Mark your calendars, food lovers — October 23rd is about to be the tastiest date of the year in Abu Dhabi. Why? Because the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony 2026 is rolling into town, and it’s bringing all the glitz, glamour, and (most importantly) gastronomy you can handle.
This year, the culinary world’s most anticipated red-carpet moment will unfold at the stunning Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental — the kind of setting where chandeliers sparkle, chefs dazzle, and forks suddenly feel fancier. Hosted in partnership with Experience Abu Dhabi, the event will shine the spotlight on the capital’s top kitchens and the talented chefs who make us believe calories don’t count when the food is this good.
What’s cooking?
Here’s the delicious lowdown:
- A press conference will unveil the very latest Abu Dhabi MICHELIN Guide selection. Translation? We’ll find out which restaurants have earned those coveted stars (cue dramatic gasps and happy tears).
- Four much-loved names from last year’s Guide — Hakkasan, Mate, Butcher & Still, and Café Milano — will return to wow guests with their culinary magic.
- An international guest chef is set to join the lineup. Who is it? Ah, the suspense! Let’s just say it’s the foodie equivalent of a celebrity cameo.
- Expect a cocktail reception where canapés are so pretty you’ll want to photograph them before taking a bite… and then take another bite anyway.
Why it matters
The MICHELIN Guide isn’t just about stars and fancy plates — it’s about celebrating Abu Dhabi as a global dining destination. This city has been quietly (okay, loudly) building its food game, and now it’s time to show the world just how dynamic, diverse, and downright delicious the culinary scene really is.
So whether you’re a die-hard foodie, a chef in the making, or just someone who’s very good at eating (we see you), this ceremony promises to be a feast for the senses — and a reminder that Abu Dhabi is firmly on the world’s gastronomic map.
Stay tuned. The 2026 Guide is about to serve up its secrets, and we can’t wait to see which restaurants make the cut. One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a night to remember — and probably the only time where clapping with one hand while balancing a canapé in the other is considered totally normal.
