Dubai Michelin Guide 2026 nearly doubles, KIGO gets first star

The 10 October travel-and-food news cycle was still led across the Gulf by the fifth edition of the Michelin Guide Dubai, revealed earlier in the week and expanded to 122 selected restaurants, nearly double the previous edition. KIGO, a Japanese fine-dining address serving sushi omakase and kaiseki menus, received its first Michelin star, and head of service Akinori Tanigawa and his team were honoured with the Service Award. Syrian-born brothers Mohamad, Omar and Wassim Orfali saw their Orfali Bros restaurant climb from one star to two, the highest Michelin ranking in Dubai. The guide also added new Bib Gourmand picks and a wave of 'Selected Restaurants'. Michelin confirmed separately that its grape ratings for wine regions will extend to Champagne in February 2027, after Burgundy and Bordeaux. The Dubai story continued to top restaurant pages on The National, Emirates 24|7 and What's On on 10 October.