Highlights from Michelin Guide Restaurant Celebration Saudi Arabia 2026
From plates to plaques: A total of 51 restaurants made it to the Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia
Here it is. The Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia 2026 has officially arrived.
Its very first Restaurant Celebration, held on Wednesday February 4 at the Kingdom Ballroom of Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, marked a significant milestone for the Kingdom’s dining scene.
The celebration was followed by an exclusive mocktail reception featuring six guest chefs, including three international talents and three from the Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia 2026 selection, who showcased their innovative gastronomic creations.
Why the debut still mattered
No stars were awarded this year, but make no mistake, it was still a highlight.
The buzz, the pride, the feeling of achievement… it all felt big. This wasn’t about rankings; it was about recognising how far Saudi Arabia’s food story has come.
The inaugural selection welcomed 51 restaurants into the Guide, providing a snapshot of a dining scene that is becoming more diverse and undeniably exciting. Earning Bib Gourmand distinction were 11 restaurants that offer exceptional food at good value, while 40 more gained a place in the Selected category.
A reveal done differently
In a first for the Michelin Guide globally, the reveal didn’t drop all at once. Instead, it unfolded in chapters through a dedicated website, presented across three storytelling phases: hospitality, women, and bread.
Each theme beautifully captured the essence of the 2026 selection, shifting the spotlight from lists to the people, traditions, and cultural layers shaping Saudi Arabia’s culinary identity today.
The final wave of announcements was made on Monday December 15, 2025, followed by one of the most memorable moments of the evening: the presentation of plaques.
Partnering with the Culinary Arts Commission, each restaurant was personally handed its official Michelin plaque – a tangible symbol of months (and years) of dedication. This recognition is now proudly displayed at restaurant entrances across the Kingdom.
What it really takes to make the Guide
Behind every Michelin distinction is a clear set of criteria.
They are the quality of the ingredients; the harmony of flavours; the mastery of techniques; the chef’s personality as expressed through their cuisine; and, just as importantly, consistency across the entire menu and over time.
And if this debut is anything to go by, Saudi Arabia’s culinary voice is only getting stronger.
Here is the list of the selected restaurants in the Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia 2026.
Bib Gourmand
Riyadh: Em Sherif Café, Fi Glbak, KAYZŌ, Mirzam, Najd Village, Sasani, Tameesa
Jeddah: Samia’s Dish, The Lucky Llama
AlUla: Joontos, Tofareya
Selected category
Riyadh: Aseeb, Benoit, Café Boulud, Hōchō, Hong, Il Barretto, Julien by Daniel Boulud, Long Chim, Lusin, Maiz, MLLE, Namu, OVUN Bistro, Robata, Ruhi, Rüya, Takya, Taleed by Michael Mina, Tanjiah, Thara, The Globe, The Rubi Room at Hōchō, Tofareya, Villa Mamas, Yawmiyat By Dalal, Yokari
Jeddah: Fish Market, Karamna, Kuuru, Maritime, Meez, Myazū, Niyyali, Rasoi By Vineet, Tamees House, Toki, Yaza
AlUla: Harrat, Somewhere, Tama
The talent shaping the scene
Beyond restaurant selection, the Michelin Guide also highlights the wide-ranging contributions across hospitality, honouring the industry’s most gifted and motivated individuals through its Special Awards.
The Young Chef Award:
Presented to Chef Elia Kaady from Riyadh’s Maiz, his culinary journey started in Beirut, where he refined his skills across several restaurants before moving to Riyadh to further develop his craft. He credits his brother, also a chef, for inspiring him to pursue this path, a motivation that has helped shape his rise as one of the region’s promising young talents.
The Exceptional Mocktail Award:
Michelin-selected Il Baretto in Riyadh has been recognised with the Exceptional Mocktail Award, a testament to the creativity and refinement of Bar Manager Santiago Latorre. The Michelin Guide inspectors praised the menu’s sophisticated balance of elevated classics and original signature mocktails, all crafted with non-alcoholic spirits, house-made cordials, and a distinctly Italian soul. The bar creates drinks that are both characterful and elegant, enhancing and elevating the restaurant’s cuisine with every sip.
The Service Award:
Meanwhile, Yaza in Jeddah took home the Service Award for delivering an exceptional experience from start to finish. Guests are warmly welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates, guided to their tables, and cared for by a knowledgeable and passionate team. The staff go out of their way to recommend and explain dishes and drinks, creating a memorable and genuinely thoughtful dining experience. It reflects Chef/Owner Hakim Bagabas’ vision and sets a high standard for hospitality in the Kingdom.
The Michelin Guide, beyond the table
The Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia did not stop at restaurants. Alongside its dining selection, it also highlights its curated hotel selection, available to explore (and book) via The Michelin Guide website and app.
From standout stays within the Kingdom to design-led destinations around the world, each hotel has been handpicked by the Michelin Guide experts for its style, service, and distinct personality – because where you sleep matters just as much as where you eat.
Images: Supplied
