KIGO at Four Seasons Hotel DIFC Awarded One Michelin Star at the Michelin Guide Dubai 2026 Ceremony

KIGO has been awarded one Michelin star at the Michelin Guide Dubai 2026 ceremony, becoming one of only two restaurants newly awarded this distinction in Dubai this year. The recognition marks a significant milestone for the Japanese Kaiseki restaurant, located at Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, just over one year since opening its doors. During the ceremony, Chef Akinori “Aki” Tanigawa was also presented with the Michelin Guide Service Award, recognising his distinctive approach to hospitality and the highly personalised dining experience he has established at KIGO.

Led by Chef Aki, KIGO has brought the traditions and philosophy of Kaiseki to Dubai through an approach rooted in seasonality, balance and precision. The menus evolve throughout the year in line with the changing seasons, with each new iteration shaped by ingredients at their peak and the character of that particular time of year. Rather than maintaining an extensive year-round selection, KIGO keeps its offering intentionally focused, allowing each season to guide the dishes, flavours and overall dining experience.

Hospitality has been equally central to KIGO since its opening. Chef Aki’s Michelin Guide Service Award recognises an approach that extends beyond the cuisine itself, with the Michelin Guide highlighting the restaurant’s “smooth and elegant service” and the warmth of the farewell given to guests. This personal approach is reflected throughout the KIGO experience, from remembering returning guests’ preferences to considering the details of each visit.

Chef Akinori “Aki” Tanigawa shares: “Receiving a Michelin Star for KIGO, alongside being recognised with the Michelin Guide Service Award, is a great honour and something I am very grateful for. For me, however, these recognitions are ultimately a reflection of the entire team. Kaiseki is not only about the food, but also about Omotenashi, the Japanese spirit of wholehearted hospitality, attention to details and creating a memorable experience for each guest. I am proud of what we have built together at KIGO and deeply grateful to our team and our guests who have supported us since the beginning. We will continue to learn, improve and remain true to the spirit of Japanese Kaiseki.”

Evgeny Kuzin, Chairman at Fundamental Hospitality, commented: “Receiving a Michelin Star is a tremendous honour and an important milestone for KIGO. From the beginning, we believed in bringing the depth and beauty of authentic Kaiseki to Dubai. This recognition belongs to our entire team and to the guests who have believed in us from the start. We are incredibly proud of what we have built together and look forward to the next chapter.”

Chef Izu Ani, Chief Research Officer at Fundamental Hospitality, added: “This Michelin Star is a recognition of the dedication and consistency of our entire team. Kaiseki is about respecting the season, the ingredients and the craft, while creating an experience that stays with the guest. I am very proud of our chefs and grateful to everyone who has supported KIGO on this journey.”

“Dubai has an extraordinary appetite for fine dining, and KIGO has earned its place through the authenticity of its cooking and the discipline of its team,” says Leonardo Baiocchi, Regional Vice President and General Manager. “I am immensely proud of them for earning this Michelin Star and thank our partners at Fundamental Hospitality for their support.”

With an intimate setting comprising a 12-seat sushi counter, private dining room and a limited number of tables, KIGO has been designed to allow for a highly personal experience, both in its cuisine and its hospitality.

Together, KIGO’s first Michelin star and Chef Aki’s Michelin Guide Service Award mark an important moment for the restaurant and its team, recognising both its approach to Japanese cuisine and the hospitality that has shaped the KIGO experience since opening.

For bookings and more information, please email kigo.dubaidifc@fourseasons.com, call +971 4 506 0388 or click here.