Michelin Guide Launch Elevates Saudi Arabia's Global Culinary Status

The Culinary Arts Commission is launching the Michelin Guide in Saudi Arabia, marking a new stage for the Kingdom’s restaurant sector. The guide is expected to highlight Saudi Arabia’s culinary transformation, attract international attention, and support tourism and hospitality, while giving local chefs and restaurants a structured route to global recognition.

This first Saudi edition presents the Kingdom as a growing global culinary destination. It reflects how Saudi Arabia’s food scene is diversifying, both culturally and gastronomically, and shows increasing interest in international standards. The guide also supports economic goals by helping restaurants draw visitors who seek high-quality and distinctive dining experiences.

The Michelin Guide is one of the world’s best known restaurant rating systems, using defined inspection criteria. Inspectors assess ingredient quality, mastery of cooking methods, harmony of flavours, the chef’s personal style, and consistency over time. These standards are applied in the same way worldwide, placing Saudi restaurants within a global frame of reference.

Restaurants in the Michelin Guide follow a clear star system. One star signals very good cooking and a strong overall experience. Two stars show excellent cuisine with dishes prepared at a high level. Three stars are reserved for exceptional restaurants that inspectors judge to be "worth a special journey" for guests.

Before final selections, Michelin inspectors carried out extensive field visits across Saudi Arabia. The teams explored dining options in Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla, assessing a wide range of restaurants. Their visits captured the expansion of Saudi gastronomy, from traditional kitchens to contemporary concepts, and underlined the variety now visible in the Kingdom’s culinary offer.

The inaugural guide introduces a set schedule for announcing selected restaurants. The chosen venues will be revealed on the 15th of each month from October to December 2025. This collaboration with the Culinary Arts Commission aims to raise restaurant standards, encourage innovation, and provide independent professional evaluation aligned with leading international practices.

With inputs from SPA