Abu Dhabi
The perfect place to rest up after viewing the Louvre's globe-trotting collection, this contemporary, light-filled cafe, looking out to the sea, has a…
Must-see restaurants in Middle East
Israel
With its authentic Greek menu, immaculate linen tablecloths, traditional live music and atmosphere of a taverna, Greco has quickly become one of the…
Doha
It's not a fancy place, but the rice and meat dishes here are truly delicious – and it's a chance to dine in a typically Middle Eastern atmosphere,…
Jerusalem
Biblical cuisine isn't all unleavened bread, dates and nuts. Chef and owner Moshe Basson has used ancient Israeli cuisine as his starting point to create…
Marina Breakwater
It's all about the seafood at this classy beachfront restaurant with the dining areas exuding Scandinavian minimalist style; all blonde wood, taupe and a…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
This rather romantic, dimly lit restaurant replete with comfy leather seating, ruby-red rugs and gold accents sits snug at the back of the Dusit Thani's…
Haifa
Shtroudl combines the sweet-toothed savvy of Germany and the Middle East, dishing up desserts in surrounds reminiscent of an eccentric aunt's summer house…
Jerusalem
This Parisian-style cafe with small tables lined up on German Colony's main thoroughfare has been popular with locals and the cosmopolitan set for the…
Jeddah
It's not quite like the street-food markets of Southeast Asia, but this place, with a little collection of covered wooden seating lining the corner…
Southeastern Iran
If you can find it, this brick-domed subterranean cavern makes an appealingly untouristy alternative to the larger Hamam-e Vakil teahouse. It's not quite…
Al Ain
Meaning 'my place' in Arabic, this mellow choice in Hilton Al Ain sports plenty of palms and comfortable rattan-style furniture. The menu mostly covers…
Al Ain
It’s always fiesta time at this boozy Tex-Mex cantina at the Hilton Al Ain, where you can gobble up burritos, fajitas and enchiladas, all with vegetarian…
Dubai
Al Fanar lays on the old-timey Emirati theme pretty thick with a Land Rover parked outside, a reed ceiling and waiters dressed in traditional garb. Give…
Tel Aviv
One of the friendliest falafel stalls in town, HaKosem (the Magician) is a popular snack stop on the corner of King George St. Aside from its trademark…
Tel Aviv
The thrift-shop-chic decor is truly authentic here – every piece of furniture and every decorative knicknack is for sale. In the midst of the flea-market…
Jerusalem
Stop by Café Bezalel for a relaxing pick-me-up and a taste of local produce. Centrally located on a quiet side street, Bezalel offers strong coffee and…
Southeastern Iran
Within the upper section of the Shahzde gardens, this restaurant offers private courtyard niches and two multidomed dining rooms, one cosier but darker,…
Dubai
A lift posing as a submarine drops you into a gold-leaf-clad tunnel spilling into one of Dubai's most extravagant restaurants. Tables orbit a circular…
Saudi Arabia
Located in the bustling narrow streets of the Bangla Bazaar just beyond the open-air parking north of King Faisal Rd, this is the most accessible of the…
Qatar
Big windows overlook the swimming pools and ocean in this solid, modern restaurant in Sealine Beach Resort's lobby, where tasty menu items include fresh…
United Arab Emirates
Rustic, homely Bukhara is a treat for Indian cuisine old-hands as well as those newer to India's flavours. The dal bukhara (slow-cooked black lentils in a…
Deira
This long-standing traditional Persian lair has unpretentious decor and a lovely panorama of glittering lights unfolding over the Creek. Take your sweet…
Nazareth
'Avra' means 'good atmosphere' in Greek, and that's exactly what this cafe-restaurant has, along with delicious Greek and Palestinian dishes and a…
Coffee Shop & Veggie Restaurant of Iranian Artists’ Forum
Tehran
Wholesome vegetarian meals are served in this popular place where the produce is bought fresh each day and the kitchen is completely meat-free, so there…
Upper Galilee & Golan
If you’re in the mood for something healthy – chickpea flour and vegetable quiche, for instance, or açai berries with fruit, granola and chia seeds – LA…
Jerusalem
No fried nuggets and quarter pounders here, just fast food Israeli style. Choose your meat, including salmon as an option, or vegetable (courgette,…
Sea of Galilee
From the outside you’d never guess that this unassuming restaurant serves up a sumac-accented Lebanese feast. After a parade of 11 mezze, you might want…
Tel Aviv
Just south of Rabin Sq, this cheery, chequerboard-floored kiosk slings hearty sub-style sandwiches with quality ingredients. Hip, friendly workers craft…
East Jerusalem
Al Amin Bakery brings Jerusalem together to literally break bread. On any given day Palestinians, Israelis, Ethiopians, Filipinos and tourists of all…
Mt Nebo
This trestle-tabled restaurant opposite the Ayoun Musa junction produces a daily lunch buffet of traditional Jordanian dishes, including makloubeh …
Dubai
Zheng He was an intrepid 15th-century Chinese seafarer, and the food at his namesake restaurant at the Mina A'Salam is just as adventurous. The signature…
East Jerusalem
Perch on an overhanging balcony table for a feast of Palestinian-style dishes, from fish kebabs and falafel to stuffed chicken, along with enough…
Kuwait City
Around the corner from the Muse coffee shop, this charming restaurant is tucked away in an interior courtyard. Set in a coral-and-gypsum house dating from…
Kuwait City
The 'Persian soul food' at this casual eatery is terrific, with the full range of kebabs, salads and stews – of the latter, the tangy fattoush (salad of…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
A classic of the Abu Dhabi dining scene, everyone from big family groups to office workers having a business lunch pulls up a pew here. Get stuck into a…
Tehran
There's almost always a long line (which does move reasonably quickly) snaking out of this famous restaurant that's located on a couple of upper floors of…
Akko
Excellent grilled fish and seafood and stunning Mediterranean views make this restaurant a great option for a romantic meal. Meat lovers can order a…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
On balmy nights there are few places more tranquil than Al Khaima's linen-draped terrace tables. Classic mezze such as baba ganoush (smoked aubergine dip)…
Iran
This hidden, tastefully renovated 640-year-old former hammam oozes atmosphere, with vaulted ceilings and rabbit-warren chambers. Try local pichag qeimeh …
Jerusalem
Decorated with Bible quotes, this cafe near Jaffa Gate nurtures a cosy, collegiate atmosphere and is usually brimming with excitable residents of the…
