Old Dubai's trading half, north of the creek. The spice and gold souks, Syrian, Iraqi and Yemeni grill rooms, Filipino canteens off Al Rigga and the Waterfront Market's fish halls sit within a short drive.
Shabestan is a Persian dining room on the second floor of the Radisson Blu in Deira, run by the third generation of one family and a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
SignatureMarinated grilled meats, Eggplant dip
TipBook the creek side window tables for the Dubai Creek and Old Dubai view across the water.
Aroos Damascus is a Syrian grill house in Al Muraqqabat, Deira, Dubai, serving kebbeh, grills and manakish from breakfast until well past midnight.
SignatureKibbeh, Mixed grill, Knafeh
Al Bait Al Shami on Sheikh Rashid Road in Al Garhoud, Dubai, is a Syrian dining room serving shawarma, grills and mezze from 09:00 into the small hours.
SignatureShawarma, Grilled meats
Dencio's grills Filipino seafood and sisig on the ground floor of the Asiana Grand Hotel in Al Muraqqabat, Deira, open from noon until 01:00.
SignatureCrispy pata, Sisig, Grilled seafood, Buttered garlic shrimp
Barrio Fiesta runs a Filipino buffet on Al Rigga Road in Deira, Dubai, one of the few in the city open from late morning until 06:00 the next day.
SignatureCrispy pata, Kare-kare, Lumpiang Shanghai, Sisig
Aroos Damascus plates Syrian kebbeh, grills and manakish on Al Jaziera Street in Deira, serving all day and late into the evening, inside or on the patio.
OrderMixed grill platter with kebbeh, shish tawook and a bowl of fattoush to share.
TipService runs from breakfast until well past midnight, and the patio tables are the pick once evenings cool.
Barrio Fiesta runs a Filipino buffet on Al Rigga Road in Deira, Dubai, one of the few in the city open from late morning until 06:00 the next day.
OrderCrispy pata with a side of kare-kare and steamed rice.
TipThe buffet runs from 11:00 until 06:00, so it works as a late supper after most kitchens nearby have closed.
Al Yemen Mandi smokes lamb and chicken mandi over coals in Hor Al Anz East, a Yemeni dining room that Deira, Dubai regulars fill through the night.
OrderLamb mandi over smoked rice, ordered with a side of chilli sahawiq sauce.
TipMandi comes on one tray for the table with rice underneath, so order by the group rather than per person.
Ashwaq Cafeteria slices chicken shawarma off the spit near the Gold Souk, a Deira counter in the Al Hillu Building opposite the Deira Palace Hotel.
TryChicken shawarma
TipIt is a quick counter stop, best combined with a walk through the souks.
Bacolod Inasal BBQ grills chicken inasal over charcoal inside Al Ghurair Centre's Flayva food hall, a Bacolod style counter serving Al Rigga's Dubai.
TryChicken inasal
TipThe chicken inasal comes with garlic rice and a small dish of vinegar dip for the char.
Rabbash pours karak by the cup from a roadside cafeteria on Al Khaleej Road near Al Mamzar Beach, and What's On names karak its most ordered item.
TryKarak chai
TipIt serves around the clock, so a karak here after an evening on Al Mamzar Beach is the local routine.
Waterfront Market replaced the old Deira Fish Market in 2017, putting fish, meat, produce and a dry goods and spice hall under one roof by the sea in Deira.
TipCome early: boats still unload their catch at dawn, and the market's restaurants will cook what you buy.
Deira Spice Souk lines covered lanes with sacks of saffron, cinnamon and dried limes, stocked by dhow from India, Pakistan and Iran, by the creek.
TipBargain gently on saffron and always ask for a small taste before buying a bag.
The Middle Eastern Food Pilgrimage is Frying Pan Adventures' longest running walk through Al Rigga in Deira, Dubai, tasting Palestinian falafel, Iraqi dishes and Lebanese baklava across several stops.
Dubai Souks and Creekside Food Walk crosses Deira's Spice Souk to Bur Dubai by traditional abra boat, pairing fresh bread and Iranian dessert with Old Dubai history on this Dubai food tour.
The Al Mansour Dhow's two hour Dubai Creek dinner cruise pairs an Arabic and international buffet with music on a traditional dhow.
Ashwaq Cafeteria rolls shawarma and pours karak near the Gold Souk, a bright Deira counter where Al Ras workers grab a fast and cheap lunch.
TryChicken shawarma sandwich
TipTake the shawarma to go and walk it through the souks.
Karak & Chapati Cafeteria opens at 4am to griddle fresh chapati and pour karak on 34B Street, feeding Hor Al Anz East, Deira, Dubai before sunrise.
TryChapati with karak chai
TipThe early opening hour makes it a genuine breakfast stop for shift workers, not a late night gimmick.
Kabul Darbar steams mantu and grills Afghan kebabs near Al Ghurair Mosque, a Naif side street kitchen serving Deira, Dubai's Afghan community.
TryMantu dumplings
TipOrder the mantu with a kebab; it is near Al Ghurair Mosque in Naif.
Carinderia ni Tandang Sora ladles adobo and sinigang canteen style in Port Saeed, named for a Filipino revolutionary and serving Deira, Dubai workers.
TrySinigang and adobo over rice
TipPoint at the steam trays to build a plate the way a Filipino carinderia back home would serve it.
Dhaka Darbar Restaurant cooks ilish fish curry and biryani around the clock on a Naif side street, a Bengali canteen serving Deira, Dubai workers.
TryIlish fish curry with rice
TipIlish, the Bengali river fish, is the dish to ask for if the kitchen has it in that day.
Al Shami Restaurant in Al Muraqqabat, Deira, Dubai, keeps its grills and Syrian style shawarma running from breakfast until 02:00, known for its garlic sauce.
TryShawarma and mixed grill
TipThe garlic sauce is the reason regulars come back, ask for extra on the side.
Man'oushe Street Al Ghurair at Al Ghurair Centre in Deira, Dubai, bakes manakish and rolls Lebanese wraps around the clock, seven days a week.
TryManakish and Lebanese wraps
TipThe zaatar and cheese manoushe is the fastest order if you are grabbing food to go from the mall entrance.
Habib Bakery in Hor Al Anz, Deira, is the round the clock branch of a Dubai bakery founded in 1987, selling cakes, Arabic sweets and fresh bread.
TryArabic sweets and fresh bread
TipThis Hor Al Anz branch runs 24 hours; the Karama branch closes at 02:00.
5 hours
Experience the magic of the Arabian desert on a private dinner safari to Mleiha.
Day trip · 10 hours
Embark on a breathtaking journey from Dubai to Oman’s stunning Musandam Peninsula with our Khasab Full-Day Dhow Cruise, now including seamless round-trip transfers (SH...
1.5 hours
Feast on a 3-course meal of your choice 50 meters above the streets of Dubai, and enjoy a unique dining experience in the sky. Eat at a table suspended by a crane abov...
