• 1. Orfali Bros Bistro, Dubai in the UAE. Photo: Orfali Bros Bistro
    1. Orfali Bros Bistro, Dubai in the UAE. Photo: Orfali Bros Bistro
  • 2. Tresind Studio, Dubai, UAE. Photo: Tresind Studio
    2. Tresind Studio, Dubai, UAE. Photo: Tresind Studio
  • 3. Ossiano, Dubai, UAE. Photo: Ossiano
    3. Ossiano, Dubai, UAE. Photo: Ossiano
  • 4. Moonrise, Dubai, UAE. Photo: Moonrise
    4. Moonrise, Dubai, UAE. Photo: Moonrise
  • 5. Khufu’s, Cairo, Egypt. Photo: Khufu’s
    5. Khufu’s, Cairo, Egypt. Photo: Khufu’s
  • 6. 3 Fils, Dubai, UAE. Photo: 3 Fils
    6. 3 Fils, Dubai, UAE. Photo: 3 Fils
  • 7. Fakhreldin, Amman, Jordan. Photo: Fakhreldin
    7. Fakhreldin, Amman, Jordan. Photo: Fakhreldin
  • 8. Em Sherif, Beirut, Lebanon. Photo: Em Sherif
    8. Em Sherif, Beirut, Lebanon. Photo: Em Sherif
  • 9. Fusions by Tala, Manama, Bahrain. Photo: Fusions by Tala
    9. Fusions by Tala, Manama, Bahrain. Photo: Fusions by Tala
  • 10. OCD, Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo: OCD
    10. OCD, Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo: OCD

Dubai dominates as Mena's 50 Best Restaurants list unveiled for 2024


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai’s Orfali Bros Bistro has retained the top spot in Mena’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

This was followed by Tresind Studio, Ossiano and Moonrise – all in Dubai – while Cairo’s Khufu rounded out the top five. Dubai’s 3 Fils, which won top honours in 2022, followed by Fakhreldin in Amman, Em Sherif in Beirut, Fusions by Tala in Bahrain and ODC Restaurant in Tel Aviv made the top 10.

Abu Dhabi had two restaurants make the list as new entries this year, with LPM Abu Dhabi at No 39 and Talea by Antonio Guida at No 48.

“Our sincere congratulations go to Orfali Bros Bistro, which sets a new standard in creativity, innovation and food presentation, complemented by an intimate service style,” said William Drew, director of content for Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants.

“We are equally proud to see restaurants from so many different cities represented on this year’s list, showcasing the abundant diversity of cuisines across the region.”

Orfali Bros, created by three Syrian brothers in 2021, is a modern, minimalist venue in Jumeirah. Its menu is an exercise in boundary pushing, experimenting with taste, textures and ingredients to create something unique, from red umami prawns to fluffy pides in various creative flavours.

Last year, 18 of the 50 restaurants listed were from the UAE, while this number has risen to 20 this year.

Six restaurants were chosen from both Israel and Egypt; five from Jordan; three each from Morocco, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia; two from Bahrain; and one each from Qatar and Tunisia.

The restaurants are chosen by a panel of 250 anonymous voters, who can select seven venues each from across the region.

Mena’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024

  1. Orfali Bros Bistro, Dubai
  2. Tresind Studio, Dubai
  3. Ossiano, Dubai
  4. Moonrise, Dubai
  5. Khufu’s, Cairo (new entry)
  6. 3 Fils, Dubai
  7. Fakhreldin, Amman
  8. Em Sherif, Beirut
  9. Fusions by Tala, Manama
  10. OCD Restaurant, Tel Aviv
  11. Kinoya, Dubai
  12. Kazoku, Cairo
  13. Zuma, Dubai
  14. 11 Woodfire, Dubai
  15. Sachi Giza, Giza
  16. Baron, Beirut
  17. Boca, Dubai (new entry)
  18. Shams El Balad, Amman
  19. Mimi Kakushi, Dubai (re-entry)
  20. George & John, Tel Aviv
  21. Jun’s, Dubai
  22. Marble, Riyadh
  23. LPM Dubai, Dubai
  24. Zooba (Zamalek), Cairo
  25. Nomi, Monash (new entry)
  26. Animar, Tel Aviv
  27. La Grande Table Marocaine, Marrakesh
  28. Bait Maryam, Dubai (new entry)
  29. Sufra, Amman
  30. Reif Kushiyaki, Dubai
  31. Tawlet Mar Mikhael, Beirut
  32. 21 Grams, Dubai (new entry)
  33. Sachi Cairo, Cairo
  34. Milgo & Milbar, Tel Aviv
  35. Gaia, Dubai
  36. Alee, Amman
  37. Lowe, Dubai
  38. Izakaya, Cairo (re-entry)
  39. LPM Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi (new entry)
  40. Lunch Room, Riyadh (new entry)
  41. Row on 45, Dubai (new entry)
  42. +61, Marrakesh
  43. Opa, Tel Aviv (new entry)
  44. 13C Bar in the Back, Amman
  45. Sesamo, Marrakesh
  46. Alba by Enrico Crippa, Doha (new entry)
  47. Cult Bistro, Tunis (new entry)
  48. Talea by Antonio Guida, Abu Dhabi (new entry)
  49. Cut by Wolfgang Puck, Manama
  50. Kuuru, Jeddah
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

MATHC INFO

England 19 (Try: Tuilagi; Cons: Farrell; Pens: Ford (4)

New Zealand 7 (Try: Savea; Con: Mo'unga)

Champions parade (UAE timings)

7pm Gates open

8pm Deansgate stage showing starts

9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral

9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street

10pm City players on stage

11pm event ends

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

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Updated: February 16, 2024, 10:16 AM