The list is out, and it’s an exciting one
For the first time in the history of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, an Egyptian restaurant has taken the top honour. Khufu’s, dramatically located within the Giza pyramid complex, has been named The Best Restaurant in the Middle East & North Africa 2026, following a lavish awards ceremony at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi.
The win marks a major milestone not just for Egypt’s dining scene, but for the region as a whole. Judges praised Khufu’s for its deep connection to Egyptian culinary heritage, delivered with contemporary finesse and precision.
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At the heart of Khufu’s rise is Chef Mostafa Seif, a Cairo native whose cooking champions traditional Egyptian recipes, ingredients and flavours, refined through modern techniques and elegant presentation. The restaurant’s steady climb has been years in the making, with recent accolades including a Resy One To Watch Award at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, before clinching the region’s top title this year.
While the top spot went to Egypt, the UAE put in a powerful showing. Kinoya in Dubai ranked No.2, making it the highest-placed restaurant in the country, followed closely by Trèsind Studio at No.3. In total, 25 UAE restaurants made the top 50 list this year – four more than in 2025.
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Dubai and Abu Dhabi also welcomed a wave of new entries, including Sufret Maryam, Kokoro, Manao, FZN, Three Bros, Chez Wam, 3Fils Abu Dhabi, and Girl and the Goose, underlining the UAE’s growing culinary diversity.
Restaurants from 14 cities across the Middle East and North Africa featured in the 2026 ranking. Newcomers and long-standing favourites sat side by side, from Beihouse in Beirut, which debuted at an impressive No.5, to destinations in Riyadh, Marrakech, Amman, Cairo and beyond.
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The best in countries honours went to: Lyra in Bahrain; Le Golfe in Tunisia; Idam in Qatar; Shams El Balad in Jordan; Cantina in Kuwait; Table 3 in Morocco; Kuuru in Saudi Arabia; Beihouse in Lebanon; Kinoya in the UAE; and Khufu in Egypt.
The Full List
- Khufu’s, Giza
- Kinoya, Dubai
- Trèsind Studio, Dubai
- Orfali Bros, Dubai
- Beihouse, Beirut
- Kuuru, Jeddah
- Sufret Maryam, Dubai
- Jun’s, Dubai
- Manao, Dubai
- Moonrise, Dubai
- Table 3, Casablanca
- Marble, Riyadh
- Em Sherif, Beirut
- 11 Woodfire, Dubai
- Kokoro, Dubai
- Marmellata Bakery, Abu Dhabi
- 3Fils Dubai, Dubai
- Cantina, Kuwait City
- La Grande Table Marocaine, Marrakech
- Reif Kushiyaki Cairo, Cairo
- Le Petit Cornichon, Marrakech
- FZN, Dubai
- TakaHisa, Dubai
- Sesamo, Marrakech
- Kazoku, Cairo
- Shams El Balad, Amman
- LPM Dubai, Dubai
- Alee, Amman
- Three Bros, Dubai
- Dara Dining by Sara Aqel, Amman
- +61, Marrakech
- Zooba (Zamalek), Cairo
- Gaia, Dubai
- Zuma, Dubai
- Mimi Kakushi, Dubai
- Row on 45, Dubai
- Sachi Cairo, Cairo
- Niri, Abu Dhabi
- Buco, Beirut
- Chez Wam, Dubai
- Boca, Dubai
- 3Fils Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
- Girl and the Goose, Dubai
- Idam, Doha
- Myazu, Riyadh
- Le Golfe, La Marsa
- LPM Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
- Lyra, Manama
- Farmers, Marrakech
- Matbakhi, Kuwait City
Special Awards and Standout Individuals
The night also celebrated the people shaping the region’s food culture:
• One To Watch Award: Middle Child, Dubai
• Sustainable Restaurant Award: Farmers, Marrakech
• Art of Hospitality Award: La Grande Table Marocaine, Royal Mansour Marrakech
• Best Female Chef 2026: Sara Aqel, Dara Dining by Sara Aqel, Amman
• Best Pastry Chefs: Omar and Wassim Orfali, Orfali Bros
• Sevenrooms Icon Award: Salam Dakkak, Sufret Maryam
• Champion of Change Award (inaugural): Muna Haddad, Baraka Destinations
• Chef’s Choice Award: Himanshu Saini, Trèsind Studio
Image credit: Supplied
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
