Frequently Asked Questions
Your Questions, Answered
Everything you need to know about entering the International Restaurant Awards — founded in Dubai in 2021.
🍽️ Who Can Participate
Who Can Participate
Any restaurant business worldwide — fine dining and casual dining venues, cafés and coffee brands, hotel and resort restaurants, cloud kitchens, chains, franchises, independents and restaurant groups, along with their chefs and teams.
Yes. Newer restaurants are welcome to enter. Judging looks at quality and guest experience, so a well-run new venue can compete strongly.
Absolutely. There is a dedicated set of café and coffee-brand categories alongside the restaurant categories.
Yes. Cloud kitchens and delivery-first concepts have their own categories so they are judged fairly against similar businesses.
Yes. Restaurants within hotels and resorts are welcome and can enter the categories that fit them best.
Yes. Multi-site brands, chains, franchises and groups can all take part.
Yes. Self-nominations are accepted, and so are nominations made on a restaurant's behalf by an owner, colleague or peer.
No. The awards are global. Restaurants from any country can enter, with recognition offered at country, regional and world levels.
From one category up to three categories per award program, depending on the nomination plan you choose.
Entries must be genuine, operating restaurant businesses and the information provided must be accurate. False or misleading information can lead to disqualification.
🗓️ Schedule
Schedule
Nominations open in May 2026 to restaurants, chefs and groups worldwide.
Yes. The early window closes on 30 July 2026 — entering early gives your nomination the fullest possible review.
The final deadline to submit an entry is 15 September 2026.
Yes. Places in each category are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so categories can close once they are full.
The independent jury reviews and scores every entry during the third and fourth weeks of September 2026.
Finalists are confirmed during October 2026 as an internal stage ahead of the gala.
Winners are announced live at the gala ceremony on 14 November 2026.
14 November 2026, from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai, UAE.
Confirmed winners are contacted ahead of the ceremony with details and their invitation.
Late entries cannot be accepted once a category is closed, so we recommend entering as early as possible.
⚖️ Judging
Judging
An independent jury of hospitality professionals scores each entry against published criteria. Selection is based entirely on merit.
No. There is no public voting. Results are never influenced by online popularity or paid campaigns — only by the independent jury's merit-based review.
The jury is made up of experienced chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality experts who review entries impartially.
Food and menu quality, service and hospitality, consistency, ambience and design, innovation and concept, guest experience, and sustainability and sourcing.
Cuisine and menu quality 25%, service and hospitality 20%, consistency 15%, ambience and design 15%, innovation 10%, guest experience 10% and sustainability 5% — totalling 100%.
No. No fee, plan or package can influence the result. Winning is decided purely on merit by the jury.
Judges look at whether a restaurant delivers the same high standard reliably across every service, not just on its best day.
No. A small independent café is judged on its own terms against similar venues, not against large luxury restaurants.
Yes. The jury's decisions are final and made independently.
Clear criteria, an independent panel and no public voting keep the process consistent and impartial for every entrant.
Winners and finalists are contacted directly. Detailed individual scoring is kept confidential to protect the integrity of the process.
A clear, honest description of what makes your restaurant special — your food, service, concept and the experience guests enjoy.
💳 Fee & Costs
Fee & Costs
Entry starts with a nomination plan. There are five plans, from Silver up to Titanium, each with different participation and visibility. Full pricing is on the Fee / Cost page.
Silver, Gold, Diamond, Platinum and Titanium. Higher plans include more awards, more categories and wider competition levels.
No. A nomination fee covers participation and independent evaluation only — it never guarantees a win.
A package available only to confirmed winners that includes recognition items, gala access and the right to use the award title and logo.
There are five packages, from Digital up to Royal, each with different inclusions. Full prices are shown on the Fee / Cost page.
No. Nomination fees are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be carried forward.
No. Award credits are valid only for the same-year award program.
You begin by submitting your nomination, and our team shares secure payment details. Winner package payments are arranged after results are confirmed.
Yes. All nomination and winner package prices are shown in US dollars; any local taxes or bank charges are additional.
All plans, packages and inclusions are listed on the Fee / Cost page.
🏆 Gala Ceremony
Gala Ceremony
At The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina in Dubai, UAE.
14 November 2026, from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Doors open with a meet and greet, followed by the red carpet, opening entertainment, the awards presentation, winners' speeches, a gala dinner and evening entertainment.
Yes. Winners are invited on stage and have the opportunity to share a few words and take photos.
Complimentary gala passes are included with the winner packages — the number depends on the package, from 2 up to 10.
Yes. A gala dinner is part of the evening for attending guests.
Gala attendance is arranged primarily through winner packages and invitations. Contact the team about attending.
The gala is a black-tie celebration.
Yes. The evening features opening and evening entertainment alongside the awards presentation and networking.
Yes. Physical winner items can be collected at the gala, or shipped to you at additional cost.