Ossiano, the renowned progressive fine dining restaurant located in Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai, UAE, has been named the recipient of the prestigious Art of Hospitality Award as part of Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. The Ossiano team will receive the award at the fourth edition of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, with the awards ceremony taking place in Abu Dhabi on 28 January 2025. This award celebrates restaurants that excel in providing exemplary service and creating memorable dining experiences, with winners chosen by the voting Academy of more than 250 independent industry experts and gastronomes across the MENA region.
Ossiano stands as one of Dubai’s most distinctive culinary destinations, offering a dining experience that seamlessly combines artistry and hospitality in an underwater setting. With a vast aquarium as its backdrop, guests are immersed in a captivating world where marine life, from stingrays to sharks, glides gracefully past their tables, enhancing the sensory journey beyond the plate.
Ossiano’s acclaim is rooted in its dedication to blending storytelling with exceptional culinary techniques and the finest ingredients. The restaurant crafts a menu that invites diners to embark on a ‘Culinary Voyage’ with each course flowing effortlessly into the next, creating a truly engaging experience that transcends conventional dining.
At the heart of Ossiano’s identity lies a commitment to meticulous attention to detail and personalised service. From the moment guests arrive, the team ensures every aspect of the experience is thoughtfully tailored to their preferences. This dedication to excellence, paired with ocean-inspired gastronomy and a narrative-driven concept, has solidified Ossiano’s reputation as a beacon of hospitality and innovation in the region. The menu features standout creations such as Mojama with beef cecina, piquillo, olives and tomato; Langoustine (Puerto Rico) paired with passionfruit and jalapeño; and Kokotxas showcasing cod, black sauce and Kristal Caviar.
The Art of Hospitality Award acknowledges Ossiano’s ability to elevate service into an art form, creating meaningful connections with guests that turn dining into an emotional journey. Through an unrelenting focus on crafting unique experiences, Ossiano ensures its patrons return time and again.
William Drew, Director of Content for Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: “We are delighted to name Ossiano as the winner of the Art of Hospitality Award. This achievement highlights the entire team’s outstanding ability to create extraordinary guest experiences and is a testament to its relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Guillaume Barray, General Manager of Ossiano, says: “We are very proud and humbled to receive this special award. It is a true testament to the tireless hard work the entire Ossiano team have put into our guest experience. We pride ourselves in genuine hospitality and service paired with an unforgettable and authentic dining experience so to be recognised for this award is a dream come true for us. This is a fantastic way to start the new year, and we look forward to creating more exceptional experiences for our guests.”
The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony will be hosted in the UAE capital on Tuesday, 28 January 2025 in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT). The event programme, including the awards ceremony and unveiling of the list, provides a unique opportunity for chefs, gourmets, and food and travel media from all over the region to gather and honour gastronomy and hospitality, whilst also promoting the culinary strength and diversity of the region to a global audience. Additionally, 50 Best Signature Sessions and the Flavours of 50 Best evening brunch event offer unique opportunities for food lovers to experience world-class dining. These consumer events will feature one-of-a-kind culinary collaborations between renowned international and regional chefs at some of Abu Dhabi’s finest restaurants. For more details on the consumer programme, visit the website here.
The final award announced in the lead up to the ceremony and reveal of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, is the American Express One To Watch Award on 16 January.
The Voting Process
The list is compiled by the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of 250 key leaders from 19 countries across the entire region in the restaurant industry, each selected for their expert opinion of the Middle East and North Africa’s restaurant scenes. The Academy is divided into six regions: the Gulf, Saudi Arabia; Levant-plus; Israel, North Africa (East); and North Africa (West). Each
region has its own panel of members, including a chairperson, called the Academy Chair, to head it up. The panel comprises food writers, critics, chefs, restaurateurs and highly regarded gourmets. For the 2025 list, each MENA Academy member votes for up to 10 restaurants, with at least four located outside the country where they are based. All restaurants across the MENA region are eligible. Only restaurants that receive a spread of votes are included in the ranking. None of the event’s sponsors has any influence over the voting process. For further information about MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants voting process, click here.
