Inside Trèsind Studio, the World’s Only Three-Michelin-Starred Indian Restaurant
In Dubai, this multi-award-winning fine dining restaurant showcases the rich culinary heritage of India on every plate.
14 August 2025
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The world’s only three Michelin Starred Indian establishment | Photo Credit: Trèsind Studio
Tucked within the lush surrounds of Dubai’s St. Regis Gardens on Palm Jumeirah, Trèsind Studio has made culinary history as the first Indian restaurant in the world to earn three Michelin stars.
Spearheaded by chef Himanshu Saini and backed by restaurateur Bhupender Nath of Passion F&B, this intimate 20-seat culinary atelier reimagines Indian cuisine through a modern lens, blending time-honoured traditions with avant-garde precision to craft a dining experience that speaks of heritage while being unmistakably contemporary.
What began in 2018 as a culinary experiment—a spin-off of the original Trèsind restaurant launched in 2014—faced no shortage of challenges. With its niche format and minimalist space, the early days were marked by scepticism, sparse bookings and the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. But resilience won out and recognition followed: the restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2022, a second in 2023 and ultimately made history with its third in 2025.
Chef Himanshu Saini | Photo Credit: Trèsind Studio
At the centre of this transformation is Chef Saini, the creative force behind Trèsind Studio.
Trained at New Delhi’s iconic Indian Accent restaurant, Saini brought his progressive sensibilities to Dubai, where he quickly emerged as a leader in modern Indian gastronomy. His current 17-course tasting menu, “Rising India,” is a journey through the subcontinent’s diverse culinary regions expressed through locally sourced ingredients. The immersive degustation menu, priced at 1350 AED ($368), is a masterclass in culinary storytelling, where Indian tradition meets global technique in wildly imaginative forms.
“I come from an agricultural family in India,” says Saini.
The Cheeky Not A Nigiri | Photo Credit: Trèsind Studio
“I grew up spending a lot of time around fresh produce, herbs and flowers. This has created an innate inclination towards using locally sourced ingredients, which is organically expressed in our menu.” That philosophy manifests in dishes like the Avocado and Jicama Pani Puri, elevated with a Latin twist of green plum aguachile, or the Cheeky Not a Nigiri, where langoustine meets Goan balchao spices and Chinese XO sauce—a cross-cultural explosion of heat and umami.
Each course is tied to an Indian region. From the Thar Desert, there’s white asparagus ‘rice’ with pandan kadhi and anise-scented broth—subtle yet layered. The Deccan Plateau brings smoky coconut kushiyaki with sharp yuzu rasam, marrying South Indian soul with Japanese finesse. Along the Coastal Plains, lobster tail in Alleppey curry with pickled carrot pays homage to Kerala’s backwaters. The Northern Plains and Himalayas offer heartier fare: king oyster noodles with morel shoyu and Mughlai-style kebab paired with sourdough scarpetta for sauce-mopping indulgence. Desserts are just as ambitious — from the ocean-inspired oyster pearl bursting with rambutan and seawater, to banana-hazelnut tortellini in miso caramel and a pour of South Indian filter coffee, seamlessly bridges East and West. Each course, including the soulful Sadya, a tribute to Kerala’s harvest feast, reflects a confident, contemporary voice in Indian cuisine — one that’s bold, emotional and unmistakably global.
Team Trèsind Studio | Photo Credit: Trèsind Studio
A blend of the French word Très, meaning “very,” and Ind, short for Indian, Trèsind celebrates bold Indian flavours and time-honoured techniques. Part of Passion F&B’s portfolio, which includes Michelin-starred Avatara and Carnival by Trèsind, Trèsind Studio stands out for its storytelling and its ethos rooted in the Indian philosophy of “Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guest is God). The minimalist space is designed to keep attention on the food. The open kitchen, resembling a culinary theatre, allows guests to witness the meticulous artistry behind each plate. Natural elements like fresh flowers, leaves and locally sourced ceramics enhance the presentation, creating a sensory journey that transcends the plate. Elevating the experience is the Papadom Botanic Bar, where mixologist Dom Carella reinvents cocktails using Indian spices and techniques to bring forth innovative drinks such as the Maharajah Margarita and Nilgiri Negroni.
When Trèsind Studio was awarded its third Michelin star, it marked a historic moment not only for the restaurant but for Indian cuisine as a whole.
“This third star is a testament to our team’s unrelenting passion and belief in storytelling through food,” says Saini. “Our goal has always been to present Indian cuisine not just as nostalgic but as progressive and worthy of the world’s highest culinary accolades.” And with Trèsind Studio, he’s done exactly that.
Photos Credit: Trèsind Studio
Author: Pooja Thakur
Pooja Thakur is a senior journalist, writer, and editor with over 20 years of experience in print and digital media and in creating custom content for periodicals. She has been a long-serving senior reporter at Bloomberg News covering areas such as real estate, stocks and personal finance and investing across markets with a focus on Southeast Asia and India. In her free time, she enjoys scuba diving, rucking and finding the newest watering hole in town.