Where to Eat in Dubai

When you think about all there is to see and do in Dubai, there’s no doubt about it: the city has everything you can imagine and will never leave you indifferent. Its unstoppable economic and technological progress is in harmony with the more traditional essence of the United Arab Emirates, and this is also reflected in its cuisine.

Just as it can offer you a traditional Arab tea house or a Lebanese restaurant, it can also surprise you with the finest American steak or dishes straight from Italy or Greece. If your mouth is watering, don’t waste any more time! Below, I’ll give you a list of the best places to eat in Dubai.

If you’ve come to Dubai to learn more about the culture and traditions of the United Arab Emirates and want to fully immerse yourself in the local cuisine, the Arabian Tea House is one of the places you must visit for a meal. This spot, in addition to boasting spectacular architecture that makes it the center of attention for every camera, also features a menu with great variety and exceptional quality.

Its signature dishes are Tahta Laham, a traditional dish made with meat, rice, and spices, and its breakfasts, brimming with Arabic flavors. This restaurant prides itself on impeccable service and has earned its place as one of the most highly recommended spots to sample traditional Dubai cuisine.

Points of interest

• Location: Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai, Bastakiya.
• Average price per person: between €10 and €30.
• Specialty: traditional and local cuisine.
• Ideal for: couples, families, and groups of friends.

If you’re not particularly interested in trying traditional cuisine and have come to Dubai to enjoy luxury and its spectacular fusion with Western cuisine, at Tribes Carnivore you can find the best meat in the entire city, featuring cuts and specialties imported from the US. Plus, the restaurant is located right in the heart of the Dubai Mall, so you can enjoy spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper.

The menu is full of steakhouse-style dishes, featuring burgers and ribs, though you can also find vegetarian options and, of course, halal-certified dishes. The portions are typically very generous, and while the place is usually quite crowded, it’s worth making a reservation to enjoy dinner with a view.

Useful Information

• Location: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai Mall.
• Average price per person: between €20 and €40.
• Specialty: meat and burgers.
• Ideal for: dates or families.

Dubai isn’t just about Arabic cuisine and its delicious, spicy dishes. It’s also a global culinary capital where you can find the best restaurants serving the cuisine you love most. If Greek cuisine is your weakness, you’ll find the Eat Greek Kouzina restaurant at the Mall of the Emirates.

With an extensive menu featuring Greece’s most famous traditional dishes, this restaurant has earned the praise of many tourists and locals alike. Their specialties include souvlaki skewers and moussaka, though every dish on the menu feels like it was plucked straight from Athens itself.

Points of interest

• Location: Mall of the Emirates, Barsha, 1.
• Average price per person: between €20 and €30.
• Specialty: Greek dishes.
• Ideal for: tourists who enjoy Greek food.

Dubai also has a space dedicated to Italy for all pasta and pizza lovers. Inside the Dubai Mall, there’s an area with several supermarkets selling Italian products, and nearby, they’ve taken the opportunity to open Eataly, one of the city’s best Italian restaurants.

It’s a place with top-quality products and haute cuisine dishes, so success is guaranteed. The specialties include seafood dishes, carpaccio, and pasta funghi. Plus, you can buy the ingredients you liked best right there.

Points of interest

• Location: Lower Ground Level, The Dubai Mall.
• Average price per person: between €30 and €50.
• Specialty: Italian dishes and ingredients.
• Ideal for: couples and lovers of Italian cuisine and haute cuisine.

Just a few minutes’ drive from downtown, in the heart of the Rub’ al Khali Desert, you’ll find not only one of the world’s most prestigious resort hotels but also a spectacular restaurant with breathtaking surroundings. If you have the chance to take a trip to the Dubai desert, I highly recommend you try this experience and go there for dinner.

In addition to its unparalleled setting amidst the dunes, it offers a high-quality menu featuring local ingredients and dishes, as well as fusions with Western cuisine. It is undoubtedly an ideal spot for a romantic date or to fully experience life in the Emirates.

Points of Interest

• Location: Al Qudra Rd, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa.
• Average price per person: between €20 and €50.
• Specialty: fusion cuisine and Arabic dishes.
• Ideal for: couples or small groups.

If what you’re looking for during your stay in Dubai is luxury and pampering, you’ll find exactly what you want in this city at places like the Al Mahara and Al Munhata restaurants, two seven-star hotels reserved for the most discerning budgets. The restaurant features a massive aquarium and a unique atmosphere.

Prices are a bit steep, costing around €70 per person . However, if you treat it as an experience and let yourself be swept away by the extensive menu, you’ll enjoy a romantic dinner surrounded by fish and exceptional service.

Points of interest

• Location: Burj Al Arab Hotel.
• Average price per person: between €40 and €80.
• Specialty: international cuisine.
• Ideal for: couples, romantic dinners.

