By Jojo Dass

For Food Trip Magazine

(Second of a three-part series)

So far this month, three more new dining venues have made announcements about their launch.

Hikina Restaurant has re-opened its doors and will once again showcase delicious Pan-Asian fare, including traditional dishes from the Far East.  

The Saffron Boutique, a Pan-Indian restaurant opened on Dec. 20, 2022 at the Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel.

The Goofy Cow Burger, voted as one of the world’s best burgers in 2022,  has opened its second Dubai outlet just two months after launching in the city.  

Peggy Li, an independent F&B marketing specialist helping international brands sell and grow in China via e-commerce and digital marketing, said the Dubai debut of the prestigious Michelin Guide, which lists the city’s top restaurants, also was a big boost to the dining scene.

“This also added confidence on the future of the F&B in the UAE” said Li. “It added much bigger prospects for the culinary industry.”

At least 69 restaurants were in the Michelin Guide, with a total of 13 stars and one Green Star awarded.

According to a report from The National, Al Muntaha, 11 Woodfire, Armani/Ristorante, Hakkasan, Hoseki, Ossiano, Tasca by Jose Avillez, Torno Subito and Tresind Studio have been awarded one star each. A one-star award indicates high-quality cooking.

Two venues — Il Ristorante – Niko Romito and Stay by  Yannick Alleno – were awarded two stars, which means these venues have excellent cooking.

It was the first-ever Michelin Guide edition in the UAE, which was followed by another listing for Abu Dhabi.

Adding to this is the first edition of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants held earlier this year in Abu Dhabi during which Zuma, a contemporary Japanese restaurant in Dubai taking second spot. (Up next: Dubai – The melting pot of the world)