The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list recognizes the best restaurants across the MENA each year.
This year, three Lebanese restaurants were ranked on the list. All three of which were among the top 20:
#20 Em Sherif, Beirut
Em Sherif has been making strides across the world in recent years. The owner was also awarded Lebanon’s Silver grade Order of Merit by the former President last year.
Last year alone, they opened a location in London’s Harrods, a second location in Egypt, and Em Sherif Sea Cafe in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
This year, it won the Art of Hospitality Award.
The list highlighted Em Sherif:
“The quintessential Lebanese dining experience, Em Sherif offers guests a taste of traditional home cooking. Chef Yasmina Hayek’s marathon 30-course dinner of mezze platters, all designed to share, is coupled with her mother and restaurateur Mireille Hayek’s infallible service.”
Em Sherif’s 20th position is up from last year’s 22nd.
You can reach Em Sherif Beirut at +961 70 919 119
#19 Tawlet Mar Mikhael, Beirut
Tawlet Mar Mikhael is Lebanon’s iconic Souk el Tayeb restaurant.
The list highlighted Tawlet Mar Mikhael:
“Rotating weekly, the menu at Tawlet could include any variety of dishes from all corners of Lebanon. Dozens of women from villages across the country take turns designing menus that showcase their local recipes. The restaurant provides a space for open conversation – about the dishes, traditions, and significance of the food for local communities.”
Tawlet Mar Mikhael’s 19th position is up from last year’s 28th.
You can reach Tawlet Mar Mikhael, in Mar Mikhael Beirut, at +961 70 919 119
#16 Baron, Beirut
The list highlighted Baron:
“Chef Athanasios Kargatzidis’s Baron is a fun, unfussy, locavore neighbourhood joint hidden in the hip streets of artsy Mar Mikhael in Beirut. Eclectic small plates characterise the seasonal sharing-style menu that changes every few days. Heavy on the vegetables, the food is modern and innovative with Mediterranean and Japanese influences.”
Baron’s 16th position is down from last year’s 12th.
You can reach Baron, Mar Mikhael, Beirut at +961 79 179 099
Last year, 5 Lebanese restaurants made the list; Baron, Liza, Em Sherif, Tawlet Mar Mikhael, and Clap.
Full list:
1. Orfali Bros Bistro, Dubai, UAE
2. Tresind Studio, Dubai, UAE
3. Fusions by Tala, Manama, Bahrain (also won Highest Climber Award)
4. Ossiano, Dubai, UAE (also won the Highest New Entry Award)
5. 3 Fils, Dubai, UAE
6. George & John, Tel Aviv, Israel (also named Best Restaurant in Israel)
7. Kinoya, Dubai, UAE
8. Fakhreldin, Amman, Jordan
9. Zooba, Cairo, Egypt (also named Best Restaurant in Egypt)
10. Moonrise, Dubai, UAE
11. Reif Kushiyaki, Dubai, UAE
12. Kazoku, Cairo, Egypt
13. Zuma, Dubai, UAE
14. OCD, Tel Aviv, Israel (also won the Sustainable Restaurant Award)
15. Lowe, Dubai, UAE
16. Baron, Beirut, Lebanon
17. Gaia, Dubai, UAE
18. Myazu, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
19. Tawlet Mar Mikhael, Beirut, Lebanon
20. Em Sherif, Beirut, Lebanon (also won the Art of Hospitality Award)
21. LPM, Dubai, UAE
22. Sachi, Giza, Egypt
23. Marble, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
24. A by Yuval Ben Neriah, Tel Aviv, Israel
25. CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Manama, Bahrain
26. Hoseki, Dubai, UAE
27. La Grande Table Marocain, Marrakech, Morocco
28. Coya, Dubai, UAE
29. Shams El Balad, Amman, Jordan
30. Sachi, Cairo, Egypt
31. Masso, Manama, Bahrain
32. Animar, Tel Aviv, Israel
33. Coya, Abu Dhabi, UAE
34. La Closerie, Tunis, Tunisia
35. 11 Woodfire, Dubai, UAE
36. Sufra, Amman, Jordan
37. Iloli, Casablanca, Morocco
38. LPM, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
39. Sesamo, Marrakech, Morocco
40. Milgo Milbar, Tel Aviv, Israel
41. Alee, Amman, Jordan
42. White Robata, Kuwait City, Kuwait
43. Zuma, Abu Dhabi, UAE
44. Jun’s, Dubai, UAE
45. Reif Kushiyaki, Cairo, Egypt
46. +61, Marrakech, Morocco
47. 13C Bar in the Back, Amman, Jordan
48. HaBasta, Tel Aviv, Israel
49. Hakkasan, Abu Dhabi, UAE
50. Bonjiri, Salmiya, Kuwait
The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list is organized by William Reed and is based on the opinions and experiences of 250 restaurant industry experts in the region.
The list is compiled by the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, consisting of food writers, critics, chefs, restaurateurs and foodies, divided into six regions. Members vote for seven restaurants, with at least two outside their country, and must have eaten there in the previous 18 months.
