Michelin Arrives in Saudi Arabia: What to Expect from the First Edition

There is a growing excitement in Riyadh’s fine dining scene. The Michelin Guide makes its debut in Saudi Arabia, and it’s big news! So, what should we anticipate from this first edition?

As is typical for inaugural editions, the guide is not expected to cover the entire country comprehensively. We predict that the focus will be on Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla. At this stage, it seems unlikely that the Red Sea region will be included in this initial launch of the Michelin Guide.

Will Michelin Stars be awarded? We believe so. Perhaps ambitiously, but we expect at least 100 establishments across these cities to receive recognition in the form of Michelin Stars, Green Stars, or Bib Gourmand distinctions.

Starting with Riyadh, top contenders for Michelin Stars include Kuuru, the Kingdom’s most renowned Nikkei restaurant praised for its exceptional service and quality ingredients; Julien by Daniel Boulud, a fine dining highlight within the Four Seasons; Attaché, a new Middlebeast Group concept in the Diplomatic Quarter that is a strong candidate for a Green Star due to its focus on sustainability; along with Il Baretto at KAFD, Myazu, Cipriani, Marble, and Zuma.

In the hotel category, Che Figata! at the Fairmont and Jackie Restaurant at the St. Regis are expected to feature prominently.

In Jeddah, key mentions include Kuuru’s original location (though the Riyadh branch appears stronger), Toki, and Aromi at Hilton Jeddah.

In AlUla, three promising candidates for Michelin Stars are Ducasse in AlUla, where the world’s most decorated Michelin chef might add another star; Maraya Social, a refined rooftop restaurant with stunning views of AlUla’s red-rock landscape; and Joontos, led by Michelin-starred chef Jaume Puigdengolas and located at Dar Tantora The House Hotel.

Our Bib Gourmand recommendations include Tama at Our Habitas, Harrat and Saffron at Banyan Tree, Charcood at Cloud7 Residence, Prima Classe Restaurant at The Chedi Hegra, and 7 Ribs in Old Town.

Written by Camilla Rocca, Food and Travel Writer | Instagram: @roccacamilla