What do I make of the MENA 50 Best Restaurants List?
A special edition newsletter. 20 UAE restaurants made the cut. My deep-dive analysis, commentary and opinion.
This isn’t a newsletter toasting my 50th. That ship sailed last year. Strictly speaking, I still have a few months to go. And neither is this email a Valentine’s read, even though I wish you all bundles of love. Anyhow, digressing. We’re celebrating the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants, with the list revealed yesterday.
For those not in the know, MENA’s 50 Best is an annual list by the William Reed team behind World’s 50 Best. Unlike Michelin that dons out stars and Bibs, these ‘awards’ rank restaurants from 1 to 50 (and in some lists up to 100). Every year, “250 food writers and critics, chefs, restaurateurs and highly regarded foodies” living in this region are asked to cast confidential online votes for seven restaurants that tick the “best” box.
For the last two years, Abu Dhabi (the tourism board sponsor) has played host to an annual ceremony. But this year, an in-person event was cancelled by William Reed due to the “current circumstances and challenges faced in the Middle East”. Instead the list covering 19 countries in the Gulf, Levant, Israel and North Africa were revealed on social media and by press release. More on this change in strategy further down.
As promised, one of the perks for paid subscribers is breaking industry news. A promise made, is a promise kept. So I have penned a special edition newsletter dedicated to a deep-dive analysis, commentary and opinion on the UAE restaurants that made the cut. A staggering and record 20 establishments in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. I also address the four special categories that 50 Best has chosen not to announce this year.
If you’re not already a paid subscriber, you can upgrade now to have a read. Otherwise, normal service will resume next month with regular restaurant updates in the March newsletter available for all to read.