Abu Dhabi to host World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 in Middle East first
The 23rd edition will be held in the UAE capital in November
Abu Dhabi has been selected to host The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 in November, marking the first time the globally acclaimed culinary awards will take place in the Middle East.
Now entering its 24th edition, the event, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), will include a week-long programme of gastronomic experiences for visitors, culminating in the much-anticipated awards ceremony where the ranking of the world’s top restaurants will be revealed.
According to organisers, Abu Dhabi was chosen for its reputation as a city that “both embraces and values its food culture,” reflecting the emirate’s growing influence on the global culinary stage. The awards have previously travelled across major culinary capitals in Europe, the Americas and Asia, with recent editions hosted in cities including London, New York, Singapore and Barcelona.
The announcement follows the success of the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 ceremony, held recently at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi. In that edition, the UAE achieved a record 25 entries on the list, with Abu Dhabi securing three spots: Marmellata Bakery at number 16, along with two new entries: 3 Fils Abu Dhabi at number 42 and LPM Abu Dhabi at number 47.
Event programme highlights
The November 2026 global programme will feature a series of headline events, including #50BestTalks, a thought-leadership forum exploring key issues shaping today’s hospitality industry, and 50 Best Signature Sessions, a collection of public dining experiences pairing international chefs with local culinary talent for one-off collaborative dinners.
The schedule will also feature the Chefs’ Feast, showcasing regional ingredients and culinary techniques from across the Middle East.
In the months leading up to the November celebration, several special awards will be announced, recognising individual and collective achievements from around the world.
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The most recent World’s 50 Best Restaurants ceremony was held in Turin, Italy, where Maido in Lima, Peru, claimed the title of The World’s Best Restaurant 2025. That list featured just two Middle East restaurants in the global top 50, both in Dubai: Trèsind Studio on Palm Jumeirah at No. 27, and Orfali Bros at No. 37, following its impressive rise from 64th place in 2024.
Commenting on the upcoming milestone, Craig Hawtin-Butcher, Managing Director, 50 Best, said: “Abu Dhabi’s rich history has shaped a dynamic dining scene that celebrates both time-honoured traditions and world-class international cuisine.”
Fakhry Alsarraj, Director of Abu Dhabi Events Bureau, part of DCT Abu Dhabi, added: “Hosting The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi reflects the emirate’s exciting and ever-evolving gastronomic landscape, offering cuisines from around the globe alongside world-class culinary education and training.
"It also reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a leading culinary destination, shaped by a diverse dining scene, homegrown talent and a strong commitment to nurturing excellence across every level of the food and hospitality sector.”
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is compiled through votes from 1,120 international industry experts and gourmets, members of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, representing the most respected voices in global dining.
For more information, visit www.theworlds50best.com
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