunities for food professionals to discover and share information about the latest products, meet global suppliers, and explore new collaborations and partnerships.
Similarly, the Dubai Food Festival has become a must-attend annual culinary carnival celebrating food from around the world, from delicious meals at fine dining restaurants to street food stops and hidden gems.
Whether it is innovative dining experiences, exciting new cuisines or new-age fusion food, there is something to woo delegates visiting the city for conferences and business events. As the city continues to grow and evolve as a foodie hub, its gastronomic offerings will play a key role in attracting leading business events to experience a different side of Dubai.
