Eat in Al Satwa, Dubai

Ravi Restaurant ★ 4.4

Ravi Restaurant has served Pakistani karahi and kebabs in Al Satwa, Dubai, since 1978, a plain, busy room open from 05:00 until the small hours.

SignatureSeekh kebab, Mutton karahi, Chicken biryani

TipExpect a queue at dinner. Communal seating and a fast turnover are part of the Ravi routine.

Al Mallah ★ 4.1

Al Mallah has served shawarma and Lebanese street food from a corner of Al Dhiyafa Road, Al Satwa, Dubai, since 1979, and its counter now runs 24 hours.

SignatureShawarma, Manakish, Falafel

TipGrab a pavement table and order at the counter. It is a stand-and-eat street corner, not a sit-down room.

Mokha 1450 ★ 4.3

Mokha 1450 is a luxury coffee boutique on Al Wasl Road in Al Bada'a, Dubai, roasting rare single origin lots from Ethiopia, Yemen and Cuba too.

BeansEthiopia, Yemen, Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica, Guatemala

BrewsEspresso, Filter, Whole bean retail

TipBeans come from women owned farms, ask the counter for the current Yemeni Sabree if it is on the shelf.

Al Mallah ★ 4.3

Al Mallah has served chicken shawarma on Al Satwa's 2nd December Street since 1979, wrapped tight with garlic toum and pickles, and now runs 24 hours.

TryChicken shawarma

TipOrder the chicken shawarma with extra toum and eat it standing at the counter, the way regulars do.

Man'oushe Street ★ 3.9

Man'oushe Street bakes za'atar manakish around the clock on Al Diyafah Road in Al Satwa, Dubai, a Levantine counter built around one flatbread.

TryZa'atar manakish

TipThe lahm bi ajeen topped with minced meat and tomato is worth ordering alongside the za'atar classic.

Al Mallah ★ 4.2

Al Mallah has grilled shawarma on 2nd December Street since 1979, a Satwa corner for cheap eating that now runs 24 hours, seven days a week.

TryChicken shawarma and falafel

TipTakeaway is faster than the roadside seats; most regulars eat the wrap standing at the counter.

Ravi Restaurant ★ 4.3

Ravi Restaurant has fed Satwa since 1978, a plastic chair institution for cheap curry and naan that opens at 05:00 and runs until 02:00 each night.

TryChicken curry with naan

TipIt opens at 05:00 and serves until 02:00, so a late curry here is as normal to regulars as lunch.

Scantic Restaurant ★ 3.7

Scantic Restaurant serves Kerala-style curries, ghee roast and biryani from 07:00 until 23:30 in the Al Arti Building near the Satwa bus station in Dubai.

Why locals goThe plain Al Arti Building storefront near the bus station blends into the shops around it, so most Satwa visitors never look twice.

TipIt opens at 07:00 and runs until 23:30, so it works for a South Indian breakfast as well as a late dinner.

Ravi Restaurant ★ 4.0

Ravi Restaurant on Al Diyafah Street in Al Satwa, Dubai, has served affordable Pakistani karahi and curries into the small hours since 1978.

TryPeshawari mutton karahi and chicken curry

TipGo for the chicken karahi and dal fry; the dining room is basic and the kitchen runs until 02:00.

Al Mallah ★ 4.1

Al Mallah on 2nd of December Street in Al Satwa, Dubai, has been a benchmark chicken shawarma counter since 1979 and now runs 24 hours a day.

TryChicken shawarma

TipOrder the shawarma saj rather than the regular wrap, the flatbread version holds up better to go.