Next February, the region's culinary community will be heading to Abu Dhabi for an event-filled week to celebrate the best gastronomic talent across North Africa and the Middle East.
Following the success of previous editions, Abu Dhabi will host the fifth edition of the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, on 3 February 2026. It is the fourth time the UAE capital has been home to the awards ceremony, bringing together leading chefs, restaurants and food lovers from across the region.
The city will host the region's best culinary talent and foodie fans in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). Now a recognised destination for gastronomic delights, Abu Dhabi is home to a vibrant, ever-evolving dining landscape influenced by local talent, diverse landscapes and Emirati culinary heritage.
The awards ceremony, held on 3 February, will amplify boundary-pushing chefs and restaurants, recognising emerging talent alongside established names.
The Middle East & North Africa's Best Restaurants 2025 awards ceremony culminated in a joyful on-stage group photo
This year's event saw the reveal of Orfali Bros in Dubai as The Best Restaurant in the Middle East & North Africa 2025, taking the crown for the third consecutive year. The list also saw restaurants from 11 different cities across the region make the prestigious list.
While the unveiling of the official 1-50 ranking on 3 February is the highly anticipated apex of the week, there will be ample chances for connection, knowledge exchange and exploration of different cuisines during the event programme.
#50BestTalks returns for 2026, staging thoughtful discussions with some of the region's most creative culinary minds. Flavours of 50 Best, a ticketed evening brunch open to the public and featuring dishes from some of the world's leading chefs, also returns for another year.
To champion Abu Dhabi's exciting dining scene, local restaurants will host visiting chefs from the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants list in a series of ticketed 50 Best Signature Sessions. Food-loving diners will be able to book seats at the Signature Sessions, with more information on the full line-up coming soon.
Abu Dhabi's diverse restaurant scene sets the stage for an exciting events programme in early 2026
The event schedule will reach its crescendo with the awards ceremony, where The Best Restaurant in the Middle East & North Africa 2026 will be revealed, as well as special accolades like the Best Female Chef Award and the Icon Award.
Can't wait until February? Don't worry – there are three exciting pre-announced awards to whet your appetite. The Champions of Change Award, new to the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants programme, the Art of Hospitality Award and the One To Watch Award will all be revealed prior to the ceremony.
The upcoming edition of the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants will be announced on Tuesday 3 February 2026.
