The sixth edition will unveil its ranking in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 26 January 2027.
Sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, the awards celebrate restaurant talent across 19 countries.
50 Best Week Abu Dhabi features #50BestTalks, Flavours of 50 Best and collaborative Signature Sessions dinners.
The best restaurants in the region will be announced on Tuesday, 26 January 2027.
We are fans of The World’s 50 Best, which recognises the best restaurants and bars across the globe. So, we are excited to hear that the 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa is returning and will be unveiled in Abu Dhabi on 26 January 2027.
The sixth edition of the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants is sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. The awards span 19 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, and celebrate the region’s greatest restaurants. THE star-studded ceremony brings together the best in the food and beverage business, from celebrity chefs to industry experts.
The 2026 ranking, announced in January this year, saw Khufu’s in Egypt – which offers views of the pyramids – ranked at the top of the list. Kinoya claimed the top restaurant in Dubai and the whole of the UAE, and was ranked at No. 2. Marble claimed the top restaurant in Riyadh and the whole of Saudi Arabia, and was placed at No. 12. Plus, Marmellata Bakery claimed the top spot in Abu Dhabi, and came in at No. 16.
Dubai restaurants dominated last year’s list with Trèsind Studio at No. 3, Orfali Bros at No. 4, Sufret Maryam at No. 7, Jun’s at No. 8, Manāo at No. 9, Moonrise at No. 10, 11 Woodfire at No. 14, Kokoro at No. 15, 3 Fils Dubai at No. 17, FZN at No. 22, TakaHisa at No. 23, La Petite Maison Dubai at No. 27, Three Bros at No. 29, Gaia at No. 33, Zuma at No. 34, Mimi Kakushi at No. 35, Row on 45 at No 36, Chez Wam at No. 40, Boca at No. 41, and Girl and the Goose at No. 43.
In Abu Dhabi, the restaurants include Marmellata Bakery at No. 16, Niri Restaurant & Bar at No. 38, 3 Fils Abu Dhabi at No. 42, and La Petite Maison Abu Dhabi at No. 47.
Foodies will love 50 Best Week Abu Dhabi, which takes place across restaurants in the capital. The events include #50BestTalks, the thought-leadership forum; Flavours of 50 Best, an evening brunch showcasing dishes from leading chefs; and a series of 50 Best Signature Sessions, which pair visiting talent with local restaurants for collaborative dinners.
The voting process
The World’s 50 Best has been compiled by 250 judges who have eaten their way around the region. The judges are industry leaders, including chefs, restaurateurs, food writers, and well-travelled gourmets. For 2026, each voter can choose up to 10 restaurants, with at least four outside their home country. All MENA restaurants are eligible, and ranked restaurants must receive votes from at least two countries.
Rikki Tidball, Managing Director of Events, The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa, says: “As we look ahead to the sixth edition of The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa, the depth and diversity of the region’s dining scene continue to grow, driven by extraordinary chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality talent across MENA. We are delighted to return to Abu Dhabi in January and bring this community together once again, celebrating the restaurants and people shaping the region today. This year also marks a new chapter for us under The 50, with a new identity but the same commitment to recognising and championing exceptional hospitality.”
Celebrations await.
Contact: www.theworlds50best.com