The culinary stars of the restaurant world converged in Abu Dhabi for the debut of the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.
Restaurants from across 11 countries within the Middle East and North Africa were announced as the top 50 places to eat in the region at an event held at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers.
The list of restaurants was compiled by the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of 250 key leaders in the restaurant industry across the region, each selected for their expert opinion of the Middle East and North Africa’s restaurant scenes.
Hosted in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the event culminated in the announcement of the region’s first-ever number-one restaurant, 3 Fils. A casual contemporary restaurant located in Dubai’s Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, 3 Fils was founded in 2016 by two Emiratis and a Singaporean. 3 Fils is one of the most celebrated and recommended restaurants in the UAE and has now earned the highly coveted ranking as the best restaurant in the MENA region.
Ahmed Saleh, CEO of The Lab Holding, which operates 3Fils : “It’s truly a privilege to be named MENA’s best restaurant, and we as a team at 3Fils are extremely humbled by this honourable title. We thank all those who have supported us on our journey so far and those who recognised our uniqueness. We endeavor to be at the forefront of continually raising the bar for culinary standards in this region and the world.”
The Japanese izakaya Zuma in DIFC, Dubai, founded by Chef Rainer Becker, claimed the number-two spot.
The UAE tops the list with an impressive 19 restaurants, including three from host city Abu Dhabi. Following behind are Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, with five restaurants each. Just outside the top 10 and leading the way for Beirut is Baron (12), named The Best Restaurant in Lebanon, while Riyadh’s Myazu (15) won The Best Restaurant in Saudi Arabia title.
Egypt has four restaurants featured in the list, including Sachi (5), making it The Best Restaurant in Egypt.
Jordan also has a player in the top 10 with Fakhreldin (7) in Amman, which was named The Best Restaurant in Jordan.
Popular Singapore-born chef Reif Othman was honored with the Chefs’ Choice Award. Othman has worked in many of the leading restaurants throughout the region, including Zuma and Burj Al Arab in Dubai, and recently opened a new restaurant under his own name, Reif Kushiyaki, which features on the list at 16th place.
The Sustainable Restaurant Award honors the establishment in the list with the highest-sustainability rating. This award is presented to Lowe (23) in Dubai, a restaurant that has set a new standard for exquisite food that goes hand in hand with sustainability. Chef-owners Jesse Blake and Kate Christou focus on reducing waste through nose-to-tail cooking while supporting their team and the wider community.
The Art of Hospitality Award was presented to Dubai’s Trèsind Studio (4). The restaurant is commended for its theatrical gastronomic experience, incorporating multiple changes of pace and scenarios. Chef Himanshu Saini’s brand of advanced Indian food is matched by the perfectly choreographed service.
Sahar Parham Al Awadhi, formerly head pastry chef at the esteemed Burj Al Arab in UAE, takes home the MENA’s Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Valrhona. She began her culinary career in 2014 and has worked at La Serre Bistro & Boulangerie in Dubai, with Izu Ani and Le Saint Georges in Paris. As an Emirati, she believes in showcasing the origins of her ingredients and supporting local producers.
“It’s an absolute honor and I’m so humbled by the voters faith in me! And an extra special moment it being the inaugural MENA World 50 Best Awards in my home country,” she told HN.
Other pre-announced award winners accepting their trophies on stage include: Tala Bashmi, often referred to as the voice of modern Bahraini cuisine, winner of the first Middle East & North Africa’s Best Female Chef Award.
“It’s an absolute honor and I’m so humbled by the voters’ faith in me! And an extra special moment it being the inaugural MENA 50 best awards in my home country,” she told HN.
Kamal Mouzawak, one of Lebanon’s most prominent food activists, won the Foodics Icon Award for elevating the slow food movement in the country and his outstanding contributions to the restaurant industry.
“It is a wonderful recognition by the World 50 Best Restaurants in the World, to be selected to receive the icon award for MENA and North Africa, I am very happy to receive this recognition , it is not me, I don’t cook, on the behalf all the wonderful team, mothers, and for the cooks, who are perpetuating our traditions from tabboule, kebbe naye”, he told HN.
Innovative izakaya joint Kinoya, picked up the One To Watch Award, which was presented to founder and “Ramen Queen” Neha Mishra.
