Dara Dining by Sara Aqel Wins Prestigious 50 Best MENA Restaurants Lavazza Award

April 04 20:58 2025

Dara Dining by Sara Aqel has been honored with the esteemed 50 Best MENA Restaurants Lavazza Award, recognizing its innovative approach to dining and beverage culture in the Middle East. This accolade further cements Dara Dining’s reputation as a groundbreaking culinary destination, redefining the region’s gastronomic scene.

A trailblazer in the culinary world, Chef Sara Aqel along with the Dara founders Lana Alamat and Maher Mouasher, Dara Dining was conceived as a space where food and drink come together in a seamless, elevated experience. The restaurant introduces a bold yet refined approach by integrating a thoughtfully curated beverage shop within its dining space, where every bottle can be served at the same price at home or in the restaurant, an unprecedented concept in the region. This innovative approach allows guests to explore and enjoy their exceptional selection by bottle while experiencing a menu that masterfully pairs flavors and shattering a business model that make fine wine and food expensive and out of reach.

Dara Dining’s food menu showcases Chef Aqel’s signature style—an inventive take on Mediterranean and Levantine flavors, using high-quality ingredients in collaboration with local artisans and farmers. The restaurant has quickly gained acclaim for its impeccable service, striking ambiance, and a commitment to offering an immersive dining journey. The ambiance reflects the authenticity that Amman offers, set in a renovated old villa in the heart of the city, surrounded by Zahran Park, creating an inviting and culturally rich dining experience. Dara’s beverage menu also sets itself apart by offering a collection of directly sourced, exceptional, and carefully curated beverages, making it the best restaurant wine list in the region. This dedication to quality, local ingredients and seasonality enhances the restaurant’s reputation as a leading force in the Middle Eastern culinary scene.

The restaurant’s concept challenges traditional norms by offering a setting where guests can not only indulge in an exquisite dining experience but also complement the meal with their choice of beverage by the bottle at a fraction of what it normally costs. This pioneering model reflects a growing shift in the region’s appreciation for global culinary trends, positioning Dara Dining as a beacon of change and sophistication.

“At Dara Dining, our mission is to create a warm, welcoming space where people can gather to celebrate food, wine, and the art of dining,” said Sara Aqel, the celebrated chef behind the restaurant. “Winning the 50 Best MENA Restaurants Lavazza Award is a testament to our team’s passion for culinary excellence and our commitment to reshaping the dining culture in the Middle East.”

The 50 Best MENA Restaurants Lavazza Award is presented in partnership with Lavazza, a renowned Italian coffee brand, and is part of the World’s 50 Best series. This award recognizes restaurants that have made a significant impact in the region’s dining landscape. Specifically, Dara Dining was honored with the Highest New Entry Award, acknowledging it as the highest-ranked restaurant making its debut on the prestigious list. This distinction highlights the restaurant’s outstanding contribution to culinary innovation and its growing influence within the industry.

Adding to her list of achievements, Chef Sara Aqel recently received One Knife in the World Best Chef Awards, a prestigious recognition that celebrates her exceptional talent, culinary vision, and contributions to the global food scene.

The 50 Best MENA Restaurants Lavazza Award is a significant milestone, recognizing the restaurant’s impact on the industry and its role in pushing the boundaries of contemporary Middle Eastern dining. With this award, Dara Dining continues to solidify its status as a leader in the region’s evolving culinary landscape.

For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact:

mailto: [email protected]

website: http://www.dara.jo

About Dara Dining by Sara Aqel:

Dara Dining by Sara Aqel is a pioneering restaurant concept that seamlessly integrates a retail beverage shop within its dining space, offering an innovative experience in the Middle East. Helmed by acclaimed chef Sara Aqel, Dara Dining brings a fresh perspective to Mediterranean and Levantine cuisine, celebrating nostalgic flavors, quality local ingredients, and exceptional hospitality.

Media Contact
Company Name: Dara Dining by Sara Aqel
Contact Person: Sara Aqel
Email: Send Email
City: Amman
Country: Jordan
Website: www.dara.jo