25 UAE restaurants named among MENA’s 50 Best for 2026

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Kinoya ranked Best Restaurant in the UAE

The UAE has reaffirmed its status as the Middle East’s culinary capital, with a record 25 restaurants featured on the newly released list of Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. Accounting for half of all ranked venues, this marks the highest number of UAE restaurants ever featured, up from 22 last year, and includes three in the coveted top five.

Dubai took the lion’s share with 22 restaurants, marking 44% of the list, while Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia each claimed three restaurants, Kuwait two and Qatar and Bahrain one each.

The awards ceremony, now in its fifth edition, took place at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi and celebrated exceptional dining across 14 cities. Five of the six GCC nations were represented, underscoring the region’s growing influence in global gastronomy, while 16 restaurants across MENA made their debut appearances. Of these, nine were new UAE entries, including Sufret Maryam (#7), Manao (#9), Kokoro (#15) and FZN at Atlantis, The Palm (#22).

Winners in 50 Best Restaurants MENA 2026

Dubai Leads MENA Rankings

Dubai led the rankings, with three restaurants in the top five: Kinoya, Trèsind Studio and Orfali Bros. Japanese-style izakaya Kinoya placed second overall, having previously held the number one position for three consecutive years. It was followed in third spot by three-Michelin-starred Trèsind Studio, the highest-ranked restaurant from the Middle East on the World’s 50 Best list and the only Indian restaurant worldwide with three Michelin stars.

Orfali Bros, created by Syrian-born brothers Mohammad, Wassim and Omar Orfali, was named fourth after topping the list last year, with its sister restaurant Three Bros marking a new entry at number 29.

Taking the top honour this year, Khufu’s in Giza, Egypt became the country’s first restaurant to claim the number one spot, praised for its “culinary philosophy rooted deeply in Egyptian culture yet executed with contemporary finesse,” while Beihouse in Beirut rounded out the top five, securing the Highest New Entry Award.

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Beyond Dubai, Abu Dhabi restaurants also shone on the list, with Marmellata Bakery ranking highest for the UAE capital at number 16, while homegrown Emirati brand 3 Fils Abu Dhabi, known for its modern Japanese fusion cuisine, marked a new entry at number 42.

Across neighbouring Gulf states, high-end Nikkei restaurant Kuuru in Jeddah led Saudi Arabia’s three entries in sixth place, with Myazu in Riyadh ranked at number 45. Cantina in Kuwait City ranked 18th. Bahrain’s Lyra placed 48th and Doha’s Idam, a fine-dining restaurant by Alain Ducasse located on the top floor of the Museum of Islamic Art, came in at number 44.

Kuuru in Jeddah won Best Restaurant in Saudi Arabia

Standout Awards

Dubai-based chefs and restaurants collected several top honours this year. Wassim and Omar Orfali received MENA’s Best Pastry Chef Award for their “innovative approach” to reinterpreting traditional Middle Eastern flavours at Orfali Bros and Three Bros. Meanwhile, chef Himanshu Saini of Trèsind Studio was named the winner of the Estrella Damm 0.0% Chefs’ Choice Award, recognised by peers for his “trailblazing vision” and modern approach to Indian cuisine.

Newcomer Middle Child in Dubai received the One To Watch Award for its community-driven, neighbourhood appeal and creative potential to enter future 50 Best lists. Salam Dakkak, founder of Dubai restaurants Sufret Maryam and Bait Maryam, received the Sevenrooms Icon Award for her role as a cultural ambassador for authentic Levantine cuisine.

MENA26 MENA s Best Pastry Chef Award sponsored by Valrhona

Wassim and Omar Orfali received MENA’s Best Pastry Chef Award

Chef Sara Aqel of Dara Dining by Sara Aqel in Amman, Jordan was honoured as MENA’s Best Female Chef. Farmers in Marrakech won the Sustainable Restaurant Award for its farm-to-table ethos, while Muna Haddad, founder of Baraka Destinations in Jordan, earned the Champions of Change Award for pioneering community-driven hospitality. The Art of Hospitality Award went to La Grande Table Marocaine at Royal Mansour Marrakech for its dedication to Moroccan fine dining.

Commenting on the 2026 rankings, a spokesperson said the list showcases the “breadth of culinary creativity across MENA”, including the rise of destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Cairo, Marrakech, Amman and Beirut. The annual list is compiled by the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a group of 250 judges from 19 countries across the region.

The annual list is compiled by the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a group of 250 judges from 19 countries across the region.

MENA’S 50 Best Restaurants 2026