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$$$$ | Jumeirah Beach |
101 never fails to impress. You're bound to be surrounded by potential grooms popping the question, couples clinking champagne glasses, and tourists snapping shots of the New Dubai skyline. 101 is a lounge, tapas bar, and restaurant, so it fits most timetables, and also ticks plenty of tourist boxes. Views? Check: water and skyline views from Palm to Marina. Romantic? Check: bobbing pontoons, candlelight, smooth tunes, and intimate spaces. Exclusive? Check: boat trip from the other One & Only, or a long drive down the Palm crescent. Delicious? Check: smart cocktails and classy modern Mediterranean food and wine. Expensive? Check, but considering all the other advantages, worth it.
West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Note: best visited in cooler weather as most tables are outside
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$ | The North Bank |
Unless you've accidentally drifted away from the souks or visited the nearby Heritage House, it's very unlikely you'd ever discover Bait Alqadeem on your own. You're going to have to seek this place out if you want a well-priced Arabic meal in authentic atmosphere. The building is historic (1909) like its neighbors, with a large terrace out the front for shisha smokers, an inner courtyard for dining, and majlis with a/c for when it gets too hot. Don't be put off by the odd mannequins or the half Range Rover full of artificial flowers out the front, be welcomed by Emirati smiles and stroll in to taste authentic regag and machboos, barbecued fish in bzar spices and some of the city's best moutabel. No alcohol served.
Al Suq Al Kabeer St., Al Ras, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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$$$$ | Jumeirah Beach |
Dubai didn't know it needed Peruvian dining until Coya opened. It's not the original, but you'd never know it; this place oozes soul. Decor is vibrant and plush; the food is exotic, service smooth, and two piscos later, you'll never want to leave. Look for special events like cocktail making, ceviche master classes, and art exhibitions, which take place almost weekly. Brunch on Friday here is one of Dubai's best. Their hidden members' club has a pricey yearly fee, which you might be able to bypass with some sweet-talking, though we wouldn't count on it. Don't miss the scallop tiradito and the sea bass cazuela, two dishes you will never forget.
Jumeirah Beach Rd., Jumeirah 2, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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$$ | The South Bank |
It's hard to experience genuine Arabic food and ambience in the depths of the Dubai summer, but this sprawling air-conditioned and covered courtyard works a treat. It sits at the center of a modern underground souk, an incongruously classy oasis in the midst of the flamboyant pyramids that make up Wafi Mall. There are marble floors and fonts, trickling water features, roses, shisha pipes, filtered natural light, and enormous authentic Arabic ovens delivering freshly baked khubz bread and kebabs. The menu provides an excellent spectrum of Persian, Gulf and Mediterranean dishes, but it's also a lovely place to sit with a couple of baklava morsels and a Moroccan mint tea. No alcohol served.
Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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$$$$ | Dubai Marina |
Local chef Colin Clague (previously of Zuma and Qbara) has again opened up a seamless venue that captures just the right amount of culture, class, and exotic beauty to fit with Dubai's classy restaurant scene. Although Ruya calls itself a Turkish restaurant, there are elements fused from many cuisines, particularly Nikkei and those of other Middle Eastern countries. The interior is open and elegant, yet plush and exotic. There are moss walls, Arabic lanterns, majlis-style seating, marble floors, and an enormous central bread oven. In cooler weather, the glass walls open up to turn the entire venue into an open-air space. The most famous dish is a simple two-cheese pide (Turkish flatbread) with a soft-cooked egg yolk, but also look for sashimi, flamboyant salads and richly flavored exotic stews and kebabs. Alcohol served.
Al Sufouh Rd., Dubai Marina, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Jumeirah Beach |
The Jumeirah Beach Road is lined with ethnic restaurants—Turkish, Saudi, Lebanese— all inside villas. Most are very good, and Abshar is a favorite of many. They have other branches in Knowledge Village, Media City, and Al Rigga, but none quite match the opulence of this location. The building retains its dimension of a lavish villa, complete with chandeliers and damask curtains, and each room is a different color representing a different region of Iran. Go for authentic sagnak bread out of the traditional oven, jojeh masti kebabs (chicken in yogurt), gormeh sabzi (lamb stew with leafy greens and beans), and kashk o bademjan (roasted eggplant dip, served warm with sweet mint sauce and whey). Service is quiet and efficient, though not what most would call welcoming or particularly friendly, except for Sam in the sweets shop out front. Finish there with traditional Persian cookies, pastries, and mastic ice cream. No alcohol served.
