“We believed in the UAE yesterday, we believe in the UAE today, we will believe in the UAE tomorrow” — Ali Akawi, CEO, ITP Media Group
More than 500 chefs, restaurateurs and industry figures came together at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai on Thursday 12 March for the 21st annual Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2026. The event recognised the city’s dining scene and the work of the food and beverage sector, going ahead in full despite the regional uncertainty that has affected hospitality businesses in recent weeks.
ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi opened the evening with remarks directed at the industry. “The economy is facing some real difficulty. The hospitality industry, which Time Out is dedicated to, is facing some difficult times,” he said. “It’s a sector that is very important to the economy of the country, and to ITP Media Group.”
Akawi continued: “It’s important that we all stand together in solidarity. This challenge, we will face, and we will prevail.”
“Our country is strong, our leadership is strong, and we will come out of this winning on the other side. We believed in the UAE yesterday. We believe in the UAE today. We will believe in the UAE tomorrow.”
Jason Atherton’s Row on 45 took the Restaurant of the Year award. Accepting the trophy, the restaurant’s executive chef Dan Birk addressed the room directly. “Go support your local restaurants,” he said.
The full list of winners covered a range of categories. Rosy Hospitality’s CQ Brasserie was named Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year. Birch received awards for Best Tasting Menu Under AED1,000 and Best Fusion. HANU won Best Korean in the category’s first year. KIMA, from chef Pawel Kazanowski and Tastil Gonzalez Moure, took Best Budget. Win Srinavakool’s Khao Soi won Best Thai. Stasha Toncev’s Piehaus claimed Best Bakery. Girl and The Goose won Best Americas and Caribbean. Atlantis The Palm’s Seafire Steakhouse and Bar took Best Steakhouse.
The complete list of winners and highly commended restaurants, alongside Time Out Dubai’s reviews, is available in Time Out’s guide to the 89 best restaurants in Dubai for 2026, published at the close of the evening.
In his closing remarks, Akawi confirmed that ITP Media Group would return the full cost of tickets to everyone who attended the event.
