The restaurants worth a reservation in Dubai, from neighbourhood bistros to the new classics.
The restaurants worth the trip in Dubai. bistros, neo-classics, neighbourhood favourites, and the rooms locals book first.
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.
Ariana's Persian Kitchen at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai is chef Ariana Bundy's Persian dining room, built on family recipes passed down through generations.
OrderThe fesenjoon chicken stew with pomegranate and walnut.
Al Ustad Special Kabab has grilled Persian skewers in Bur Dubai, Dubai, since 1978, a family run kebab house a short walk from Al Fahidi metro station.
SignatureChicken boti, Shish tawook, Chicken saffron
TipLook down as well as up: glass topped tables hold foreign banknotes and the walls carry photos of famous patrons with the late founder.
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.
Karachi Darbar in Al Karama, Dubai, serves affordable Pakistani, Indian and Chinese cooking from 05:00 until the small hours, a busy neighbourhood canteen.
SignatureMutton kabab kadai, Karachi tikka kadai, Kebab biryani
Karachi Grill on Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai plates Pakistani kebabs, karahi and biryani in a Jumeirah 2 villa, with a buffet of Pakistani dishes at lunch.
SignatureSeekh kebab, Chicken biryani, Mutton karahi
TipA lunch buffet of Pakistani dishes runs alongside the a la carte menu, the easy way to try several karahis at once.
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.
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.
SignatureMixed 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.
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
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.
SignatureGrilled seafood, Traditional Emirati bread
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant occupies an old courtyard house in Al Fahidi Historical District, Dubai, plating home style Emirati family cooking.
SignatureLamb 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.
Bu Qtair has fried whatever the boats brought in behind Jumeirah's fishing harbour in Umm Suqeim, Dubai, since the 1980s, queue and all, no bookings.
SignatureFried spiced fish, Fried prawns
TipPick your marinated fish and prawns at the counter, pay by weight, give your first name and wait for it to be called.
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
Koshary Abu Tarek in Al Barsha, Dubai, plates Egypt's lentil, rice and pasta street dish alongside classic Egyptian sweets and Arabic sandwiches.
SignatureKoshary, Egyptian rice pudding
TipThe shop is also a sweets counter, so finish with the rice pudding or om ali listed beside the koshary.
Bikanervala in Al Karama, Dubai, is the local branch of the vegetarian Indian sweets and snacks chain, serving everything from burfi to full thalis.
SignatureMasala dosa, Chole bhature, Assorted namkeen
Calicut Paragon in Al Karama, Dubai, cooks Malabari dishes from Kerala's Calicut coast, heavy on coconut, fresh seafood and slow-cooked biryani.
SignatureChicken biryani, Chicken stew, Paragon pepper chicken
Saravanaa Bhavan in Al Karama, Dubai, is the local branch of the global vegetarian South Indian chain, serving dosas and idli on steel plates.
SignatureMasala dosa, Idli, Filter coffee
Seoul Garden in Al Karama bills itself as Dubai's first traditional Korean restaurant, open since 1999 and cooking bibimbap, galbi and Korean hot pot.
SignatureBibimbap, Galbi, Korean hot pot
Little Bangkok runs seven Thai outlets across the UAE, and its Jumeirah Lakes Towers branch plates tom yum soup, pad Thai, papaya salad and green curry.
SignatureTom yum soup, Pad Thai, Papaya salad, Green curry
TipThe chain also delivers across the city on its 800-BANGKOK line.
Shang Palace on the first floor of the Shangri-La Dubai serves Cantonese cooking and a carved whole Peking duck on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.
SignaturePeking duck, Dim sum
Hutong in DIFC, Dubai, recreates a Northern Chinese dining hall for Peking duck, with a lunch, dinner and Thursday night dark brunch service.
SignaturePeking duck, Hot and sour soup
Din Tai Fung at Dubai Hills Mall is the Dubai Hills branch of the Taiwanese dumpling chain, known citywide for its steamed pork xiaolongbao.
SignatureXiaolongbao, Fried rice
Roberto's in Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai, is homegrown Italian fine dining under chef Danilo Valla, with a cocktail lounge and an outdoor terrace.
SignatureCrudo bar seafood, Contemporary Italian pasta
Zuma in DIFC, Dubai, is a contemporary Japanese robata grill from the global Zuma Restaurant Group, ranked among the MENA's 50 Best Restaurants.
SignatureRobata grill skewers, Miso marinated black cod
YUi in Dubai Design District bills itself as the region's first handmade ramen house, opened in 2018 with noodles made from imported Japanese flour.
SignatureShio paitan ramen, Beef gyoza
TipThe chicken comes from a farm near Dubai and the noodles are made in house from Japanese flour.
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