
Photo By Mark Hakansson
Su Va Na Phuket Founder Dax Lee receiving the World’s Best Underwater Restaurant award
Attention, foodies! If you’re looking for some of the best culinary experiences in the world, look no further than Dubai — or perhaps Italy, Jamaica or Peru. According to the World Culinary Awards held in October 2024, every city has its best places to eat, including the award’s host city, Dubai, which was named the World’s Best Culinary Destination and the Middle East’s Best Culinary Destination.
The results follow a yearlong search during which travel industry professionals and the public cast their votes. The nominee with the most votes in a category was crowned the winner.
“Our winners are the visionaries whose creativity and craftmanship bring joy to millions of people every day. Their hard work, commitment and unwavering passion for the culinary arts inspire us all,” says Rina van Staden, World Culinary Awards director.
MezzaLuna at State Tower in Thailand took the World’s Best Restaurant award for its unique fusion of premium Japanese ingredients with classic French cooking techniques. Thailand also was crowned Asia’s Best Culinary Destination.
For the first time, Lisbon, Portugal, nabbed Best Culinary Destination in Europe. Peru was voted Latin America’s Best Culinary Destination and Jamaica won The Caribbean’s Best Culinary Destination.
Among other winners: Nobu (World’s Best Restaurant Brand); Rockfish, Dubai (World’s Best Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant); Gourmet on Tour (World’s Best Culinary Tour Operator) and Thailand’s Su Va Na Phuket (World’s Best Underwater Restaurant) and Sirocco (World’s Best Rooftop Restaurant).
Visit worldculinaryawards.com