More than 55,000 votes have been cast, and the winners will be revealed on 22 October.
The votes are in. Public voting for the FACT Dining Awards Abu Dhabi 2026 has officially closed, and the countdown is now on to one of the biggest nights in the capital’s culinary calendar. The winners will be revealed at an exclusive ceremony at Ilios Restaurant on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
Following months of public voting, more than 55,000 votes have been cast for restaurants across the capital, highlighting the venues that have made their mark on Abu Dhabi’s ever-evolving dining scene.
The FACT Dining Awards celebrate excellence across the food and beverage industry, with established editions taking place in Bahrain, Dubai, London, Qatar, Singapore and Riyadh. Following its continued success, the awards return for a twelfth edition with an even bigger celebration of the chefs, restaurants and hospitality teams shaping the city.
This year, FACT will present 47 awards across 24 categories, with more than 200 restaurants in contention. Eligible nominees will be contacted directly with further details regarding the invite-only ceremony.
What happens next?
With public voting now closed, the results will be verified before being combined with scores from FACT’s editorial team and independent industry experts.
Each category at the FACT Dining Awards Abu Dhabi features two accolades: BEST and FAVOURITE. The BEST award is the critic’s choice, determined by the FACT editorial team alongside an independent panel of experts. The FAVOURITE award is decided entirely by the public through online voting.
The winners will be announced live on Thursday, 22 October 2026, when more than 400 guests from across Abu Dhabi’s hospitality industry will gather at an exclusive invite-only ceremony at Ilios Restaurant on Al Hudayriat Island.
The list of awards:
- Breakfast
- Cafe
- Afternoon Tea
- International
- Beach/Pool Bar
- Pub
- Bar
- Outdoor Dining
- Fusion
- Seafood
- Pan Asian
- Latin American
- European
- Middle Eastern & North African
- Steakhouse
- French
- Indian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Saturday Brunch
- Homegrown
- Emirati Restaurant
- Newcomer
- Restaurant Of The Year 2026
The Venue
The FACT Dining Awards Abu Dhabi 2026 will take place at Ilios Restaurant & Pool Club on Al Hudayriat Island, bringing together more than 400 chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality leaders and industry insiders for an evening dedicated to the capital’s dining scene.
Sitting at the heart of the action beside Surf Abu Dhabi, the pool club takes its cues from the Aegean, with a temperature-controlled pool, cabanas and terraces overlooking the nearby surf facilities. Food focuses on Mediterranean and Greek flavours, with newer lunch menus adding Japanese touches. Sharing plates, seafood and grilled dishes suit the day-to-night format, while Greek-inspired brunches have become part of the venue’s weekend programming.
Guests will gather for an evening of awards, food, entertainment and networking as the winners across all 24 categories are unveiled.
Partners
Sponsors on the night will include Ilios Restaurant & Pool Club, African + Eastern, Crystal Corp, Dibba Bay Oysters, Great Wall, Icon XB Wagyu, Julius Meinl, Lyre’s, OmnyCom, Pristine Caviar, Reach Food Group, Roc4Life, Sama Luxury Catering, Selfie Snaps, Tablier, The Acai Spot and Transmed.
The FACT Dining Awards Abu Dhabi form part of a wider initiative by FACT Magazine FZ LLC, which has established its dining awards across several major culinary destinations, including Bahrain, Dubai, London, Qatar, Riyadh and Singapore.
The awards recognise the restaurants, chefs and hospitality teams raising the bar across their respective cities, combining independent editorial judgment with the voice of the dining public.
Contact: https://diningawards.factmagazines.com