Dubai's 2026 Michelin Guide has crowned two new one-star restaurants and promoted one of the city's best-known kitchens to two stars. Orfali Bros, celebrated for its modern Middle Eastern cooking, moved up from one star to two, while newcomers Birch, led by chef Arslan Berdiev, and the Japanese restaurant Kigo, known for its omakase and kaiseki menus, each earned their first Michelin star.
The additions bring Dubai's total number of starred restaurants to 20: two with three stars, four with two stars and fourteen with one star. This year's guide features 122 establishments in total, up from 119 last year, spanning 38 different cuisines. Beyond the star ratings, 22 restaurants received the Bib Gourmand distinction for good value, and 80 more were named Michelin Selected.
A notable feature of this year's update is Michelin's decision to retain the stars of restaurants currently closed temporarily, including Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Ossiano, with inspectors pledging to re-evaluate them once they reopen. Guide officials said the near-doubling of listed restaurants since the guide's Dubai launch reflects a city "developing its own culinary identity while embracing traditions from around the world."
The update underscores how fast Dubai's dining scene continues to expand, with local and international chefs competing harder each year for recognition in one of the world's most closely watched food capitals.