For the third consecutive year, the family-run eatery in Dubai headed by three brothers, takes the top spot. The trio reflect on what the award means to them and talk about their upcoming projects
Three is the magic number. Dubai restaurant Orfali Bros Bistro, founded by three Syrian brothers – Mohammad, Wassim and Omar Orfali – is named The Best Restaurant in the Middle East & North Africa 2025 for the third consecutive year.
Opened in 2021, the impact of Orfali Bros Bistro during its short lifetime to date cannot be underestimated. The independent Wasl 51 restaurant blends Aleppian heritage with Dubai’s dynamic dining scene. ‘Rules are meant to be bent and broken, with respect to our tradition,’ is one of team’s mantras.
Led by head chef Mohammad Orfali, the creative and innovative bistro is known for standout dishes like OB croquettes, shish barak à la gyoza and the corn bomb, while pastry chefs Wassim and Omar craft boundary-pushing desserts from their dedicated pastry kitchen one floor up, overlooking the dining space.
The Orfali brothers have led their restaurant to the No.1 spot for a third consecutive year
Reflecting on the restaurant’s huge achievement, Mohammad Orfali says: “I can’t describe it. We feel honoured, we feel happy. Thank you for the love and the support. Three times in a row! Representing the UAE, Dubai, Syria… thank you everyone voting for us and dining with us. It’s such a pleasure for us.”
Following its ranking on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list at No.46, this latest accolade further cements Orfali Bros Bistro’s status as a global culinary powerhouse. “We didn’t count ourselves to be No.1 again. Top three, amazing… top ten, great… and we’re back again at No.1… we love people loving us!” Mohammad says.
Its enduring success is a testament to the talent and passion of the Orfali brothers, whose dedication has earned them a loyal following both locally and internationally.
Rule-breaking gastronomy is the order of the day at Orfali Bros Bistro
This year will see the brothers expand their empire, opening the larger and more casual 3 Bros next door, with Thai restaurant Manāo on the same block. Mohammad says, “We don’t want people getting angry as our current restaurant is small!”
The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025
At the award ceremony, held at Erth Abu Dhabi on 28 January 2025, the full list of winners from 11 different cities across the MENA region, was revealed.
Speaking about the region, Mohammad Orfali says, “We all work with each other. We’re happy for everyone. It’s about putting us all on the map in a very good way… We have so many hidden gems [across the region]. We want to put a spotlight on it.”
The region's culinary community celebrated together in Abu Dhabi
The fine dining Indian restaurant Trèsind Studio in The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, headed by chef Himanshu Saini, retained the No.2 spot. It is followed by Dubai’s Kinoya at No.3 and Khufu’s in Cairo at No.4, which was also named The Best Restaurant in Egypt. Ossiano in Dubai completed the top five and was also named the Art of Hospitality Award 2025 winner.
Several special awards were also announced on the evening: Boca founder Omar Shihab won the Icon Award, while the restaurant wasnamed the Sustainable Restaurant Award winner. Tala Bashmi was voted by her peers as the winner of the Estrella Damm N.A. Chefs' Choice Award, while Carmen Rueda Hernandez was named the Middle East & North Africa’s Best Pastry Chef 2025, sponsored by Valrhona.
Row on 45 in Dubai was the recipient of the Highest Climber Award, sponsored by Ceder’s, rising 24 spots from the 2024 ranking to No.17, and Dara Dining by Sara Aqel in Amman was the recipient of the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Lavazza, after joining the 2025 ranking at No.18.
See the full list of The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, hosted in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT).
