Orfali Bros Bistro claims the number-one spot for the third year in a row.
It’s a great year for Dubai’s dining scene. MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants have been unveiled, and Dubai dominates the list once again. Homegrown hotspot Orfali Bros Bistro claims the number-one spot for the third consecutive year.
Created in 2021, Orfali Bros Bistro is a homegrown success story with a loyal fan base. Local and international visitors, from the FACT team to Ed Sheeran, love the restaurant. The concept, created by three brothers, pays homage to their Syrian roots. The restaurant also ranked 64th in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 list.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE
The United Arab Emirates dominates the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards. The fine-dining Indian restaurant Trèsind Studio is at number two, Kinoya is at number three, Ossiano is at number five (and also took home the Art of Hospitality Award), Chef Kelvin Cheung’s Jun’s is at number seven, and Moonrise is at number ten.
Dubai restaurants dominating the list also include BOCA at No. 12, 3Fils at No. 14, Bait Maryam at No. 15, Row on 45 at No. 17 (the highest climber on the list), Zuma Dubai at No. 19, La Petite Maison Dubai at No. 23, GAIA at No. 25, 21grams Urban Balkan Bistro at No. 26, 11 Woodfire at No. 29, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at No. 33, Mimi Kakushi at No. 37, TakaHisa at No. 41, and Smoked Room at No. 45.
In Abu Dhabi, the restaurants include Marmellata Bakery at No. 29, La Petite Maison Abu Dhabi at No. 38, and NIRI Restaurant & Bar at No. 50.
In Saudi Arabia, the highest-ranked restaurant is Marble Steakhouse at No.16, followed by Kuruu Jeddah at No. 30, Lunch Room at No. 31, Aseeb at No. 39, and MYAZŪ at No. 49.
The rest of the Middle East & North Africa
In Egypt, the highest-ranked restaurant is Khufu’s at No. 4, followed by Zooba at No. 21, Kazoku at No. 24, Sachi Cairo at No. 27, Izakaya at No. 34, Sachi Giza at No. 40, and Reif Kushiyaki Cairo at No. 47.
In Bahrain, the highest-ranked restaurant is Fusions by Tala at No. 6, followed by Cut by Wolfgang Puck at No. 43.
In Jordan, the highest-ranked restaurant is Shams El Balad at No. 8, followed by Fakhreldin Restaurant at No. 11, Alee at No. 13, Dara Dining by Sara Aqel at No. 18 (the highest new entry on the list this year), Sufra at No. 20 and 13C Bar In The Back at No. 36.
In Lebanon, the highest-ranked restaurant is Em Sherif at No. 9. In Morocco, the highest-ranked restaurant is La Grande Table Marocaine at No. 22. In Tunisia, the highest-ranked restaurant is Le Golfe at No. 44.
For the first time since the inception of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, Kuwait and Qatar did not appear on the list.
Chef Carmen Rueda Hernandez of BRIX in Dubai won the Middle East and North Africa’s Best Pastry Chef Award, Yasmina Hayek of Em Sherif in Lebanon won the Middle East and North Africa’s Best Female Chef Award, Omar Shihab of BOCA Dubai received the Icon Award, and Bahraini Tala Bashmi received the Chef’s Choice Award 2025.
The World’s 50 Best has been compiled by 250 judges who have eaten their way around the region. The judges are made up of industry leaders, including chefs, restauranteurs, food writers and well-travelled gourmets.
Now in its fourth edition, the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants ceremony was held at Erth Hotel Abu Dhabi, the same location as our very own FACT Dining Awards Abu Dhabi 2024.
Check in with FACT for the latest restaurant news.
GO: Visit www.theworlds50best.com for more information.
