Voted by Visitors: Best Restaurants to Try at Expo 2026

Published On: February 21, 2026

Voted by Visitors: Best Restaurants to Try at Expo

We’ve eaten our way around Expo 2026 Dubai, and let us tell you, every bite has been a delight. Over the past six months, millions of visitors have explored the site, sampling incredible dishes from around the world, from casual street eats to fine dining experiences.

Expo 2026 Dubai has welcomed tens of millions of visitors, and with 192 participating countries, there’s been no shortage of delicious global cuisine. From Michelin-starred dishes and innovative gastronomy to comfort food and sweet treats, the Expo has offered a world of culinary experiences under one roof — and out in the open.

Food has always been one of the highlights of Expo 2026 Dubai, bringing people together across cultures. Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer of Expo 2026, reflects on the experience:

“With the world in one place, Expo 2026 Dubai has offered an extraordinary opportunity for visitors to eat their way around the globe, discovering new cuisines and enjoying favourite dishes. The Expo Eats Awards celebrate the incredible diversity and quality of the food outlets that have made the Expo experience truly memorable. We thank everyone who took the time to vote.”

And vote you did! Expo visitors have been sharing their opinions on favourite restaurants, casual bites, sweet treats, and luxury meals. The Expo Eats Awards 2026 highlight the very best of the Expo’s culinary landscape, and the results are finally in.

The awards are divided into five categories, reflecting the variety of dining experiences on offer: upscale dining, casual dining, local gems, sweet eats, and fast food. While there can only be one winner per category, the competition was so strong that each category also includes two highly commended spots — places that earned a special mention from visitors.

Here’s a breakdown of the winners and runners-up:

Table of Contents

Upscale Dining

Winner – Café Milano
Café Milano wowed diners with authentic Italian dishes, impeccable service, and a stylish setting, earning the top spot in the upscale category.

Highly Commended – Grills and Tapas
Highly Commended – Sky Bar

Both Grills and Tapas and Sky Bar impressed visitors with unique culinary experiences, innovative menus, and stunning ambience.

Casual Dining

Winner – Mangrove Philippines Cuisine
Mangrove stood out with hearty Filipino favourites, offering vibrant flavours and generous portions that appealed to both first-time visitors and returning guests.

Highly Commended – Korean Restaurant
Highly Commended – Adrift Burger Bar

Korean Restaurant impressed with authentic dishes from Seoul, while Adrift Burger Bar delivered elevated comfort food that delighted families and friends alike.

Local Gems

Winner – Dampa Seafood Grill
This casual seafood favourite earned top marks for its hands-on dining experience, fresh seafood, and bold flavours, making it the ultimate “local gem” at Expo 2026.

Highly Commended – Chicken Tikka Inn
Highly Commended – Mama’esh

Both highly commended restaurants brought authentic dishes to the Expo, showcasing flavours and recipes that made visitors feel right at home.

Sweet Eats

Winner – Bread Ahead
Bread Ahead delighted sweet lovers with its artisan doughnuts, pastries, and baked treats, earning the crown for the Expo’s best dessert destination.

Highly Commended – Sard
Highly Commended – Café de Paris

Sard offered traditional sweets with a modern twist, while Café de Paris served indulgent desserts and pastries that kept visitors coming back for more.

Fast Food

Winner – Albaik
Albaik impressed visitors with its perfectly seasoned fried chicken, quick service, and consistent quality, making it the top choice for fast food at Expo 2026.

Highly Commended – Domino’s Pizza
Highly Commended – Expo Street Food

Both Domino’s Pizza and Expo Street Food offered reliable favourites and convenient grab-and-go options that were crowd-pleasers throughout the Expo.

The Expo Eats Awards 2026 showcase not only the incredible range of cuisine available at Expo 2026 Dubai but also highlight the creativity, passion, and dedication of the chefs and restaurateurs who brought global flavours to life. From sophisticated fine dining to casual bites and indulgent treats, there was truly something for every palate.

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie who tried every dish or a first-time visitor discovering new flavours, these results reflect the voices of the millions who explored the Expo, tasted its culinary offerings, and voted for their favourites.

So, where did your favourite restaurant rank? The Expo Eats Awards give recognition to both well-established favourites and hidden gems alike, celebrating the diversity and quality of Dubai’s global dining scene.

With Expo 2026 Dubai drawing to a close, the food experience remains one of the most memorable aspects for visitors — a celebration of international flavours, cultural exchange, and culinary innovation.

FAQs – Expo Eats Awards 2026 Dubai

The Expo Eats Awards 2026 celebrate the best dining experiences at Expo 2026 Dubai, highlighting top restaurants across five categories: upscale dining, casual dining, local gems, sweet eats, and fast food.

Visitors to Expo 2026 Dubai voted for their favourite restaurants, street food stalls, sweet treats, and luxury dining spots, making the awards a true reflection of popular choice.

Winners include Café Milano (Upscale Dining), Mangrove Philippines Cuisine (Casual Dining), Dampa Seafood Grill (Local Gem), Bread Ahead (Sweet Eats), and Albaik (Fast Food). Highly commended spots are also recognised in each category.

Yes. The winners showcase global flavours, including Italian, Filipino, Lebanese, Emirati, and seafood, giving visitors a taste of cuisines from around the world.

Absolutely. Many winners, including Dampa Seafood Grill, Bread Ahead, and Mangrove Philippines Cuisine, are family-friendly and perfect for casual dining with kids or groups.