Orfali Bros Bistro is the new No.1 in Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. Discover what makes this Dubai venue the most loved and respected in the whole region
A current of pure electricity ran across the ballroom of the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers when Orfali Bros Bistro – the Dubai restaurant founded by Syrian brothers Mohammad, Wassim and Omar Orfali in 2021 after overcoming considerable hurdles – was named The Best Restaurant in Middle East & North Africa 2023, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.
“It was a difficult journey for us, going from being TV chefs to opening a restaurant during the pandemic,” says a shocked Mohammad, the eldest brother and head chef, after his brainchild climbed from No.6 in Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 to No.1 in 2023. “I want to thank my brothers. We started this project the three of us and we are now 44 people in the restaurant. For us working together was always a dream – and it came true.”
While Mohammad leads the charge on menu creation, Wassim and Omar curate a selection of outstanding desserts. The trio’s well-researched recipes come together into a cohesive gastronomic whole that tells the unique story of their life, from leaving war-torn Syria to building an original restaurant concept and family in Dubai, where influences come from all over the world.
The corn bomb, a delicate bite showered in 36-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano, is one of the restaurant's many standout offerings
“We are speechless, I can’t describe it,” continues Mohammad. “We keep pushing the boundaries and this city gave us the opportunity to create something new. We created the concept of Dubai cuisine: a community cuisine that presents the city’s strong multiculture. We are so grateful for the trust and love put in us.”
Mohammad’s mother discouraged him from pursuing a career as a chef, a job that didn’t receive much respect in the Middle East. Having fallen in love with French cuisine, he moved there to study, but progressively began to realise that he had to go back to his roots and truly understand Syrian and Aleppian cuisine in order to advance it.
After working in TV for several years, he decided his next challenge would be to open a restaurant – but an investment fell through and it seemed that Orfali Bros Bistro wasn’t meant to be. Instead, the restaurant employees and suppliers decided to pay it forward and it was the collective sacrifice of their salaries and income that made the restaurant’s opening possible in the first half 2021.
Since then, the venue has become a hit in Dubai – a city overflowing with outstanding restaurants, but none as unique as Orfali Bros Bistro, where a focus on storytelling allows for the brothers’ story to truly shine. “Orfali Bros Bistro represents the community and the things we most want to eat,” adds Mohammad.
The Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 ceremony reunited the gastronomic giants of the region for an evening of celebration
No.2 in Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 is Trèsind Studio, the progressive Indian restaurant also located in Dubai, led by chef Himanshu Saini. Fusions by Tala, based in Manama, follows at No.3, picking up the Highest Climber Award and The Best Restaurant in Bahrain title.
The list of Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants is voted for by an Academy of 250 voters spread across 19 countries, each one of whom selects their seven favourite restaurant experiences from the previous 18 months. The voting process is entirely secure and confidential.
Several outstanding culinary personalities from the region were also honoured at the awards ceremony, hosted with the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. Karim Bourgi took home the title of Middle East & North Africa’s Best Pastry Chef 2023, sponsored by Valrhona; while Dubai restaurant Ossiano debuted at No.4, earning the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles. Egyptian chef and culinary educator Moustafa Elrefaey was recognised by his peers with the Estrella Damm N.A. Chefs’ Choice Award 2023 and Tel Aviv’s OCD Restaurant earned the Sustainable Restaurant Award, sponsored by Arla Pro.
The second edition of Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants, announced on 30th January 2023, included venues from 14 cities, as well as 15 first-time entries. Click here to explore the full ranking.
Did you miss the ceremony? Catch up on the full show here:
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.
