Kashtat Amina wins Best Emirati Restaurant in GCC at BBC Good Food Middle East Awards 2025
News: 28 January 2026
Kashtat Amina, the Emirati restaurant concept located at Aljada in Sharjah, has been named the Gulf’s Best Emirati Restaurant in the Editor’s Choice category at the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards 2025, which took place last week in Dubai.
Curated by Chef Mariam Almansoori in partnership with Arada, Kashtat Amina is inspired by the generosity and culinary traditions of Emirati mothers. The concept brings heritage recipes to life in a contemporary setting and is a key highlight of Aljada’s growing F&B offering.
Chef Mariam Almansoori, Founder of Montauk Hospitality and the creator of Kashtat Amina, said: “This recognition honours the cultural and emotional roots that Kashtat Amina was built on. It reflects the values passed down from Emirati mothers and shows that storytelling through food continues to resonate deeply with the public.”
Amit Arora, Chief Operating Officer of Arada Hospitality and Entertainment, said:
“We’re proud to see Kashtat Amina acknowledged on a regional stage. This award reaffirms Arada’s commitment to developing exceptional, locally rooted F&B experiences that reflect our communities and bring new life to traditional flavours.”
Held annually, the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards are among the region’s most prestigious hospitality accolades, recognising excellence across the food and beverage sector. Other major winners in the 2025 edition included Trèsind Studio, Il Borro Tuscan Bistro, and Little Miss India.
Opened in early 2025, Kashtat Amina forms part of the East Boulevard precinct at Aljada, Sharjah’s largest lifestyle community. The menu features a refined selection of traditional dishes including Balaleet, Harees, Madrooba, and Luqaimat, with over 70% of ingredients sourced locally.
This latest accolade follows Kashtat Amina’s recent honour at the Leaders in Food & Beverage Awards 2025, where the restaurant was recognised in the Homegrown Concept of the Year.
Arada continues to expand its hospitality and entertainment portfolio with a focus on supporting regional talent and creating vibrant, experience-led destinations across its master communities.
