About the List

About The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa

The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa (formerly Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants) launched in 2022 to celebrate incredible dining experiences across the region and to provide diners around the world with local insight and culinary recommendations.

Thanks to its panel of 250 culinary experts, as well as its structured and audited voting system, the annual list of the Middle East & North Africa's finest restaurants provides a snapshot of the best destinations for unique culinary experiences, inspiring diners to travel, unveiling up-and-coming chefs and culinary trends, and showcasing the subtlety and complexity of various cuisines and cultures from across the region – with many more still to discover and celebrate.

The history of The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa

The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa awards ceremony is the industry's most anticipated night of the year. It brings together the best culinary talent from around the region, with a live countdown of the list, culminating in the announcement of The Best Restaurant in the Middle East & North Africa, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.

In 2022 and 2023, the awards ceremony was held in Abu Dhabi; virtually in 2024; and in Abu Dhabi in 2025 and 2026.

In 2026, Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants evolved into The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa.

The strength of the ranking lies in the relevance of its geographical network and the level of expertise of its voters, who together comprise The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa Academy. We are dedicated to transparently sharing our voting mechanics and methodology, and to continuing to evolve it, with structural improvements being made every year. You can read more about the voting process and the Academy, and consult our FAQs.

The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa is comprised of six voting regions: the Gulf; Saudi Arabia; Levant-plus; Israel; North Africa (East) and North Africa (West).

Each year, the live event programme creates a unique opportunity to connect an incredible community, recognising the very best and inspiring more people to come together through the shared experience of extraordinary hospitality.

But The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa is more than just the rankings and awards, with our extensive editorial, social content and consumer experiences uncovering the stories behind the places and people shaping global hospitality.

The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa is part of The 50 family.