Located on one of Dubai’s famous artificial islands, The Palm Atlantis, you’ll find one of the best Lebanese restaurants in the entire city. This type of cuisine is usually very popular with locals, but it has also earned recognition from tourists because, at Ayamna, you can not only enjoy delicious dishes but also be in a paradise-like setting with views of the sea and palm trees.

One of the best recommendations if it’s your first time visiting is to order the Lebanese Culinary Experience, so you can sample a little of each specialty. Their dishes, featuring legumes, breads, rice, meat, and spices, are sure to win over even the most discerning palate.

Points of Interest

• Location: Crescent Road, The Palm Atlantis, The Palm.
• Average price per person: between €40 and €60.
• Specialty: Lebanese cuisine and culinary experience.
• Ideal for: groups of friends or families.

Dubai is a city of contrasts, and this is also evident in its cuisine and dining scene. If you’re on vacation, even if you’re not staying at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, you can’t miss the experience of dining at its restaurant, Feast Restaurant. This place is the perfect fusion of traditional Emirati cuisine and Eastern influences.

If you enjoy fusion cuisine and traditional Chinese or Japanese dishes, you’ll find the perfect blend at this restaurant. Plus, it features an open kitchen so you can watch your dishes being prepared. It’s also famous for its desserts, so plan ahead and save room for these Arabian treats.

Points of interest

• Location: 3 Sheikh Zayed Road | Sheraton Grand Hotel.
• Average price per person: between €25 and €35.
• Specialty: Oriental and fusion cuisine.
• Ideal for: couples, families, or groups of friends.

Good food doesn’t always have to be expensive, and at Operation Falafel, they know this well. The goal of this restaurant is to offer you a wide variety of traditional Arab food, just as the locals eat it, at an affordable price. It is thanks to this philosophy that it has made the list of one of Dubai’s most highly rated restaurants.

Its specialty, as the name suggests, is falafel, but they also offer a wide variety of shawarmas and a mouthwatering banana-and-chocolate dessert shaped like a pizza.

Points of interest

• Location: Jumeirah Beach Residence.
• Average price per person: between €5 and €10.
• Specialty: affordable Arabic cuisine.
• Ideal for: large groups of family and friends.

If you’re spending the day strolling along the Dubai Marina promenade and want a quick but tasty bite to eat, don’t hesitate to stop by Catch 22, a simple spot packed with dishes that are sure to impress. Despite its distinctly American vibe, its star dishes are sushi and seafood.

For a very reasonable price, you can sit down and try their delicious seafood stir-fries and pair them with classic American milkshakes. Plus, its location right in the heart of Dubai Marina offers beautiful ocean views.

Points of interest

• Location: La Mer, Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
• Average price per person: between €10 and €20.
• Specialty: Asian fusion cuisine.
• Ideal for: families and groups of friends.

Dubai may be one of the most expensive and luxurious cities in the world, but it’s also one of the most versatile, so you don’t have to keep your wallet closed when it comes to dining. Throughout the city, you’ll find all kinds of places to enjoy delicious, traditional food that suits every budget.

If you want to dine in dreamy settings with stunning views and haute cuisine menus, the city offers some of the world’s best restaurants. However, there are also hundreds of local eateries and restaurants serving high-quality local food at low prices. Therefore, prices can range from €5 to over €100.

Dubai’s cuisine, and that of the United Arab Emirates in general, is heavily influenced by Arab cuisine, so many dishes feature legumes, tangy sauces, spices like turmeric or cumin, and seasoned meats.

Some of the most typical recipes include hummus, mezze, tabbouleh, and mackbus. All of these dishes feature a blend of stewed meats with fresh, citrusy notes and plenty of spices that give them a special touch. Pork, however, is prohibited throughout the country under Islamic law, and the pork offered to tourists is usually not of very good quality, so I don’t recommend it.

You might think that eating inside a shopping mall isn’t the most idyllic plan when you’re on vacation. However, in Dubai, things are different, as you’re in a city where consumerism and the economy take precedence over everything else.

That’s precisely why, inside the Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in the entire city, offering unbeatable service and hospitality. Plus, you’ll have the chance to interact directly with locals and get a more authentic experience.

Being able to choose from the wide variety of foods and specialties available in Dubai is a real privilege, but you should also know that street food is allowed in the city, especially in the more traditional neighborhoods like Deira.

Here, you’ll find street food stalls in the souk where you can try a snack or a traditional dish alongside the locals at a price that’s quite affordable compared to the city average. Go ahead and get your hands dirty—try a taste of the most authentic Dubai.

Most of the best restaurants in Dubai are located within a shopping complex, such as the Dubai Mall, the Mall of the Emirates, or the Dubai Marina. That’s why these establishments typically have continuous hours from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m., or midnight on weekends.

However, if the restaurant is a standalone establishment, the most common opening and closing times are from 12 p.m. until midnight, with no break between lunch and dinner. Dubai is a city that never sleeps and is always ready to offer you a table where you can enjoy a delicious meal.