20 Best Places to Eat in United Arab Emirates: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

The culinary landscape of the United Arab Emirates is an extraordinary blend of authentic Emirati hospitality, regional Middle Eastern street flavors, and world-renowned Michelin-starred dining experiences. Dining across the Emirates allows visitors to journey through centuries of pearl-diving history and global trade influences.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

Machboos: A fragrant rice dish cooked with slow-simmered meats, dried limes (loomi), and warm spices.
Luqaimat: Golden, crispy fried dough balls drizzled with sweet date syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Harees: A comforting traditional dish made of wheat and slow-cooked meat seasoned gently.
Camel Burger: A local specialty offering lean, flavorful camel meat grilled to perfection.
Shawarma: Middle Eastern street staple featuring thinly sliced marinated meat wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce.

20 Best Places to Eat in United Arab Emirates

1. Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe

Cuisine: Authentic Emirati
Location: Festival City, Dubai & Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi
Must-Try Dish: Lamb Machboos
About the Place: Stepping into Al Fanar feels like traveling back to 1960s UAE, offering traditional Emirati home cooking inside classic mud-brick architectural settings.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe

2. Zuma Dubai

Cuisine: Contemporary Japanese / Izakaya
Location: DIFC, Dubai
Must-Try Dish: Miso-Marinated Black Cod
About the Place: Located in the financial district, Zuma serves world-class Japanese cuisine cooked on an open Robata grill within a sleek, sophisticated atmosphere.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Zuma Dubai

3. Al Ustad Special Kabab

Cuisine: Traditional Persian / Iranian
Location: Al Mankhool, Old Dubai
Must-Try Dish: Khas Kabab (Yogurt Marinated Chicken)
About the Place: Operating since 1978, this vintage eatery is famous for authentic Persian skewers, photos of celebrities covering walls, and legendary warmth.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Al Ustad Special Kabab

4. Meylas

Cuisine: Emirati Street Food & Desserts
Location: Al Muneera, Abu Dhabi
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Luqaimat
About the Place: Founded by an Emirati entrepreneur, Meylas celebrates local culture with nostalgic recipes, traditional decor, and oceanfront outdoor seating.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Meylas

5. Arabian Tea House

Cuisine: Traditional Emirati & Gulf
Location: Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Dubai
Must-Try Dish: Emirati Breakfast Tray
About the Place: Located inside a historic courtyard with turquoise benches and white lace curtains, serving traditional breakfasts, karak chai, and regional grills.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Arabian Tea House

6. Allo Beirut

Cuisine: Lebanese Street Food
Location: City Walk, Dubai
Must-Try Dish: Chicken Shawarma & Falafel Wraps
About the Place: Vibrant and colorful 24/7 diner delivering nostalgic Lebanese street food classics, fresh juices, and fresh oven-baked manousheh flatbreads.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Allo Beirut

7. Bu Qtair

Cuisine: Fresh Seafood / Coastal Indian
Location: Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour, Dubai
Must-Try Dish: Fried Fish marinated in secret coastal spices
About the Place: Started as a modest street cabin, Bu Qtair serves freshly caught fish and prawns fried on order along the scenic fishing harbor.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Bu Qtair

8. Areesh Restaurant

Cuisine: Traditional Emirati & Middle Eastern
Location: Ras Al Khaimah
Must-Try Dish: Madrooba & Grilled Fish
About the Place: A charming local establishment serving homestyle Emirati dishes and fresh Arabian seafood in an authentic atmosphere.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Areesh Restaurant

9. Orfali Bros Bistro

Cuisine: Modern Middle Eastern Fusion
Location: Wasl 51, Dubai
Must-Try Dish: Come With Me To Aleppo (Kebab)
About the Place: Crowned among the top culinary destinations in the Middle East, offering creative tapas-style dishes crafted by three passionate Syrian brothers.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Orfali Bros Bistro

10. Li Beirut

Cuisine: Fine Dining Lebanese
Location: Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Must-Try Dish: Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank with Oriental Rice
About the Place: An elegant fine-dining venue offering masterfully re-imagined Lebanese culinary classics with spectacular coastline views of Abu Dhabi.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Li Beirut

11. Gazebo Restaurant

Cuisine: Indian Dum Pukht
Location: Multiple branches across UAE (Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi)
Must-Try Dish: Royal Hyderabadi Biryani
About the Place: Legendary across the UAE for its royal Dum Pukht slow-cooking method, serving rich, aromatic biryanis in traditional handi pots.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Gazebo Restaurant

12. Bait Al Mandi

Cuisine: Yemeni / Mandi
Location: Deira, Dubai & Sharjah
Must-Try Dish: Mutton Mandi
About the Place: Famous for authentic Yemeni mandi, featuring fall-off-the-bone tender meat served over fragrant basmati rice in traditional floor-seating dining rooms.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Bait Al Mandi

13. Pai Thai

Cuisine: Authentic Thai
Location: Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai
Must-Try Dish: Massaman Beef Curry
About the Place: Reached via a romantic traditional abra boat ride along Madinat Jumeirah's tranquil canals, serving high-end Thai specialties.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Pai Thai

14. Sublimotion / Ossiano

Cuisine: Underwater Fine Dining / Seafood
Location: Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
Must-Try Dish: Chef's Underwater Tasting Menu
About the Place: An unforgettable immersive dining experience where guests savor world-class seafood surrounded by sharks and stingrays in a huge aquarium.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Ossiano

15. Ravi Restaurant

Cuisine: Pakistani Street Comfort Food
Location: Satwa, Dubai
Must-Try Dish: Chicken Peshawari & Fresh Garlic Naan
About the Place: A beloved Dubai institution open for decades, serving spicy, authentic Pakistani curries to locals, tourists, and world-renowned chefs alike.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Ravi Restaurant

16. Time Out Market Dubai

Cuisine: Food Hall / Global Variety
Location: Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai
Must-Try Dish: Artisanal Burgers & Local Pastries
About the Place: A curated culinary destination bringing 17 of Dubai's best homegrown chefs and dining concepts under one roof overlooking the Dubai Fountains.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Time Out Market Dubai

17. Bait El Khetyar

Cuisine: Levantine / Arabic
Location: Najda, Abu Dhabi
Must-Try Dish: Mix Grill Platter & Hummus
About the Place: A budget-friendly local favorite in Abu Dhabi serving hearty portions of grilled meats, fresh flatbreads, and authentic Arabic dips.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Bait El Khetyar

18. Al Dhafra Dinner Cruise

Cuisine: Traditional Arabic Buffet
Location: Heritage Village Dock, Abu Dhabi
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Grilled Seafood & Arabic Desserts
About the Place: Dine on traditional Emirati and regional seafood aboard a double-decker wooden dhow cruising along the lit-up Abu Dhabi Corniche.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Al Dhafra Dinner Cruise

19. Shakespeare and Co.

Cuisine: Cafe / French & International
Location: Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah
Must-Try Dish: Freshly Baked Pastries & Gourmet Salads
About the Place: Famous for Victorian-inspired eclectic decor, plush seating, and an extensive all-day menu overlooking the waterfront fountains in Sharjah.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Shakespeare and Co.

20. Kibsons / Ripe Market Food Stalls

Cuisine: Organic Street Food & Fresh Juices
Location: Academy Park, Dubai
Must-Try Dish: Artisanal Vegan Wraps & Coconut Water
About the Place: A vibrant weekend outdoor food market featuring local food artisans, organic produce stalls, and gourmet food trucks under shaded trees.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Ripe Market Stalls

Featured Image

Traditional Middle Eastern Culinary Feast