50 Best announces that The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, will be hosted in Abu Dhabi in November 2026.
An extensive event
programme – backed by 50 Best’s host partner, Department of Culture and Tourism
– Abu Dhabi – will build up to the much-anticipated awards ceremony in November
when The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 ranking will be revealed.
Craig Hawtin-Butcher,
Managing Director, 50 Best, says: “We are thrilled to announce Abu Dhabi as the
location for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards ceremony this
November, in collaboration with our host destination partner, Department of
Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The city’s rich history has shaped a dynamic
dining scene that celebrates both time-honoured traditions and world-class
international cuisine. We cannot wait to gather the international culinary
community in Abu Dhabi, a city that both embraces and values its food culture.”
Fakhry Alsarraj,
Director of Abu Dhabi Events Bureau, part of the Department of Culture and
Tourism – Abu Dhabi, says: “Hosting The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards
ceremony in Abu Dhabi reflects the emirate’s exciting and ever-evolving
gastronomic landscape, offering cuisines from around the globe alongside
world-class culinary education and training. It also reinforces Abu Dhabi’s
growing reputation as a leading culinary destination, shaped by a diverse
dining scene, homegrown talent and a strong commitment to nurturing excellence
across every level of the food and hospitality sector.”
Paolo Passoni, Head of
International Partnerships & Events of Sanpellegrino, says: “We are
thrilled that S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna will proudly sponsor the upcoming
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony, taking place in November 2026
in Abu Dhabi. For more than 125 years, S.Pellegrino has embodied the spirit of
Italian elegance, sharing the taste and culture of Italy with dining tables
across the globe. Now, as a demonstration of our commitment to nurture the
future of gastronomy, the journey continues this year in Abu Dhabi, where a
deep respect for culinary craft and heritage marks a new chapter in the awards
history.”
Highlights for the programme in Abu Dhabi will include a series of key events which are the foundation of 50 Best Restaurants celebrations: thought-leadership forum #50BestTalks, exploring some of the most pertinent topics affecting the hospitality industry today; a 50 Best Signature Sessions series of collaborative dining events open to the public, which sees chefs from 50 Best-ranked restaurants cooking alongside renowned local talent for exclusive dining opportunities; a Chefs’ Feast showcasing the finest quality ingredients and cooking techniques the region is known for; and the awards ceremony and countdown itself. -TradeArabia News Service