For the first time ever, an Egyptian restaurant has claimed the top spot in the prestigious Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking. Khufu’s, located in Giza, Egypt, was named MENA’s Best Restaurant 2026 at the annual awards ceremony held at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi.
The awards, curated by a panel of more than 250 regional restaurant experts, celebrate culinary excellence across 14 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. This year’s list reflects the region’s growing diversity, innovation, and dedication to quality dining.
Top of the Table
Khufu’s impressed judges with its modern reinterpretations of Egyptian cuisine, combining local ingredients and traditional flavours in a contemporary setting just steps from the iconic Pyramids. Its recognition marks a historic milestone for Egypt on the international culinary stage.
The top five restaurants for 2026 are:
- Khufu’s – Giza, Egypt
- Kinoya – Dubai, UAE
- Trèsind Studio – Dubai, UAE
- Orfali Bros – Dubai, UAE
- Beihouse – Beirut, Lebanon
Dubai continues to dominate the top tier, with three of its restaurants placing in the top four, while Beirut’s Beihouse claims the Highest New Entry award at No. 5.
Full MENA 50 Best Restaurants 2026
- Khufu’s – Giza, Egypt
- Kinoya – Dubai, UAE
- Trèsind Studio – Dubai, UAE
- Orfali Bros – Dubai, UAE
- Beihouse – Beirut, Lebanon
- Kuuru – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Sufret Maryam – Dubai, UAE
- Jun’s – Dubai, UAE
- Manāo – Dubai, UAE
- Moonrise – Dubai, UAE
- Table 3 – Casablanca, Morocco
- Marble – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Em Sherif – Beirut, Lebanon
- 11 Woodfire – Dubai, UAE
- Kokoro – Dubai, UAE
- Marmellata Bakery – Abu Dhabi, UAE
- 3 Fils – Dubai, UAE
- Cantina – Kuwait City, Kuwait
- La Grande Table Marocaine – Marrakech, Morocco
- Reif Kushiyaki – Cairo, Egypt
- Le Petit Cornichon – Marrakech, Morocco
- FZN – Dubai, UAE
- TakaHisa – Dubai, UAE
- Sesamo – Marrakech, Morocco
- Kazoku – Cairo, Egypt
- Shams El Balad – Amman, Jordan
- LPM – Dubai, UAE
- Alee – Amman, Jordan
- Three Bros – Dubai, UAE
- Dara Dining by Sara Aqel – Amman, Jordan
- +61 – Marrakech, Morocco
- Zooba – Cairo, Egypt
- Gaia – Dubai, UAE
- Zuma – Dubai, UAE
- Mimi Kakushi – Dubai, UAE
- Row on 45 – Dubai, UAE
- Sachi – Cairo, Egypt
- Niri – Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Buco – Beirut, Lebanon
- Chez Wam – Dubai, UAE
- Boca – Dubai, UAE
- 3 Fils Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Girl and the Goose – Dubai, UAE
- Idam – Doha, Qatar
- Myazu – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Le Golfe – La Marsa, Tunisia
- LPM Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Lyra – Manama, Bahrain
- Farmers – Marrakech, Morocco
- Matbakhi – Kuwait City, Kuwait
Special Awards & Honours
Alongside the main rankings, several chefs and restaurants received special recognition:
- Highest New Entry: Beihouse, Beirut
- Highest Climber: Reif Kushiyaki, Cairo
- Best Female Chef: Sara Aqel, Dara Dining by Sara Aqel (Amman)
- Best Pastry Chefs: Omar & Wassim Orfali, Orfali Bros (Dubai)
- Chefs’ Choice Award: Himanshu Saini, Trèsind Studio (Dubai)
- Sustainable Restaurant Award: Farmers (Marrakech)
- One to Watch: Middle Child (Dubai)
- Sevenrooms Icon Award: Salam Dakkak (Sufret Maryam & Bait Maryam)
- Art of Hospitality Award: La Grande Table Marocaine, Marrakech
A Culinary Evolution Across MENA
The 2026 list highlights the region’s vibrant dining scene, from historic flavours in Egypt and Morocco to innovative kitchens in Dubai and Beirut. With 16 new entries this year and 25 restaurants from the UAE featured, the awards reflect a dynamic culinary landscape where tradition meets creativity.
The MENA 50 Best Restaurants continues to showcase the talent, ambition, and passion of chefs and restaurateurs across the region, bringing international recognition to local flavors and dining experiences.
