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3 Special Awards Announced at the MICHELIN Guide Restaurant Celebration Saudi Arabia 2026

  • A total of 51 restaurants feature in the MICHELIN Guide Saudi Arabia 2026.
  • 11 establishments have earned the Bib Gourmand distinction, while 40 others are included in this year’s Guide.
  • During the celebration, 3 Special Awards were announced.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The MICHELIN Guide Saudi Arabia 2026 proudly hosts the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Restaurant Celebration, celebrating the country’s wonderfully dynamic culinary landscape. This year’s selection showcases the growing sophistication and diversity of the Saudi dining scene, with 51 restaurants joining the Guide. Impressively, 11 of which have been awarded the Bib Gourmand distinction for delivering exceptional cuisine at great value, alongside 40 establishments recognized in the Selected category.

This evening marked a truly exceptional moment, as for the first time in MICHELIN Guide history the reveal unfolded in stages through a dedicated website, presented across three storytelling phases. Each theme beautifully captured the essence of the 2026 selection, spotlighting hospitality, women, and breads in Saudi Arabia, and illuminating the country’s cuisine and culture in a fresh, compelling way.

With the final wave of announcements released on December 15, the restaurant plaque distribution followed as a key moment in the celebration, delivered in partnership with the Culinary Arts Commission. Each restaurant was personally presented with its official MICHELIN plaque, a symbol of excellence allowing them to proudly display their earned distinction at their establishment’s entrance. This ceremonial handover not only honored the teams behind the restaurants but also marked the finale of months of anticipation, giving chefs and owners a tangible emblem of their achievement to share with their guests and communities.

MICHELIN distinctions are given to restaurants taking into account five universal criteria: the quality of the ingredients; the harmony of flavors; the mastery of techniques; the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine; and, just as importantly, consistency both across the entire menu and over time.

Special Awards

In addition to the restaurant distinctions, The MICHELIN Guide shines a spotlight on the wide-ranging contributions found across hospitality, honoring the industry’s most gifted and motivated individuals, through its Special Awards.

The Young Chef Award is presented to Riyadh’s Maiz, Chef Elia Kaady whose culinary journey began in Beirut, where he refined his skills across several restaurants before moving to Riyadh to further develop his craft. He credits his brother, also a chef, for inspiring him to pursue this path, a motivation that has helped shape his rise as one of the region’s promising young talents.

Il Baretto in Riyadh is recognized with the Exceptional Mocktail Award, a testament to the creativity and refinement led by Bar Manager Santiago Latorre. MICHELIN Guide Inspectors said the cocktail list offers a thoughtful mix of elevated classics and original signature mocktails, each crafted with an unmistakable Italian heart. Using non-alcoholic spirits, house-made cordials, and carefully prepared decoctions, the bar creates drinks that are both characterful and elegant, enhancing and elevating the restaurant’s cuisine with every sip.

Jeddah’s Yaza receives the Service Award for delivering an exceptional experience from start to finish. . Guests are warmly welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates, guided to their tables, and cared for by a knowledgeable and passionate team. The staff go out of their way to recommend and explain dishes and drinks, creating a memorable and genuinely thoughtful dining experience. This outstanding level of hospitality reflects the vision and leadership of Chef/Owner Hakim Bagabas.

Premium Mocktail Reception

The celebration debuted in Riyadh and was followed by an exclusive mocktail reception honoring the establishments’ achievements.

This dynamic culinary showcase brought together six guest chefs, including three international talents and three from the MICHELIN Guide Saudi Arabia 2026 selection. They showcased their innovative gastronomic creations during the premium mocktail reception. 

  • Le Gabriel – La Réserve Paris, Three MICHELIN Stars, MICHELIN Guide France 2025 
  • Muse by Tom Aikens, One MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2025
  • Nusara, One MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2026 
  • The Lucky Llama, MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Saudi Arabia 2026
  • KAYZŌ, MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Saudi Arabia 2026
  • Fi Glbak, MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Saudi Arabia 2026

Selection at a Glance

City Restaurant Distinction
Riyadh Em Sherif Café Bib Gourmand 
Riyadh Fi Glbak Bib Gourmand 
Riyadh KAYZŌ Bib Gourmand 
Riyadh Mirzam Bib Gourmand 
Riyadh Najd Village Bib Gourmand 
Riyadh Sasani Bib Gourmand 
Riyadh Tameesa Bib Gourmand 
Jeddah Samia's Dish Bib Gourmand 
Jeddah The Lucky Llama Bib Gourmand 
AlUla Joontos Bib Gourmand 
AlUla Tofareya Bib Gourmand
Riyadh Aseeb Selected
Riyadh Benoit Selected
Riyadh Café Boulud Selected
Riyadh Hōchō Selected
Riyadh Hong Selected
Riyadh Il Barretto Selected
Riyadh Julien by Daniel Boulud Selected
Riyadh Long Chim Selected
Riyadh Lusin Selected
Riyadh Maiz Selected
Riyadh MLLE Selected
Riyadh Namu Selected
Riyadh OVUN Bistro Selected
Riyadh Robata Selected
Riyadh Ruhi Selected
Riyadh Rüya Selected
Riyadh Takya Selected
Riyadh Taleed by Michael Mina Selected
Riyadh Tanjiah Selected
Riyadh Thara Selected
Riyadh The Globe Selected
Riyadh The Rubi Room at Hōchō Selected
Riyadh Tofareya Selected
Riyadh Villa Mamas Selected
Riyadh Yawmiyat By Dalal Selected
Riyadh Yokari Selected
Jeddah Fish Market Selected
Jeddah Karamna Selected
Jeddah Kuuru Selected
Jeddah Maritime Selected
Jeddah Meez Selected
Jeddah Myazū Selected
Jeddah Niyyali Selected
Jeddah Rasoi By Vineet Selected
Jeddah Tamees House Selected
Jeddah Toki Selected
Jeddah Yaza Selected
AlUla Harrat Selected
AlUla Somewhere Selected
AlUla Tama Selected


