50 Best took over Abu Dhabi between Friday 27th January and Wednesday 1st of February for a series of events ranging from out-of-this-world brunches to elegant award ceremonies and thought-provoking talks. Catch up on everything that happened in the UAE capital during Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, with these 26 photo highlights
1. The sun shines on Abu Dhabi as the food community descends on the city
The second edition of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants is again held with the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. Blue skies greet the region’s top chefs, gastronomic media, culinary personalities and food lovers arriving in town for the hottest event in the culinary calendar.
2. A brunch is held to end all brunches
To kick off the events programme, the first-ever Flavours of 50 Best brunch takes over Graphos Social Kitchen at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, giving food and drink lovers a unique chance to enjoy luxurious dishes and killer cocktails while hearing from some of the best chefs and bartenders in the world.
3. Santiago Lastra, Hiroyasu Kawate, Mauro Colagreco and Maira Yeo cook up a storm
The Flavours of 50 Best brunch sees hungry diners get a taste of world-famous dishes without leaving Abu Dhabi, including Santiago Lastra’s lobster taco from his Mexican hit Kol in London; Japanese master Hiroyasu Kawate’s yaki imo with sweet potato from Florilège in Tokyo; baby squid ragout with tahini by Mirazur’s Mauro Colagreco of Best of the Best fame; and an almond parfait dessert with fermented black truffle by none other than Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2022, Maira Yeo of Cloudstreet in Singapore.
4. A feast of Lebanese meze delights the community
The newly opened Em Sherif Sea Café plays host to the Welcome Event, a private occasion for key 50 Best stakeholders to reunite ahead of the celebrations, and guests enjoy mouth-watering Middle Eastern delights such as hummus lahme, beef shawarma and tabbouleh, featuring ingredients by Aussie Beef & Lamb and Chef Middle East.
5. The MENA’s 50 Best Academy Chairs come together for a tipple
The list of Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants is voted for by more than 250 anonymous voters, a unique group of experts headed up by six Academy Chairs: Sherif Tamim, Roy Yerushalmi, Claudia de Brito, Mohamed El Baroudi, Leen Al Zaben and Aljohara Almogbel. The group was among the guests who enjoy Lyre’s game-changing non-alcoholic Italian spritz by the beach at the Welcome Event.
6. Culinary stars cook alongside local favourites
50 Best Signature Sessions sees culinary greats such as chef Massimiliano Alajmo of Italy’s Le Calandre cook alongside Antonio Guida at his new restaurant Talea, while Australian grillmaster Lennox Hastie shows Abu Dhabi his skills at BBQ Al Qasr.
7. At #50BestTalks, esteemed guests discuss what luxury means today
50 Best’s signature thought-leadership forum, hosted at the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, kicks off with famous culinary personalities such as author Anissa Helou and chef Akmal Anuar debating the contemporary meaning of ‘luxury’ in gastronomy, from being cooked a meal by strangers to rediscovering gratitude in the kitchen and beyond.
8. Outstanding food and drinks keep flowing
From delicious bites prepared by the Four Seasons to Nespresso Professional’s fragrant coffee, no one leaves the #50BestTalks event hungry or thirsty.
9. Luxury is questioned in novel ways in the grand finale of #50BestTalks
Following an impactful presentation by Qais Malhas and Maha Dahmash from Shams El Balad in Amman interrogating the idea of luxury in the modern Arab world, chef Mauro Colagreco concludes the event with a keynote interview touching on sustainability, nature and the future of fine dining.
10. A poolside Chefs’ Feast sees old friendships rekindled and new ones made
An exclusive event for the representatives of the establishments in the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list, the Chefs’ Feast is becoming an annual calendar highlight, giving the region’s chefs and restaurateurs the chance to catch up and enjoy one other’s company on the evening before the awards ceremony.
11. An outstanding drinks menu keeps good times flowing
From the Dusk ‘till Dawn – a perfect concoction of Flor de Caña rum, citrus cordial and ginger beer – to Gin Mare’s aromatic Martinis, a perfect serve of Estrella Damm beer or simply a glass of favourite Beronia Gran Reserva, guests at the Chefs’ Feast are treated to a vast array of libations.
12. Asian cuisines pop up across Abu Dhabi
From a Malaysian-Singaporean collaboration held at restaurant Otoro with Dewakan chef Darren Teoh, to a modern Chinese menu brought by Vicky Cheng of Wing and Vea in Hong Kong to Dai Pai Dong, the 50 Best Signature Sessions continue to delight diners with innovative restaurant collaborations.
