First Michelin-Starred Nepali Chef Rahul Babu Shrestha Secures Back-to-Back Michelin Glory

Chef Rahul Babu Shrestha has brought international recognition to Nepal as his leading restaurant, Row on 45, Dubai, has retained two Michelin stars in the Michelin Guide 2025. This marks the second consecutive year the restaurant has been awarded this honor, placing both Row on 45 and Chef Rahul among the world’s most prestigious names in fine dining.

Chef Rahul first made history in 2024 by becoming the first-ever Nepali chef to lead a restaurant to two Michelin stars. His success continued this year, proving his ability to maintain excellence and innovation at the highest level of global gastronomy.

Born in Nepal into a respected business family, Rahul charted a different course for his life by choosing the culinary path. After teaching himself the basics, he moved to the UK, where he studied at the University of East Anglia and trained in renowned Michelin-starred kitchens, including Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and Marcus Wareing’s The Square. His journey later took him to Singapore and Norway, before he made his mark in Dubai as Head Chef at Row on 45, in partnership with world-renowned chef Jason Atherton.

Situated on the 45th floor of Grosvenor House, Row on 45 is an ultra-exclusive dining destination offering a 17-course tasting menu that blends the finesse of French techniques with the precision and elegance of Japanese ingredients. Michelin inspectors have lauded the restaurant for its creativity, refinement, and flawless execution, setting new benchmarks in the region’s fine dining scene.

While the restaurant’s concept is rooted in French and Japanese traditions, Chef Rahul’s triumph stands as a symbol of immense national pride — a Nepali son reaching the pinnacle of the global culinary world. His journey serves as an inspiration not only to young chefs in Nepal but also as a beacon of what is possible.

Chef Rahul’s achievement may one day encourage him and other Nepali chefs to bring Nepali cuisine onto the Michelin stage, revolutionizing how the world sees the flavors of Nepal and paving the way for even greater recognition in the future.