The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been reaching significant milestones in its evolution towards becoming a fully cosmopolitan nation. In 2030, the Kingdom will host both Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup. Now, in another landmark moment for the rapidly developing country, the Michelin Guide has announced its upcoming launch in Saudi Arabia.
Through a partnership with the Culinary Arts Commission, a subsidiary of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the Michelin Guide will “focus on the bustling cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, while also beginning to explore diverse regions of the Kingdom, including Khobar, AlUla, and many more.”
Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed the opening of numerous restaurants, transforming Riyadh and Jeddah into culinary hotspots. From restaurants focused on local cuisine, to well established luxury restaurants, Saudi Arabia has transformed into a destination in the culinary world . The Saudi Arabian edition of the Michelin Guide is set to launch in 2026. However, Michelin inspectors are already at work, and the guide will begin revealing its Saudi selections on 15 October, 15 November, and 15 December of this year.
Restaurants in Saudi Arabia will be evaluated based on Michelin’s established five criteria: the quality of the ingredients, the mastery of cooking techniques, the harmony of flavours, the personality of the cuisine, and consistency over time and across the menu.
“These past few years, our Michelin inspectors have been keeping a watchful eye on the Kingdom’s culinary progression and continue to relish the wonderful spectrum that this fast-developing country has to offer,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide.
According to Michelin, the stars represent different tiers of excellence:
- One Michelin Star signifies high-quality cooking that is worth a stop.
- Two Michelin Stars are awarded for excellent cooking that is worth a detour.
- Three Michelin Stars denote exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.
The arrival of the Michelin Guide in Saudi Arabia marks yet another milestone in the Kingdom’s transformation and stands as a testament to its remarkable evolution in recent years.
