If you consider yourself a foodie, buckle up because the UAE’s finest restaurants just had their moment in the spotlight! Gault&Millau, the globally acclaimed restaurant guide, dropped its latest list of award-winning dining spots, and let’s just say, the competition was as fierce as a five-star kitchen on a Friday night rush. Dubai’s Row on 45 took the Gault&Millau crown for the best restaurant of the year.
What Is Gault&Millau?
Held at the stunning Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, this year’s Gault&Millau UAE gala wasn’t just a night of glitz and glamour, it was a full-blown culinary showdown. The country’s top chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and hospitality gurus gathered to witness who would walk away with the ultimate bragging rights. And taking the crown? Row on 45 by Jason Atherton, which bagged both ‘Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Chef of the Year’ for its star chef, Daniel Birk. Let’s break it all down!
Row On 45: Dubai’s New Culinary King
If you haven’t yet heard of Row On 45, prepare to add it to your must-visit list. This intimate 22-seater, perched inside Grosvenor House Dubai, wowed critics with its European fine-dining finesse. With an impressive 17.5 points and four toques (think of toques as Michelin stars but with a French flair), it rightfully earned the title of UAE’s best restaurant. And with Chef Daniel Birk at the helm, it was a double win for the team as he clinched ‘Chef of the Year.’ Talk about a power move!
The Big Winners: From Home-Grown Stars to International Icons
Beyond Row On 45, several other restaurants and culinary masterminds snagged top honours. Here’s a look at some of the key winners:
- Breakthrough Restaurant of the Year: FZN by Björn Frantzén, Atlantis The Palm
- Home-Grown Restaurant of the Year: TakaHisa, Banyan Tree Dubai
- International Brand of the Year: FZN by Björn Frantzén, Atlantis The Palm
- Sustainable Kitchen of the Year: JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
- Best Wine Offering: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Atlantis The Royal
- Best Champagne Offering: CLAP, DIFC
- Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage Offering: Orfali Bros., Wasl51
- Pastry Chef of the Year: Christophe Devoille, Atlantis The Royal
- Sommelier of the Year: Arturo Scamardella, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Atlantis The Royal
- Restaurant Manager of the Year: Vip-in Panwar, Trèsind Studio
- Future Great of the Year: Justine Ravetti, La Dame de Pic
Also Read: Row on 45 Becomes The 4th Dubai Restaurant To Receive 2 Michelin Stars; New List Inside!
What Makes Gault&Millau So Special?
Unlike other dining awards that rely on hype, Gault&Millau’s ratings come from a team of undercover reviewers who visit restaurants unannounced and pay for their meals. No PR stunts, no special treatment, just an honest assessment of what makes each restaurant shine (or not). This approach ensures that only the best truly make the cut.
So, if you’re ready to feast like a food critic, it’s time to book a table at one of these award-winning spots. Bon appétit!
Cover Image Courtesy: Row on 45/Website