Finding a restaurant worth your evening shouldn’t feel like a round of Russian roulette. We’ve all been there, scrolling through a digital wasteland of neon-lit interiors curated by influencers who seem to find every lukewarm appetiser life-changing. Fortunately, the Gault&Millau annual guide exists, offering navigation through the expanding culinary landscape.
The list of winners awarded during the Gault&Millau UAE Gala 2026, which took place at Atlantis The Royal on February 2, will make those decisions even easier. Marking its fifth edition and gathering 250 attendees from the industry, ranging from restaurateurs to sommeliers. Eighteen awards were handed out, with five new categories debuting for the iteration.
While several establishments won accolades, the undeniable star of the evening was Trèsind Studio. The acclaimed fine-dining destination won Home-grown Restaurant of the Year, while its head chef, Himanshu Saini, added Chef of the Year to his mantelpiece. The Indian fusion concept’s most significant triumph, however, was also the evening’s ultimate prize: Restaurant of the Year. Not to be outdone in the global category, Atlantis The Palm’s FZN by Björn Frantzén was named International Brand of the Year.
What sets the Gault&Millau guide apart is the toque system, a hierarchy that separates the good from the genuinely exceptional. This year, both Trèsind Studio and FZN achieved the rare five-toque rating, scoring 19 out of 20. A total of 88 toques were distributed, a nod to the growing variety and complexity of options in the local food scene.
Speaking on the same subject, Ali Akawi, CEO of ITP Media Group, addressed the attendees with reflections on the country’s surge in creativity, pointing to the “growing richness, diversity and reach of the UAE’s restaurant and hospitality sector”. He also expressed his pride in witnessing Gault&Millau UAE’s contribution to that growth.
Meanwhile, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, TakaHisa, Orfali Bros, and Zuma Dubai each secured their own respective awards. Additionally, Carmen Rueda Hernandez of BRIX Journey earned Pastry Chef of the Year.
By the end of the evening, the Gault&Millau UAE Gala 2026 celebrated achievements while also providing diners with a roadmap of all the best spots. With the awards highlighting the country’s standout chefs and establishments, discovering new places to eat in 2026 doesn’t feel much like a challenge anymore.