How a family-owned bistro earned the title of the best restaurant in the Middle East.

As a child in Aleppo, Syria, Mohamad Orfali's fondest memory was of breakfast. His grandfather would make ‘Treet Bel Laban’ — a savory omelet with meatballs, garlic yogurt, and fresh bread. 'I have so many food memories,' Orfali says, 'but this one stands out as the best.'

For Orfali, food and family have always gone hand in hand. Now, alongside his younger brothers, he runs Orfali Bros Bistro in Dubai. Since opening in 2021, their menu has been a tribute to their Syrian heritage, blending traditional flavors with modern Arabic and Mediterranean twists.

Mohamad, a former TV chef, serves as both head chef and the warm, welcoming face of the restaurant, while his brothers, Wassim and Omar, bring their pastry expertise to the bistro’s memorable desserts. 'We speak food, we love food, and we love sharing it with those who appreciate it,' says Orfali.

It’s not just the brothers who are passionate about their food — the restaurant is receiving accolades, too. This month, Orfali Bros Bistro earned its first Michelin star, and earlier this year, it was named the 'Best Restaurant' in the Middle East and North Africa by the 50 Best list.

Orfali expresses his gratitude for the recognition: 'We’re incredibly honored by this award.' He reflects on the restaurant’s rapid rise, noting that its debut on the 50 Best list in 2022, just 10 months after opening, was a key moment that helped bring global attention, attracting guests from all over the world eager to try the brothers’ unique dishes.

'Today, Orfali Bros has become a must-visit destination for food lovers,' says Orfali. 'My greatest achievement is seeing guests return, time and time again.'

A diverse and multicultural menu that showcases the brothers' rich culinary influences.

In 2006, Orfali left Syria and moved to Dubai a year later, followed by his brothers. 'We started as three, but now our family has grown to 53,' he says, explaining that his restaurant team is like an extended family. 'We represent a melting pot of cultures — different nationalities, languages, and accents. This is the essence of Orfali Bros. This is how we reflect the spirit of the community and Dubai.'

The multicultural environment of Orfali’s restaurant mirrors the diversity of the UAE, where 200 nationalities coexist, and over 90% of the population is non-Emirati. While deeply rooted in Syrian cuisine, Orfali Bros Bistro offers what he calls 'Dubai Cuisine' — a blend of global culinary traditions tailored to suit the international tastes of the city, making it a place where people from all backgrounds can come together and enjoy a meal.

Orfali is quick to clarify that his menu is not 'international cuisine,' which he feels often loses its identity. Instead, many of the dishes at Orfali Bros are inspired by his childhood and family recipes, using traditional ingredients but reimagined in new and innovative ways.

One of the restaurant’s standout dishes, named 'Guess What?' is a creative fusion of Lebanese Fattoush, Greek salad, and Spanish gazpacho all served together. Another signature, 'Shish Barak a la Gyoza,' puts an Asian twist on the classic Levantine meat dumpling, drizzled with sujuk oil and inspired by the bold, spicy flavors of Sichuan.

'We love to surprise our guests — for me, surprises are what create lasting memories,' says Orfali.

Having lived, worked, and studied in various countries before settling in Dubai, Orfali and his two younger brothers infuse their dishes with a sense of multiculturalism: blending a longing for their homeland with a passion for new experiences.

'Food isn’t tied to borders or maps; it belongs to people. Many ingredients travel the world, crossing regions and cultures,' Orfali explains. 'For us, Orfali Bros is a platform to explore and experiment with new possibilities.'

A 'thriving' food scene

Dubai's dining scene was once dominated by celebrity chefs and global restaurant chains, but now local, independent eateries are 'thriving,' says Samantha Wood, founder of the UAE restaurant review platform FooDiva and a Dubai resident for 25 years.

Chef-led establishments like Orfali Bros Bistro are a perfect example of this shift: 'Mohamad (Orfali) is highly involved, often at the pass or telling stories,' Wood explains, praising the 'innovative yet flavorful' cooking at this 'hidden neighborhood gem.'

The Covid-19 pandemic triggered a growing locavore movement in Dubai, focused on using locally sourced produce and ingredients from the UAE. Many of the city's independent restaurants, including Orfali Bros, have embraced this trend in their menus, according to Wood.

For Wood, 'Dubai Cuisine' represents a 'multicultural melting pot' of global culinary influences. However, she notes that Orfali Bros Bistro stands apart from typical fusion restaurants by highlighting Syrian and regional flavors in a modern style, often utilizing locally sourced ingredients where possible.

Orfali Bros isn't the only restaurant exploring new frontiers in fusion cuisine: Jun's and Chez Wam also 'celebrate a creative blend of cultures and culinary traditions,' adds Wood.

For Orfali, the unique combinations of ingredients or unusual presentations are key to the storytelling aspect of his cuisine. 'If guests don’t grasp our story, they may see the plate from a different angle,' he says. 'The food is a journey — it’s my journey, my brothers’ journey, and the team’s journey.'

The success of Orfali Bros Bistro has inspired the brothers to launch a second venture, 'Three Bros,' a burger joint located next to their current restaurant. Here, customers can try the bistro’s signature 'OB cheeseburger' — a wagyu beef patty on a Hokkaido bun with secret sauce, cheddar, and caramelized onions, along with pide, a Turkish flatbread, which will be removed from the bistro's menu in favor of new and innovative dishes.

Whether they’re serving burgers or reinterpreting their culinary roots, family remains the constant thread woven through all of the brothers' creations.

'We create a bond with our guests and make them part of the family,' says Orfali. 'It’s not just about running a family business — the people who visit us feel at home, they feel like they belong.'