Diners in Dubai can now choose to eat from the city’s “elite” restaurants that have been officially certified as those offering the safest food while being the most sustainable and socially responsible.

Dubai Municipality on Monday honoured nine such restaurants, which became the winners of the inaugural edition of the ‘DM Food Elite Programme’. Dubai Municipality Director-General Dawoud Al Hajri honoured the winners in three categories during the 18th Dubai International Food Safety Conference, which began on Monday.

Dubai Municipality’s Food Control Department received over 400 applications for the pioneering programme, the first launched by a government regulator to recognise excellence in food safety combined with a commitment to sustainability, nutrition and social responsibility. Thirty of them were shortlisted and the winners were announced during the opening ceremony of the conference.

In the Standalone and Formal Dine-in Restaurants category, Clap Restaurant (DIFC Gate Village Building) took first place, followed by Leila Restaurant (Downtown Boulevard, Clarens Tower 2) in second, and Bab Al Mansour Restaurant (The Lofts, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard) in third.

For the Hotel-affiliated Dine-in Restaurants category, Mediterraneo Restaurant at Armani Hotel (Burj Khalifa) earned first place, with Cucina Restaurant at Marriott Resort (Palm Jumeirah) coming in second, and Brasserie Boulud at Sofitel Dubai (The Obelisk) taking third place.

In the Quick Service Food Outlets and Cafeterias category, Trader’s House (Dubai World Trade Centre) secured first place, followed by McDonald’s (Blue Tower) in second, and Al Baik (Al Diyafa) in third.

Ravi Arul, Associate Director - Food Hygiene and Safety, Venue Operations at DWTC, said the commitment to the highest Food Hygiene and Safety standards, validated by certifications like HACCP, ISO 22000:2018, and a Golden Grade A from Dubai Municipality, translated directly to enhanced trust for consumers of Trader's House.