Unmissable Highlights of MICHELIN Guide Food Festival Abu Dhabi

Back for the second time, the MICHELIN Guide Food Festival will be held at the iconic Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi from November 22^nd to 24^th

 Indulge in dishes starting from AED 35, join interactive culinary experiences, and witness world-renowned chefs from 20 MICHELIN Guide restaurants in action

The second edition of the MICHELIN Guide Food Festival Abu Dhabi is quickly approaching, and discerning foodies are in for the ultimate treat. Taking place at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi from November 22^nd to 24^th, the festival will become the haven for food lovers of all ages. Discover a myriad of exclusive dishes, one-of-a-kind culinary collaborations between top chefs, live cooking demonstrations, kids’ masterclasses, the first-ever MICHELIN Guide Café, and so much more.

Meet The Chefs

The MICHELIN Guide Food Festival will bring together a stellar lineup of culinary masters from all around the world, each showcasing their unique creations and expertise. Among the well-known names are Chef Prin Polsuk of Samrub Samrub Thai (One MICHELIN Star, Thailand) who redefines Thai heritage with dishes inspired by ancient recipes and Chef Allen Hyunmin Suh of Restaurant Allen (Two MICHELIN Stars, South Korea), known for blending global experiences with innovative Korean flavours. Additionally, Chef Michihiro Haruta of Crony (Two MICHELIN Stars, Green Star, Japan) highlights sustainability through his seasonal, eco-conscious creations; while MICHELIN Passion Dessert winner Chef Aurora Storari from Hémicycle (One MICHELIN Star, France) presents inventive pastries that challenge traditional boundaries. Joining them is Chef Hans Neuner of Ocean (Two MICHELIN Stars, Portugal), whose interpretations of Portuguese gastronomy explore the country’s rich cultural history.

Complementing the phenomenal roster is Chef Jesús Sánchez Sáinz of Cenador de Amós (Three MICHELIN Stars, Green Star, Spain) who also shares a keen eye for sustainable fine dining. Meanwhile, Chef Ozan Kumbasar of Vino Locale (One MICHELIN Star, Green Star, Türkiye) champions regional produce, and Chef Luiz Filipe of Evvai (Two MICHELIN Stars, Brazil) fuses Brazilian and Italian traditions into contemporary culinary art. Rounding out the international lineup, Chef Ivan Azar of Casa Vigil (One MICHELIN Star, Green Star, Argentina) showcases the vibrant flavours of Argentina with sustainable flair, while Chef Ana Dolores González of Esquina Común (One MICHELIN Star, Mexico) reimagines Mexican cuisine through a fresh, dynamic lens.

Must-try Dishes

Undoubtedly the culinary delights will take center stage, inviting you to indulge your senses with a selection of must-try dishes, at great prices – dishes start at AED 35.

Begin your culinary journey with Crony’s Ratatouille & Wasabi, a vibrant vegetable sauté with a bold kick of frozen wasabi powder, fusing classic French and Japanese flavours. Afterwards, make your way to Restaurant Allen for a taste of the luxurious Braised Abalone or venture to Evvai for the signature Scallop ‘Bomba’, showcasing succulent scallops that perfectly highlight the sea’s natural sweetness.

Next up on the menu, Casa Vigil presents Cured Trout with Saffron Cream, another standout featuring a playful touch of mandarin air. Finally, make sure to save room for Cenador de Amós’s Wagyu Toast with Cantabrian Anchovy, a savoury umami explosion featuring rich, smoked wagyu on crispy toast perfectly balanced by the briny intensity of salted anchovies.

Festival Activities

MICHELIN Guide Café Set Menu

Indulge in an exclusive culinary experience at the MICHELIN Guide Café, a festival-first featuring a specially curated three-course pastry menu by renowned chefs Aurora Storari and Alexandre Thabard. Chef Storari, a MICHELIN Passion Dessert winner and the talent behind Aura at One MICHELIN Star restaurant Hémicycle, joins forces with Chef Thabard, Executive Pastry Chef at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi, to present an exquisite selection of sweet and savoury creations.

Guests can tuck into these delicacies paired with Nespresso coffee or EIRA Water for AED 250 per person, complete with an exclusive MICHELIN cup souvenir to take home.

When: Available throughout the festival

Offer: Three-course pastry menu with choice of Nespresso coffee or EIRA Water, plus a MICHELIN cup to take home

Price: AED 250 per person

Terms and Conditions:

• Available to all festival attendees

• No prior bookings required
• Dine-in time limited to 90 minutes per seating 

Kids Masterclasses 

Let your little ones explore the joy of cooking with hands-on masterclasses! From crafting a classic fresh berry pavlova with Chef Alexandre Thabard of Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, to perfecting authentic Italian pasta with Chef Luigi Stinga of One MICHELIN Starred Talea by Antonio Guida, kids aged 6 to 12 will learn essential culinary skills in a fun, interactive setting. Priced at AED 135, these sessions blend creativity and expertise, inspiring young foodies to whip up their own delicious creations at home.

