If you’re a fan of exquisite dining experiences in Dubai, you’re in for a treat. The Gault&Millau UAE award-winning restaurants are a must-visit for anyone who appreciates fine cuisine. On February 4, the prestigious Gault&Millau, known globally for its esteemed restaurant guides, revealed its list of the UAE’s top dining establishments during an exclusive gala held at the stunning Atlantis The Royal in Dubai. This fourth annual Gault&Millau UAE event brought together the crème de la crème of the culinary world, including the finest chefs, sommeliers, restaurant managers, and restaurateurs, all gathered at the remarkable Diamond Ballroom to celebrate culinary excellence.

The ratings are the result of evaluations conducted by Gault&Millau’s team of independent reviewers who visit restaurants anonymously and pay for their meals to ensure an unbiased experience. This year, the spotlight was firmly on the Dubai-born restaurant Row On 45, led by acclaimed chef Jason Atherton. This establishment not only secured four toques but also earned the highest score of the evening at an impressive 17.5 points, claiming the title of the best restaurant in the UAE.

Situated in the luxurious Grosvenor House Dubai Hotel, this intimate 22-seat European fine-dining haven was also awarded the prestigious title of Restaurant of the Year. The head chef, Daniel Birk, celebrated alongside his team as he received the Chef of the Year accolade, highlighting their exceptional culinary talents and dedication.

What Other Restaurants Received Toques?

This year’s event saw four additional Dubai restaurants achieve the esteemed honour of four toques, including the remarkable Al Muntaha, Trèsind Studi, FZN by Björn Frantzén, and Ossiano.

Restaurants that were awarded three toques include:

• Moonrise
• Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
• Jara by Martín Berasategui
• L’Atelier Robuchon
• La Dame de Pic
• Ristorante L’Olivo at Al Mahara
• TakaHisa
• STAY by Yannick Alléno

Eight restaurants received two toques, featuring renowned spots like Armani/Ristorante, City Social, Krasota, Smoked Room Dubai, and Sagetsu by Tetsuya, among others. Additionally, a noteworthy sixty restaurants were awarded one toque, which includes popular names such as 11 Woodfire, Avatara, BB Social Dining, Gohan, Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori, Indego by Vineet, La Petite Maison Dubai, Mayabay, Mimi Kakushi, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki, Trèsind, Twiggy, and Zuma Dubai, to name just a few.

What Exactly is a Toque?

The Gault&Millau guidebook, which has been a cornerstone of restaurant evaluation since its inception in 1965 by Henri Gault and Christian Millau in France, employs a unique points system to score restaurants on a scale from 0 to 20. The ratings from 13 to 20 are represented by a ‘toque’ rating, which ranges from one to five. The evaluations by Gault&Millau take into account the entirety of the dining experience, including aspects such as ambiance, quality of tableware, service standards, drink selections, staff expertise, and, most importantly, the quality of the food.

This is How Gault&Millau Rates Restaurants

One toque: 13-13.5/20

Traditional or modern cuisine where essential techniques are mastered.

Two toques: 14-14.5/20

A fresh perspective on cuisine, focusing on quality ingredients, supported by solid technical skills.

Three toques: 15-16.5/20

Cuisine that exhibits artistic expression, offering personalized dishes with remarkable execution, utilizing local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible.

Four toques: 17-18.5/20

Cuisine that evokes emotion, centered around exceptional quality ingredients, marked by a highly personal signature style. An extraordinary restaurant that is a rare find.

Five toques: 19-20/20

Cuisine of unparalleled excellence, providing insight into the unique world of a remarkable chef. One of the finest restaurants globally.

The complete list of restaurant ratings and award winners is available at gaultmillauae.com.

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