The Middle East’s food-and-beverage industry is no longer just about luxury dining and opulent interiors. It’s driven by powerhouse hospitality and restaurant groups that are reshaping the region’s identity as a global culinary destination.
These F&B groups are expanding across borders, launching world-class concepts, and influencing how people dine, celebrate, and socialize.
Here’s a closer look at the top restaurant and hospitality groups shaping the regional culinary scene in 2025.
Top Restaurant and F&B Groups in the Middle East
1. 7 Management
Founded in Beirut by Rabih Fakhreddine, 7 Management has grown into one of the region’s most dynamic hospitality groups. Now headquartered in Dubai, the group is known for merging entertainment with dining, delivering immersive experiences across its portfolio of high-energy venues.
Their standout concepts, such as Seven Sisters, Antika, February 30, The Theater, and Sayf, have become regional favorites. With a footprint spanning the UAE, Lebanon, Qatar, Greece, and Saudi Arabia’s NEOM, 7 Management continues to push creative boundaries in nightlife and hospitality.
2. Solutions Leisure Group
Founded in Egypt in 2001 and now-headquartered in Dubai, Solutions Leisure has become one of the UAE’s most awarded restaurant groups.
Known for creating fun, experience-led venues, the group operates popular concepts like STK, Asia Asia, and En Fuego. With a focus on approachable hospitality and bold, energetic environments, Solutions Leisure continues to shape Dubai’s social and nightlife scene.
3. Atelier House Hospitality
Headquartered in New York with a fully operational office in Dubai, Atelier House Hospitality is a full-service advisory, development, and operations management firm specializing in high-end F&B concepts.
With decades of industry experience and a team of global talent, the group brings a refined, strategic approach to hospitality.
Their portfolio includes award-winning venues such as Marea, 11 Woodfire, RSVP, Mohalla, and Asma in Dubai, along with Morini and Mohalla in Riyadh.
Known for combining international expertise with local insight, Atelier House continues to shape some of the region’s most respected dining experiences.
Further reading: Top 10 F&B Consulting Firms in the UAE & Middle East
4. Bulldozer Group
Headquartered in Dubai’s DIFC, the Bulldozer Group is a globally-minded hospitality management and investment firm redefining luxury dining, nightlife, and wellness.
With 240+ venues across the UAE, Europe, North America, and Asia, Bulldozer is on a mission to craft unforgettable guest experiences, blending culinary storytelling, upscale ambiance, and cultural integration across its portfolio.
Its diverse offerings span fine dining (La Baia, Dragonfly), upscale casual spots (Miya So Greek, Not Only Fish, Tanuki), and wellness destinations like Sacra spa.
Led by founder Alexander Orlov, Bulldozer is continuing its expansion with locations in Paris, Marbella, and Estepona, all while making waves with accolades like Dragonfly’s MICHELIN Guide recognition.
5. Rikas Hospitality Group
Established in Dubai in 2015 by Rizwan Kassim alongside Pierre Pirajean and Helena Paraboschi, RIKAS is a homegrown, award-winning hospitality collective.
Its diverse portfolio spans acclaimed venues from French‑Mediterranean hotspots like La Cantine du Faubourg to the Japanese 1920s nostalgia of Mimi Kakushi, stylish Mediterranean beach clubs like Kyma, and captivating Middle Eastern concepts such as Ninive, all blending culinary innovation with immersive ambiance.
This leading restaurant group recently expanded into Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UK, Morocco, and Europe. With 25+ venues in Dubai alone, RIKAS is forging strategic partnerships, like its collaboration with Paris Society on beach club projects, positioning itself as a leading regional hospitality force.
6. Dubai Golf
One of the top restaurant groups is Dubai Golf. This premier leisure and hospitality operator is known for iconic destinations like Emirates Golf Club, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, and Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Its flagship, Emirates Golf Club, was the Middle East's first all-grass championship course (opened in 1988) and has evolved into a leading lifestyle destination.
Signature venues include Carine, a refined French-Mediterranean restaurant at Emirates Golf Club, and The Boardwalk at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, offering relaxed waterfront dining. Dubai Golf has received award nominations in dining categories for venues like Carine.