Masterclass Schedule:

• Friday, November 22^nd and Sunday, November 24^th – Fresh Fruits Pavlova masterclass with Chef Alexandre Thabard at 4.30 pm 

• Saturday, November 23^rd – Italian Pasta masterclass with Chef Luigi Stinga at 4.30 pm

Price: AED 135 per child

Terms and Conditions: 

• Suitable for children aged 6 to 12

• Parents may accompany but will not be included in the class

MICHELIN Guide @ Home

Prepare to take your cooking skills to the next level with MICHELIN Guide @ Home, featuring live demonstrations by chefs from MICHELIN Guide restaurants. Each evening of the festival, watch culinary masters like Chef Debi Prasad Rath from ERTH Restaurant (One MICHELIN Star, Abu Dhabi) and Chef Hemant Oberoi from Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi (MICHELIN Selected, Abu Dhabi) as they share expert tips and guide you through recipes of their signature dishes. Complete with recipe cards to recreate their exceptional dishes at home, this is an unmissable opportunity to learn from the best and infuse your kitchen with some gourmet flair.

Masterclass Schedule:

• Friday, November 22^nd – Masterclass with Tean at 6.00 pm; Masterclass with Almayass at 7.30 pm

• Saturday, November 23^rd – Masterclass with LPM at 6.00 pm; Masterclass with ERTH Restaurant at 7.30 pm

• Sunday, November 24^th – Masterclass with Cafe Milano at 6.00 pm; Masterclass with Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi at 7.30 pm

Offer: Live cooking demonstration with free entry

MICHELIN Stars Table 

Feast at the exclusive six or eight-hands collaboration dining experience with MICHELIN Stars Table, hosted across four prestigious restaurants at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. Each evening of the festival, chefs from world-renowned MICHELIN Guide restaurants join forces to craft themed menus inspired by earth, desert, sea, and sky.

Highlights will include an unforgettable eight-hands ‘sea’ feast, featuring Chef Lee Kok Hua from Hakkasan, joined by famed chefs from Japan (Chef Michihiro Haruta from Crony), Portugal (Chef Hans Neuner from Ocean), and Spain (Chef Jesús Sánchez Sáinz of Cenador de Amós).

Also, especially on Sunday, November 24th, Chef Ozan Kumbasar from Vino Locale (One MICHELIN Star, Green Star, Türkiye) and Chef Ivan Azar from Casa Vigil (One MICHELIN Star, Green Star, Argentina), will come together to present a sky-inspired brunch menu.

With limited seats starting at AED 680, don’t miss out on this spectacular fusion of top culinary masterminds.

Where: Four participating restaurants within Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi  

Schedule:

Hosted at Talea by Antonio Guida

• When: Friday 22^nd at 7.30 pm

• Participating Restaurants: Evvai (Two MICHELIN Stars), Restaurant Allen (Two MICHELIN Stars) & Talea by Antonio Guida (One MICHELIN Star)

• Theme: Earth

• Price: AED 850

Hosted at Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi

• When: Saturday 23^rd at 7.30 pm

• Participating Restaurants: Esquina Común (One MICHELIN Star), Samrub Samrub Thai (One MICHELIN Star) & Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi (MICHELIN Selected)

• Theme: Desert

• Price: AED 850

Hosted at Hakkasan

• When: Sunday 24^th at 7.30 pm

• Participating Restaurants: Crony (Two MICHELIN Stars & Green Star), Ocean (Two MICHELIN Stars), Cenador de Amós (Three MICHELIN Stars & Green Star) & Hakkasan (One MICHELIN Star) 

• Theme: Sea

• Price: AED 1,000

Hosted at Sand & Koal

• When: Sunday 24^th at 12.30 pm

• Participating Restaurants: Vino Locale (One MICHELIN Star & Green Star) & Casa Vigil (One MICHELIN Star, Green Star)

• Theme: Sky

• Price: AED 680

Fun-filled Weekend for All

On top of the culinary experiences, discover and support local producers such as fresh oysters from Dibba Bay, chocolate specialties from Mirzam Chocolate Makers, fresh produce from Pure Harvest, or quench your thirst with beverages from Yala Kombucha.

Not only that, kids will also have a blast with all the activities planned! From face painting and a glitter artist to bubble shows, Michelin Tires Kids area, and arts and crafts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.