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After some time mimicking dining scenes in other cities, importing chef names and restaurant chains, Dubai has developed quite a complex and singular dining culture with more and more regional influences. Expats, trade, and tourism has brought all corners of the world to Dubai's doorstep, and there is something for any budget in
After some time mimicking dining scenes in other cities, importing chef names and restaurant chains, Dubai has developed quite a complex and singular dining culture with more and more regional influences. Expats, trade, and tourism has brought all corners of the world t
After some time mimicking dining scenes in other cities, importing chef names and restaurant chains, Dubai has developed
After some time mimicking dining scenes in other cities, importing chef names and restaurant chains, Dubai has developed quite a complex and singular dining culture with more and more regional influences. Expats, trade, and tourism has brought all corners of the world to Dubai's doorstep, and there is something for any budget in almost every conceivable cuisine.
There is no Michelin guide in Dubai, but dine on the upper-end and you'll find establishments of the highest quality. Restaurants here get worldwide recognition, and the greatest chefs on the planet often pop up for unexpected residencies.
Middle-of-the-road dining will take you beach-side for gourmet burgers, into gastropubs and speakeasies, out to the desert for pizza on a rooftop, or sampling some very fine regional cuisine within particularly decadent spaces.
Some may argue that the most exciting element of Dubai’s cuisine culture is the budget sector, which provides a tantalizing and authentic array of cultural choices, sometimes just for loose change. Examples can be found at the rising number of food trucks around the city, but the originals will tend to be holes-in-the wall around the older parts of Dubai.
Even though Dubai is a Muslim country, pork products and alcohol are still available. Licences for both are restricted to restaurants and bars in large hotels and clubs. The prices at licensed premises tend to hover a little higher than elsewhere, and the venues sometimes suffer from blandness that can come with hotel restaurants, so it might be worth considering if you really need that drink; some of the greatest cuisine in the region is found in simple roadside ethnic eateries.
Unless you've accidentally drifted away from the souks or visited the nearby Heritage House, it's very unlikely you'd ever discover Bait Alqadeem on your own. You're going to have to seek this place out if you want a well-priced Arabic meal in authentic atmosphere. The building is historic (1909) like its neighbors, with a large terrace out the front for shisha smokers, an inner courtyard for dining, and majlis with a/c for when it gets too hot. Don't be put off by the odd mannequins or the half Range Rover full of artificial flowers out the front, be welcomed by Emirati smiles and stroll in to taste authentic regag and machboos, barbecued fish in bzar spices and some of the city's best moutabel. No alcohol served.
Al Suq Al Kabeer St., Al Ras, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
For some grassroots Middle Eastern cuisine without jumping too far out of the box, Al Hallab is perfect. Their pedigree is supreme—more than 100 years of making sweets in Lebanon, and then a foray into savory meals shortly before a very successful expansion all over the region. The Garhoud branch is one of the originals, and serves up excellent quality Levant food every day in plush Arabic surrounds (look out for "grandma's" daily specials and hummus fatteh in particular). Essentially, it's clean, comfortable, and authentic, with plenty of Western options for those who like to keep it simple. There's no alcohol, but a wide range of excellent juices and traditional Middle Eastern beverages. Also look for Downtown and Mall of the Emirates branches. No alcohol served.
28 Sheikh Rashid Rd., Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
If you want an inexpensive feed oozing with local flavor, this heaving establishment is the place to go. Authentic Emirati food might be elusive, but the locals themselves admit to a love of Levant cuisine, and Aroos is often where you'll find them. Either sit out on the terrace with the fans or in with the a/c, and order from mezze, including some of the classics dips like hummus, muhummara, and moutabel, and then try sambousek, falafel, and fatayer for some hot nibbles. For mains, dig into their famous kebabs with a side of exotic Arabic salad, then finish up with sticky baklawa or belly-warming umm ali. Just watch your ordering—there is a plethora of tempting options and staff are prone to overestimate needs. No alcohol served.
Al Muraqqabat Rd., Deira, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Although pleasant year-round, Bateaux Dubai comes into its own in summer. July and August can be sweltering in the city, but all looks rosy from the chilled inside of this glass-encased barge. It's a five-star way to view the city in comfort. Menus are fixed, classic, and gourmet (if a little traditional), and washed down with your chosen drinks package and glittering views of the Dubai creek at night. The boat drifts slowly past historic districts, dhow shipyards, creekside resorts and towers of the business district. If you can manage to time it with one of Dubai's many festivals, you may also be lucky enough to pick up a fireworks display. Alcohol served.
Banyas Rd., Dubai Creek, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
For a long alfresco lunch in Dubai's cooler months, this location is hard to beat. Tables sit on a large wooden deck over the Dubai creek, with views across to Festival City and the high-rise towers of Downtown Dubai. It's a popular stop-off for golfers between rounds, families on weekends, and friends gathering for sundowners on Thursday nights. The menu isn't too adventurous—a selection of pizzas, salads and grills—but you can enjoy a beer or glass of wine with whatever you choose. Service is relaxed, but it suits the mood as you settle into the creekside atmosphere.
This truly is a Dubai institution—a veritable dinosaur in Dubai years, founded when everyone who was anyone lived on the airport side of the creek were members of the neighboring Aviation Club. This sprawling pub with beer garden (complete with massive duck pond) has survived all the ups, downs, openings, and closings of this constantly moving city. The reason? It's just a great pub. Food is simple (fish-and-chips, pies, shrimp cocktails straight out of the 1980s), and atmosphere is full of the proverbial "craic," with decor shipped directly from the Emerald Isle, live music most nights and sports at full blast on the telly. Drinks are reasonably priced (for Dubai), and the service is notoriously nonchalant, but considering the size of the crowds at some times, it's understandable. Look out for the fabulous line-ups of old rockers—you'll likely be surprised by the caliber.
It's hard to decide what to love the most about Traiteur. The warm, geometrically bizarre interior, the terrace opening to millionaire views over the super yachts of the marina, the classic French cuisine that refuses to be tainted by regional influence, or the service, which is some of the most polite and knowledgeable in Dubai. An experience for those who love more than a little opulence, the Traiteur Friday brunch is one of the best in Dubai (and one of the most expensive). All you can eat from the exceptional buffet and free-flowing champagne from 12:30 to 4 pm will bring you close to living the superfluous lifestyle Dubai is so famous for, even if it's just for an afternoon. Alcohol served.
It’s a little hard to decide on a favorite in the Radisson Blu Dubai Creek—Shabestan (Iranian), Fish Market (fresh seafood), and Al Mansour dhow (dinner cruise), are also very tempting. But Yum! has earned a place at the top of our list. There is plenty of pan-Asian food available, and though it's not winning any gourmet awards, it definitely fulfills the promise of its name. The service is fairly efficient and the open kitchen is a treat to watch. For a licensed restaurant, the food is very reasonably priced—look for their soups and Singapore noodles, most of which are around 50 dirhams or under. Alcohol served.
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