Over six days, diners can enjoy collaborative menus and creative pairings
Abu Dhabi’s tastiest time of year is officially loading.
Ahead of the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony on 3 February 2026, the 50 Best team has revealed its 2026 dining programme, and it’s shaping up to be a dream week for food lovers across the UAE.
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Running 31 January to 5 February, the programme returns with two headline experiences: Flavours of 50 Best, an evening brunch celebrating global gastronomy, and 50 Best Signature Sessions, a series of chef collaborations hosted at some of Abu Dhabi’s top restaurants.
Expect limited-edition menus, creative pairings and the kind of culinary storytelling you’ll be talking about long after dessert.
Flavours of 50 Best
Saturday 31 January
Graphos Social Kitchen, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island
The week kicks off with a high-energy evening brunch featuring cooking demos, chef interviews, live plating and a stacked menu created by some of the world’s most exciting culinary names.
This year’s headliner is a big one: Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura of Maido in Lima,recently crowned The World’s Best Restaurant 2025.
Famous for championing Nikkei cuisine globally, he’ll be joined by Yasmina Hayek, Executive Chef of Em Sherif and winner of MENA’s Best Female Chef Award 2025, who continues to elevate Lebanese cuisine with modern finesse.
Also taking part: Dej Kewkacha of Gaggan at Louis Vuitton Bangkok, recipient of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Award 2025, known for his wildly imaginative sweet-meets-savoury creations.
And behind the bar? Manja Stankovic of Mimi Kakushi (No.36 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025), who will be shaking up an exclusive drinks menu for the night.
AED 595 per person. For further information, visit theworlds50best.com
50 Best Signature Sessions (sponsored by SevenRooms)
A foodie favourite, Signature Sessions pairs world-class visiting chefs with regional talent for one-off dinners across Abu Dhabi.
Each night brings a new collaboration and a fresh interpretation of flavour, technique and identity.
Here’s what’s confirmed so far:
Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard x Orfali Bros
Saturday 31 January — Dinner
French Michelin-starred chef Nicolas Isnard teams up with Dubai’s beloved Orfali Brothers, whose restaurant has topped the MENA list for three years in a row.
Expect 10–12 courses blending French technique with contemporary Middle Eastern flair, with both grape and non-alcoholic pairings.
Niri x Alee (sponsored by Kaviari)
Sunday 1 February — Dinner
Abu Dhabi’s homegrown Japanese favourite Niri collaborates with Alee from Amman, currently No.13 on MENA’s 2025 list.
The result is a Japanese-Jordanian omakase mashup featuring mostly new creations, 6–8 courses, plus fun little nibbles along the way.
Alba Terrace x Beihouse
Monday 2 February — Dinner
At The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Alba Terrace’s Mediterranean ease meets Beihouse’s modern Levantine flavours, led by chef Tarek Alameddine.
The night begins with welcome drinks before guests settle into a 7–8 course menu built on regional ingredients and shared culinary influences.
SUSHISAMBA x Kuuru
Wednesday 4 February — Dinner
A colourful, high-energy collab at SUSHISAMBA Abu Dhabi, joined by Kuuru from Jeddah (No.30 on MENA’s 2025 list).
Together they’ll serve a 10-course tasting menu, five dishes from each restaurant, spanning snacks, mains and dessert with bold Nikkei flair.
More Signature Sessions will be announced soon, and if past years are any indication, they’ll get snapped up fast.
For further information on any of the above, visit The Worlds 50 Best
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