MENA's 50 Best Restaurants 2025: A celebration of culinary excellence
ABU DHABI: MENA's 50 Best Restaurants awards returned to Abu Dhabi for its 2025 edition on Tuesday night, celebrating the finest dining establishments across the Middle East and North Africa. The event, held at Erth Abu Dhabi, brought together the region's most acclaimed chefs, restaurateurs, and industry experts for a night that highlighted innovation, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage in gastronomy.
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The No.1 spot was awarded to Orfali Bros Bistro (Dubai) for the third consecutive year, recognizing its bold reinterpretation of Middle Eastern flavors with global techniques. The list featured restaurants from 11 cities, showcasing the diversity of culinary experiences across the region, from fine-dining institutions in Dubai and Cairo to rising stars in Riyadh, Beirut, and Amman.
The United Arab Emirates led the rankings with 22 restaurants, followed by Egypt (7), Jordan (6), Saudi Arabia (5), and Morocco (5).
Marble: A journey from pop-up to culinary excellence
Founded in 2018, No. 16 on the list was Marble, which started as a humble pop-up on Prince Turki Road before evolving into one of Riyadh's most sought-after dining destinations. The restaurant's focus on high-quality meats, expert butchery, and open-flame cooking has cemented its reputation among steak lovers and food critics alike. It was the highest ranking restaurant in Saudi Arabia.
The restaurant is led by Chef Abdulrahman Al-Sowailem, along with CEO Meshal Al-Akeel and Creative Director Omar Al-Dayel, who have played pivotal roles in shaping Marble's identity and culinary direction.
Speaking to Arab News, Chef Abdulrahman Al-Sowailem expressed his pride in the achievement, 'We are proud that Marble is the number one restaurant in Saudi Arabia, and we are delighted to see Saudi restaurants being recognized among the top 50 in the Middle East and North Africa.'
Al-Sowailem, known for his meticulous approach to meat selection and minimal seasoning techniques, credits Saudi Arabia's evolving culinary landscape for creating opportunities for innovation.
'The influx of international restaurants has improved ingredient availability in Saudi Arabia, allowing us to source better products and refine our offerings,' he said.
Marble's menu blends classic butchery with subtle nods to Saudi flavors, featuring Saudi coffee gelato and fried dates as part of its evolving lineup. Al-Sowailem also hinted at plans to further explore traditional Saudi cuisine in an elevated, modern context.
In addition to Marble, four other Saudi restaurants were named on the list:
• Kuuru (Jeddah) – No. 30: A contemporary fine-dining concept that fuses global culinary techniques with Saudi ingredients.
• Lunch Room (Riyadh) – No. 31: A modern dining space blending casual elegance with high-end gastronomy.
• Aseeb (Riyadh) – No. 39: A new entry to the list, offering a creative interpretation of traditional Saudi dishes with a modern twist.
• Myazu (Riyadh) – No. 49: A high-end Japanese restaurant known for its refined take on traditional Japanese flavors, incorporating Saudi influences.
The top 10 restaurants of MENA's 50 Best 2025 list represent a mix of heritage, innovation, and global influence:
1. Orfali Bros Bistro – Dubai (Best Restaurant in MENA)
2. Trèsind Studio – Dubai
3. Kinoya – Dubai
4. Khufu's – Cairo (Best Restaurant in Egypt)
5. Ossiano – Dubai (Art of Hospitality Award)
6. Fusions by Tala – Manama (Best Restaurant in Bahrain)
7. Jun's – Dubai
8. Shams El Balad – Amman (Best Restaurant in Jordan)
9. Em Sherif – Beirut (Best Restaurant in Lebanon)
10. Moonrise – Dubai
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