Zooba Ranks Best Restaurant in Egypt and 9th in MENA Region

Zooba - Egypt’s home-grown destination for classic cuisine - has once again distinguished itself as a leading culinary destination, as it has secured the title of The Best Restaurant in Egypt, ranking 9th on the prestigious Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants list. Meanwhile, Zooba’s Co-Founder and Executive Chef, Moustafa El Refaey, also managed to snag the title of the MENA’s 50 Best Chef’s Choice Award. 

The annual list, compiled by a highly influential group of 250 industry leaders, shines a spotlight on the region's top dining establishments, recognising them for their exceptional food, unique concepts, and unparalleled dining experiences. 

Brought to life by the efforts of its Founder and CEO Chris Khalifa, Co-Founder and Executive Chef Moustafa El Refaey as well as its current Country Manager Ahmed Fahmy, Zooba has grown from a passion project centred on showcasing the best of Egyptian cuisine, into an internationally acclaimed dining destination, with branches across Egypt, Saudi and NYC.  

For Zooba, this recognition is a testament to its unwavering commitment to culinary excellence and its dedication to offering a truly exceptional dining experience, “We’ve somehow made it to the MENA 50 Best Restaurant list for the consecutive year,” Chris Khalifa, tells Scene Eats. “Last year I was convinced it was a typo as this is predominantly a fine dining list, but it seems we’re legitimately part of it. It's surreal. While I recognise the absurdity of choosing 50 restaurants out of a region with a population of over 400 million people, a part of me, the more emotional part, is incredibly proud to be part of a team that has built an Egyptian brand, serving Egyptian food, that is being recognised for its culinary excellence."

Being named among the top 50 restaurants in the region is no small accomplishment, as the competition is intense and the standards for inclusion are extremely high. The 50 Best Restaurants Academy evaluates each establishment based on a number of criteria, including the quality of the food, originality, and the overall dining experience. Zooba's inclusion on this list further underscores its status as a premier dining destination and a beacon of culinary excellence.