Orfali Bros Bistro scoops MENA’s Best Restaurant 2023

The Syrian brothers’ restaurant bagged the No. 1 spot at the award ceremony last night.

The biggest culinary award show of the Middle East & North Africa welcomed the crème de la crème of the hospitality industry at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers last night.

Celebrating the second edition of Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, restaurants from across 14 cities were announced as the 50 best places to eat in the region.

Hosted in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Orfali Bros Bistro took the No. 1 spot as MENA’s Best Restaurant.

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Orfali Bros Bistro is an unlicensed gastronomic bistro located in Dubai’s buzzing Wasl 51 neighbourhood. It was founded in 2021 by three Syrian brothers, Mohammad, Wassim and Omar Orfali.

The menu features dishes with a core Middle Eastern theme paying homage to the brothers’ Aleppian roots, while capturing the multiculturalism and avant-garde spirit of Dubai.

Led by head chef Mohammad Orfali, Orfali Bros Bistro’s Croquettes, Shish Barak à la Gyoza and Corn Bomb all serve to push the boundaries of culinary creativity, ensuring a thrilling dining experience.

Brothers Wassim and Omar are both top-level pastry chefs and work from an elevated pastry kitchen that overlooks the main dining room.

One of the most distinctive restaurants in the UAE, Orfali Bros Bristro has now earned the highly coveted ranking as the best restaurant in the MENA region.

The fine dining Indian restaurant Trèsind Studio at The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, headed by chef Himanshu Saini, claims the second spot followed by Fusions by Tala in Manama at No. 3.

Here’s a complete list of all the winners of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023:

1. Orfali Bros Bistro – Dubai
2. Tresind Studio – Dubai
3. Fusions by Tala – Manama
4. Ossiano – Dubai
5. 3 Fils – Dubai
6. George & John – Tel Aviv
7. Kinoya – Dubai
8. Fakhreldin – Amman
9. Zooba (Zamalek) – Cairo
10. Moonrise – Dubai
11. Reif Kushiyaki – Dubai
12. Kazoku – Cairo
13. Zuma Dubai – Dubai
14. OCD Restaurant – Tel Aviv
15. Lowe – Dubai
16. Baron – Beirut
17. Gaia – Dubai
18. Myazu – Riyadh
19. Tawlet Mar Mikhael – Beirut
20. Em Sherif – Beirut
21. LPM Dubai – Dubai
22. Sachi Giza – Giza
23. Marble – Riyadh
24. A by Yuval Ben Neriah – Tel Aviv
25. Cut by Wolfgang Puck – Manama
26. Hoseki – Dubai
27. La Grande Table Marocaine – Marrakech
28. COYA Dubai – Dubai
29. Shams El Balad – Amman
30. Sachi Cairo – Cairo
31. Masso – Manama
32. Animar – Tel Aviv
33. COYA Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi
34. La Closerie – Tunis
35. 11 Woodfire – Dubai
36. Sufra – Amman
37. Iloli – Casablanca
38. LPM Riyadh – Riyadh
39. Sesamo – Marrakech
40. Milgo & Milbar – Tel Aviv
41. Alee – Amman
42. White Robata – Kuwait City
43. Zuma Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi
44. Jun’s – Dubai
45. Reif Kushiyaki Cairo – Cairo
46. +61 – Marrakech
47. 13C Bar in the Back – Amman
48. HaBasta – Tel Aviv
49. Hakkasan – Abu Dhabi
50. Bonjiri – Salmiya

MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants provides a unique opportunity for chefs, gourmets and food and travel media from all over the region to gather and celebrate food and hospitality, while also promoting the culinary strength and diversity of the region to a global audience.

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Image source DCT – Abu Dhabi