World's 50 Best Restaurants: Kinoya Named The Best Restaurant In UAE

2026-02-04 02:50:26

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Dubai's dining scene hits a new milestone as the Japanese eatery bags the coveted national honour, while Khufu in Egypt takes the top regional spot

PUBLISHED: Wed 4 Feb 2026, 11:16 AM

By:
Somya Mehta

Dubai's dining scene has once again asserted its place on the global food map, with Kinoya named the best restaurant in the UAE at the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants 2026. While Kinoya claimed the top national honour, the regional crown went to Khufu's in Egypt, which took the No. 1 spot overall.

The awards were announced on February 3 at a glittering ceremony held at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, drawing chefs, restaurateurs and industry leaders from across the region. This year proved to be a particularly strong showing for the UAE, with 25 restaurants making it into the top 50 - up from 21 last year - underscoring the country's growing influence in shaping contemporary Middle Eastern dining.

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Dubai dominated the upper ranks, with Trèsind Studio securing the No. 3 spot and Orfali Bros close behind at No. 4. Other Dubai favourites such as Sufret Maryam, Jun's, Moonrise, Manao and Kinoya itself featured prominently in the top 10, turning the list into a definite indicator of the city's most talked-about tables.

At the heart of Kinoya's success is chef Neha Mishra, a self-taught talent whose love for Japanese comfort food has translated into one of Dubai's most consistently beloved restaurants.

Known for its soulful bowls of ramen, robata-grilled dishes and izakaya snacks like tsukune and tamago sando, Kinoya brings authenticity and accessibility, both in terms of flavour and price point.

The chef took to her Instagram account, where she shares her journey under the handle A Story of Food, to share a heartfelt note, writing:“What do you know, you can beat your own personal best.”

Having previously been named 'One to Watch' in 2022 and ranked No. 3 in the region in 2025, Kinoya's latest win feels more like a natural next chapter, one that also reflects how far Dubai's dining story has come, and where it's headed next.