# International Restaurant Awards — Full Reference

## Overview
The International Restaurant Awards is the world's most prestigious recognition programme celebrating excellence across the global restaurant and hospitality industry. Operated by Golden Tree Awards and based in Dubai, UAE, the programme honours restaurants, chefs, cafés, hotel and resort restaurants, and hospitality groups across fine dining, casual dining, world cuisines, and 20+ restaurant sectors in 50+ countries.

## Mission
To recognise and celebrate genuine excellence across the restaurant industry, giving outstanding restaurants, chefs and groups a credible, independent and internationally visible platform. The awards capture every dimension of a great restaurant — cuisine, service, ambience, consistency, innovation, guest experience and sustainability.

## Contact & Location
- Email: awards@goldentreeawards.com
- Phone / WhatsApp: +971 585 862 014
- Address: Iris Bay Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Nominations: https://goldentreeawards.com/award-nomination

## Gala Ceremony
- Venue: The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai, UAE
- Date: 14 November 2026
- Time: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM

## Who Can Participate
Restaurants, restaurant groups, fine dining restaurants, casual dining restaurants, luxury restaurants, hotel restaurants, resort restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, executive chefs, restaurant chains, franchise restaurants, independent restaurants, catering companies, food entrepreneurs, and culinary consultants.

## Award Categories (16+)
Restaurant of the Year, Fine Dining Restaurant Award, Luxury Restaurant Award, Casual Dining Award, Café of the Year, Best Chef Award, Sustainable Restaurant Award, Restaurant Innovation Award, Restaurant Brand Award, Hotel Restaurant Award, Resort Restaurant Award, New Restaurant Award, Restaurant Chain Award, Family Restaurant Award, Culinary Excellence Award, Lifetime Achievement Award.

## Restaurant Sectors (22)
Fine Dining, Casual Dining, Café & Coffee Shop, Resort Restaurant, Hotel Restaurant, Asian Restaurant, Japanese Restaurant, Chinese Restaurant, Korean Restaurant, Indian Restaurant, Mediterranean Restaurant, Italian Restaurant, French Restaurant, Seafood Restaurant, Steakhouse, Executive Chef, Restaurant Leadership, Restaurant Brand, Restaurant Franchise, Restaurant Chain, Sustainable Restaurant, Restaurant Innovation, Restaurant Technology.

## Regions & Countries
- Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain
- Europe: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Greece, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark
- North America: USA, Canada
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
- Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Maldives
- South America & Africa: regional programmes

## Judging Process
1. Submit Nomination — restaurants, chefs and groups submit online.
2. Expert Review — an independent panel reviews each nomination against detailed criteria.
3. Shortlist & Scoring — finalists are scored on cuisine, service, consistency, ambience, innovation and guest experience.
4. Winners Announced — winners are celebrated at the Dubai gala ceremony.

## Fees & Winner Package
- Nomination Fee: varies by category and entry type; contact the team for current details.
- Winner Package Materials: trophy, plaque, medal, certificate, digital badge.
- Winner Package Fee: covers production, engraving and international delivery for confirmed winners.

## Why Enter
Global brand recognition, increased reservations and footfall, investor and talent confidence, and access to the international hospitality community at the Dubai gala.