Sandy’s exclusive:

The week has barely begun and we already have some excellent tea to spill. Especially for those who like their culinary discoveries served early, slightly smug, and with a side of “we told you so”.

Middle Child, the quietly confident neighbourhood spot tucked into Alserkal Avenue, has just been named the winner of the One To Watch Award as part of Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. Yes, that One To Watch. The one reserved for restaurants that aren't just good now, but clearly gearing up to shape what we will all be eating, discussing, and queueing for next.

The award celebrates rising restaurants with serious momentum, and Middle Child was recognised for its strong potential to feature in future editions of the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Not bad for a place that opened its doors in September 2025 and politely got on with it.

Founded by Lynn Hazim, Middle Child is a 40-seat neighbourhood eatery in the heart of Alserkal Avenue, Dubai’s cultural and creative nucleus. It was designed to feel warm, familiar, and lived-in. The kind of place you accidentally become a regular at.

More than just a restaurant, Middle Child operates as a hybrid gathering space where dining, retail, and community blur together in a very intentional way. Alongside the tables, shelves are lined with carefully curated cookbooks, gourmet pantry staples, and small-batch condiments. Think of it as Lynn Hazim’s culinary brain, but organised and open to the public.

The vision is simple but surprisingly rare: a neighbourhood hub that feels refined without feeling stiff, welcoming without trying too hard. A place where you come for a meal, stay for a browse, and leave feeling mildly tempted to host better dinner parties yourself.

The kitchen leans into comfort-driven, seasonal cooking with a menu that does not shout for attention, because it does not need to. Quality ingredients and thoughtful technique do the heavy lifting. Signature dishes include eggplant caponata with creamy fresh mozzarella and warm focaccia; a nostalgic sour cream and onion dip served, unapologetically, with Ritz crackers; and a delicately dressed seabass crudo with lime, olive oil, and fresh coriander.

For heartier moments, there is pappardelle Bolognese with fresh pasta and slow-cooked beef ragù, and a striploin steak topped with sweet, jammy onions. Nothing theatrical. Everything intentional.

The short answer: a lot of people ate a lot of very good food.

The longer answer involves 250 industry experts across the region, all voting based on personal experience. There is no rigid definition of “best”, only informed judgement from people who know what they are talking about and have the receipts to prove it.

The Academy is divided into six regions, with each member voting for restaurants they have personally visited within the last 18 months. Voting is confidential, carefully regulated, and designed to avoid conflicts of interest. Restaurants must receive votes from at least two countries to make the list, and panellists can't vote for their own establishments.

In short, this isn't a popularity contest. It is a considered snapshot of where the region’s dining scene truly is.

Launched in 2022, Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants celebrates the region’s culinary excellence, diversity, and creativity. The list is compiled by a voting Academy made up of food critics, chefs, restaurateurs, and well-travelled gourmets, ensuring both credibility and strong opinions.

The awards ceremony will take place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, February 3, alongside #50BestTalks and a series of chef collaborations, Signature Sessions, and consumer events designed to remind everyone why eating out remains one of life’s great pleasures.

Because for places like this, community isn't a buzzword or a branding exercise. It is a philosophy. One that runs through the food, the space, and the people behind it.

And yes, we are especially pleased to see Middle Child emerge in Dubai and get noticed. Because this is the kind of place that feels made for living, eating, talking, and connecting. In real life. Not online.

Which, frankly, makes it very much one to watch.