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    Home»Magazine»Travel & Leisure»Food & Drink
    4 Mins Read

    3 Lebanese Restaurants Were Just Ranked Among The Best In The MENA

    By Natalie HaddadJanuary 31, 2023Updated:April 22, 2024
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    The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list recognizes the best restaurants across the MENA each year.

    This year, three Lebanese restaurants were ranked on the list. All three of which were among the top 20:

    #20 Em Sherif, Beirut

    Em Sherif

    Em Sherif has been making strides across the world in recent years. The owner was also awarded Lebanon’s Silver grade Order of Merit by the former President last year.

    Last year alone, they opened a location in London’s Harrods, a second location in Egypt, and Em Sherif Sea Cafe in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

    This year, it won the Art of Hospitality Award.

    The list highlighted Em Sherif:

    “The quintessential Lebanese dining experience, Em Sherif offers guests a taste of traditional home cooking. Chef Yasmina Hayek’s marathon 30-course dinner of mezze platters, all designed to share, is coupled with her mother and restaurateur Mireille Hayek’s infallible service.”

    Em Sherif’s 20th position is up from last year’s 22nd.

    You can reach Em Sherif Beirut at +961 70 919 119

    #19 Tawlet Mar Mikhael, Beirut

    Tawlet Mar Mikhael

    Tawlet Mar Mikhael is Lebanon’s iconic Souk el Tayeb restaurant.

    The list highlighted Tawlet Mar Mikhael:

    “Rotating weekly, the menu at Tawlet could include any variety of dishes from all corners of Lebanon. Dozens of women from villages across the country take turns designing menus that showcase their local recipes. The restaurant provides a space for open conversation – about the dishes, traditions, and significance of the food for local communities.”

    Tawlet Mar Mikhael’s 19th position is up from last year’s 28th.

    You can reach Tawlet Mar Mikhael, in Mar Mikhael Beirut, at +961 70 919 119

    #16 Baron, Beirut

    The list highlighted Baron:

    “Chef Athanasios Kargatzidis’s Baron is a fun, unfussy, locavore neighbourhood joint hidden in the hip streets of artsy Mar Mikhael in Beirut. Eclectic small plates characterise the seasonal sharing-style menu that changes every few days. Heavy on the vegetables, the food is modern and innovative with Mediterranean and Japanese influences.”

    Baron’s 16th position is down from last year’s 12th.

    You can reach Baron, Mar Mikhael, Beirut at +961 79 179 099


    Last year, 5 Lebanese restaurants made the list; Baron, Liza, Em Sherif, Tawlet Mar Mikhael, and Clap.

    Full list:

    1. Orfali Bros Bistro, Dubai, UAE
    2. Tresind Studio, Dubai, UAE
    3. Fusions by Tala, Manama, Bahrain (also won Highest Climber Award)
    4. Ossiano, Dubai, UAE (also won the Highest New Entry Award)
    5. 3 Fils, Dubai, UAE
    6. George & John, Tel Aviv, Israel (also named Best Restaurant in Israel)
    7. Kinoya, Dubai, UAE
    8. Fakhreldin, Amman, Jordan
    9. Zooba, Cairo, Egypt (also named Best Restaurant in Egypt)
    10. Moonrise, Dubai, UAE
    11. Reif Kushiyaki, Dubai, UAE
    12. Kazoku, Cairo, Egypt
    13. Zuma, Dubai, UAE
    14. OCD, Tel Aviv, Israel (also won the Sustainable Restaurant Award)
    15. Lowe, Dubai, UAE
    16. Baron, Beirut, Lebanon
    17. Gaia, Dubai, UAE
    18. Myazu, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    19. Tawlet Mar Mikhael, Beirut, Lebanon
    20. Em Sherif, Beirut, Lebanon (also won the Art of Hospitality Award)
    21. LPM, Dubai, UAE
    22. Sachi, Giza, Egypt
    23. Marble, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    24. A by Yuval Ben Neriah, Tel Aviv, Israel
    25. CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Manama, Bahrain
    26. Hoseki, Dubai, UAE
    27. La Grande Table Marocain, Marrakech, Morocco
    28. Coya, Dubai, UAE
    29. Shams El Balad, Amman, Jordan
    30. Sachi, Cairo, Egypt
    31. Masso, Manama, Bahrain
    32. Animar, Tel Aviv, Israel
    33. Coya, Abu Dhabi, UAE
    34. La Closerie, Tunis, Tunisia
    35. 11 Woodfire, Dubai, UAE
    36. Sufra, Amman, Jordan
    37. Iloli, Casablanca, Morocco
    38. LPM, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    39. Sesamo, Marrakech, Morocco
    40. Milgo Milbar, Tel Aviv, Israel
    41. Alee, Amman, Jordan
    42. White Robata, Kuwait City, Kuwait
    43. Zuma, Abu Dhabi, UAE
    44. Jun’s, Dubai, UAE
    45. Reif Kushiyaki, Cairo, Egypt
    46. +61, Marrakech, Morocco
    47. 13C Bar in the Back, Amman, Jordan
    48. HaBasta, Tel Aviv, Israel
    49. Hakkasan, Abu Dhabi, UAE
    50. Bonjiri, Salmiya, Kuwait

    The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list is organized by William Reed and is based on the opinions and experiences of 250 restaurant industry experts in the region.

    The list is compiled by the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, consisting of food writers, critics, chefs, restaurateurs and foodies, divided into six regions. Members vote for seven restaurants, with at least two outside their country, and must have eaten there in the previous 18 months.

    Baron Em Sherif Restaurants in Lebanon Tawlet Mar Mikhael
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