Last month, prestigious culinary guide Michelin announced it was coming to Abu Dhabi.
On Thursday, the launch date of the Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi was confirmed for November 10.
The guide will be unveiled at a black tie event at Emirates Palace. Attendees will be served a menu curated by international Michelin-starred chefs, including Simon Rogan (from L’Enclume in the UK), Bjorn Frantzen (from Frantzen in Sweden), Cheryl Koh (from Les Amis in Singapore) and Jimmy Ophorst (from Pru in Thailand), along with Lee Kok Hua, executive chef at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi.
Scroll through the gallery above to see chefs' predictions on which Abu Dhabi restaurants deserve a place in the 'Michelin Guide'
The launch of the Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi will take place less than five months after 11 restaurants in Dubai were awarded Michelin stars in June.
We don't yet know if the capital will have a selection of Bib Gourmand, one, two or three-starred establishments. One Michelin star is awarded to restaurants for “high-quality cooking that is worth a stop", two Michelin stars for “excellent cooking that is worth a detour", and three Michelin stars for “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey".
Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list refers to restaurants that provide “value-for-money three-course meals”, that is, venues where diners can enjoy several courses under a certain amount (which varies depending on a city’s cost of living).
The Abu Dhabi guide was announced at an event in the UAE capital in September.
"Everywhere in the world, our inspectors are constantly on the field to monitor the evolution of the culinary scene and that is the case for Abu Dhabi as well; our inspectors have been working on the ground here for more than six years," Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, told The National following the announcement.
At the time, the Abu Dhabi was not finalised, and Poullennec said it would not be set in stone until just before the list is released. "It's a never-ending process," he said. In a message aimed at the capital's restaurateurs, he joked that they should "watch out" as the inspectors are still on the ground and will be "among their regular guests".
In further culinary food news for the UAE capital, it has been confirmed that the second Mena's 50 Best Restaurants list will be announced at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi on January 30.
The UAE capital has been selected as the host city for a second time, following the release of the debut Mena list by the World's 50 Best group at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers in February.
Michelin-starred restaurants in Dubai — in pictures
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Tresind Studio at Nakheel Mall has one Michelin star. -
Al Muntaha, on the 27th floor of Burj Al Arab, has received one Michelin star. -
Armani/Ristorante, at Armani Hotel Dubai, has been awarded one Michelin star. Photo: Armani/Ristorante -
Hakkasan at Atlantis, The Palm, now has one Michelin star. Photo: Hakkasan Dubai -
Hoseki at the Bulgari Resort is among the few restaurants in Dubai with one Michelin star. Photo: Bulgari Hotel -
Ossiano at Atlantis, The Palm, has one Michelin star. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm -
Tasca by Jose Avillez at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira has one Michelin star. Photo: Mandarin Oriental -
Torno Subito at W Dubai - The Palm has one Michelin star. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
11 Woodfire in Jumeirah has one Michelin star. Photo: 11 Woodfire -
Stay by Yannick Alleno at One&Only The Palm has two Michelin stars. Photo: Jumana El-Heloueh -
Il Ristorante – Niko Romito in Jumeirah has two Michelin stars. Photo: Il Ristorante -
Al Khayma at Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa is in Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list, which refers to restaurants that provide 'value-for-money three-course meals'. Photo: Al Khayma -
Fi'lia at SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences made Michelin's Bib Gourmand list. Photo: Fi'lia -
Bait Maryam in JLT is now a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant. -
Ibn AlBahr at Club Vista Mare is in Michelin's Bib Gourmand list. Instagram / @ibnalbahr -
Indya by Vineet at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa is now a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant. -
Beetroot and ricotta at folly. The restaurant made it into Michelin's Bib Gourmand list. -
Kinoya at The Onyx Tower 2 in The Greens is in Michelin's Bib Gourmand list. Pawan Singh / The National -
Red umami prawns at Orfali Bros in Wasl 51 mall. The restaurant is now in Michelin's Bib Gourmand list. Photo: Orfali Bros -
Goldfish at The Galleria Mall made it into Michelin's Bib Gourmand list. Photo: Goldfish -
Beef gyoza at Reif Japanese Kushiyaki at Dar Wasl Mall. The restaurant is now in Michelin's Bib Gourmand list. Photo: Reif Japanese Kushiyaki -
Beef garum at Teible in Jameel Arts Centre. The restaurant is now in Michelin's Bib Gourmand list. Photo: Teible -
Chef Daniel Boulud at his Brasserie Boulud in Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. The restaurant is in Michelin's Bib Gourmand list. Pawan Singh / The National -
Shabestan at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, is in the Michelin Bib Gourmand list. Photo: Shabestan -
Ninive at Emirates Towers is in the Michelin Bib Gourmand list. Photo: Ninive
