Abu Dhabi to host World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 in Middle East first

Abu Dhabi has been selected to host The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 in November, marking the first time the globally acclaimed culinary awards will take place in the Middle East.

Now entering its 24th edition, the event, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), will include a week-long programme of gastronomic experiences for visitors, culminating in the much-anticipated awards ceremony where the ranking of the world’s top restaurants will be revealed. 

According to organisers, Abu Dhabi was chosen for its reputation as a city that “both embraces and values its food culture,” reflecting the emirate’s growing influence on the global culinary stage. The awards have previously travelled across major culinary capitals in Europe, the Americas and Asia, with recent editions hosted in cities including London, New York, Singapore and Barcelona.

The announcement follows the success of the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 ceremony, held recently at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi. In that edition, the UAE achieved a record 25 entries on the list, with Abu Dhabi securing three spots: Marmellata Bakery at number 16, along with two new entries: 3 Fils Abu Dhabi at number 42 and LPM Abu Dhabi at number 47.