Of the 50 restaurants that made this year’s MENA 50 Best, more than half—26, to be exact—call the UAE home. From ramen that makes your soul hum, and wood-fired dishes that smell like nostalgia, to tasting menus that take your taste buds on a world tour, each of these kitchens is its own universe of passion, craft, and a lot of really, really good food. The chefs behind each of these 26 eateries are dreaming big, experimenting wildly, and somehow still making every bite feel effortless. Grab a fork—this is where the UAE eats like it means it.

Kinoya #2

📍Dubai Head Chef: Neha Misra What began as a home-based supper club has become the UAE’s best restaurant, built on soulful Japanese ramen and izakaya fare. Misra’s obsessively crafted broths—especially the shio paitan—have turned Kinoya into a comfort-food institution with cult status.

Trèsind Studio #3

📍Dubai Head Chef: Himanshu Saini A theatrical, immersive tasting experience that reimagines Indian cuisine through a modern, experimental lens. With just 20 seats, Trèsind Studio blends storytelling, technique, and hospitality into one of the region’s most refined fine-dining journeys.

Orfali Bros Bistro #4

📍Dubai Head Chef: Mohamad Orfali Pastry Chefs: Wassim & Omar Orfali A genre-defying bistro where Syrian roots meet global curiosity, led by three brothers cooking exactly what they love to eat. Bold flavours, playful dishes, and world-class pastries have made it one of the region’s most influential restaurants.

Sufret Maryam #7

📍Dubai Head Chef: Salam Dakkak A deeply personal tribute to Levantine home cooking, elevated through modern technique and thoughtful storytelling. Each dish feels nostalgic yet forward-looking, grounded in heritage and delivered with exceptional warmth.

Jun’s #8

📍Dubai Head Chef: Kelvin Cheung A vibrant expression of third-culture cooking, blending North American, Indian, and East Asian flavours into something entirely personal. Playful dishes, bold seasoning, and Cheung’s infectious energy make Jun’s one of Dubai’s most joyful dining rooms.

Manāo #9

📍Dubai Head Chef: Abhiraj Khatwani A contemporary, Emirati-rooted take on Thai cuisine that balances tradition with modern finesse. Intimate, thoughtful, and flavour-forward, Manāo delivers Thai food as a personal culinary narrative rather than a trend.

Moonrise #10

📍Dubai Head Chef: Solemann Haddad One of Dubai’s most exclusive dining experiences, Moonrise offers a 12-seat tasting menu inspired by the chef’s multicultural upbringing. The experience is intimate, poetic, and deeply tied to place—right down to the moonlit finale.

11 Woodfire #14

📍Dubai Head Chef: Brando Moros Pastry Chef: Carol Suaan Contreras Salinas A wood-fired celebration of flavour, balancing meat, seafood, and vegetables with bold, smoky intensity. Minimalist interiors and a focus on technique make 11 Woodfire a refined yet approachable culinary hotspot.

Kokoro #15

📍Dubai Head Chef: Daniela Moiseev Sushi meets playful creativity in this Japanese concept from Houston brought to Dubai. Expertly crafted hand rolls and whimsical design make Kokoro a dining experience that’s as fun as it is precise.

Marmellata Bakery #16

📍Abu Dhabi Head Chef: Raj Dagstani A true Abu Dhabi original, blending artisanal pizza with local ingredients and a family-driven approach. Signature focaccias and inventive pies keep diners lining up long before opening.

3 Fils Dubai #17

📍Dubai Head Chef: Jhovani Manalo Pastry Chef: Carmen Rueda Hernandez Casual, unlicensed, and irresistibly flavorful, 3 Fils is all about Asian fusion and warm, community-style hospitality. Its approachable yet precise cuisine has made it a Dubai institution.

FZN #22

📍Dubai Head Chef: Torsten Vildgaard Pastry Chef: Fredrik Österman A multi-sensory modern European experience infused with Japanese technique. FZN combines storytelling, artful plating, and panoramic views into one of Dubai’s most talked-about tasting menus.

