Have you been to Dubai? Ever looked around and wondered if you’re really in a Middle Eastern country? Dubai has so many international imports when it comes to food, you might actually be at a loss for where to eat truly authentic Arabic cuisine on a visit here. Even some of the Arabic restaurants in Dubai are so tourist driven that real Arabic food is the last thing you encounter. Here are Arabic restaurants in Dubai which locals and long time expats frequent. They all have great food. A few are no frills and others splendid displays of Arabian luxury and design.
Best Arabic Restaurants in Dubai
(in no particular order. some are not “Arab” by geographical definition)
Al Hallab
- Cuisine:Lebanese, Seafood
- Location: Various locations including Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall
- Specialty: Mixed Grill, Chicken Kebab, Fatoosh Salad, Falafel, Spicy Potato, Moutabel
- Cost: $$ Higher than food court eateries in a mall as its standalone and much better quality. You won’t regret it
- Serves Alcohol: No (If you must have alcohol, head over to Karam Beirut on Level 1 of Mall of the Emirates)
Em Sherif
- Cuisine:Lebanese
- Location: Downtown Dubai near the Burj Khalifa and rebuilding of The Address Hotel Downtown
- Specialty: Try mezzeh, kebbah, everything. Um Ali for dessert
- Cost: $$$$$ (Serves Alcohol: Yes)
- Note: A lavish culinary and visual feast. Come hungry
Al Ustad Special Kabab
- Cuisine: Iranian, Persian
- Location: Al Mankhool Road, Bur Dubai (down the street from Al Musalla Tower)
- Specialty: Kababs of course. Try Tahdeeg, Kabab Masti
- Cost: $ – $$ (Serves Alcohol: No)
- Note: A family run institution in Dubai with quirky interiors serving authentic Iranian kababs. Located in a busy part of old Dubai, parking is tough.
Turkish Village
- Cuisine: You guessed it… Turkish
- Location: Jumeirah 1 on Beach Road, near Spinney’s
- Specialty: Try Cheese Pide, Adana Kabab
- Cost: $$-$$$ (Serves Alcohol: No)
- Note: Looks a bit Disneylandish from the outside but the interiors are modern and sophisticated. Great food and service. The bread is amazing! Stop by the small shop selling Turkish sweets.
Logma
- Cuisine: Emirati
- Location: Box Park in Al Safa
- Specialty: New age/modern Emirati cuisine. Try samboosa cheese, chicken rice, date pudding, iced karak
- Cost: $$ (Serves Alcohol: No)
- Note: Fresh food and huge portions, not waist friendly 🙂 Box Park is a nice place for walking/window shopping
Al Nafoorah
- Cuisine: Authentic Lebanese
- Location: Jumeirah Emirates Towers (Trade Center Area) & Jumeirah Zabeel Saray (Palm Jumeirah)
- Specialty: Hot and Cold Mezzeh, Grills
- Cost: $$$$ (Serves Alcohol: Yes)
- Note: Once known as Sheikh Mohammed’s favorite Lebanese restaurant
Maraheb
- Cuisine: Yemeni
- Location: Al Safa
- Specialty: Mandi, a traditional Arabic dish with meat, rice and spices. Order the lamb shoulder and rib Hanith here. It’s the best Mandi in town. And skip dessert, it’s not as good as the appetizers and mains
- Cost: $ – $$ (Serves Alcohol: No)
- Note: This is a hidden gem in Dubai, a no frills dining experience. Parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road, most of the surrounding shops are home interior stores. A few tables are available or private booths where you eat on carpeted floors. Try it.
Beirut
- Cuisine: Lebanese
- Location: Multiple Locations. The best one is in Satwa on 2nd of December St (Also located in Mall of the Emirates’ food court)
- Specialty: All the classics. Try the shawarma, fatoosh, hummus, mixed grills, sheesh tawooq
- Cost: $-$$ (Serves Alcohol: No)
- Note: Very casual dining but good stuff. A long time favorite, we do home delivery from here often 🙂
For thoughts on international restaurants in Dubai, read Dubai’s Food Scene May Be Lagging
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