Announced ahead of the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony, this accolade celebrates
excellence in service and hospitality across the region
La Grande Table Marocaine, the renowned Moroccan fine dining restaurant housed within Royal Mansour Marrakech, has been named the recipient of the Art of Hospitality Award for Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. La Grande Table Marocaine team will receive the accolade at the fifth edition of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 3 February 2026. The award recognises restaurants that set a benchmark in service and guest care, honouring those that create memorable and meaningful dining experiences. The winner is chosen by the voting Academy, composed of more than 250 independent industry professionals and gastronomes from across the MENA region.
Rooted in Morocco’s enduring traditions of warmth, generosity and ceremony, La Grande Table Marocaine has shaped a service philosophy defined by attention to detail, cultural pride and genuine personal connection. From the moment guests arrive, the team orchestrates the experience with considered pacing, refined gestures and a quiet sense of occasion, inviting diners to feel not only welcomed, but genuinely hosted. Moments of cultural insight, from the gracious welcome to the elegant presentation of tea, are woven naturally into the experience, revealing the stories, rituals and subtleties that shape Moroccan hospitality, and adding a sense of depth and discovery to the journey. This approach has positioned the restaurant as a distinctive exemplar of Moroccan hospitality.
Under the culinary leadership of multi-starred Chef Hélène Darroze and Deputy Executive Chef Karim Ben Baba - whose expertise in Moroccan gastronomy shapes the restaurant’s vision - La Grande Table Marocaine offers a refined introduction to national culinary culture, supported by the talent and dedication of its women chefs. Signature preparations nod to regional heritage while embracing contemporary precision and presentation, with select dishes, such as an elevated pigeon pastilla, adelicately seasoned tagine or the national couscous , serving as subtle markers of place and craft. Importantly, these culinary touchpoints are designed to complement, rather than overshadow, the focus on guest care. Each course is presented with clarity and intention, allowing the team to shape the rhythm of the experience and reinforce service as an expression of respect, pride and generosity.
The Art of Hospitality Award recognises La Grande Table Marocaine’s ability to elevate dining into a moment of cultural connection. Its approach combines gracious welcome, intuitive attention to detail and an atmosphere that feels both elegant and deeply personal. This harmony of service, storytelling and cultural authenticity has positioned the restaurant as a leading reference for hospitality in the region, encouraging guests to return for occasions both intimate and celebratory.
A spokesperson for Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: “We are delighted to announce La Grande Table Marocaine as the winner of the Art of Hospitality Award for 2026. The restaurant represents the highest standards of service, cultural authenticity and genuine warmth. The team’s unwavering dedication to guests creates an atmosphere that is both elegant and deeply personal, making this recognition truly deserved.”
Jean-Claude Messant, Managing Director of La Grande Table Marocaine, said: “This award is an honour for every member of our team. Hospitality at Royal Mansour is built on sincerity, generosity and a profound sense of welcome and these values guide everything we do at La Grande Table Marocaine. Our aim is to welcome guests not only to our restaurant, but into the spirit of Morocco itself. To be recognised in this way is deeply meaningful, and we remain committed to creating memorable experiences for all who visit.”
The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony will be hosted in Abu Dhabi on the evening of Tuesday 3 February 2026. The event programme, including #50BestTalks, a live thought-leadership forum, as well as the awards ceremony and unveiling of the list, provides a unique opportunity for chefs, gourmets and food and travel media from across the region to gather and honour gastronomy and hospitality, whilst promoting the culinary strength and diversity of the region to a global audience. Alongside the main programme, a series of consumer events will be hosted across Abu Dhabi, featuring one-of-a-kind culinary collaborations between renowned international and regional chefs at some of the city’s finest restaurants. These will include the 50 Best Signature Sessions and the Flavours of 50 Best event offering unique opportunities for food lovers to experience world-class dining.
The final award announced in the lead up to the ceremony and reveal of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 is the One To Watch Award.
The Voting Process
The list is compiled by the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of 250 experts from 19 countries across the entire region, each selected for their valued 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 well-travelled gourmets. For the 2026 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. To be included in the ranking, establishments will have received votes from a minimum of two countries in the region. 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.
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