UAE Dominates MENA's 50 Best Restaurants List 2023
Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants second edition rankings were announced on Monday January 30 2023.
This years list featured restaurants across 14 cities, with 15 exciting new entries from around the region, however, UAE restaurants dominated the list with around 18 entries.
Here are the top restaurants in the UAE
No.49 Hakkasan, Abu Dhabi
@hakkasanabudhabi
Located in the Emirates Palace hotel, Hakkasan offers exquisite southern Chinese plates. Chef Lee Kok Hua heads the kitchen overseeing classic dishes including dim sum and crispy duck salad, and stir-fried baby broccoli with preserved olive and crispy seaweed.
No.44 Jun's, Dubai
@junsdubai
Chinese Canadian chef Kelvin Cheung masters the word 'fusion' in his cohesive menu. North America, Hong Kong, and India are all inspirations for delicious dishes like lamb koobideh tsukune, tempura za’atar chaat and kung pao tofu.
No.43 Zuma, Abu Dhabi
@zumaabudhabi
Zuma brand has become one of the most popular Japanese izakaya spots in the UAE. Offering a luxurious interior, the restaurants menu is rich in flavor. Make sure to try the miso-marinated black cod wrapped in hoba leaf, or signature barley miso corn-fed baby chicken.
No.35 11 Woodfire, Dubai
@11woodfire
With a massive open kitchen, 11 Woodfire welcomes you into a minimalist industrial chic dining room. Chef Akmal Anuar all the delicacies with the scents of hickory or pine, such as the wagyu burger and burnt cheesecake.
No.33 Coya, Abu Dhabi
@coyaabudhabi
Malaysian-born chef Pang Long Chin prepares dishes from Latin America, infused with Japanese and Chinese flavours. Favorites include slow-cooked beef ribs or grilled corn-fed baby chicken with chilli.
No.28 Coya, Dubai
@coyadubai
Coya burst onto Dubai’s dining scene in 2015 with a restaurant, a lounge, a pisco bar and a private members’ club. Expect mout-watering Peruvian-inspired small plates, traverses ceviche, tiradito and skewers.
No.26 Hoseki, Dubai
@bulgarihotels
With only nine seats, permitting a ring-side view of the unique culinary artistry and knife skills, this restaurant is one of Japan’s finest. Chef Masahiro Sugiyama, a sixth-generation sushi master, serves up a set omakase on the fourth floor of the sophisticated Bvlgari Hotel.
No.21 LPM, Dubai
@lpmdubai
First opened its doors over a decade ago, the Mediterranean hot-spot offers dishes designed to be shared with the table. Fans favorits include bettered lentil salad, or fresh burrata cheese with basil and tomatoes.
No.17 Gaia, Dubai
@gaia__dxb
First launchec by Dubai-based chef Izu Ani in 2018, Gaia is famous for it's Athenian plates. Expect the ultimate greek experience with outdoor seating and ice counter, where the catch of the day is displayed.
No.15 Lowe, Dubai
@lowedxb
Lowe is located in a clubhouse of a leafy residential development with wood interiors and unfinished concrete. It boasts an open Kitchen where dishes such as chef Ali Shiddique’s bone marrow with roasted pepper dip and anchovies are prepared with love.
No.13 Zuma, Dubai
@zumadubai
Housing some of the most skilled practitioners of Japanese and Asian cookery in the MENA region, Zuma has three kitchens and two floors ready to cater it's visitors.
No.11 Reif Kushiyaki, Dubai
@reifkushiyaki
Launched in 2019 by renwoned Chef-founder Reif Othman, the destination puts a spotlight on the Japanese snack-like street food skewers cooked over the robata grill, and Wagyu Katsu Sando.
No.10 Moonrise, Dubai – NEW ENTRY
@moonrise.xyz
Created by chef Solemann Haddad, Moonsirse offers just eight counter seats per twice-nightly sitting. Haddad is a 26-year-old, primarily self-taught chef with a magical touch.
No.7 Kinoya, Dubai
@kinoya.ae
The favorite spot for ramen and izakaya lovers. Chef Neha Misra’s opened Kinoya in 2021 which has been making waves in Dubai ever since. The shio paintan ramen, a signature, is one of many favorites
No.5 3 Fils, Dubai
@3.fils
3 Fils was the first-ever venue to be bestowed the title of The Best Restaurant in Middle East & North Africa in 2022. Offering Asian fusion dishes, the restaunrant is one of the most sought-after restraunts in the region.
No.4 Ossiano, Dubai
@ossianodubai
Led by chef Gregoire Berger, Ossiano is a winner of the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles. It's located at the iconic Atlantis The Palm hotel.
No.2 Trèsind Studio, Dubai
@tresindstudio
Chef Himanshu Saini learned his trade at New Delhi dining institution Indian Accent before moving to Dubai. His dishes take you to a trip around the Indian subcontinent.
No.1 Orfali Bros Bistro, Dubai
@orfalibros_bistro
Syrian brothers Mohammed, Wassim and Omar have worked together to create an extravagant dining experience.