13. The red carpet is rolled
On the evening of Monday, 31st January, chefs and restaurateurs from across the Middle East and North Africa region rock the red carpet at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers ahead of the awards ceremony revealing a new edition of the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
14. Anticipation builds at the reception
From the revelation of a chocolate wall installation curated by chef José Pizarro, to a perfectly refreshing bottle of S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna to give respite from the heat, and delicious bite-sized treats featuring Arla Pro’s dairy products, the pre-awards reception is buzzing with anticipation as guests enjoy the food, drinks and atmosphere.
15. Chefs are anointed with the iconic red scarves
In a moment that has become synonymous with being welcomed into the 50 Best community, red scarves by Foodics are draped across the necks of the representatives of the 50 restaurants voted into the list as they arrive at the main event.
16. Twins Shirel and Sharona Berger take the One To Watch Award to its new home in Tel Aviv
Opa, a forward-thinking plant-based restaurant located in Tel Aviv’s Levinsky spice market, receives the prize reserved for a rising star restaurant in the region – chef Shirel and manager Sharona Berger accept their restaurant’s accolade on stage from chef Santiago Lastra.
17. Karim Bourgi is named MENA’s Best Pastry Chef 2023, sponsored by Valrhona
Having shown his prowess at two afternoon teas hosted at the observation deck of the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, pastry sensation Karim Bourgi is recognised with the ultimate accolade for a career in the sweet culinary arts.
18. Salam Dakkak receives a standing ovation as she collects the MENA’s Best Female Chef Award 2023, sponsored by Nespresso Professional
Palestinian chef Salam Dakkak, of Bait Maryam in Dubai, is spurred on to the stage to raucous applause to accept her accolade.
19. The Estrella Damm N.A. Chefs’ Choice Award 2023 goes to an Egyptian chef and educator
The only peer-voted prize in the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants programme is bestowed to Moustafa Elrefaey, the chef and co-creator of the Zooba brand of elevated Egyptian street food and a passionate educator of the next generation of cooks in the country, with the trophy handed by Peruvian powerhouse chef Mitsuharu Tsumura of Maido.
20. The Art of Hospitality Award is won by a family restaurant in Beirut
Em Sherif has become synonymous with friendly and elegant service in Lebanon and is expanding across the MENA region and beyond – founder Mireille Hayek and her daughter and executive chef Yasmina Hayek receive the Art of Hospitality accolade with their team.
21. OCD Restaurant takes home the Sustainable Restaurant Award 2023, sponsored by Arla Pro
A surprised and delighted chef Raz Rahav climbs on stage with his team to receive the trophy for their Tel Aviv restaurant, which is deemed most sustainable in an assessment carried out by 50 Best’s audit partner, the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
22. Anissa Helou accepts the Foodics Icon Award 2023 to the crowd’s cheers
Having made a name for herself over a 30-year career, Lebanese-Syrian food writer, researcher and chef Anissa Helou is recognised at the awards ceremony to the audience’s delight.
23. Dubai is home to the winner of the Highest New Entry Award 2023, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles
Managing to wow diners with its elegant food as well as its unique location inside an enormous aquarium, chef Gregoire Berger’s Ossiano debuts on the list at No.4, the highest position of restaurant in this year's cohort of new incumbents to the list.
24. Modern Bahraini food earns the Highest Climber Award
Chef Tala Bashmi’s jewel of a restaurant in Manama climbs from the No.39 spot in MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 to the No.3 position in 2023, earning a special trophy presented by chef Massimo Bottura of Best of the Best’s Osteria Francescana.
25. Orfali Bros Bistro in Dubai is crowned the new No.1
A restaurant much loved and respected in the region’s food community, Dubai’s Orfali Bros Bistro earns the title of The Best Restaurant in Middle East & North Africa 2023, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, in recognition of its brilliant food and storytelling inspired by brothers Mohammad, Wassim and Omar Orfali’s life story.
26. See you next year!
The full list of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 sees venues included from across 14 cities in the region, including 15 first-time entries. What will the next edition bring? Tune in again in early 2024 to find out…
Now take a tour of the events in Abu Dhabi with the video:
The list of Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, was announced on Monday, 30th January at a live awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi. To stay up to date with all news and announcements, browse the website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
