The sixth edition will bring the region’s culinary community together for a four-day programme culminating in the annual awards ceremony
The 50 announces that the sixth edition of The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa will be revealed in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 26 January 2027, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
The 2027 edition follows the launch of The 50, the new unified master brand for 50 Best, bringing together its globally recognised rankings, awards, content and The 50 Discovery platform under one identity. As part of this evolution, Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants has become The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa, creating greater consistency across The 50’s global portfolio. The change represents an evolution of the brand, while the ranking’s credibility, independence and methodology remain unchanged.
The 2026 edition of Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants saw Khufu’s in Giza take the No.1 spot, becoming the first restaurant from Egypt to be named The Best Restaurant in the Middle East & North Africa. The restaurant climbed from No.4 in 2025 to claim the top spot at the awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi.
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.”
Fakhry Alsarraj, Acting Executive Director of the Events, Retail & Culinary Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi, says: “The return of The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa reflects the growing recognition of Abu Dhabi’s culinary scene, globally. Bringing leading chefs, restaurateurs and food lovers together here gives us an opportunity to celebrate the very best of MENA’s incredible dining landscape, while showcasing the distinctive experiences emerging across the emirate. From authentic Emirati cuisine and
ambitious homegrown concepts to internationally recognised restaurants, Abu Dhabi offers remarkable range and diversity, and events of this calibre help bring that story to a wider audience while strengthening food as an increasingly important part of the visitor experience.”
Highlights from the programme in Abu Dhabi will include The 50 Best Talks, the brand’s thought- leadership forum; Flavours of The 50, an evening brunch featuring dishes from some of the world’s leading chefs; and an extensive series of The 50 Signature Sessions – collaborative dining events featuring leading local and regional talent. Key events in the programme will be open to food-loving consumers on a ticketed basis.
A number of special awards announcements will precede the live programme, including the Champions of Change Award, the Art of Hospitality Award and the One to Watch Award.
Further details regarding the 2027 programme and consumer events will be revealed in due course.
The Voting Process:
The list is compiled by The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa Academy, an influential group of 250 experts from 19 countries across the entire region, each selected for their valued opinion of the Middle East and North Africa’s restaurant scenes. The Academy is divided into six regions: the Gulf; Saudi Arabia; Levant-plus; Israel; North Africa (East) and North Africa (West). Each region has its own panel of members, including a chairperson, called the Academy Chair, to head it up. The panel
comprises food writers, critics, chefs, restaurateurs and well-travelled gourmets. For the 2027 list, each MENA Academy member votes for up to 10 restaurants, with at least four located outside the country where they are based. All restaurants across the MENA region are eligible. To be included in the ranking, establishments must receive votes from a minimum of two countries in the region. None of the event’s sponsors has any influence over the voting process.
About The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa
Following the success of The 50 Best Restaurants, The 50 Best Restaurants Asia and The 50 Best Restaurants Latin
America, the first list of The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa was published in 2022, shining a much-
deserved spotlight on the region as a world-class culinary destination. The list is created from the votes of 250
experts from across the MENA region. The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa event programmes –
including the awards ceremony and unveiling of the list – provide a unique opportunity to unite
chefs, gourmets and journalists from all over the region at a shared celebration of cuisine, hospitality, passion and
talent. William Reed, which owns The 50 (formerly known as 50 Best), is entirely responsible for the organisation
of the awards, the voting system and the respective lists.
About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s
culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By
working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international
destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential,
coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to
support the culture, creative and tourism industries.
DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu
Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living
traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.
Partners:
• Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi – Official Host Destination Partner
• S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna – Main Partner & Official Water Partner, sponsor of The Best Restaurant in the
Middle East & North Africa 2027
• SevenRooms – Official Booking Platform Partner, sponsor of SevenRooms Icon Award 2027
• Estrella Damm 0.0% – Official Malt Beverage Partner, sponsor of Estrella Damm 0.0% Chefs’ Choice Award
2027
• Aspire Lifestyles – Official Concierge Partner
• illycaffè – Official Coffee Partner, sponsor of the Sustainable Restaurant Award 2027, sponsored by
Bidfood
• Valrhona – Official Chocolate Partner, sponsor of Best Pastry Chef Award 2027