7. Fundamental Hospitality
Launched in Dubai’s DIFC in 2011, Fundamental Hospitality is a UAE-born lifestyle hospitality collective known for creating elevated, home-grown dining and nightlife brands. Their portfolio features acclaimed concepts like Gaia, Shanghai Me, Alaya, Izu Burger, and Piatti, alongside internationally recognized franchises such as Cipriani and Scalini, spanning across the Middle East and Europe.
In recent years, the group has accelerated global expansion with new venues in hotspots including Miami, London, Monaco, Riyadh, and Doha. With over a million guests served in just four months, Fundamental Hospitality is firmly on track to join Dubai’s top innovators in exporting regional F&B excellence to global markets.
8. FoodFund International
Headquartered in Dubai and family-owned since its founding in 1976, FoodFund International has built a diverse restaurant portfolio across the GCC, spanning Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Kenya, and even Greece. From upscale beachfront venues like SĀN Beach to premium steakhouse experiences at The Cullinan and Meat Co, the group blends authentic global flavors with attentive service and stylish design.
With over 50 years of award-winning hospitality under its belt, FFI operates more than 10 distinct brands, including Eat Greek, SushiYaki, Bentley Kitchen, Clay, and Tribes. Known for creating memorable dining experiences and hosting private events, from weddings to corporate functions, FoodFund International remains committed to quality, creativity, and family values.
Further reading: Top Hospitality Experts to Follow to Keep Up with the Industry
9. Wafi Group
Established in 1973 in Dubai, UAE, Wafi Group is a diversified conglomerate spanning property development, hospitality, hotels, industrial, and transport sectors. Its flagship, the Wafi City complex, includes the iconic Wafi Mall, Raffles Dubai, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, themed dining, and spa facilities, all inspired by Ancient Egyptian architecture.
Under the hospitality arm, Wafi operates over 40 F&B outlets across the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UK, ranging from in-mall restaurants to franchise and managed venues. Its dining collection includes Lebanese favorite Wafi Gourmet (with branches in Dubai Mall, Wafi Mall, Sunset Mall, and Riyadh) and global restaurants like Asha’s, Seville’s, Thai Chi, Biella, Vintage, and McCafferty’s Irish Pub.
10. Sunset Hospitality Group
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Dubai, Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), one of the top F&B groups is a global lifestyle hospitality powerhouse. Their portfolio spans hotels, resorts, dining, beach clubs, nightclubs, fitness centers, and more.
Operating over 88 venues across 25 countries, SHG delivers immersive experiences designed to bring people together through authentic, diverse hospitality.
Their dynamic roster includes premium concepts like SUSHISAMBA, Bâoli, Attiko, Drift, and Aura Beach, complemented by recent expansions into lifestyle hotels under the METT brand, and an upcoming boutique luxury hotel in Milan’s historic Torre Velasca.
11. Addmind Hospitality
Founded by Tony Habre in 2001, Addmind is a creatively driven, privately-owned lifestyle hospitality group based in Dubai.
With over 22 vibrant brands, it oversees a diverse portfolio of restaurants, bars and lounges, beach clubs, nightclubs, and hotels across MENA and Europe, including flagship venues like Iris, Bazaar, Clap, Sucre, Raspoutine, and the soon-to-launch Babylon and Iris Beach.
12. OY Hospitality
This Dubai-founded leading hospitality group by Oleksii Kolomiiets and Yuriy Blotskyy, OY Hospitality is a fast-emerging lifestyle F&B group that’s reshaping Dubai’s culinary scene.
Their philosophy emphasizes bold innovation, from brand strategy to execution, fusing haute cuisine and accessible dining to serve forward-thinking communities across the city.
With standout venues such as CARO, MOB, Sfumato, Soirée, and the flagship SOON Izakaya, OY sets itself apart by crafting immersive, design-led experiences. Their team of award-winning chefs, marketing experts, and hospitality leaders ensures each venue feels unique yet consistently exceptional in execution.
