Tales Spirited Awards 2026: Best International Bar Teams in Middle East & Africa

Ranked #37 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants MENA 2024, Mimi Kakushi at the Four Seasons Jumeirah Beach is Dubai's strongest case for contemporary Japanese dining with a serious cocktail program. The 1920s Osaka-inspired room delivers both atmosphere and substance, but book two to three weeks ahead; weekend tables go fast.

Fizz is a strong choice in Mar Mikhael when the plan needs flexibility: coffee or brunch earlier, cocktails, wine, beer, small plates later. It suits dates and small groups better than large fixed plans because seating is limited and walk-in based, but the casual room and recent bar-team recognition make it more credible than a basic café-bar.

Book Front/Back when the plan is a serious Accra drinks night, not a quiet lounge sit-down. Its 2025 Top 500 Bars Best Bars ranking and 2026 Tales Spirited Awards regional bar-team honor make it a stronger pick for cocktail-focused groups than for diners looking for a full food-led evening.

A strong choice for a drinks-led night in DIFC, especially if wine and cocktail credibility matter more than a chef-driven meal. Star Wine List recognition and a 2026 Tales Spirited Awards regional bar-team honor make the beverage program the reason to go; book it for a date or small-group start to the evening.

Sin + Tax is the Johannesburg pick for a drinks-first date or celebration, backed by major bar-list recognition rather than a dinner-led format. Book it when cocktails are the main event; choose a restaurant or gastropub alternative if your group needs food, price certainty, or a quieter business setting.

fable is a practical Cape Town City Centre pick for an easy evening when flexibility matters more than a formal restaurant plan. It suits small groups and repeat visitors who want a central Bree and Wale option, but diners looking for a clearer meal structure should compare Grub & Vine, Ouezeri, or Alice Restaurant first.

Funky Monkey is a casual, flexible pick in Ukunda for travelers who want an easy Diani Beach Road stop rather than a formal destination dinner. Choose it for loose beach-day timing and low ceremony; cross-shop Ali Barbour's Cave Restaurant for a more occasion-led night or Barharini Beach Bar and Restaurant for another coast-focused casual option.

Amazónico is a three-floor Latin American restaurant in DIFC with a Star Wine List-accredited South American cellar. At $$$, it delivers consistent range and theatrical atmosphere for groups and special occasions. Book the first floor for open kitchen views; reserve at least a week ahead.

Book Sol Lounge Bar for a polished Osu night when outdoor seating, cocktails, food matter as much as the drink itself. At $35 per person, it is strongest for dates and small groups who want a dressed-up poolside start rather than a loud late-night bar.

LPM Restaurant & Bar Dubai holds a 3-Star World of Fine Wine accreditation, making it one of the stronger wine-forward dining choices in the DIFC. The French-Mediterranean format works best for groups of two or more, booking is currently easier than most peers at this tier. Go for the wine list as much as the food.

Book Salmon Guru Dubai when cocktails are the main event and Business Bay is convenient. Its 2025 and 2026 bar recognition makes it a more credible drinks-first choice than a generic lounge, but it is less suited to wine-led dinners, large groups needing fixed details, or anyone prioritizing a full restaurant plan.