Jumeirah Beach Rd., Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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$$ | The North Bank | Lebanese
For some grassroots Middle Eastern cuisine without jumping too far out of the box, Al Hallab is perfect. Their pedigree is supreme—more than 100 years of making sweets in Lebanon, and then a foray into savory meals shortly before a very successful expansion all over the region. The Garhoud branch is one of the originals, and serves up excellent quality Levant food every day in plush Arabic surrounds (look out for "grandma's" daily specials and hummus fatteh in particular). Essentially, it's clean, comfortable, and authentic, with plenty of Western options for those who like to keep it simple. There's no alcohol, but a wide range of excellent juices and traditional Middle Eastern beverages. Also look for Downtown and Mall of the Emirates branches. No alcohol served.
28 Sheikh Rashid Rd., Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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$ | The South Bank |
For those willing to go out of their comfort zone for a great kebab, Ustad (also known as Ostadi) is definitely worth seeking out. It's a cozy restaurant with insight into everyday life in this part of Old Dubai. Sitting in the same spot for nearly 40 years until 2015, Ustad's patriarch still welcomed diners for lunch specials and mixed grills with an open smile and a "salam alakum." Mohammed al Ansari's passing sent many Dubai residents into mourning, but his spirit lives on in the restaurant now run by his children, who continue to serve great food in an eclectic space filled with souvenirs and trinkets from travelers. No alcohol served.
Al Musalla Rd., Meena Bazaar, Dubai, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Fri.
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$ | The North Bank |
If you want an inexpensive feed oozing with local flavor, this heaving establishment is the place to go. Authentic Emirati food might be elusive, but the locals themselves admit to a love of Levant cuisine, and Aroos is often where you'll find them. Either sit out on the terrace with the fans or in with the a/c, and order from mezze, including some of the classics dips like hummus, muhummara, and moutabel, and then try sambousek, falafel, and fatayer for some hot nibbles. For mains, dig into their famous kebabs with a side of exotic Arabic salad, then finish up with sticky baklawa or belly-warming umm ali. Just watch your ordering—there is a plethora of tempting options and staff are prone to overestimate needs. No alcohol served.
Al Muraqqabat Rd., Deira, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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$ | The South Bank |
The food isn't amazing, the service is nothing to write home about, but this is one of the most photo-worthy restaurants in the city of Dubai, and it won't cost you a fortune to sit and watch for awhile. Bayt al Wakeel is a heritage building, and their terrace leans over the water at the perfect position to watch the vibrant procession of abras between the souqs and creaking dhows on their way down to the customs yards. Order mint tea and a plate of mixed sambousek and refuel while you figure out which abra you need to catch to get yourself across the creek to the spice souq. If you have time, pop up to the rooftop to catch a front view over the creek mouth, and backward over the buildings of old Dubai. No alcohol served.
34th St., Bur Dubai, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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$ | Jumeirah Beach |
For a feast costing only around 35 dirhams, this is a great choice in the otherwise pricey Jumeirah district. As the name would suggest, the dum biryani is your best bet. Served in a terra-cotta pot, the dish is covered with pastry, which you must crack open to a rush of steam. They are usually enough to feed two, especially if you add some of their decadent dal makhani or butter chicken (great salads and chaat are also available as lighter options). The venue is clean and contemporary but tiny, and more diners take out than sit in. There are still pleasant places to sit, though, especially when the weather is not too hot and the terrace is open. No alcohol served.
Jumeirah Beach Rd., Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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$$$ | The North Bank |
For a long alfresco lunch in Dubai's cooler months, this location is hard to beat. Tables sit on a large wooden deck over the Dubai creek, with views across to Festival City and the high-rise towers of Downtown Dubai. It's a popular stop-off for golfers between rounds, families on weekends, and friends gathering for sundowners on Thursday nights. The menu isn't too adventurous—a selection of pizzas, salads and grills—but you can enjoy a beer or glass of wine with whatever you choose. Service is relaxed, but it suits the mood as you settle into the creekside atmosphere.
Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$$ | Dubai Marina |
There are two parts to Bussola, and both are well worth a visit. The first is the casual pizzeria, which rests on the rooftop capturing views of Palm Jumeirah, skydivers falling on the target at Skydive Dubai, and the illuminated dinner dhows that cruise the gentle bay in front. They serve delicious wood-fired pizzas, antipasti and salads in a convivial atmosphere, and it's possible to have a beer and share a pizza for around AED100. Downstairs is the fine-dining area, and one of Dubai's best Italian restaurants. Cuisine and the dress code are more serious, prices a little more uppity and the surroundings more sedate. Here look for very special homemade pasta, suckling pig and some luscious desserts.
