Abu Dhabi made it to the list of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants with four spectacular venues
Abu Dhabi took centre stage in the Middle East and North Africa’s dining scene on Tuesday night as the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards were unveiled at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental.
The glittering ceremony brought together restaurateurs, chefs and hospitality leaders from across the region, cementing the capital’s role as a key hub for the region’s evolving culinary landscape.
Among the UAE’s standout successes, Kinoya was named Best Restaurant in the UAE, while Tresind Studio secured third place overall in the regional rankings.
In total, 25 UAE restaurants featured on this year’s list, reflecting the country’s continued dominance and depth in fine dining.
Abu Dhabi itself was well represented, with Marmellata Bakery (16), Niri (38), 3Fils Abu Dhabi (42), LPM Abu Dhabi (47), and all earning places among the region’s top 50.
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The inclusion of 3Fils Abu Dhabi marked a new entry for the capital, underscoring the city’s growing influence beyond Dubai’s established dining scene.
The top regional honour went to Khufu’s in Giza, Egypt, making history as the first Egyptian restaurant to claim the No.1 spot.
Several special awards were also announced, including the Art of Hospitality Award for La Grande Table Marocaine at Royal Mansour Marrakech, and the Chef’s Choice Award, which was presented to Himanshu Saini of Tresind Studio; a peer-voted honour that further elevated the UAE’s presence on the night.
The ceremony also introduced a new accolade, the Champion of Change Award, awarded to Muna Haddad, founder of Baraka Destinations, recognising behind-the-scenes contributions driving positive change within the industry.
With Abu Dhabi hosting the ceremony and multiple capital-based restaurants earning regional recognition, the 2026 edition of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants reinforced the emirate’s growing reputation as a serious player on the international dining map.
For full details of the results, visit theworlds50best.com
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