As we celebrate the newly launched MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2025, it’s time to dive a little deeper into which dishes truly impressed our famously anonymous MICHELIN inspectors.
Read the list below to find out their favourites.
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The Nonna tiramisu is a must-try signature dessert on newly-minted Bib Gourmand restaurant, Mika. Image credit: The MICHELIN Guide
Nonna’s tiramisu
Mika
Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2025
Inspector’s notes: This came recommended by the waitress as it's one of their signatures. It is a great example of keeping the best for last. The dish comprised of a huge generous scoop on the plate – not too cold, clearly freshly made – it was absolutely delicious and the flavour shines in every bite. This plate is a polished example and exhibits super freshness. It was firm, yet lightly textured with creamy mascarpone blending with a neat and even layer of well-judged espresso-soaked lady’s finger biscuits, the top liberally dusted with cocoa powder adding to the contrast of flavours and textures. A marriage made in heaven!
MICHELIN Guide Inspectors were pleasantly surprised by this delicious red mullet dish from MICHELIN-starred 99 Sushi Bar. Image credit: The MICHELIN Guide
Flamed red mullet, kumquat and tiger milk
99 Sushi Bar
One MICHELIN star, MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2025
Inspector’s notes: It sounded like an unusual dish, but the waiter explained it was new on the menu, so that's why I chose it! There was no questioning the quality of the red mullet. It had a beautiful sheen and lustre as it had been lightly torched. The fillets were firm, full of flavour, and quite delicious. It would be so easy to overpower such beautiful fish with the sauce, however, the tiger milk was well judged, the spicing lightweight, subtle and balanced, as was the acidity. The small wafer-thin slices of kumquat lifted things very lightly. It was a seamless and pure flavours, with enticing complexity.DISCOVER: All the highlights from the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony Abu Dhabi 2025
One MICHELIN star Hakkasan's signature spicy curry prawn dish is precise and assured in presentation and flavour. Image credit: The MICHELIN Guide
Spicy curry prawn lily bulb, almond
Hakkasan
One MICHELIN star, MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2025
Inspector’s notes: One of their ‘Signature’ dishes, as highlighted on their menu. Precise and solid in flavour and presentation, this dish featured six beautifully plump, fresh, sweet and perfectly cooked prawns, which were in firm texture. They were topped with a few flaked almonds, adding a crunchy element, and also had small pieces of lightly cooked lily bulb. The dish was paired with a beautifully judged green spicy curried sauce showcasing a perfect consistency, whereby it subtly enhances the dish without being overpowering.
Round off your meal with the highly addictive Emirati luqaimat from MICHELIN-selected, Yadoo's House. Image credit: The MICHELIN Guide
Luqaimat
Yadoo’s House
MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2025
Inspector’s notes: I opted for these sweet Middle Eastern dumplings, best described as a type of dough fritter or Middle Eastern doughnut, which came highly recommended by the waiter. The portion was generous and easily enough for two. The exterior was crispy and golden, uniformly shaped with care, while its inside was soft and slightly chewy. They were lightly dusted with sesame seeds and drizzled with a warm and super sweet date molasses, which accompanied the dish perfectly. Once you started eating these, they were surprisingly addictive – I just couldn’t stop!
A finely executed classic tarte Tatin prepared table side from MICHELIN-selected, Broadway. Image credit: The MICHELIN Guide
Tarte Tatin with sour cream ice cream
Broadway
MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2025
Inspector’s notes: This dish is a super example of a dessert that’s not easy to get right. The soft and tender apple is deeply caramelised, delivering a deep and rich flavour. The extra golden pastry was flaky and super crispy, which is often isn’t the case. The lightly warm and sweet caramel sauce highlighted the right consistency, neatly drizzled around the plate. It was perfectly contrasted with a sour cream ice cream that was a well-defined milky, yet rich flavour, sitting upon a bed of crisp biscuit crumbs. A classic executed with aplomb and a fine finish to the meal.
A charcoal grilled local fish that is perfectly juicy and flaky from Bib Gourmand, ryba. Image credit: The MICHELIN Guide
Hammour with Emirati spices
ryba
Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2025
Inspector’s notes: A culturally important and prized fish, this local example was from the Mina Zayed fish market just down the road. The beautifully fresh fish had been capably butterflied and had been cooked on the charcoal grill whole and marinated with Emirati spices. The subtle spicing didn't overpower the firm, juicy, flaky and succulent fish. Cooked to perfection, the fish’s flavour from the chargrill gave off a subtly smokiness. The fillets of fish came away from the bone perfectly and just melted in the mouth. It was topped with fine slices of lemon and accompanied by half a charred caramelised lemon, whose subtle acidity lifts the flavours of the fish. Fluffy, fragrant lemon rice was the perfect partner – proof that often less really is more.Illustration image: Hakkasan Abu Dhabi
