Bur Dubai
Prints by Goan cartoonist Mario Miranda decorate the simple, buzzing dining room of this purveyor of magically spiced dishes from the tropical Indian…
Must-see restaurants in United Arab Emirates
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
India's first Michelin-starred chef, Vineet Bhatia, is the menu maven at this gorgeous, intimate dining room lorded over by big brass Natraj sculptures…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Next to the Skydive Dubai drop zone, this stylish outpost with attached beach club checks all the culinary boxes, from breakfast to late-night snacks…
Dubai
Salt started life as a roaming food truck serving delicious mini-burgers, before graduating to two silver Airstreams parked permanently at Kite Beach…
Abu Dhabi
This aged, flamboyant gem, with fading decor, sports a sumptuous majlis (reception room) that has entertained princes and sheikhs over decades. The lunch…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Thanks to whitewashed walls, flagstone paths and breezy blue and white decor, this charming beachfront restaurant conjures up thoughts of summer on the…
Abu Dhabi
This upbeat joint at the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi is a favourite for its tasty fare, which hopscotches from Japan to Singapore and China to Thailand…
Abu Dhabi
You might hear this small kiosk serving up booza (Middle Eastern ice cream) before you see it. Staff wield a giant wooden pestle, rhythmically beating…
Dubai
Despite the name, this hip home-grown chain doesn't stop at falafel, here served with a side of creamily nutty tahini or tucked into a pita or saj …
Al Mina Modern Cuisine & Restaurant
Abu Dhabi
Most visitors steam on past this glass-fronted restaurant in the hunt for its more famous neighbour, Al Dhafra. That's a pity because the ambience here,…
Dubai
Tucked away in the Arabian Ranches suburb, this European-style brasserie is a favourite with expats, especially at the weekend, so be sure to book ahead…
Downtown Dubai
Milas is how Emiratis pronounce majlis – the traditional guest reception room. This particular majlis has a sleek contemporary look (wood, glass, neon)…
Abu Dhabi
In the World Trade Center Souk, with pleasant food-court-style seating, locally recommended Lebanese-leaning Tarbouche deals in mezze and an extensive…
Abu Dhabi
This snug little den near the Mina Fish Market is decked out with partitioned cushioned floor seating (no shoes please). It's the perfect place to try…
Abu Dhabi
The door name may not match that on the menu, but empty tables are as rare as hen's teeth in this simple family-friendly cafeteria that swoops through…
Abu Dhabi
This outpost of the Australian chain has open kitchens overlooking a dining area decked out in stainless steel and earthy wood colours. The eclectic…
Abu Dhabi
Amid a hilariously over-the-top re-creation of a Marrakshi riad interior, dripping with lanterns, archways and some dubious desert-panorama murals, dine…
Brunswick Eatery, Bar & Terrace
Dubai
This former sports bar has rebranded into a hip new eatery, though there is still at least one sport-on-the-telly screen. The decor is cool industrial…
Dubai
Tucked inside The Square, the only licensed retail space in City Walk, this swanky spot is the brainchild of the Galvin brothers, one of whom is a…
Abu Dhabi
This shawarma joint buzzes in the evening when takeaway orders come fast and thick. Standard beef or chicken versions, stuffed in fresh pita bread baked…
Abu Dhabi
This family-friendly cafe is beloved by foreign residents who come here for home-baked cakes, all-day breakfasts, soups, salads, toasted sandwiches and…
Downtown Dubai
Downtown residents regularly swing by the downstairs boulangerie (bakery) for buttery croissants, toothsome pastries or petit déjeuner (breakfast) on the…
Dubai
Surrender helplessly to your inner carnivore at this canalside meat temple where yummy cuts of aged steaks range from Australian grain-fed Angus to New…
Abu Dhabi
The chintzy Edwardian style may seem a bit out of place but this UAE chain restaurant is an Emirati firm favourite for its big breakfast menu that jumps…
Abu Dhabi
We think they're too heavy on the mayonnaise but many tout this as Abu Dhabi's best shawarma (meat sliced off a spit and stuffed in a pocket of pita-type…
Bur Dubai
Sheikhs to shoe shiners clutter this funky, been-here-forever (since 1978, to be precise) kebab joint formerly known as Special Ostadi. Amid walls…
Downtown Dubai
This two-floor industrial-style and plant-filled cafe with outdoor seating roasts its own beans, bakes its own sourdough bread and serves food that is at…
Abu Dhabi
Fuel up on falafel, fuul (mashed fava beans) and shawarma sandwiches or sit down for a char-grilled meat blow out with the full caboodle of Middle Eastern…
Abu Dhabi
Aside from a few unusually spicy dishes and spring rolls stuffed with the local favourite hammour, the over-the-door promises of a Middle Eastern–Japanese…
Abu Dhabi
Amid impeccable landscaping and a large staggered outdoor deck over the side of the pool, this is an undeniably beautiful spot by day or night. Downstairs…
Abu Dhabi
This little slice of Paris is famous for its breakfasts but also makes healthy salads, bulging sandwiches and some of the best bread, croissants and…
Abu Dhabi
A step above most mall food court options, Jehangir's Kitchen serves up value for money Mughal cuisine. The vegetarian dishes steal the show: go for a…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This friendly French bistro imported from Lebanon plays it safe with classic decor (vintage Parisian posters, red and green checked cushions) alongside a…
Downtown Dubai
Warehouse-style decor, floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace – overlooking Burj Khalifa, no less – make an instant impression at this casual all…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Kitted out like a traditional seaside taverna with whitewashed walls and sea-green painted furniture, Mythos is a little slice of Santorini hidden away in…
Bur Dubai
A grand old tree, white wicker chairs, turquoise benches and crimson bougainvillea create a sun-dappled refuge in the courtyard of an old pearl merchant's…
Abu Dhabi
We're here for the sushi and the starters rather than the mains, with lots of little flavoursome morsels to graze on. Order up a tuna tatare on wontons…
Downtown Dubai
The decor here hits the spot (along with the cuisine): warm parquet flooring, leather chairs, lofty ceilings and a huge mural of Italian actress Sophia…
Downtown Dubai
The decor here is all drama with floor-to-ceiling windows, edgy artwork and tiered, as well as secluded, dining areas. The imaginative menu is a truly…
Dubai
In keeping with the culinary mash-up trend, Moshi creates truly tasty spins on Nepalese momo (dumplings) and sushi, many meat-free. Top contenders include…
