Dubai's Tresind Studio Shines as UAE's Sole Entry on Prestigious World's 50 Best Restaurants List

Dubai's acclaimed Tresind Studio has earned the title of Best Restaurant in the Middle East, securing the 28th position in the latest global 50 Best Restaurants ranking. This Indian fine-dining establishment was the sole representative from the UAE within the top 50, with the results announced at a ceremony in Lima, Peru. Spain's Asador Etxebarri claimed the coveted top spot at the awards, which were held in South America for the first time.

Under the culinary direction of Chef Himanshu Saini, Tresind Studio has achieved a place in the top 50 for the fourth consecutive year, a slight dip from its 27th position last year. The restaurant first entered the top 50 at number 11 in 2023, followed by 13th in 2024. Its initial appearance in the extended ranking was in 2022 at number 57.

Chef Himanshu Saini is celebrated for his innovative approach to Indian cuisine. The recent accolades add to a string of honors for the restaurant located at St Regis Gardens on Palm Jumeirah. Tresind Studio successfully retained its three Michelin stars in the 2026 Dubai guide, having previously made history as the first Indian restaurant globally to receive this distinction in 2025. It shares Dubai's highest Michelin rating with FZN by Bjorn Frantzen.

Furthermore, Tresind Studio secured third place in the separate Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking for this year. Chef Saini was also honored with the regional programme’s Chefs’ Choice Award, a peer-voted accolade recognizing his significant contributions to the region's culinary landscape.

Since its opening in 2018, Tresind Studio has offered tasting menus that explore India's diverse regional cuisines. Its 'Rising India' menu is thoughtfully structured around the country's varied landscapes, from the Thar Desert and Deccan Plateau to the coastal and northern plains, and the majestic Himalayan mountains.

While Tresind Studio was the UAE's only entry in the top 50, Dubai was also represented in the extended ranking by FZN by Bjorn Frantzen at number 88. Globally, Asador Etxebarri in Spain's Basque Country led the list, followed by Gaggan in Bangkok and Alchemist in Copenhagen. The top five were rounded out by Quintonil in Mexico City and Wing in Hong Kong.

Asador Etxebarri, renowned for its mastery of live-fire cooking, climbed from second place last year and also received the award for Best Restaurant in Europe. Last year's overall winner, Maido in Lima, was ineligible for the 2026 ranking, as restaurants that achieve the top spot become part of the 'Best of the Best' group and are excluded from future competitions. Previous recipients of this honor include Disfrutar in Barcelona, Geranium in Copenhagen, and Eleven Madison Park in New York.

The ranking, formerly known as The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, is now titled The 50 Best Restaurants following a rebrand in September. The list is curated through the votes of over 1,100 international restaurant industry experts across 28 regions, with a balanced gender representation and a quarter of the panel refreshed annually.