MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 Winners

The culinary stars of the restaurant world gathered in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, for the second edition of the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna.

Restaurants from 14 cities in the Middle East and North Africa were declared among the region’s 50 best restaurants at an event held at the Conrad Hotel at the Etihad Towers. Organized in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, the event culminated in the announcement of the region’s number one restaurant, Orfali Bros Bistro, whose team took the stage to accept the award.

Orfali Bros Bistro is an unlicensed gourmet bistro and test kitchen located in Dubai’s bustling contemporary Wasl 51 neighbourhood, founded in 2021 by three brothers, Mohammad, Wassim and Omar Orfali, originally from Syria. Offering dishes with a core Middle Eastern theme, the menu pays homage to the brothers’ Aleppo roots while capturing Dubai’s multicultural and avant-garde spirit. Their OB croquettes, shish barak à la gyoza and corn bombs all help push the boundaries of culinary creativity, ensuring an exciting dining experience, helmed by charismatic head chef Mohammad Orfali. Brothers Wassim and Omar, top pastry chefs, work in the elevated pastry kitchen overlooking the main dining room. One of the UAE’s most distinctive restaurants, Orfali Bros Bristro has now earned the coveted ranking of the best restaurants in the MENA region.

Trèsind Studio, a fine-dining Indian restaurant on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, helmed by chef Himanshu Saini, came in second. Fusions in Manama’s Tala came in third, named Bahrain’s best restaurant, and took home the Top Climber 2023 award, while Dubai’s Ossiano came in fourth, taking home the top new entry award.

William Drew, Director of Content for MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, said: “It is an honor to announce that Orfali Bros Bistro has been named the No. 1 restaurant in the second edition of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards. Loved by locals and tourists alike. It has undoubtedly set new standards in terms of creativity, innovation and food presentation, combined with a caring style of service, and we are delighted to celebrate its magnificence. Furthermore, we are delighted to see Restaurants from 14 different cities appear on this year’s list, showcasing the region’s rich and diverse cuisine.”

The United Arab Emirates topped the list with 18 specialty restaurants, including three from the host city of Abu Dhabi.

Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Chefs’ Choice Awards

Chef Moustafa Elrefaey, executive chef and co-founder of falafel specialist Zooba, won the Estrella Damm NA Chef’s Choice Award. The award, which recognizes chefs who have made a positive impact on the regional culinary scene, is voted on by peers from chefs from restaurants on MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Elrefaey’s passion for unearthing Egypt’s culinary history and using it to bring back ancient recipes has earned him a string of accolades culminating in this prestigious award.

Speaking of his honor, he said: “There is usually competition among chefs, so it was really touching to see other chefs vote for me. I look at the chefs around me and I am honored to be on this list. I am honored To be part of this community. It’s amazing. We turned 38 last year and we are so happy about it. This year we were ranked 9th and I won the Estrella Damm NA chef’s choice award, we are the best restaurant in Egypt! I think I Dreaming. It’s amazing.

Looking ahead, the charismatic chef said he aims to raise awareness of his country’s culinary heritage. He added: “Egyptian cuisine deserves more attention and with Zooba we’re working hard to bring it to market with the support of other chefs and the wider community.”

Middle East and North Africa’s Top 50 Hospitality Arts Awards

In recognition of excellence in restaurant service and dining experience, Beirut’s Em Sherif received the Hospitality Art Award, ranking the restaurant 20th. The restaurant has been awarded for its personal touch, where the guests’ experience is tailored to their personal preferences, all while reflecting the generous spirit of the Lebanese.

Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Pastry Chefs Award

Artisan pastry chef Karim Bourgi, founder of Boutique De Gourmandises, received the award for Best Pastry Chef in the Middle East and North Africa, sponsored by Valrhona. Born in Senegal to Lebanese parents, Bourgi graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Paris in 2000 before moving up to manage the openings of La Maison Du Chocolate Paris in Dubai and Kuwait and opening Hermes Paris Cafe in The Dubai Mall. He now oversees and consults with a range of pastry shops, restaurants and cafés across the Middle East and Africa.

pre-announced awards

Other pre-announced winners receiving trophies on stage include: Salam Dakkak, chef and owner of Bait Maryam, Dubai, for Best Female Chef in the Middle East and North Africa, sponsored by Nespresso Professional; The Foodics Icon Award for its tireless efforts to document historic culinary traditions; the Vegetable Kitchen Opa, the “Worth Watching Award” presented to its founder and chef, Shirel Berger.

MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023:

1. Orfali Brothers BistroDubai, United Arab Emirates
2. Trishin StudioDubai, United Arab Emirates
3. fusion of Tara, Manama, Bahrain
4. ocianoDubai, United Arab Emirates
5. 3 Phil, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
6. george and johnTel Aviv, Israel
7. Go to the cinemaDubai, United Arab Emirates
8. FahretdinAmman, Jordan
9. zooCairo, Egypt
10. moonriseDubai, United Arab Emirates
11. Reif SkewersDubai, United Arab Emirates
12. and familyCairo, Egypt
13. ZumaDubai, United Arab Emirates
14. obsessive compulsive disorderTel Aviv, Israel
15. LoweDubai, United Arab Emirates
16. baronBeirut, Lebanon
17. GaiaDubai, United Arab Emirates
18. MiaozuSaudi Arabia, Riyadh
19. Tawlet Mar MikhaelBeirut, Lebanon
20. Em SheriffBeirut, Lebanon
21. LPMDubai, United Arab Emirates
22. fortunateGiza, Egypt
23. marbleSaudi Arabia, Riyadh
24. Yuval Ben NeriahTel Aviv, Israel
25. Tailoring by Wolfgang Puck, Manama, Bahrain
26. magic stoneDubai, United Arab Emirates
27. great moroccan dining tableMarrakech, Morocco
28. CoyaDubai, United Arab Emirates
29. shams ballardAmman, Jordan
30. fortunateCairo, Egypt
31. boulderManama, Bahrain
32. animationTel Aviv, Israel
33. CoyaAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
34. closureTunisia, Tunisia
35. 11 firewoodDubai, United Arab Emirates
36. sufferAmman, Jordan
37. truckCasablanca, Morocco
38. LPMSaudi Arabia, Riyadh
39. SesameMarrakech, Morocco
40. Mirgo MirbaTel Aviv, Israel
41. alleyAmman, Jordan
42. white robertKuwait City, Kuwait
43. ZumaAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
44. handsomeDubai, United Arab Emirates
45. Reif SkewersCairo, Egypt
46. +61, Marrakech, Morocco
47. 13C bar behindAmman, Jordan
48. HabastaTel Aviv, Israel
49. Hakka peopleAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
50. BunjiriSalmiya, Kuwait