The culinary elite gathered in Abu Dhabi for the highly anticipated fourth edition of the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. The ceremony, held at Erth Abu Dhabi and sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, celebrated the region’s top dining establishments. For the third consecutive year, Dubai’s Orfali Bros Bistro was crowned the No.1 restaurant in MENA, reaffirming its dominance in the culinary world.

Regional Culinary Excellence Recognized

The 2025 list featured outstanding restaurants from 11 cities across MENA, showcasing the region’s rich culinary diversity. The UAE dominated the list with 22 restaurants, while Egypt followed with seven and Jordan with six. Other countries represented include Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Tunisia.

Dubai’s Trèsind Studio, known for its avant-garde Indian cuisine under the leadership of chef Himanshu Saini, secured the No.2 position, followed by Kinoya at No.3. Cairo’s Khufu’s was ranked No.4 and named the Best Restaurant in Egypt.

Special Award Winners

Beyond the rankings, the event recognized individual excellence within the industry:

• Icon Award: Omar Shihab of Boca (Dubai), honored for his contributions to responsible and sustainable dining.
• Sustainable Restaurant Award: Boca (Dubai), acknowledged for its commitment to zero-waste practices and ethical sourcing.
• Estrella Damm N.A. Chefs’ Choice Award: Tala Bashmi, recognized by her peers for her innovative take on Bahraini cuisine.
• Middle East & North Africa’s Best Pastry Chef Award: Carmen Rueda Hernandez, lauded for her exceptional pastry and chocolate artistry.
• Highest Climber Award: Row on 45 (Dubai), which leaped 24 places to No.17.
• Highest New Entry Award: Dara Dining by Sara Aqel (Amman), debuting at No.18.
• Best Female Chef Award: Yasmina Hayek, celebrated for her leadership and influence in the culinary industry.

Diversity in MENA’s Culinary Landscape

The list also highlighted standout establishments from various countries, each receiving special recognition:

• Best Restaurant in Saudi Arabia: Marble (No.16, Riyadh)
• Best Restaurant in Morocco: La Grande Table Marocaine (No.22, Marrakech)
• Best Restaurant in Bahrain: Fusions by Tala (No.6, Manama)
• Best Restaurant in Lebanon: Em Sherif (No.9, Beirut)
• Best Restaurant in Tunisia: Le Golfe (No.44, La Marsa)

Read the full list