One round of public voting until October 17, new foodie categories, and a shot at winning Dhs1000 credit

If your delivery history reads like a personal tasting menu, this one’s for you. Deliveroo has opened voting for the fourth edition of the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards. The brief is simple and very tempting: celebrate the country’s most-loved restaurants across 37 categories, cast your vote by October 17, and you could pocket Dhs1000 in Deliveroo credit just for taking part.

This year’s line-up mirrors how the UAE actually eats. Alongside heavy hitters like Best Burger, Best Pizza, Best Asian, and Best Middle Eastern, you’ll find fresh additions that speak fluent cravings: Best Manakish for those midnight zaatar urges, Best Shawarma because obviously, and Best Chocolate and Best Snacks & Munchies for the sweet-tooth and sofa-grazer crowd. There’s space for Best Emirati, Best Lebanese, and Best Egyptian too, plus a nod to Best Chinese and Best Russian, which rounds out the country’s big-tent appetite. The idea is to capture the full spectrum of delivery culture here, from cult neighbourhood kitchens to glossy name-brand favourites.

There’s one round of voting this time, which keeps things clean. After ballots close on October 17, Deliveroo will reveal three finalists per category on October 20, with winners announced at a special event in November. Most trophies are decided entirely by the public, but two have their own route to the podium: Restaurant of the Year starts with open nominations from voters and ends with a judges’ decision, while Most Loved by Riders is exactly what it sounds like, picked by the people who know your order before you do.

If you’re wondering how to play it, think like a regular. Which place never misses your “special instructions”? Who saved Tuesday night with a perfect biryani or a crisp, still-hot pizza? That’s the spirit.

Head to the awards site here, back your favourites, and cross your fingers for that Dhs1000 bonus. Your home screen’s most-tapped restaurants are finally getting their victory lap, and you get to choose who takes it.