In a culinary landscape where achieving a Michelin star often takes years of dedication and relentless refinement, Manāo has defied the odds by earning this prestigious accolade a mere five months after its debut. This remarkable feat catapulted the restaurant, which is a tribute to Thai cuisine, into the spotlight of Dubai’s gastronomic scene. Co-founders Chef Abhiraj Khatwani and Chef Mohamad Orfali reflect on their extraordinary journey, the values that shape their vision, and the signature dish that encapsulates the essence of Manāo.
A Journey of Community and Confidence
For Chef Khatwani, the early signs of success didn’t stem from industry accolades or whispers of Michelin inspectors. Instead, he points to the connections formed within the restaurant’s walls. “The first moment I felt something special was happening was when guests started coming back again and again,” he explains. “We’d see familiar faces bringing their friends, then their families. Suddenly, a restaurant that had just opened was building a community around it.”
Chef Orfali, who has his own share of accolades, found his confidence in observing the kitchen team’s consistent performance. “I believed it could happen when I saw how consistently the team delivered every single day. There was a clear identity and a purpose that never wavered. The moment it became real was hearing Manāo announced. Seeing the team’s reaction was unforgettable.”
Redefining Culinary Norms
Interestingly, despite its Michelin-star status, Manāo never aimed to conform to the traditional notion of fine dining. The co-founders made a conscious decision about what their restaurant would not embody. “We refused to make things complicated for the sake of appearing sophisticated,” says Khatwani. “Thailand’s food culture is built around flavour, emotion, and generosity. The focus had to stay on flavour.”
Orfali expands on this ethos: “We refused to fit into a category. Restaurants often spend too much time trying to define themselves—fine dining, casual dining, modern dining. We simply wanted to create a place where the food spoke honestly. If guests leave talking about the food instead of the performance around it, we’ve done our job.”
A Fusion of Cultures
Manāo’s culinary creations are often described as a love letter to Thailand, crafted by a chef who has deep roots in both Thailand and Dubai. Khatwani reflects on this duality, remarking, “Probably more than I realise, Thailand gave me my culinary foundation, but Dubai shaped who I am. Growing up here exposed me to different cultures, ingredients, and ways of thinking. Manāo sits somewhere between those worlds.”
For Orfali, the fusion of influences is crucial. “It’s not trying to recreate Thailand. It’s Abhi’s interpretation of Thailand through the lens of someone who grew up in Dubai. You can taste the chef’s story in the food.”
A Collaborative Vision
Before becoming a celebrated restaurant, Manāo was born from the ideas exchanged during coffee chats between two friends. Both chefs acknowledge the balance in their partnership. “Chef Orfali has this ability to see the bigger picture while still obsessing over the smallest details,” Khatwani says. “Whenever I get too deep into the kitchen side of things, he reminds me to step back and look at the entire guest experience.”
Orfali offers equal praise in return, noting Khatwani’s clarity and conviction. “Abhi knows exactly what Manāo should be and, more importantly, what it shouldn’t be. A lot of chefs can cook, but very few have that level of conviction. He protects the soul of the restaurant every day.”
Beyond Accolades
Since receiving the star, accolades have continued to flow in, including the Restaurant of the Year award at the dubai-lifestyle.ae Dubai Awards. Still, both chefs view these recognitions as just the beginning. “It’s incredibly humbling, but it doesn’t feel like an arrival,” Khatwani explains. “If anything, it feels like the beginning. The award tells us we’re heading in the right direction, but there’s still so much we want to explore and improve.” Orfali adds, “For me, the award is encouragement, not a finish line.”
Must-Try Dishes
If you’ve managed to secure a table at Dubai’s fastest-starred restaurant, there are a couple of dishes you absolutely cannot miss. For Khatwani, the standout is the Sticky Rice Roti. “It captures everything Manāo stands for. It takes a familiar ingredient and presents it in a way that’s unexpected, while staying deeply connected to Thai flavours and traditions,” he insists. “It’s simple, but every detail matters.”
Meanwhile, Orfali champions the Curry Puff. “It looks deceptively simple, but it tells you everything about Manāo—technique, restraint, flavour, and emotion all wrapped into a single bite. If you’re eating at Manāo for the first time, that’s the dish that immediately tells you who we are.”
What do they hope guests take away? Khatwani wishes for “curiosity about Thailand beyond the dishes they already know.” Orfali’s aspirations are more straightforward: “I want them to remember a flavour. I want them to feel warmth. And I want them to leave already thinking about when they’re coming back.”
With their passion and innovative spirit, it seems that at Manāo, this wish is already coming true.
Where: Manāo, Wasl Vita, Dubai @manao_dubai