The UAE is overflowing with outstanding dining destinations, from five-star restaurants inside aquariums to award-winning casual eateries on the shore of the Arabian Gulf. On Monday 30 January, the MENA's 50 Best Restaurants were unveiled, with a re-shuffle of positions and multiple new entries. Below are the UAE restaurants that nabbed a coveted spot.
49. Hakkasan Abu Dhabi
The internationally renowned Cantonese restaurant at Emirates Palace scooped up one Michelin star earlier this year.
44. Jun's
Equal parts creative and delicious, Chef Kelvin Cheung transforms childhood memories into delicious dishes, fusing North American and Asian flavours.
43. Zuma Abu Dhabi
Need we describe Zuma? The go-to destination for high-end Japanese cuisine that never fails to impress, the Abu Dhabi outpost joins Dubai's flagship on the list for the first time.
35. 11 Woodfire
What appears to be a cosy Jumeirah 1 villa on the outside opens to a world of Michelin-starred delights, all of which are prepared over an open flame.
33. Coya Abu Dhabi
Beating its 2022 position by one, the haute spot continues to please diners with Peruvian plates.
28. Coya Dubai
Stationed at the Four Seasons Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, Coya has won the hearts of residents and tourists alike with its stellar cuisine and electric atmosphere.
26. Hoseki
An intimate, nine-seater Japanese restaurant at the Bvlgari Resort, Dubai, sushi master Masahiro Sugiyama creates specially tailored menus you won't soon forget.
21. LPM Dubai
There are a plethora of reasons why LPM consistently lands on must-visit lists, and one of them is escargot. A landmark in itself, every visitor has their favourite dish at the French institution.
17. Gaia
Chef Izu Ani, mastermind behind some of Dubai's favourite restaurants, serves Greek Mediterranean cuisine at this stunning DIFC restaurant.
15. Lowe
A sustainability-driven restaurant crafting unexpected yet delightful menus with a focus on locally sourced ingredients.
13. Zuma Dubai
We could wax lyrical about Zuma - as could the hundreds of diners that pass through its velvet ropes in search of world-famous signatures.
11. Reif Kushiyaki
Though situated in a cosy, intimate spot in Dar Wasl Mall, Reif Kushiyaki has become a sensation in the city, filling with foodies on the daily (so much so that there is often a line out the door).
10. Moonrise
A household name for those in the know, this omakese experience is helmed by Solemann Haddad. The 26-year-old, self-taught chef was awarded the Michelin Dubai Young Chef Award in 2022 for his inventive menu, where he chronicles his childhood as a third culture kid through food.
7. Kinoya
There is no shortage of ramen restaurants in Dubai. However, only one has garnered the following that Kinoya has (and a Bib Gourmand title). Need we say more?
5. 3Fils
The pearl of Jumeirah's Fishing Harbour, 3Fils is a no-frills establishment that focuses on award-winning food. It's this refreshing approach that has hoards of hungry visitors gathered at its doors every day cursing the no-reservations policy.
4. Ossiano
Having a restaurant inside an actual aquarium is undoubtably impressive and therefore worthy of a number 4 spot and Highest New Entry Award on MENA's 50 Best list. The Michelin-starred restaurant reimagines French cuisine in a dreamy setting.
2. Tresind Studio
Tresind Studio continues to score awards thanks to an innovative, mind-bending menu of elevated Indian cuisine.
1: Orfali Bros Bistro
As is suggested by the name, this Wasl 51 bistro is run by three brothers with a passion for food, outstanding flavours and pushing boundaries - and a deserved winner.
