Voting for the best restaurants in the region commences on 19 January 2026.
The FACT Dining Awards, the prestigious culinary recognition program celebrating excellence in the food and beverage industry, will return to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London and Riyadh in 2026.
Voting for all four territories will officially launch on Monday, 19 January 2026, allowing the public to support and celebrate their favourite dining venues across various categories. Known for honouring both fine dining establishments and casual eateries, the FACT Dining Awards are uniquely inclusive, recognising the dynamic and diverse dining scenes of each host city.
A legacy of celebrating culinary excellence
Since its inception, the FACT Dining Awards have been a hallmark of the region’s vibrant F&B industry, shining a spotlight on the best restaurants, cafés, and culinary innovators. The return to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London and Riyadh comes with renewed excitement, as each city continues to push boundaries in the dining world.
How It Works
Voting for the awards is open to the public, ensuring that the winners reflect genuine consumer preferences. Categories span a broad spectrum of dining experiences, from luxury fine dining to casual venues. Special emphasis will also be placed on recognising restaurants championing sustainability and diversity in their kitchens.
Winners are determined by a combination of public votes and anonymous judging by FACT’s editorial team, ensuring credibility and integrity throughout the process. The BEST is the critic’s choice decided by the FACT editorial team and an independent panel of industry experts, whilst the FAVOURITE is determined through an online public vote.
FACT’s commitment to the culinary world
“We are thrilled to not only return to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London and Riyadh”, said Edward Smith, Founder of FACT Magazine. “This return underscores our commitment to celebrating culinary excellence and recognising the venues that shape the dining landscape in these iconic cities.”
The FACT Dining Awards 2026 promises to be bigger and better than previous editions, uniting food lovers, industry professionals, and restaurateurs in a celebration of innovation and excellence.
For more information on the awards and to participate in voting from 19 January 2025, you can stay updated by following @factmagazines @factauh @factksa and @factldn on social media.
GO: Visit https://diningawards.factmagazines.com for more information.