More concepts to watch
The region’s diverse hospitality landscape is thriving, with options spanning award-winning restaurants, traditional cafes and everything in between. Here are some of the notable names to put on your radar:
Aline Kamakian on preserving Armenian heritage through worldwide hospitality
From a family table in Beirut to international acclaim, Aline Kamakian, founder and CEO of Fig Holding, has built Mayrig into a global ambassador for Armenian cuisine. A chef whose work extends from disciplined expansion to humanitarian service, she reflects here on preservation, purpose and an upcoming surprise for Lebanon.
14 hospitality leaders on building brands with staying power
From family legacies to bold startups, the Middle East’s hospitality landscape is being shaped by entrepreneurs with a razor-sharp vision for how they want to grow their business. Careful expansion, investing in team development and creating guest experiences that resonate rather than embracing every trend are among their strategies. Here, 14 regional business leaders share their journeys, from lessons learned to future plans.
Legacy Hotels Holding and 7 Management sign MoU to expand lifestyle hospitality in MENA
Legacy Hotels Holding and 7 Management signs of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This formalizes a long-term collaboration aimed at developing and scaling next-generation lifestyle hospitality, dining and entertainment destinations across the MENA region.
Youssef Akiki’s next cut: A steakhouse and butchery in Lebanon
Youssef Akiki, owner of Brût and president of Disciples Escoffier Lebanon, is a prominent figure in Lebanon’s culinary scene. As he prepares to open a new steakhouse and butchery in Antelias, he reflects on creativity, balance and the milestones that shaped his year.
How head chef Marc Mahfouz quietly redefined excellence at MILA
Marc Mahfouz, head chef at MILA, Rosewood Hotel Doha, reveals how his disciplined, memory-driven cuisine transformed homegrown experimentation into Bib Gourmand recognized excellence.
Boubouffe Brasserie celebrates 50 years of culinary heritage
As Boubouffe Brasserie marks its 50th anniversary, it is time to look back at the story behind the name. Let’s learn more about how a neighborhood restaurant became a lasting part of Beirut’s food culture.
Al Khawajat Group: Celebrating lebanese cuisine from peak to coast
From mountain hospitality to urban dining and coastal seafood, the Al Khawajat Group’s concepts reflect Lebanon’s diverse landscape and rich culinary heritage.
Refining the kingdom’s culinary scene with consultant chef Nicolas Isnard
Nicolas Isnard, consultant chef at House of Grill at Fairmont Riyadh, reflects on the kingdom’s culinary scene, redefining luxury hospitality through experience, emotion and cultural identity.
The MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list revealed
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.
