Two MICHELIN stars, one omakase counter
Dubai’s dining calendar for 2026 is already shaping up to be spectacular. This January, one of the city’s most refined Japanese restaurants, TakaHisa, is welcoming an exceptionally rare guest: Kazuyuki Tanaka, the chef behind two-MICHELIN-starred Racine in France’s Champagne region.
For just two nights only, this intimate collaboration promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience for serious food lovers. Taking place on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 January 2026, the collaboration brings Racine’s quietly powerful, Japanese-led French cuisine to TakaHisa’s omakase counter at Banyan Tree Dubai, Bluewaters Island.
Racine is no ordinary restaurant. With just four tables and notoriously hard-to-secure reservations, it’s one of the very few Japanese-led restaurants in France to hold two MICHELIN stars. Seeing Tanaka cook outside France is rare — seeing him cook in Dubai is almost unheard of.
What to Expect at the Counter?
Guests will experience a bespoke omakase tasting menu, created exclusively for TakaHisa and presented by Chef Tanaka himself. Expect an elegant dialogue between Japanese precision and French technique, shaped by seasonality, restraint and emotion — and elevated by TakaHisa’s expertly curated sake pairing.
The collaboration was born after the TakaHisa team met Tanaka in Reims, bonding over a shared respect for craftsmanship, terroir and ingredient integrity. That connection now translates into an immersive, chef-led dining experience where every detail is intentional.
This collaboration isn’t just another guest chef dinner — it’s a landmark moment. With spaces extremely limited across three daily seatings (1pm, 6pm and 9pm), the event places Dubai firmly on the global fine-dining map as a city capable of hosting the world’s most exclusive culinary experiences.
@takahisa_dubai, @restaurant_racine_reims
Image credit: Supplied
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
