17 editor picks across United Arab Emirates.
17 levantine restaurants worth the trip across United Arab Emirates, editor-ranked. All cuisines in United Arab Emirates.
Abu Kaabi Kabab Restaurant & Grills has served Syrian and Arabic grills in Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, since 1975 and won an Urban Treasures award in 2023.
OrderThe quarter-kilo mixed grill, up to three cuts from AED 46 on the 2026 menu, with hummus at AED 17.
TipSandwiches are the cheap way in: kebab at AED 10, tikka and shish tawook at AED 14 each, against grill plates from AED 34.
Almayass is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Lebanese and Armenian restaurant at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, with big portions and circular booths.
OrderAn Itch salad to start, then meshwi shekaf, the grilled veal with spiced bread, per the Michelin Guide.
TipPortions are made for sharing, and Michelin calls the circular booths the prized seats in the large Galleria dining room.
Beirut Sur Mer is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Lebanese restaurant on Soul Beach, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, with an open kitchen, mezze and a beachfront terrace.
OrderMezze and mashawi from the open kitchen, then a dessert, which Michelin says are good too.
TipMichelin notes generous portions and reasonable prices, and calls it an ideal stop after visiting the nearby Louvre Abu Dhabi.
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.
Al Safadi Restaurant grills Lebanese mezze and steaks a short walk from DIFC in Dubai, open from 09:30 for breakfast through to a late dinner at 00:30.
OrderMixed grill platter with hummus and a plate of warm knafeh to close.
TipBreakfast runs from 09:30 and uses the same grill list as dinner.
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.
OrderShawarma, Manakish, Falafel
TipGrab a pavement table and order at the counter. It is a stand-and-eat street corner, not a sit-down room.
Wafi Gourmet serves Lebanese hummus, tabouleh and kebbeh at its Sunset Mall branch on Jumeirah Beach Road, a Dubai brand established back in 2001.
OrderHummus plate with tabouleh salad and a side of kebbeh bil laban.
TipThe souq counter up front sells the same Lebanese ingredients to take home after the meal.
Al Mandaloun has served Lebanese mezze in DIFC's Gate Village since 2005, a Dubai room built for a business lunch or a shisha evening outside.
OrderShish tawook with garlic sauce, ordered alongside a round of hot and cold mezze.
TipIn cooler months the outdoor lounge between the DIFC towers is the draw, with shisha and mezze late into the evening.
Byblos Sur Mer is a Michelin Selected Lebanese restaurant at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi, with a marina terrace, mezze, grills and live music on weekends.
OrderThe machawi mchakaleh from the grill section, which the Michelin Guide recommends to lamb lovers.
TipLive music and entertainment run on Friday and Saturday evenings, and the terrace overlooks the marina, according to the Michelin Guide.
Em Sherif Sea Cafe is a Michelin Selected Lebanese restaurant at Rosewood Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island, with a seafood counter and views over the water.
OrderFish from the seafood counter by the entrance and shared Lebanese dishes, as the Michelin Guide advises.
TipLive music and shisha are offered with lunch and dinner service, and the room opens daily from 12:30 until midnight.
Li Beirut is a Michelin Selected Lebanese restaurant at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, with harbour views, classic Lebanese dishes and fixed price menus.
OrderClassic Lebanese dishes with the modern touches the Michelin Guide notes, or one of the fixed price menus.
TipMichelin notes the main menu is concise and is supplemented by a useful selection of fixed price menus.
Al Safadi has served Lebanese grills and mezze in Dubai since 2000, from its Sheikh Zayed Road dining room in the Trade Centre area of the city.
OrderMixed grill, Hummus
Aroos Damascus is a Syrian grill house in Al Muraqqabat, Deira, Dubai, serving kebbeh, grills and manakish from breakfast until well past midnight.
OrderKibbeh, Mixed grill, Knafeh
Automatic Restaurants & Grill serves Lebanese mezze, arayes, mixed grills and broasted chicken at the Uptown Mirdiff complex in Mirdif, Dubai, daily.
OrderMixed grill platter with garlic sauce, hummus and a side of fresh juice.
TipThe mixed grill with garlic sauce and hummus is the order for a table.
Karam Beirut bakes manoushe and rolls shawarma on the lower ground floor of The Dubai Mall, a Lebanese street food counter dressed for Downtown Dubai.
OrderZaatar manoushe with a side of shawarma and a glass of jallab.
TipThe branch sits on the lower ground floor, entered from the Fashion Avenue car park, P1 and P2.
Al Sultan Restaurant & Grill serves Lebanese mezze, grills and seafood in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, and was honoured as an Urban Treasure in 2023.
OrderHot and cold mezze with a mixed grill, the specials What's On names in its April 2025 list.
TipThe restaurant has since opened other branches, so check you have the Al Danah room, whose phone number is +971 2 641 2511.
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.
OrderShawarma, Grilled meats
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