Middle East and North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants

Restaurants from across 11 cities within the Middle East and North Africa were announced as the 50 best places to eat in the region at the event held at Erth Abu Dhabi.

The culinary stars of the restaurant world converged in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi for the fourth edition of the Middle East & North Africa's 50 BestRestaurants awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. The ceremony culminated in the announcement of Orfali Bros Bistro, as the region’s No.1 restaurant for the third consecutive year.

The list includes winners from 11 different cities across the MENA region, from Marrakech and Beirut to Riyadh and Manama. The fine dining Indian restaurant Trèsind Studio in The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, headed by chef Himanshu Saini, retained the No.2 spot. It is followed by Dubai’s Kinoya at No.3 and Khufu’s in Cairo at No.4, which is also named the best restaurant in Egypt.

The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants event programme serves as a dynamic platform for chefs, gourmets, and food and travel media from across the region to come together in celebration of culinary excellence and hospitality. Beyond honouring the industry's finest, the event also shines a spotlight on the rich gastronomic landscape and cultural diversity of the region, sharing its culinary strength with a global audience.

The United Arab Emirates that tops the list of the countries with impressive 22 restaurants featured, including three from host city Abu Dhabi. Egypt follows with seven establishments and Jordan with six, one of which is in the top 10 - Shams El Balad (No.8), also winner of The Best Restaurant in Jordan title. Saudi Arabia and Morocco feature in the list with five restaurants each, with Marble (No.16) named the best restaurant in Saudi Arabia, while La Grande Table Marocaine (No.22) is ranked as the best restaurant in Morocco.

Bahrain’s Fusions by Tala (No.6) is the winner of the best restaurant in Bahrain award. Lebanon is also a player in the top 10 with Em Sherif in Beirut (No.9) named the best restaurant in Lebanon. Tunisia is also represented in the ranking with a new entry, Le Golfe in La Marsa (No.44), making it the best restaurant in Tunisia.

The Sustainable Restaurant Award was presented to Boca (No.12) in Dubai for its dedication to zero-waste initiatives, ethical sourcing and support for regional farmers and fishers. Omar Shihab, the force behind Boca, was also honoured with the Icon Award, which recognises outstanding figures in the food industry across the Middle East & North Africa and recognises individuals who use their platform to raise awareness and drive positive change. Under his leadership, Boca has set new benchmarks for responsible dining, seamlessly blending culinary excellence with environmental stewardship and inspiring a more sustainable approach to gastronomy across the region.

Spanish pastry chef and chocolatier Carmen Rueda Hernandez, executive pastry chef at Brix in Dubai, won the MENA's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Valrhona. A specialist in chocolate artistry and modern pastry techniques, she has earned recognition for her innovative approach, blending technical precision with creativity.

Yasmina Hayek, executive chef of Em Sherif group, was announced the winner of the Middle East & North Africa’s Best Female Chef Award; the renowned progressive Dubai restaurant, Ossiano, is presented with the Art of Hospitality Award; and Casablanca’s culinary gem, Table 3, picks up the American Express One To Watch Award, led by its founder and head chef, Fayçal Bettioui.

Row on 45 in Dubai won the Highest Climber Award, sponsored by Ceder’s, rising 24 spots to No.17. Dara Dining by Sara Aqel in Amman won the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Lavazza, at No.18.

Tala Bashmi was honoured with the Estrella Damm N.A. Chefs' Choice Award. Designed to give recognition to a chef who has had a positive impact on the regional culinary community.