Orfali Bros Bistro, the unpretentious Dubai restaurant run by three Syrian chef brothers, has topped the Mena’s 50 Best Restaurants list for a second consecutive year.
Mohammad, Wassim and Omar Orfali opened the restaurant in 2021. It has since gone on to become a favorite of local and international foodies with both Syrian and globally influenced dishes such as umami éclair, a take on imam biyaldi, and wagyu kebab with sour cherry.
Dubai dominates the top five of Mena’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, with Trèsind Studio, Ossiano, and Moonrise all featuring. Cairo’s Khufu’s is the highest new entry on the list at number five.
The awards, which celebrate the best of gastronomy in the Middle East and North Africa, were this year announced solely online, minus the usual live event, due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
"The collective thoughts of the organisation remain with those impacted by the situation at present, and 50 Best believes that hosting an in-person, celebratory awards ceremony and associated events would not be appropriate at this time," said a statement.
See the full list of Mena’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 below.
1. Orfali Bros Bistro, Dubai
2. Tresind Studio, Dubai
3. Ossiano, Dubai
4. Moonrise, Dubai
5. Khufu’s, Cairo (new entry)
6. 3 Fils, Dubai
7. Fakhreldin, Amman
8. Em Sherif, Beirut
9. Fusions by Tala, Manama
10. OCD Restaurant, Tel Aviv
11. Kinoya, Dubai
12. Kazoku, Cairo
13. Zuma, Dubai
14. 11 Woodfire, Dubai
15. Sachi Giza, Giza
16. Baron, Beirut
17. Boca, Dubai (new entry)
18. Shams El Balad, Amman
19. Mimi Kakushi, Dubai (re-entry)
20. George & John, Tel Aviv
21. Jun’s, Dubai
22. Marble, Riyadh
23. LPM Dubai, Dubai
24. Zooba (Zamalek), Cairo
25. Nomi, Monash (new entry)
26. Animar, Tel Aviv
27. La Grande Table Marocaine, Marrakesh
28. Bait Maryam, Dubai (new entry)
29. Sufra, Amman
30. Reif Kushiyaki, Dubai
31. Tawlet Mar Mikhael, Beirut
32. 21 Grams, Dubai (new entry)
33. Sachi Cairo, Cairo
34. Milgo & Milbar, Tel Aviv
35. Gaia, Dubai
36. Alee, Amman
37. Lowe, Dubai
38. Izakaya, Cairo (re-entry)
39. LPM Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi (new entry)
40. Lunch Room, Riyadh (new entry)
41. Row on 45, Dubai (new entry)
42. +61, Marrakesh
43. Opa, Tel Aviv (new entry)
44. 13C Bar in the Back, Amman
45. Sesamo, Marrakesh
46. Alba by Enrico Crippa, Doha (new entry)
47. Cult Bistro, Tunis (new entry)
48. Talea by Antonio Guida, Abu Dhabi (new entry)
49. Cut by Wolfgang Puck, Manama
50. Kuuru, Jeddah