Al Sufouh Rd., Dubai Marina, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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$$ | Jumeirah Beach |
This has been a favorite of expat families for many years. Not only is there a large terrace with Arabian gulf glimpses, but the kids (or young at heart) can decorate ceramics while they wait for their food. Service is friendly and varies in efficiency. The menu contains a long list of café basics, including salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pasta, and some larger mains, and there's a kids menu, too (nuggets, hot dogs, and the like.)
Do note, in busy times, it can take up to 10 days to have your artwork fired after decorating it. If you are only in town briefly, make sure you check before you start.
Jumeirah Rd., Jumeirah 1, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$ | The South Bank |
Close to the Karama shopping district, many like to come here for thali, a south Indian meal involving bottomless refills of vegetarian curries, rice, and condiments, but we suggest you opt for their superb appams (lacy, bowl-shape rice crepes), and dip them in a mild and coconut-flavored prawn moilee. Other favorites include pandan chicken, mango fish curry, and frappes. Service is not perfect—you may have to ask for things several times, but the food makes it worth it. No alcohol served.
20 B St., Al Karama, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed 11 am--1 pm Fri.
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$$ | Jumeirah Beach |
New to Dubai's Indian molecular food scene, Farzi is all about image, and their interior and dishes are some of the most Instagrammed in the city. The menu is primarily made up of small bites, pretty, unique, and unusual, always with elements of Indian cuisine. They call themselves a "modern spice bistro" to differentiate from the more standard curry houses. Situated in the new development of City Walk, Farzi is surrounded by glamorous and unusual boutiques. No alcohol served.
Al Safa St., Al Safa, Dubai, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed 3:30--6:30 pm
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$$$ | Dubai Marina |
The original Fumés (there are now two in the city), this location is in Pier 7, a swanky tower overlooking the Dubai Marina, with seven restaurants serving seven different cuisines on seven levels. They are licensed to serve alcohol, which is done either in the bright and lively restaurant, or at the dark and brooding garage-style bar. The menu is varied, with fried foods partnered with piquant Asian flavors, pulled beef brisket, and banoffee pie. Drinking is a pleasure here—reasonably priced, with plenty of cocktails and mocktails to sample. Staff are casual and usually fairly friendly—just watch for busy times (Thursday and Friday night) when the service can't quite keep up with the crowds. Look for great business lunch and brunch deals; it's possible to eat here for less than AED50.
Dubai Marina, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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$$ | The North Bank |
This truly is a Dubai institution—a veritable dinosaur in Dubai years, founded when everyone who was anyone lived on the airport side of the creek were members of the neighboring Aviation Club. This sprawling pub with beer garden (complete with massive duck pond) has survived all the ups, downs, openings, and closings of this constantly moving city. The reason? It's just a great pub. Food is simple (fish-and-chips, pies, shrimp cocktails straight out of the 1980s), and atmosphere is full of the proverbial "craic," with decor shipped directly from the Emerald Isle, live music most nights and sports at full blast on the telly. Drinks are reasonably priced (for Dubai), and the service is notoriously nonchalant, but considering the size of the crowds at some times, it's understandable. Look out for the fabulous line-ups of old rockers—you'll likely be surprised by the caliber.
Al Garhoud, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
4-239--5000-office number
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$ | Jumeirah Beach |
The Lime Tree Cafe was probably the first modern Western café to open in Dubai (2001), and although its popularity paved the way for many other similar establishments, many retain this as a favorite. Pop in for free-trade organic coffee and tea, and order superfluous salads, cakes, and other items by sight at the counter. Service is efficient and easy; its a great place for a quick, no-fuss bite, or to grab some home-made treats to take with you. No alcohol served.
Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Only Sheikh Zayed Rd. branch open for dinner, Other branches open in Al quoz and on Sheikh Zayed Rd., Manara, Credit cards accepted
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$$$$ | Jumeirah Beach |
Resting on a wooden pier on the Arabian Gulf, with views over two of Dubai's most stunning resorts and skyline, Pierchic is one of the most romantic settings in the emirate. The contemporary decor is breezy and casual while still oozing wealth and class, and glass walls allow diners to sit in air-conditioned comfort while enjoying views of the iconic Burj Al-Arab. In season it is possible to sit on the deck and catch the breeze coming off the sea, or perch on a stool in one of their pier-side pods for a quick champagne before dinner. The menu is modern British with a strong seafood element, and is partnered by one of the Emirate's most prestigious (and expensive) wine lists. This is definitely one for a special occasion.
Al Sufouh Rd., Al Sufouh 1, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. lunch, Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
