Khufu’s in Egypt claims the top spot.
It’s a great year for the Middle East’s dining scene. MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants have been unveiled for 2026, and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh feature heavily on the list. The ceremony was held at Mandarin Oriental Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, and the hospitality industry came together to celebrate the region’s dining scene. 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.
Kinoya
Chef Neha Mishra is an industry disruptor. Female restaurateurs are few and far between, and Indian chefs cooking award-winning Japanese food are practically unheard of. Kinoya has an unlikely origin story. The concept first started as a supper club, A Story of Food. More than 7,000 meals later, it turned into a restaurant.
In 2021, Kinoya opened in Onyx Tower in Dubai, and in 2023, it opened in Harrods in London. Neha has gained recognition from the FACT Dining Awards Dubai to MICHELIN Guide Dubai. She told FACT: “Kinoya is a homegrown concept. For that alone, I would recommend a visit. Of course, hopefully you’ll become a frequent visitor. It is a ramen-focused restaurant with plenty to offer. I am a firm believer that if anyone says ramen isn’t for them, they simply have not met the right ramen for them.”
Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Dubai restaurants dominating the list also include 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 at No. 38, 3 Fils Abu Dhabi at No. 42, and La Petite Maison Abu Dhabi at No. 47.
In Saudi Arabia, the highest-ranked restaurant is Marble in Riyadh at No. 12, followed by Juuru in Jeddah at No. 5, and MYAZŪ in Riyadh at No. 45.
The rest of the Middle East and North Africa
In Egypt, the highest-ranked restaurant is Khufu’s at No. 1, followed by Reif Kushiyaki Cairo at No. 20, Kazoku at No. 25, Zooba (Zamalek) at No. 32, and Sachi Giza at No. 37.
In Bahrain, the highest-ranked restaurant is Fusions by Tala at No. 6, followed by Cut by Wolfgang Puck at No. 43.
In Jordan, the highest-ranked restaurant is Shams El Balad at No. 26, followed by Alee at No. 28, and Dara Dining by Sara Aqel at No. 30.
In Lebanon, the highest-ranked restaurant is Beihouse at No. 5. In Morocco, the highest-ranked restaurant is La Grande Table Marocaine at No. 19. In Tunisia, the highest-ranked restaurant is Le Golfe at No. 46.
Wassim and Omar Orfali, from Orfali Bros and Three Bros in Dubai, won the Middle East and North Africa’s Best Pastry Chef Award. Chef Sara Aqel, who made her name as the Global Executive Chef of Fi’lia in Dubai, won the Middle East and North Africa’s Best Female Chef Award. Salam Dakkak, the founder of Bait Maryam and Sufret Maryam, received the Icon Award. Himanshu Saini from Trèsind Studio received the Chef’s Choice Award.
The World’s 50 Best has been compiled by 250 judges who have eaten their way around the region. The judges are made up of industry leaders, including food writers and well-travelled gourmets.
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GO: Visit www.theworlds50best.com for more information.