On Monday 7 February, culinary stars from around the world descended on Abu Dhabi for the gala event by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants group, which unveiled the top contenders from across the Middle East and North Africa.
After much speculation and anticipation, Dubai’s 3 Fils was named the No 1 restaurant in the Mena region. Of the 50 restaurants, 19 are in the UAE, while six are in Israel, five each are in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, four are in Egypt, three each are in Morocco and Jordan, two are in Bahrain, and there’s one each in Kuwait, Tunisia and Qatar. The regional list is one of the most anticipated releases of the year, since the event was announced in August 2021. After all, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants is an acclaimed ranking in the food and beverage industry.
The 50 restaurants that made the cut were chosen by a panel of 250 anonymous voters, with each sharing their seven top picks. These, in turn, were recruited by six academy chairs, who were appointed for their knowledge and connections in the restaurant world. In addition to shining a light on local cuisine and guiding food-loving tourists to the best places to eat, the list also gives talented chefs and beloved restaurants the appreciation and attention they deserve.
The top 50:
1. 3 Fils, Dubai, UAE
3. OCD Restaurant, Tel Aviv, Israel
4. Tresind Studio, Dubai, UAE (also won Art of Hospitality Award)
5. Sachi, Cairo, Egypt
6. Orfali Bros, Dubai, UAE
7. Fakhreldin, Amman, Jordan
8. LPM Restaurant & Bar, Dubai, UAE
9. George & John, Tel Aviv, Israel
10. Gaia, Dubai, UAE
11. Il Borro Tuscan Bistro, Dubai, UAE
12. Baron, Beirut, Lebanon
13. Coya, Dubai, UAE
14. HaBasta, Tel Aviv, Israel
15. Myazu, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
16. Reif Kushiyaki, Dubai, UAE
17. Animar, Tel Aviv, Israel
18. Tresind, Dubai, UAE
19. Kazoku, Cairo, Egypt
20. Mimi Kakushi, Dubai, UAE
21. Liza, Beirut, Lebanon
22. Em Sherif, Beirut, Lebanon
23. Lowe, Dubai, UAE (also won the Sustainable Restaurant Award)
24. Pescado, Ashdod, Israel
25. Hakkasan, Abu Dhabi, UAE
26. La Grande Table Marocaine, Marrakesh, Morocco
27. 13C Bar in the Back, Amman, Jordan
28. Tawlet Mar Mikhael, Beirut, Lebanon
29. Amazonico, Dubai, UAE
30. Marble, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
31. Mirai, Manama, Bahrain
32. Iloli, Casablanca, Morocco
33. BB Social Dining, Dubai, UAE
34. Coya, Abu Dhabi, UAE
35. Indochine, Dubai, UAE
36. Cut by Wolfgang Puck, Doha, Qatar
37. Porterhouse, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
38. Zooba, Cairo, Egypt
39. Fusions by Tala, Manama, Bahrain
40. Milgo Milbar, Tel Aviv, Israel
41. Sufra, Amman, Jordan
42. LPM Restaurant & Cafe, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
43. White Robata, Kuwait City, Kuwait
44. Hoseki, Dubai, UAE
45. Izakaya, Cairo, Egypt
46. La Closerie, La Marsa, Tunisia
47. Clap, Beirut, Lebanon
48. Butcher & Still, Abu Dhabi, UAE
49. Plus61, Marrakesh, Morocco
50. Tokyo, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Source: The National
