MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants returns to Abu Dhabi at the start of 2026 with a programme that brings together international chefs, leading regional voices and the UAE capital’s rising dining scene. Announced ahead of the awards ceremony on 3 February, the calendar outlines a week of events shaped by collaboration, cultural exchange and the varied culinary identities shaping the wider region.
The programme for MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants Abu Dhabi runs from Saturday 31 January to Thursday 5 February. It highlights two anchor events: Flavours of 50 Best, an evening brunch presenting visiting chefs and cocktail talent, and 50 Best Signature Sessions, a series of one-off dinners hosted across leading restaurants in the city.
Flavours of 50 Best
Mimi KakushiThe opening event, Flavours of 50 Best, takes place at Graphos Social Kitchen at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island on 31 January. The evening is structured around live plating, chef conversations and an expansive menu reflecting technique, regional influences and global cuisines.
Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura of Maido in Lima, recently named The World’s Best Restaurant 2025, headlines this year’s edition. His approach to Nikkei cuisine has made Maido a defining presence in contemporary dining. Joining him is Yasmina Hayek of Em Sherif, recognised as MENA’s Best Female Chef 2025, whose work explores Lebanese culinary heritage through refinement and modern interpretation.
Completing the line-up is Dej Kewkacha of Gaggan at Louis Vuitton in Bangkok, Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2025, known for desserts and savoury-sweet expressions that reflect the restaurant’s conceptual approach. Beverage curation is led by Manja Stankovic of Mimi Kakushi, ranked No.36 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 and named The Best Bar in the Middle East 2025. The brunch is priced at AED 596 per person.
Signature Sessions
View this post on Instagram
Alongside Flavours of 50 Best, 50 Best Signature Sessions offers a series of collaborative dinners pairing both visiting chefs and regional talent with Abu Dhabi’s restaurants. Each menu is designed around shared technique, creative interplay and regional context, forming a core part of the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants Abu Dhabi programme.
Signature Sessions featuring MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants Abu Dhabi
Bord Eau by Nicolas IsnardThe first dinner takes place on 31 January at Bord Eau at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, where French chef Nicolas Isnard partners with the Orfali brothers. Their Dubai restaurant has topped the regional list for three consecutive years, and this collaboration introduces a ten to twelve-course menu drawing from French technique and modern Middle Eastern influences.
On 1 February, Niri teams with Alee, a restaurant from Amman positioned at No.13 on the 2025 list. The event presents a Japanese-Jordanian omakase with six to eight courses and additional bites, shaped largely from new collaborative dishes.
The following evening, Alba Terrace at The Abu Dhabi EDITION hosts Beihouse, the Beirut-born concept led by chef Tarek Alameddine. The dinner begins with welcome drinks before moving to a seven to eight-course menu informed by Mediterranean and Levantine culinary approaches.
The final announced session takes place on 4 February at SushiSamba Abu Dhabi and features Kuuru, the Jeddah restaurant ranked No.30 on the 2025 list. The ten-course tasting combines five dishes from each team, moving from snacks to dessert and highlighting Nikkei influences alongside SushiSamba’s eclectic style. Additional sessions will be announced in the coming weeks.
Quick summary – MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants Abu Dhabi
- 📅 Dates: 31 January–5 February 2026
- 👨🍳 Headline chefs: Mitsuharu Tsumura, Yasmina Hayek, Dej Kewkacha
- 🍽 Key events: Flavours of 50 Best, Signature Sessions
- 📍 Locations: Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, The Abu Dhabi EDITION, SushiSamba Abu Dhabi
- 💸 Pricing: Flavours of 50 Best AED 596 per person
- 🔗 Format: Collaborative menus, live demonstrations, chef-led sessions
- ✨ Highlight: A concentrated showcase of regional and international talent ahead of the 2026 awards