Further reading: Top 16 Chefs to Watch in Dubai & the World in 2025
13. Azumi Restaurant Group
Founded in London in 2002 by Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney, Azumi has established itself as an award-winning, global restaurant renowned for its modern Japanese dining concepts. With an executive team led by CEO Sven Koch, the group operates iconic brands including Zuma, Rōka, Oblix, ETARU, and INKO NITO, offering seamless Japanese-inspired cuisine.
Today, Azumi boasts 28 permanent locations and 11 seasonal residencies spread across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East, including key markets like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Doha, and Riyadh.
With its flagship Zuma concept celebrated for delivering sophisticated izakaya-style dining experiences worldwide, the group continues to expand, launching new venues in Saint-Tropez, Mykonos, and beyond.
14. La Petite Maison (LPM)
Founded in London in 2007, La Petite Maison brings the essence of French Riviera simplicity and elegance to global metropolises, from Dubai’s DIFC to Miami, Riyadh, Doha, and beyond.
The brand is celebrated for its fresh Mediterranean‑inspired dishes, think artichokes, olives, tomatoes, seafood, and a light, airy ambiance reminiscent of La Belle Époque, complete with fine linens, marble accents, Bougainvillea‑lined terraces, and eclectic art.
Dubai’s LPM has earned acclaim from the MICHELIN Guide as a bright, buzzy French brasserie with an open kitchen and perfectly executed Mediterranean‑French classics.
For guests, it’s more than dining, it’s a vibrant, sensory experience that captures the sophistication and warmth of the Côte d'Azur, making it a must-visit in DIFC.
15. COYA
COYA is a premium global lifestyle brand that offers an immersive Peruvian dining experience infused with art, music, and culture. Since launching in London in 2012, the brand has expanded to key cities worldwide, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Mykonos, Marbella, Monaco, Barcelona, and St. Tropez, now boasting venues in over a dozen locations.
COYA’s DNA is rooted in cultural storytelling, and its multi-sensory experience, from art and music to bold flavors, continues to enthrall a global audience.
16. Amazonico
Founded in Madrid and expanding globally to cities like London, Monte Carlo, Miami, and Dubai, Amazonico offers an immersive, jungle-inspired dining experience rooted in Latin American flavors with Asian and Mediterranean influences.
Its stunning Dubai location in DIFC spans three levels, including a sushi bar, lounge, and rooftop nightspot, draped in lush rainforest décor by designer Lázaro Rosa‑Violan, with live DJ sets creating an "electro‑tropical" vibe.
Further reading: Top Food Bloggers in Dubai and the Middle East
17. TASHAS Group
Originating in South Africa with its first outlet in Johannesburg in 2005, Tashas Group is a boutique hospitality collective founded by Natasha Sideris.
It has since grown into an international name, operating nearly 40 venues, including flagship concepts like tashas, Flamingo Room, Avli by tashas, Galaxy Bar, Bungalo34, Le Parc, African Lounge, Perlage, and NALA.
Its venues span South Africa, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UK.
18. VKD Hospitality Group
Founded in 2016 by Dubai-based entrepreneurs Varun Khemaney and Khalil Dahmash, VKD Hospitality Group began its journey by bringing beloved New York concepts like Miss Lily’s (2016) and Indochine (2019) to Dubai’s DIFC.
In 2023, VKD unveiled its first homegrown concept, Honeycomb Hi‑Fi, an izakaya-style listening bar crowned Time Out Dubai's Bar of the Year. Now, the group is planning innovative experiential venues and strategic collaborations with major lifestyle brands.
Their commitment to authentic concepts, combined with finely tuned operational excellence, positions VKD as a rising powerhouse in Dubai’s experiential dining landscape.
Final Thoughts
From global powerhouses to homegrown innovators, the restaurant and hospitality groups highlighted here are driving the Middle East's culinary evolution.
By launching world-class concepts and expanding across borders, they are firmly establishing the region as a global gastronomic destination.
For food enthusiasts, investors, and industry professionals alike, these groups are undoubtedly the ones to watch in 2025 and beyond.
Mohammed Rafy
Marketing