Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant scooped the Service Award at The MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2025, in a testament to its warm Emirati hospitality. Presented at Address Sky View during the Guide’s fourth edition, the award was one of 119 honors celebrating the city’s vibrant culinary scene.
“It’s an extraordinary honor that validates our daily commitment to excellence,” shares Mohamed Galal, the restaurant’s area manager. “This award represents our team’s dedication to the core values we live by: respect, consistency, warmth and exceptional service. It confirms that authentic hospitality still holds tremendous value.”
The MICHELIN Service Award acknowledges the individuals who go above and beyond to elevate the guest experience, highlighting the crucial role service plays in shaping a memorable meal. Presenting the award was RAK Porcelain, a brand that has been shaping the fine dining landscape since 2005 through its high-performance, design-led tableware. Trusted by over 50,000 hospitality partners across the globe, RAK Porcelain shares the same values as the award itself, placing people, craft, and thoughtful detail at the center of every dining moment.
“The MICHELIN Guide represents the gold standard in our industry — recognizing excellence not just in food, but in service, culture and hospitality. Being part of a MICHELIN-recognized establishment fills me with immense pride.”
Fittingly located in the historical neighborhood of Al Fahidi, Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant’s Bib Gourmand-awarded branch in Dubai offers an authentic taste of Emirati cuisine and hospitality. Part-restaurant, part-museum, the experience welcomes guests to fully immerse themselves in the warmth of tradition, seated in Bedouin-inspired interiors that exude the UAE’s early homes. At the center of the restaurant is an air-conditioned courtyard framed by aged archways and shaded by leafy trees, with low cushions and carved wooden furniture encouraging slow, unhurried dining.
“Every evening is vibrant and full of energy — welcoming guests from diverse cultures, ensuring each table feels special, and focusing on the details that create magic,” Galal says. “We feature live grill stations, traditional music and storytelling through our service.”
As for the menu, rustic Emirati dishes are carefully prepared, well-presented and full of flavor. To start, diners can savor classics such as colorful tabbouleh and fattoush salads alongside bread cooked fresh in view. For something heartier, choose from local favorites including chebab (Emirati pancakes), succulent lamb machboos and sizzling seafood platters as well as decadent desserts like luqaimat and sticky date pudding.
To ensure smooth service, both behind the scenes and on the restaurant floor, work starts long before guests arrive. “Preparation begins early with comprehensive staff briefings, menu reviews and perfect setup coordination,” Galal explains. “We discuss guest profiles, special occasions and opportunities to exceed expectations. Excellence requires meticulous preparation and seamless teamwork.”
Though always bustling, this restaurant delivers a genuinely warm, thoughtful experience that never feels like a tourist trap. Run with pride and passion, the team welcomes early guests with Arabic coffee and ensures every diner leaves just as well cared for as when they arrived. “It’s about anticipating guests’ needs before they ask, being genuinely present and respectful, and delivering consistency,” Galal continues. “Every guest, every time, deserves your absolute best.”
In his role as area manager, Galal has played a key part in Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant’s continued success, always leading by example. “I've dedicated my entire career to hospitality, starting from the ground up and learning every aspect of service,” Galal explains. “My passion lies in creating unforgettable dining experiences rooted in authentic culture and genuine hospitality.”
However, what truly sets Galal’s leadership apart is his deep connection with his team and his ability to empower and inspire them. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork and efficient communication, especially given the restaurant’s popularity. “I focus on building trust, actively listening and providing the tools and confidence my team needs,” he says, “when they feel supported, they naturally stay composed during even the busiest moments.”
Of course, Galal acknowledges the challenges of the city’s saturated market, saying: “Dubai’s competitive landscape means guests have exceptionally high expectations. Maintaining consistent excellence during peak periods while managing a diverse, multicultural team requires strong communication and motivation skills.” Yet these pressures only sharpen him and his team’s resolve: the greatest reward, he says, is hearing a diner whisper, “this felt like home,” because in that instant, food, ambience and service unite to create a memory, and it is precisely that connection that propels the team to keep raising the bar.
Earning the MICHELIN Service Award presented by RAK Porcelain further cements Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant’s place among the city’s most authentic and welcoming dining destinations. Rooted in Emirati culture and traditions passed down through generations, it’s a shining example that genuine, thoughtful service never goes out of style.
