Tel Aviv
A few metres back from the main street and a few hundred miles from the mainstream, the Minzar is that rare thing: a pub without a closing time. A now…
Must-see nightlife in Middle East
Mashhad
This unpretentious juice shop serves Mashhad’s best maajun (IR80,000-150,000), a fabulous mush of crushed walnuts, pistachios, ice cream, cream, banana…
Ramallah
A Ramallah institution and not just because of its mischievous take on the logo – or indeed, the entire concept – of the US coffee giant. Stars & Bucks is…
Iran
The attractive mezzanine coffee shop inside Qom International Hotel offers respite from the cold in winter and a welcome blast of air-con in summer. It…
Muscat
This branch of a popular chain of local-style coffee shops has the advantage of a magnificent view of the sea and a small garden for shisha smokers,…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Definitely not the classiest joint in town but this long-running nightclub can be hilarious for people-watching, and the resident band and a DJ provide…
Tehran
In the lovely gardens of the Film Museum of Iran, this chic cafe, one of a chain you'll find across Tehran, serves a wide range of expensive but very…
Iran
The rooftop of this simple cafe, hanging out over the sheer hillside, is an excellent place for a cold drink (or a pizza), as there are extensive views…
Jerusalem
Good spot for its outdoor seating in the adjacent plaza, which is packed to overflowing when screening live sporting events on big screens. It's a solid…
Downtown Dubai
Finding this neon-lit Japanese bar, hidden speakeasy-style behind a bookcase off the lobby of the Dusit Thani Hotel, requires a clear head, which you may…
Northern Coast
This local coffeeshop prepares delicious fresh juices (500 baisa). You can sit at the small sea-facing terrace here and watch boats entering the new…
Dubai
Facing a shallow pond, Nar is a popular cool-kid hangout in the cooler months. Aside from a large shisha selection, it makes some mean mocktails that go…
Iran
This seasonal teahouse (which opens in good weather) is a series of simple wooden pavilions amid plane trees across the river from Roein (behind the fish…
Doha
This sports pub with exposed brickwork and wooden tables has 12 TV screens, plus regular live bands and happy-hour deals every day between 5pm and 8pm…
Tehran
Brick-walled and attractively decked out with old projectors, cameras and radios, this is a cosy little place to stop for coffee or hot chocolate,…
Bethlehem
No relation to Ramallah's famous Starbucks copycat, Star Bucks Bethlehem is a small coffee kiosk with great views across Manger Sq to the Church of the…
Dubai
Although Sho Cho is primarily a Japanese restaurant, it's the heady lure of the cool Gulf breezes and potent cocktails on the laid-back terrace that…
Jerusalem
Arches of Jerusalem stone and the glint of wine racks make this restaurant, housed in a 400-year-old former workshop, an atmospheric place for a drink,…
Oman
A small shack selling snacks offers a shady seating area close to the ferry across Wadi Shab. It makes an ideal place to enjoy a tea or coffee while…
Iran
Only handy if you're staying nearby, this gently stylish cafe, south of the centre, serves good, strong espressos.
Tabriz
Vaulted underground qaylan den full of smoke and male students puffing away on carpeted platforms. It also does dizi (IR70,000), if you don't mind choking…
Doha
This rooftop bar and nightclub has soaring city views and a long bar with a DJ booth behind it. Parties can be wild, but the queues can be long and…
Muscat
Named after the raised ship and its booty of silver treasure that made the fortunes of the Hyatt’s owner, this bar is a sophisticated setting for some…
Iran
While not the most stylish of coffeeshops, this friendly place makes good-value espressos (IR50,000 to IR70,000), has courtyard as well as indoor seating…
Iran
Pleasantly appointed split-level cafe cube serving shakes (IR50,000), hot chocolate and good Turkish coffee (IR60,000) – beautifully presented with a…
Amman
This cafe has good views over the city, and you can sit on the roof in summer. It's close to the Roman theatre, although frustratingly you can't see it…
Bur Dubai
Sip a martini at this dimly lit, stylish cocktail bar and enjoy some smooth live jazz by the resident singer and pianist every night except Sunday, from 9…
Iran
The most upmarket caffeine and nicotine den in town has huge windows as dark as its coffee. It's in front of Maku Tourist Inn.
Muscat
For Muscat’s perennial hot spot, visit Rock Bottom Café, which has live music every night with a DJ and a dance floor in case the mood takes you.
Caesarea
Along Binyamina's main drag, this chain cafe has an ambient soundtrack wafting across a greenhouse-like terrace. A friendly spot for a coffee.
Iran
Extremely cutesy refreshments are on offer at this teahouse, located at the inscriptions site.
Mashhad
It's pomegranate paradise – from juice (from IR50,000) to cake to the stylised red frontage of this small, contemporary juice bar.
Tabriz
Afagato Tabrizi! This cafe on the square by Mokhaberat Blvd does good espresso and a mean ice-cream sundae.
Iran
Old-school subterranean teahouse. Look for chai signs and a down staircase not far from the corner of Imam St.
Aqaba
This is a good cafe for sweetened tea and desperately black coffee. There's an upstairs seating area.
