No other city in the Middle East boasts more top-rated restaurants than this one.

The 2024 edition of the 50 Best Restaurants power list for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has been revealed, with one city clearly leading the way.

Dubai claims 18 spots in the top 50, while Amman, Cairo, and Tel Aviv share second place with five restaurants each. Marrakech and Beirut are tied for third, with three restaurants each. The rankings, based on votes from over 250 food and beverage experts across the region, feature eateries from 14 different cities.

Launched in 2022, the MENA's 50 Best Restaurants list highlights the rapid expansion of the region's culinary scene. With over 13,000 restaurants across the area, Dubai has maintained its dominant position since the list's inception, with 15 of the top 50 restaurants located in the city for the past two years.

The Orfali Bros Bistro clinched the top spot for the second year running. Opened in 2021 by three brothers—Mohammad, Wassim, and Omar—the bistro's menu is a celebration of their Syrian roots, blended with global influences from Dubai's diverse community.

"We’re incredibly grateful and honored to receive this recognition," said Mohammad Orfali to Dinogo, noting that the menu playfully reflects "the diverse community of Dubai and its people."

In a press release, William Drew, director of content for MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, commended Orfali Bros Bistro for its "creativity, innovation, and the stunning presentation of its dishes, all enhanced by a warm and personal service approach."

Other notable Dubai eateries in the top ten include Trèsind Studio (a modern fine-dining spot offering experimental Indian cuisine), Ossiano (the iconic underwater seafood restaurant at Atlantis, The Palm), Moonrise (a cozy fusion of Japanese and Middle Eastern flavors), and 3Fils (celebrated for its casual Asian-fusion dishes and seafood specials).

In the two years since the launch of the 50 Best MENA list, the profile of diners at Dubai’s restaurants has shifted, says Grégoire Berger, head chef at Ossiano, which was ranked as the third-best restaurant in the region.

Since Berger joined Ossiano in 2014, Dubai's culinary scene has undergone a significant transformation, moving away from franchises and over-commercialized concepts towards a more refined focus on dining experiences that emphasize creativity and the culinary journey. The 50 Best awards have helped bring attention to this evolution, highlighting the rise of more casual dining establishments, which has sparked healthy competition within the city. "It’s all about: 'Is the experience memorable? Is the food exceptional? Does it have character?'" says Berger.

Today, Berger observes a growing influx of international guests to Dubai, eager to explore new culinary destinations and discover unique dining experiences they won’t find anywhere else.

This year’s list sees three new Dubai-based restaurants making their debut: Bait Maryam, where Chef Salam Dakkak introduces diners to authentic Palestinian home-style cuisine; 21 Grams, offering hearty Balkan soul food alongside a bakery; and Row on 45, a high-end dining venue led by renowned chef Jason Atherton.

The list was revealed online on February 13. Due to ongoing regional conflicts, the organizers opted not to hold a live awards ceremony in the Middle East this year.