News / Restaurant Awards shortlist announced

The Deliveroo UAE Restaurant Awards 2023 shortlist has been announced

The full and unabridged shortlist of restaurants selected for the final of the 2023 edition of the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards in the UAE, has been announced.

  • UAE customers have from today until the 15th of September to cast their final votes and support their local favourites
  • Deliveroo UAE reveals this year’s panellists
  • The winners of the Deliveroo UAE Restaurant Awards 2023 will be announced on the 12th of October.

    29 August 2023 Foodies across the UAE have voted for their local favourites to be shortlisted as finalists for the second edition of Deliveroo’s Restaurant Awards in the UAE. Today, the shortlisted restaurants have been unveiled after the initial round of public voting closed on the 21st of August. The first round of voting witnessed over 200,000 votes cast across the UAE, resulting in 3 finalists in each category.

    Deliveroo's Restaurant Awards are poised to showcase the very best of what food delivery in the UAE has to offer. The public is now invited to cast their final votes until Friday, 15th of September and support their favourite restaurants in being crowned winners. On October 12th, Deliveroo UAE will unveil the winners of the 23 categories, including the coveted Restaurant of the Year voted by a panel of presenters.

    Between today and the 12th of October, a panel of F&B experts will undertake the task of trying the restaurants that have been shortlisted for the esteemed Restaurant of the Year Award. The judges will rate different aspects of their food delivery experience from each restaurant. This covers key factors like brand personality, quality of food, packaging and presentation, value for money, and going the extra mile for customers. Their ultimate goal will be to collectively determine the crowned winner for the coveted Restaurant of the Year Award award.

    Deliveroo’s panellists for the Restaurant of the Year category include:
  • Anis Harb - General Manager at Deliveroo Middle East
  • Farah Sawaf - Founder of Soul Communications. With an innate understanding of the UAE’s dynamic F&B landscape, Farah used her passion for food to orchestrate Soul’s birth from her very own kitchen in 2010. Having worked with some of the most renowned restaurateurs in the world she navigates entrepreneurs, chefs, suppliers and ingredients with unparalleled finesse; making her and her insight into all things food an absolute must-have for the Restaurants Awards judging panel.
  • Miles Buckeridge - Deputy Editor at What’s On. Miles’ passion for experiencing the world through food means he comes to the panel with a journeyed palate and ample experience. At What’s On, his days are spent trying, evaluating, and describing the latest evolutions of the city’s ever-changing cuisine scene; making him a perfect fit for the panel.
  • Courtney Brandt - An author, journalist, and freelance content creator living in Dubai for nearly 20 years. Courtney is the founder of A to Zaatar, and has been published in multiple local and international publications. Her work with some of UAE’s most exciting restaurants, conferences and projects led to a spot for her on the panel for this year’s Deliveroo’s Restaurant Awards.

    Below is the list of restaurants that have secured their spot in the top 3 for each category: Best Burger Five Guys, Pickl, Shake Shack

    Best Asian Chin Chin, Din Tai Fung, PF Chang’s

    Best Pizza Papa Johns, Pitfire, Pizza Hut

    Best Middle Eastern Allo Beirut, Al Safadi, Barbar

    Best Fried Chicken Pickl, KFC, Jollibee

    Best Homegrown Dubai Pickl, Taqado, Salt

    Best Homegrown Abu Dhabi Al Farah, Gino’s Deli, Mosaic

    Best Dessert Baskin Robbins, Les Galussetes, Magnolia Bakery

    Best Italian Eataly, Oregano, Pasta della Nonna

    Best Plant-Based/ Vegan Dip Dash, Acai & Co, Projeto Acai

    Best Editions Restaurant Five Guys, Go! Greek, Gallus Chicken Rotisserie

    Most-Loved Chain McDonald’s, Starbucks, Zaatar w Zeit

    Best Newcomer Wise Guys, Joe & the Juice, Domino’s

    Best Coffee Costa, % Arabica, Starbucks

    Best Fine Dining LPM, Nusr-Et, Il Borro

    Best Healthy Restaurant Krave, Salata, Joe & the Juice

    Best Family Restaurant Couqley, Nando’s, Paul Bakery & restaurant

    Best Value Eats Allo Beirut, Subway, Operation Falafel

    Best Japanese Reif Kushiyaki, SushiArt, SushiDo

    Best Poke Poke & Co, Poke Poke, CALI-POKE

    Best Indian Gazebo, Asha’s , Biryani Pot

    Best Restaurant Voted By Riders McDonald’s, Five Guys, Pickl

    Restaurant Of The Year (voted by panel) Al Safadi, Pizza Di Rocco, Saddle, Pickl, Five Guys

    Talking about the shortlist, Anis Harb, General Manager at Deliveroo Middle East said, “During the first round of voting for the second edition of Deliveroo’s Restaurant Awards in the UAE, we witnessed a record-breaking number of votes cast by the public. Undoubtedly, food possesses a remarkable ability to unite people, and we thank our devoted customers for their support in voting for their local favourites. As the door to the second round of voting opens, we encourage the public to cast their final votes to ensure their favourites emerge victorious and get the recognition they deserve in our thriving F&B industry!”

    Make your vote count, select your favourites now on the uae.deliveroorestaurantawards.com website. And, may the odds be ever for your flavour…

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