The MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list revealed

The MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list revealed

February 05,2026 0 Rita Ghantous

At a gala ceremony in Abu Dhabi, the region’s leading culinary talents were honored at the fifth edition of the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, with Egypt’s Khufu’s crowned No.1 and a new generation of chefs and restaurants recognized across 14 cities.

Khufu’s in Giza tops MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list

The culinary world gathered in Abu Dhabi this evening for the fifth edition of Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. The awards ceremony took place at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi. Restaurants from 14 cities across the Middle East and North Africa were recognized, culminating in the announcement of the region’s No.1 restaurant for 2026, Khufu’s in Giza, Egypt. Rooted in deep respect for Egyptian culinary heritage, Khufu’s reinterprets the flavours of the Nile Valley through a refined contemporary approach. Its rise to the top reflects its elegant modernization of traditional dishes, exceptional ingredient sourcing, and thoughtful storytelling. Located at the foot of the Pyramids, Khufu’s offers a dining experience that unites contemporary Egyptian gastronomy with one of the world’s most iconic landscapes. The restaurant represents a confident modern Egyptian culinary identity, resonating both locally and on the global stage.

A regional culinary landscape on the rise

The 2026 list featured restaurants from 14 cities across the MENA region, with 16 new entries reflecting both established institutions and exciting newcomers. From traditional flavors reimagined to bold, contemporary cuisine, this year’s winners highlight the rich diversity and creativity shaping the region’s gastronomic future.

MENA’S 50 Best Restaurants 2025

  1. Khufu’s Giza, Egypt
  2. Kinoya, Dubai
  3. Trèsind Studio, Dubai
  4. Orfali Bros, Dubai
  5. Beihouse, Beirut
  6. Kuuru, Jeddah
  7. Sufret Maryam, Dubai (New entry)
  8. Jun’s, Dubai
  9. Manāo, Dubai (New entry)
  10. Moonrise. Dubai
  11. Table 3, Casablanca
  12. Marble, Riyadh
  13. Em Sherif, Beirut
  14. 11 Woodfire, Dubai
  15. Kokoro Dubai (New entry)
  16. Marmellata Bakery, Abu Dhabi
  17. 3 Fils Dubai, Dubai
  18. Cantina, Kuwait City (New entry)
  19. La Grande Table Marocaine, Marrakech
  20. Reif Kushiyaki Cairo
  21. Le Petit Cornichon, Marrakech
  22. FZN, Dubai (New entry)
  23. TakaHisa, Dubai
  24. Sesamo, Marrakech
  25. Kazoku, Cairo
  26. Shams El Balad, Amman
  27. LPM Dubai, Dubai
  28. Alee, Amman
  29. Three Bros, Dubai (New entry)
  30. Dara Dining by Sara Aqel Amman, Amman, Jordan
  31. +61, Marrakech
  32. Zooba (Zamalek), Cairo
  33. Gaia, Dubai
  34. Zuma, Dubai
  35. Mimi Kakushi, Dubai
  36. Row on 45, Dubai
  37. Sachi Cairo
  38. Niri, Abu Dhabi
  39. Buco, Beirut
  40. Chez Wam, Dubai (New entry)
  41. Boca, Dubai
  42. 3 Fils Abu Dhabi (New entry)
  43. Girl and the Goose, Dubai (New entry)
  44. Idam, Doha (New entry)
  45. Myazu, Riyadh
  46. Le Golfe La Marsa, Marrakech
  47. LPM Abu Dhabi (New entry)
  48. Lyra Manama, Bahrain (New entry)
  49. Farmers, Marrakech
  50. Matbakhi, Kuwait City

Key highlights

  • Khufu’s is named The Best Restaurant in the Middle East and North Africa 2026.
  • The 2026 list features 16 new entries and restaurants from 14 cities across MENA, including Dubai, Marrakech, Giza, Casablanca, Doha, Amman and Beirut.
  • Reif Kushiyaki Cairo wins the Highest Climber Award, rising 27 places to No.20.
  • Beihouse Beirut receives the Highest New Entry Award, debuting at No.5.
  • Sara Aqel of Dara Dining by Sara Aqel is awarded MENA’s Best Female Chef.
  • Omar and Wassim Orfali of Orfali Bros win MENA’s Best Pastry Chef Award.
  • Salam Dakkak, Chef and Founder of Sufret Maryam and Bait Maryam, receives the SevenRooms Icon Award.
  • Himanshu Saini of Trèsind Studio wins the Estrella Damm 0.0% Chefs’ Choice Award.
  • Farmers in Morocco is honored with the Sustainable Restaurant Award.
  • Muna Haddad receives the Champions of Change Award, recognizing meaningful contributions to hospitality beyond the plate.

 

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About author

Rita Ghantous

Publication Executive

Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.

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