Breaking — the capital moves defining 2026
Breaking — the capital moves defining 2026
Breaking — the capital moves defining 2026
London’s Gymkhana has opened in Dubai
The 2-Michelin-starred Indian restaurant is the latest international name to enter the UAE dining market. The question is who comes next, and who is backing them.
In this story
What the guides show
What an entry actually requires
Who comes next, and who backs them
London’s Gymkhana has opened in Dubai. The 2-Michelin-starred Indian restaurant is the latest major international name to enter the UAE dining market. And it is not an isolated move.
The UAE is becoming a destination for established international restaurant groups looking to expand into the Middle East.
What the guides show
Dubai’s 2025 Michelin Guide already featured 119 establishments, with new entries including Frantzén Group by Björn Frantzén, Jamavar and Manāo Dubai. Abu Dhabi’s 2026 guide now includes 56 restaurants, with 11 new additions.
What an entry actually requires
International restaurant brands entering the UAE need more than a strong concept. They need:
Local capital
Real estate
Operating partners
Hospitality groups
Family offices
Local relationships
Who comes next, and who backs them
For investors, that creates an increasingly interesting pipeline of hospitality opportunities. For restaurant groups, the UAE is becoming a market where the right local partner can materially change the economics of expansion.
The next question is not whether international dining brands are coming to the UAE. It is who comes next, and who is backing them.
Hotels & Resorts
Family Offices
Written by
Anton Bosredon
Anton is responsible for Vantierr in the UK and US, leading mandates directly and directing the firm's client management.
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