TakaHisa #23

📍Dubai Head Chefs: Hisao Ueda & Takashi Namekata Pastry Chef: Shinnosuke Aso Offering a front-row seat to masterful Japanese cuisine, TakaHisa marries traditional techniques with seasonal innovation. Omakase dining here is a curated journey of pristine seafood and A5 Kobe beef.

LPM Dubai #27

📍Dubai Head Chef: Maurizio Pace Pastry Chef: Sebastian Antony A cornerstone of the Dubai culinary scene, LPM delivers French-Mediterranean classics with consistency and style. Elegant yet approachable, the menu blends shareable plates with comforting desserts and creative cocktails.

Three Bros #29

📍Dubai Head Chef: Mohamad Orfali Pastry Chefs: Wassim & Omar Orfali Vibrant, eclectic, and steeped in nostalgia, Three Bros showcases bold flavours from Syria and beyond. The cosy, theatrical space complements a menu of shareable small plates and inventive pastries.

Gaia #33

📍Dubai Head Chef: Izu Ani A relaxed Mediterranean taverna that blends celebrity appeal with expert seafood preparation. Gaia’s market-style ice counter and wood-fired cooking transport diners to a Greek island in the heart of Dubai.

Zuma #34

📍Dubai Head Chef: Rainer Becker Japanese cuisine dialled up to glamorous perfection, with a multi-kitchen setup delivering sushi, robata, and grilled seafood with theatrical flair. Zuma’s high-style space and weekend brunch make it as much a social hub as a dining destination.

Mimi Kakushi #35

📍Dubai Head Chef: Hoon Kang Contemporary Japanese cuisine in a sleek, stylish setting, blending traditional techniques with show-stopping dishes. Sushi, wagyu, and inventive small plates anchor a dining experience that’s equally impressive at the bar.

Row on 45 #36

📍Dubai Head Chef: Jason Atherton Pastry Chef: Noor Syed A tasting-menu journey divided into acts, Row on 45 combines British precision with Japanese influence. The intimate setting and curated 17-course menu highlight Atherton’s global culinary experiences.

Niri #38

📍Abu Dhabi Head Chef: Yasuyuki Takemoto Pastry Chef: Sarah Raymundo Sleek Japanese dining that’s as approachable as it is aspirational. Yakitori, sashimi, and highballs form the heart of Niri, with Takemoto’s expertise bringing quality and authenticity to every plate.

Chez Wam #40

📍Dubai Head Chef: Hadrien Villedieu Fun, contemporary French cuisine in a house-party atmosphere. Avant-garde flavours, creative plating, and interactive Chef’s Table experiences make it a social and culinary highlight.

Boca #41

📍Dubai Head Chef: Patricia Roig Modern Spanish cuisine with a focus on sustainability and local produce. Boca pairs inventive seafood, seasonal dishes, and a forward-thinking beverage program with community-driven initiatives.

3 Fils Abu Dhabi #42

📍Abu Dhabi Head Chef: Jun Kamiyama Pastry Chef: Carmen Rueda Hernandez Bringing the modern Asian casual-dining concept to Abu Dhabi, 3 Fils continues to impress with approachable, umami-rich dishes. Waterfront views and signature creations make this second branch a hit with locals and visitors alike.

Girl and the Goose #43

📍Dubai Head Chef: Gabriela Chamorro Central American cuisine meets contemporary technique in a warm, convivial space. Chamorro transforms traditional Nicaraguan and regional recipes into innovative, shareable plates full of nostalgia and flavour.

LPM Abu Dhabi #47

📍Abu Dhabi Head Chef: Navaneeth Chandran Pastry Chef: Sangeeth Saida The capital’s French-Mediterranean standard-bearer, balancing tradition with modernity. Crowd-pleasing classics, ingredient-driven dishes, and a relaxed ambience have cemented LPM’s status in Abu Dhabi.

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