11 editor picks across United Arab Emirates.
11 emirati restaurants worth the trip across United Arab Emirates, editor-ranked. All cuisines in United Arab Emirates.
Erth is a Michelin-starred Emirati restaurant at Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi, cooking modern dishes from Emirati flavours and produce from farms across the UAE.
OrderThe modern lamb machboos, then the Liwa dates batheeta that the Michelin Guide suggests to finish.
TipErth opens at 08:00 on Saturday and Sunday, and the Michelin Guide lists it among the best breakfast spots in Abu Dhabi.
Al Mrzab is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Emirati and Kuwaiti restaurant on Airport Road in Abu Dhabi, with majlis seating and photos of old Abu Dhabi on the walls.
OrderThe chicken machboos at about AED 61, then cooked-to-order khanfaroush drizzled with local honey.
TipIt runs on walk-ins and queues, and Michelin advises expecting a wait; seating splits between private cabins, majlis and regular tables.
Al Mrzab is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Emirati and Kuwaiti restaurant on Airport Road in Abu Dhabi, with majlis seating and photos of old Abu Dhabi on the walls.
OrderThe chicken machboos at about AED 61, then cooked-to-order khanfaroush drizzled with local honey.
TipIt runs on walk-ins and queues, and Michelin advises expecting a wait; seating splits between private cabins, majlis and regular tables.
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant occupies an old courtyard house in Al Fahidi Historical District, Dubai, plating home style Emirati family cooking.
OrderLamb machboos, Lamb saloona, Luqaimat
TipPart restaurant, part museum: tables sit under a tree in an air conditioned covered courtyard, and bread is baked in view of the diners.
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant & Cafe seats diners under a tree in a covered courtyard in Al Fahidi, a Bib Gourmand kitchen cooking rustic Emirati food.
OrderMachboos rice with dango chickpea soup and a plate of luqaimat.
TipBread is baked in view of the courtyard tables, and live music plays in the evening.
Meylas is a Michelin Selected Emirati restaurant at Al Muneera, Abu Dhabi, begun as a food truck by Shaikha Al Kaabi and grown into an all-day eatery.
OrderThe machboos at AED 56 and the saffron balaleet at AED 35, both priced in tbreak's 2026 guide.
TipMichelin lists Meylas among Abu Dhabi's best breakfast spots; it opens at 08:30, and the chefs cook in an on-view kitchen.
Meylas is a Michelin Selected Emirati restaurant at Al Muneera, Abu Dhabi, begun as a food truck by Shaikha Al Kaabi and grown into an all-day eatery.
OrderThe machboos at AED 56 and the saffron balaleet at AED 35, both priced in tbreak's 2026 guide.
TipMichelin lists Meylas among Abu Dhabi's best breakfast spots; it opens at 08:30, and the chefs cook in an on-view kitchen.
Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe on the Al Seef waterfront serves Emirati seafood and heritage recipes for a brand founded in 2011, and is in the Michelin Guide.
OrderGrilled seafood, Traditional Emirati bread
Falwa is a modern Emirati restaurant at Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts on Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi, from chef Faisal Alharmoodi, cooking over charcoal.
OrderThe lamb biryani with hashwa, the grilled hammour with Emirati gazpacho and the khameer focaccia shrimp.
TipThe menu lists lamb biryani at AED 125 and charcoal-grilled hammour at AED 148, and a separate room is set aside for private dining.
Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe rebuilds 1960s Dubai in its Al Seef dining room, serving machboos and harees the way the UAE ate before towers rose.
OrderLamb machboos with a plate of luqaimat and date syrup to finish.
TipAsk for the terrace, which looks across the creek at the boats and old Dubai.
Al Dhafra Restaurant has served Emirati seafood and grills since 1993, moving from Mina Zayed to Heritage Park on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.
OrderGrilled seafood or a mixed grill platter, the two dishes What's On picks out for Al Dhafra in April 2025.
TipThe same operator runs three floating restaurants, Liwa, Toufan and AlFalah, which its own site presents as lunch cruises on the Gulf.
3 hours
Experience an unforgettable New Year's Eve on the water, This 3-hour cruise aboard a traditional Arabian Dhow features a luxurious festive buffet dinner with unlimited...
4 - 4.5 hours
Sunrise desert safari with pickup from your location and drive into the desert for a special Camel ride, Dune bashing, sandboarding, scenic photo stop, continental bre...
Private tour · 3 hours
Escape to a private island at night for a beach BBQ, bonfire, music, stargazing, and swimming under the moonlight with a relaxing tropical atmosphere.
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