TL;DR
- Eleven Jumeirah restaurants featured in the 2026 Gault&Millau UAE guide for the fifth consecutive year
- Al Muntaha at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab scored 18/20, 4 Toques, plus Cheese Selection and Bread Selection of the Year
- Four restaurants from the new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab made their guide debut
- 205 restaurants were selected overall at the gala on 2 February 2026
Why This Caught Our Eye
Jumeirah had a strong showing at the Gault&Millau UAE Gala last week. Hosted at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, the evening brought together 250 of the region’s top chefs and hospitality professionals to reveal the fifth edition of the guide. For Jumeirah, it marked five years running with restaurants making the cut, and this time eleven dining spots earned recognition.
The standout was Al Muntaha at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, which walked away with an 18/20 rating, 4 Toques, and two special awards: Cheese Selection of the Year and Bread Selection of the Year. That kind of detail tends to catch the eye of food-focused travellers, and it’s a lovely specific to have in your back pocket when talking about high-end Dubai stays.
The Full Spread
Beyond Al Muntaha, the honours were nicely distributed across the portfolio. Ristorante L’Olivo at Al Mahara, also in the Burj Al Arab, earned 15.5/20 and 3 Toques. Pierchic at Jumeirah Al Qasr and Rialto at the new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab each secured 13/20 and 1 Toque.
The debuts from Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab are worth a mention. Four restaurants from the property made their first appearance in the guide: Madame Li, The Bombay Club by Chef Manav Tuli, and Umi Kei all scored 11/20. Al Nafoorah and La Promenade, both at Jumeirah Al Qasr, rounded out the list with 11/20 each.
It’s a good spread across cuisines and styles. One couple might love the high-altitude setting of Al Muntaha, while another prefers the overwater feel at Pierchic.
For Your Client Conversations
This year’s guide included 205 restaurants across the UAE, with 18 different awards handed out at the gala. Trèsind Studio took Restaurant of the Year, and there were nods for sustainable kitchens and breakthrough spots too. It paints a picture of Dubai’s dining scene as mature and varied, going beyond beaches and shopping into genuine culinary destination territory.
The consistency is a nice detail as well. Five years in a row means Jumeirah isn’t coasting on reputation. They’re maintaining standards across multiple properties and cuisine styles.
The Booking Angle
For food-focused clients or special occasion trips, an 18/20 Gault&Millau rating is the sort of detail that adds colour to a Dubai recommendation. The cheese and bread awards are a memorable touch that makes the conversation a little more interesting than a generic luxury sell.
