World's 50 Best Restaurants: Seven of the top chefs have dining spots in the UAE

Chefs Massimo Bottura, Alain Ducasse, Yannick Alleno, Jose Avillez, Virgilio Martinez, Heston Blumenthal and Jose Andres all have (or are about to open) eateries in the Emirates

Mix by Alain Ducasse opened at Emerald Palace Kempinski in Dubai in 2019. Courtesy Mix by Alain Ducasse

On June 25, the annual World's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2019 was unveiled in Singapore, with Mirazur taking top honours. While the Michelin-starred restaurant is on many a foodie's bucket list, it would involve a trip to Cote d'Azur in the southeast corner of France to sample Italian-Argentine chef Mauro Colagreco's creations.

If you're looking for a meal by an award-winning chef closer to home, here are seven to consider.

Massimo Bottura

Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, by Massimo Bottura has won top honours on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list in the past, and this year was part of the new Best of the Best category. Foodies in the UAE can sample the chef's creations at his Italian Riviera-style restaurant Torno Subito at W Dubai on the Palm. Read more about the restaurant here.

Alain Ducasse

At number 16 on the list is Au Plaza Athenee in Paris, helmed by Alain Ducasse, Michelin's second-most decorated chef of all time. The Monegasque chef opened Mix by Alain Ducasse earlier this year at Emerald Palace Kempinski on The Palm Jumeirah. Premium ingredients aside, the restaurant's interior is dominated by a 20-metre-tall gold Faberge egg. Read more about it here.

Yannick Alleno

Another Parisian property, Pavillon Ledoyen by Yannick Alleno came in at number 25 this year. In Dubai, French chef has been serving up culinary treats for close to 10 years, overseeing all eateries at One&Only The Palm. Earlier this year, he created a new sustainable seafood menu for the 101 Dining Lounge and Bar. Read more about the menu and its artistic inspiration here.

Jose Avillez

Belcanto in Lisbon by José Avillez was declared the 42nd best restaurant in the world. The Portuguese chef opened Tasca at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, and promises it's more fun dining than fine dining. He tells us why he chose the UAE to open his first international restaurant here.

Virgilio Martinez

The Peruvian chef's Central restaurant in Lima claimed its spot as the world's sixth best restaurant. As an homage to Peru's culinary capital, Martinez opened Lima Dubai at City Walk in 2017, the first international foray of the award-winning UK restaurant. The chef tells us about his journey from skateboarder to cook here.

Heston Blumenthal 

Heston Blumenthal, whose three-starred Berkshire restaurant The Fat Duck, is part of the list's new Best of the Best category, will make his UAE debut with Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences in Dubai next year. The British chef is credited for inventing the recipes for triple-cooked chips and soft-centred Scotch eggs.

Jose Andres

At the same property, Jose Andres, recipient of this year's Icon Award, will open a branch of his traditional tapas restaurant Jaleo. The Spanish-American chef has restaurants across the United States and one in Puerto Rico, and is the founder of World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to people afflicted by natural disasters.

Plus! Alain Passard

Alain Passard, who won the Chef's Choice award at the event, has been a guest chef at Gourmet Abu Dhabi twice, back in 2009 and 2010. The French chef's restaurant L'Arpege in Paris is in the unique position of being the only three-star Michelin restaurant that brings vegetables into the limelight. The restaurant placed at number eight in the list this year.

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