From Khufu's taking the No.1 spot to some seriously slick 50 Best Signature Sessions, check out the event's best bits.
Partners enjoy a Middle Eastern feast at Byblos Sur Mer to welcome them to Abu Dhabi, with a decadent dessert made with Valrhona chocolate
The stellar line-up of speakers at #50BestTalks: The Moment, a thought leadership forum discussing the hottest topics in gastronomy
Muna Haddad, winner of the Champions of Change Award 2026, as part of the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants, discusses sustainable tourism in Jordan
Panchali Mahendra, CEO of Atelier House Hospitality, brings the 11 Woodfire and Inja restaurant teams to the stage
The entire team at Marmellata Bakery descend on the #50BestTalks audience to serve its iconic sandwiches
Women in hospitality gather at the International Center For Culinary Arts Abu Dhabi for networking, conversation and connection, and students showcased their work for everyone
As the sun sets on Graphos Social Kitchen's picturesque terrace, three talented chefs and one superstar bartender get ready to create a feast at Flavours of 50 Best 
Chef Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura treats guests with a peek into the skills behind his world-class cooking
After enjoying Yasmina Hayek's chickpea-based dish, diners meet the chef behind the magic
Shehab Mostafa, head chef at Khufu's, relaxes with friends at the Chefs' Feast held at Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar
The teams from Myazu and Kuuru restaurants enjoy themselves the night ahead of the awards ceremony
Chef Antonio Guida and Mauro Uliassi team up for a 50 Best Signature Session at Talea restaurant at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
A perfectly crispy hasselback potato with smoked creme fraïche and caviar is the perfect start to the Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard X Orfali Bros 50 Best Signature Session
Chef Ian Pengelley serves a palate-cleansing dessert with a side of dry ice tableside theatre at the Coya X Myazu 50 Best Signature Session
The team behind this year's One To Watch Award winner, Middle Child, enjoys a red-carpet moment
Sara Aqel (left) on the red-carpet, shortly before winning the Middle East & North Africa's Best Female Chef Award 2026, sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel
Chefs Eddie Castro and Kenji Sarco from Kuuru, The Best Restaurant in Saudi Arabia 2026, arrive in style
Mohamad, Wassim and Omar Orfali celebrate having multiple entries on the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list
Le Petit Cornichon's Erwann Lance proudly shows off his scarf ahead of the big reveal
The Table 3 team keep hydrated ahead of the big reveal of the restaurants ranked 1-50
Caviar bumps and drams of Craft Irish Whiskey kept flowing as chefs had their photo moment on the red carpet
Plenty of zesty margaritas shaken by Altos' expert bartenders at the buzzy awards ceremony reception
The Foodics team capturing all the in-the-moment feelings of the chefs on the list before the countdown began
The team from Reif Kushiyaki Cairo heads to the stage to accept the Highest Climber Award 2026
Pioneering Palestinian chef Salam Dakkak stands to collect the Sevenrooms Icon Award 2026
Noted for its careful sourcing practices, Farmers in Marrakech wins the Sustainable Restaurant Award 2026, sponsored by Illy
Chef Tarek Alameddine and the rest of the Beihouse team take home the Highest New Entry Award. The restaurant made its debut on the list at No.5
Muna Haddad is presented with the Champions of Change Award 2026 by William Reed CEO, Tracy De Groose
Himanshu Saini (left) wins the Estrella Damm 0.0% Chefs' Choice Award 2026, given to him by Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura (right), head chef at Maido, The World's Best Restaurant 2025 
As part of Orfali Bros (three-time winner of The Best Restaurant in the Middle East & North Africa), Omar and Wassim Orfali have enjoyed many successes. In 2026, they are recognised with the Middle East & North Africa's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Valrhona
Khufu's executive chef, Mostafa Seif, sprints to the stage after the news is announced
Khufu's in Giza is named The Best Restaurant in the Middle East & North Africa 2026, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna 
Chefs from the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants list 2026 gather on stage for the iconic group photo
Discover all the special award winners and the full ranking of the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants 2026.