Our Partners for 2026 

Press Contact :

BPG Group

[email protected]

About Michelin:

Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries and employs 129,800 people. (www.michelin.com).

Follow all our news on X @Michelin

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WeRide and Uber Begin First Commercial Robotaxi Service in Downtown Abu Dhabi

  • Robotaxi public operations have commenced with routes between Corniche Road and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, as well as in Khalifa City, Masdar City, and Rabdan
  • Expanded service endorsed by Integrated Transport Centre (ITC)

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER), have launched the first commercial Robotaxi service in downtown Abu Dhabi – marking the Emirate's first autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment in its city center. With this latest downtown expansion, the WeRide-Uber service now reaches approximately 70% of Abu Dhabi's core areas, with the fleet quadrupling in size since starting operations in December 2024.

The newly expanded service operates across Khalifa City, Masdar City, Rabdan, and routes between Corniche Road and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, in partnership with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC). Within the coverage area are major landmarks such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and popular hotels along Corniche Road, including Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences; InterContinental Abu Dhabi by IHG; Edition Hotel, Abu Dhabi; Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi; and Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche.

WeRide's Robotaxi GXR at Grand Mosque, downtown Abu Dhabi

Starting today, riders using the Uber platform and travelling to or from the new areas may be matched with a WeRide Robotaxi GXR through UberX or Uber Comfort, and can also choose to book directly via the dedicated “Autonomous” option on the app. Public commercial operations are now underway with a vehicle specialist on-board, as part of a phased approach towards fully driverless operations. Tawasul Transport, a leading UAE national transport company, is the main fleet operator for WeRide vehicles on the Uber platform, providing fleet management services.

This expansion enhances urban connectivity, improves transport accessibility, and supports the UAE’s broader smart mobility vision. Previously, the service covered about half of Abu Dhabi’s core areas, including Al Reem, Al Maryah, Yas, and Saadiyat, as well as highway routes to and from Zayed International Airport. WeRide now has over 200 Robotaxis in the Middle East.

WeRide's Robotaxi GXR on Corniche Road, downtown Abu Dhabi

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was named the top attraction in the Middle East in 2025, and a popular tourist destination on the Uber app. The expanded WeRide-Uber Robotaxi service supports Abu Dhabi’s growth as a tourism hub, with hotels across the Emirate receiving 4.8 million guests as of 2024 – a 27% year-on-year increase in international visitors. By connecting this high-demand hotel and tourism corridor with other parts of Abu Dhabi, the service highlights ITC’s confidence in the partners' ability to operate safely in complex urban environments.

This development highlights WeRide and Uber's rapid progress in the UAE, as they work to scale their Middle East operations to thousands of Robotaxis over the coming years. In February 2026, both companies committed to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis across the Middle East as soon as 2027, spanning Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh.

In November 2025, WeRide and Uber launched the Middle East's first Level 4 fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations in Abu Dhabi, which started with Yas Island. The launch was enabled by WeRide's Robotaxi securing the world’s first city-level fully driverless Robotaxi permit outside the US in October 2025.

WeRide Robotaxi on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

WeRide maintains a 4-year first mover advantage in autonomous vehicle deployment in Abu Dhabi, having operated Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi since 2021. In 2023, it became the first company in the UAE to receive a national license covering all types of self-driving vehicles, authorizing autonomous testing and operation on public roads across the country, subject to emirate-level approvals. In December 2024, WeRide and Uber launched their Robotaxi ride-hailing partnership in Abu Dhabi – the largest commercial Robotaxi service outside the US and China.

About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous driving industry, as well as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. Our autonomous vehicles have been tested or operated in over 40 cities across 11 countries. We are also the first and only technology company whose products have received autonomous driving permits in eight markets: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the US. Empowered by the smart, versatile, cost-effective, and highly adaptable WeRide One platform, WeRide provides autonomous driving products and services from L2 to L4, addressing transportation needs in the mobility, logistics, and sanitation industries. WeRide was named to Fortune's 2025 Change the World and 2025 Future 50 lists.

About Uber
Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 72 billion trips later, we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

Media Contact
[email protected]

Media Contact
[email protected]

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about WeRide’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in WeRide’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release. WeRide does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/94b3f9ca-c8d8-41c5-ba1f-e65fa308dbc1

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8232e839-59e5-4a27-b26e-6f9dcaa036bc

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/358677a8-067c-4a9c-a5e2-60593e7b8d45


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