30 editor picks across United Arab Emirates.
30 restaurants worth the trip across United Arab Emirates, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All United Arab Emirates guides.
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.
OrderChicken 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.
Zuma in DIFC, Dubai, is a contemporary Japanese robata grill from the global Zuma Restaurant Group, ranked among the MENA's 50 Best Restaurants.
OrderRobata grill skewers, Miso marinated black cod
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.
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.
OrderSeekh kebab, Mutton karahi, Chicken biryani
TipExpect a queue at dinner. Communal seating and a fast turnover are part of the Ravi routine.
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.
OrderFried 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.
Roberto's in Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai, is homegrown Italian fine dining under chef Danilo Valla, with a cocktail lounge and an outdoor terrace.
OrderCrudo bar seafood, Contemporary Italian pasta
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.
ryba is a Michelin Bib Gourmand seafood restaurant at Zayed Port in Al Mina, Abu Dhabi, from chef Faisal Alharmoodi, grilling local catch over charcoal.
OrderCharcoal-grilled local hammour, then the chocolate pâte à choux Michelin names as the signature dessert.
TipA Sunday set menu is AED 350 for two, according to tbreak's 2026 price check, and the restaurant is a short walk from the Zayed Port fish market.
3Fils Abu Dhabi is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Japanese restaurant at the EDITION marina in Al Bateen, sister to the Dubai original, and takes walk-ins only.
OrderThe chargrilled baby chicken, prawns and sashimi from the open kitchen, then the Take Me To The Moon dessert.
TipAbu Dhabi takes walk-ins only; on weekdays from 12:00 to 18:00 it serves four set menus from AED 90.
Mika is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Mediterranean restaurant at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, led by chef-patron Mario Loi, with in-house breads and a terrace.
OrderThe house-cured salmon and Nonna's tiramisu, two things the Michelin Guide highlights from the kitchen.
TipThe weekday business lunch runs 12:00 to 15:00: two courses AED 95 or three AED 125; Sunday lunch is a four-course set at AED 190.
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.
OrderMarinated grilled meats, Eggplant dip
TipBook the creek side window tables for the Dubai Creek and Old Dubai view across the water.
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.
Hutong in DIFC, Dubai, recreates a Northern Chinese dining hall for Peking duck, with a lunch, dinner and Thursday night dark brunch service.
OrderPeking 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.
OrderXiaolongbao, Fried rice
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.
Tazal is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant at Al Qana in Abu Dhabi, mixing European influences with Arabic touches, plus Gulf and Levant breakfasts.
OrderThe Iranian kabab, bang bang shrimps and kaak Al Quds that the Michelin Guide names as originals.
TipDining service starts at noon; before that the kitchen serves Gulf, Egyptian and Levant breakfast menus, and Michelin praises its weekend breakfast.
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.
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
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.
OrderPeking duck, Dim sum
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.
OrderShio paitan ramen, Beef gyoza
TipThe chicken comes from a farm near Dubai and the noodles are made in house from Japanese flour.
Otoro is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Japanese restaurant at Al Qana in Abu Dhabi with an open kitchen, serving fish and wagyu from several Japanese prefectures.
OrderThe otoro nigiri, then the yellowtail with green chili and leche de tigre, as the Michelin Guide suggests.
TipConsultant chef Akmal Anuar of 11 Woodfire in Dubai oversees the menu; the Michelin Guide lists it among Abu Dhabi budget-friendly picks.
Namak is a Michelin Selected Indian restaurant inside the Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, cooking regional dishes with a lamb focus and sharing platters.
OrderThe Kashmiri rogan josh or the kakori reshmi seekh, the two lamb dishes praised by the Michelin Guide.
TipNamak is closed on Monday and Tuesday; Wednesday to Friday it opens for dinner only at 19:00, while weekends start at 12:30.
Marcella is a Spanish and Portuguese grill on the pier at Yas Bay, Abu Dhabi, the second restaurant from Mika's chef-owner Mario Loi, cooking over a parrilla.
OrderThe whole-roasted Pyrenees lamb shoulder or the seafood paella with king crab bisque, both from the parrilla.
TipThe 30-seat zinc-topped bar serves affordable tapas-style small plates, with a Spanish, Portuguese and Argentinian wine list.
TETTO is a chef-led restaurant in MiZa, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi that grew from a home supper club, serving seafood, grills and pasta close to the chefs.
OrderThe bluefin tuna tartare, the hoba sea bass or the San Marzano burrata rigatoni, all named by FACT magazine.
TipTables sit close to the kitchen for a front-row view; the room is closed on Monday and opens at 16:30 on the other days.
Kopitiam by Chandy's is a Michelin Selected Malaysian restaurant on Al Falah Street in Abu Dhabi, run by owner Chandy, with roti jala and daily specials.
OrderRoti jala, which the Michelin Guide says is always worth ordering, plus the blackboard specials.
TipA blackboard of daily specials supplements the short menu, and Michelin notes the kitchen is visible from the dining room and spotless.
José by Pizarro is a Michelin Selected Spanish tapas restaurant at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, a 46-cover room built around small sharing plates.
OrderThe anchovies, the meatballs in spicy tomato sauce and the chocolate pot, all praised by the Michelin Guide.
TipOnline reservations are taken for parties of 1 to 20 guests, up to three months in advance, and dietary requests can be added when booking.
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.
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.
OrderBibimbap, Galbi, Korean hot pot
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.
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