Is Michelin about to launch an Abu...

Industry insiders anticipate a second guide after Michelin schedules an announcement in the UAE capital

Michelin launched its first Middle East guide in Dubai in June 2022 (pictured). The world-famous restaurant ranking guide has now requested the attendance of the region’s food journalists to attend a dinner in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi.

The exclusive media dinner with the Michelin Guide in Abu Dhabi will take place on 6 September 2022. The who’s who of the region’s F&B media industry will be in attendance to hear Michelin’s hotly anticipated announcement.

As the event is being held in Abu Dhabi, industry insiders are speculating that Michelin may be about to reveal plans to launch a Michelin Abu Dhabi guide.

All guests are being asked to take a PCR test to attend the event taking place at the five-star Jumeirah At Saadiyat Island Resort due to Abu Dhabi's strict Covid-19 regulations.

Despite most countries dropping PCR testing requirements, Aby Dhabi's health authorities stipulate that all guests visiting Abu Dhabi venues must present a valid Green Pass on the UAE's AlHosn health record app, which is achieved by registering a negative PCR test result.

Connecting Travel reached out to Michelin for a comment, and a spokesperson said no announcement would be made ahead of the media dinner.

The Michelin Dubai guide spawned 11 Michelin star winners when it launched in July. There weren’t any elected three-star restaurants and only two venues received two stars: Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, Bulgari Dubai and Stay by Yannick Alléno, One&Only The Palm.

The arrival of the Michelin guide followed the launch of the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurant’s regional listing MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, which featured restaurants based in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, as well as venues in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco.

Restaurants in Abu Dhabi to make the list include Hakkasan Abu Dhabi, Coya Abu Dhabi and Butcher & still.

Could they be the first Abu Dhabi establishments to land a Michelin star?