Discover Abu Dhabi’s chef collaborations during MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants week, from Japanese-Jordanian omakase to Mediterranean menus
Abu Dhabi is about to eat very, very well. The Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants returns to the capital this January and February, and it is bringing some serious culinary star power with it. Ahead of the MENA’S 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony on February 3, a week of dining events will roll out across the city, turning Abu Dhabi into a playground for food lovers who like their dinners memorable.
From January 31 to February 5, expect collaborative menus, chef takeovers and one off experiences that put global heavyweights and regional favourites in the same kitchen. It is the kind of week where you book first and ask questions later, because it’s MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants.
The festivities kick off on Saturday January 31 with Flavours of 50 Best at Graphos Social Kitchen at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island. This is an evening brunch with live plating, chef chats and a menu that leans into creativity, culture and bold ideas.
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Leading the line up is Mitsuharu Micha Tsumura from Maido in Lima, freshly crowned The World’s Best Restaurant 2025. He is the chef who helped put Nikkei cuisine on the global map. Joining him is Yasmina Hayek of Em Sherif, MENA’s Best Female Chef 2025, known for giving Lebanese cuisine a modern, elegant edge.
Dessert fans are in for a treat thanks to Dej Kewkacha of Gaggan at Louis Vuitton Bangkok, while the drinks come courtesy of Manja Stankovic from Mimi Kakushi, officially the Middle East’s best bar.
Tickets are priced at Dhs595 per person. Come hungry. This one is unmissable. For bookings contact (02) 208 6900 or email dineatgraphos@hilton.com.
But wait, there’s more…
Abu Dhabi turns into a global dining hub as part of the build-up to the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. Alongside the ceremony, the city hosts a packed programme of Signature Sessions where visiting chefs cook side by side with some of Abu Dhabi’s best kitchens. These are limited-run dinners designed to celebrate collaboration, culture and serious culinary talent. These dinners are one offs with limited seats, so book here before it fills up.
Here’s a list of the special chef dinners landing in Abu Dhabi for MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants
Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard x Orfali Bros
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French chef Nicolas Isnard welcomes the Orfali brothers to Bord Eau for a deep dive into French technique and modern Middle Eastern flavours, delivered through a multi-course tasting menu with pairings.
Location: Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
Time: Saturday January 31, dinner
Cost: Dhs650; Dhs850 including non-alcoholic pairing; Dhs1000 with wine pairing
Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi x Trèsind Studio
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Two leading names in modern Indian fine dining join forces for a one-night-only multi-course menu celebrating progressive Indian cuisine.
Location: Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Time: Saturday January 31, from 7pm
Cost: Dhs650 food only, Dhs1,000 with beverage pairing
Taparelle x Le Petit Cornichon
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French flavours take centre stage as Le Petit Cornichon collaborates with Taparelle on a Mediterranean sharing menu served with drinks.
Location: Taparelle, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island
Time: Saturday January 31, 8pm
Cost: Dhs500 per person
NIRI x Alee
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Homegrown favourite NIRI partners with Jordan’s Alee for a Japanese-Jordanian omakase, featuring mostly new creations and a tightly curated menu.
Location: NIRI, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island
Time: Sunday February 1, dinner
Cost: Dhs500 per person
COYA x Myazu
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Peruvian fusion and Japanese cooking come together for a six-course dinner featuring signature dishes from both restaurants.
Location: Coya Abu Dhabi, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Time: Sunday February 1, from 7pm
Cost: Dhs 299 food only, Dhs 350 with pairing
Alba Terrace x Beihouse
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Mediterranean cooking meets contemporary Levantine flavours as Alba Terrace teams up with Beirut-born concept Beihouse, starting with drinks before a multi-course dinner.
Location: Alba Terrace, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Time: Monday February 2, dinner
Cost: Dhs295 soft package; Dhs395 house package or Dhs495 bubbles package
SUSHISAMBA x Kuuru
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This Nikkei-led collaboration brings together SushiSamba Abu Dhabi and Jeddah’s Kuuru for a 10-course tasting menu, split evenly between both kitchens.
Location: SUSHISAMBA Abu Dhabi, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Time: Wednesday February 4, dinner
Cost: Dhs550 per person
Sand & Koal x Salsify at The Roundhouse
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Seafood leads the way as Sand & Koal collaborates with Salsify on a sunset-inspired dinner combining raw, wood-fired and artistic plates.
Location: Sand & Koal, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Time: Monday February 2, from 7pm
Cost: Dhs 650 food only, Dhs 1,000 with pairing
Talea by Antonio Guida x Uliassi
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Italian family-style cooking meets innovative Italian technique across six courses curated by Mauro Uliassi and Luigi Stinga.
Location: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Time: Wednesday February 4, from 7pm
Cost: Dhs 750 food only, Dhs 1,100 with pairing
Butcher & Still x Khufu’s
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Egypt’s best restaurant joins forces with Abu Dhabi’s classic steakhouse for a dinner that reimagines iconic Egyptian dishes with modern flair.
Location: Butcher & Still, Four Seasons Abu Dhabi
Time: Wednesday February 4, dinner
Cost: Dhs 450 or Dhs 700 with pairing
La Petite Maison x Cantina
Kuwait’s Cantina brings its Italian pasta dishes to LPM for a four-course dinner with French Riviera touches.
Location: La Petite Maison Abu Dhabi, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
Time: Thursday February 5, from 7pm
Cost: Dhs 550
Lebanese Terrace x Le Golfe
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Italian-Tunisian seafood and Levantine flavours come together in a one-time Mediterranean-focused collaboration.
Location: Lebanese Terrace, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Time: Thursday February 5, from 7pm
Cost: Dhs 450 food only, Dhs 700 with pairing
