Jerusalem
Mixing culinary influences with strict Jewish dietary laws isn't easy, but thanks to the chef-driven edgy ambition here kosher has never tasted so good…
Must-see restaurants in Middle East
Beirut
This sweet little fish restaurant on the Armenia strip has appropriately nautical blue-and-white check tables. There's a range of seafood mezze: delicious…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This contemporary Indian bistro seems mildly incongruous, away from the food court and surrounded by shops, but it packs a lot of sizzle into its kebabs,…
Abu Dhabi
Cosy dining, complete with tree sprouting in the middle of the restaurant and a mezzanine-level bar area. Concentrating on bistro-style cooking, dishes…
Kuwait City
In the grounds of the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre, by the dancing fountain, Cocoa Room serves tasty all-day breakfasts, including short rib…
Muscat
This cave-like complex of seven different restaurants includes Al Manjur, an Omani restaurant with shuwa (slow-cooked, marinated meat dishes, OR8) on the…
Oman
This popular upstairs restaurant on the main road in Ibra (opposite the Ibra Motel) offers cosy dining for reasonable prices. Particularly good value is…
Dubai
Vintage black-and-white photos of Egyptian actors keep an eye on diners here for their kushari fix (a mix of noodles, rice, black lentils, fried onions…
Bur Dubai
This hip cultural space and cafe is especially beloved for its soulful coffee and Western-style breakfast, including homemade granola, French toast and…
Dubai
Head here to refuel after you have exhausted yourself on the adjacent ski slopes. Although the surroundings are a drab brown-on-brown, the dishes are…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
With its carved wooden archways, midnight-blue partitions and elegant tables, Al Nafoorah is no slouch in the looks department. The menu ticks all the…
Dubai
With silver-and-white interiors and a sandy terrace with front-row views of Burj Al Arab, Rockfish serves up Mediterranean-style seafood in glam but…
Argento Empanadas at the Market
Jerusalem
When you've satisfied your falafel and hummus cravings, head to Argento for homemade Argentinian empanadas. Argento’s Argentinian-Israeli chef cooks up…
Tehran
This beautifully restored 300-year-old building was originally part of the Imamzadeh Seyyed Nasreddin shrine opposite before being separated when Khayyam…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Expect vibrant decor, from the colourfully painted truck dominating the exterior facade to the antique wood doors and sweeping lounge bar where cocktails…
Jerusalem
In the running for best Old City hummus and falafel joint, Lina's moreish hummus – usually glistening with olive oil – is among Jerusalem's best. There…
Jerusalem
Pepito's brings a taste of South American street food to Mahane Yehuda Market. An ode to Israelis with South American roots – and to the just…
Iran
Looking for all the world like a basement bric-a-brac shop, with ancient radios and crazy wooden statues, Jahannama serves up delicious food, especially…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
The faux 'Emirati house' set-up and fake camel plonked outside the front door may get your tour-group radar buzzing, but this place is actually a favoured…
Doha
A popular Lebanese fast-food chain serving all hours of the day, with a menu built around manakeesh (a cross between pizza and flatbread), sprinkled with…
Downtown Dubai
Yamanote has the novel idea of combining traditional European bakery delicacies with Japanese ingredients. The results include such irresistible sweet…
Jerusalem
Whole wheat, with raisins, braided, mini – all your challah needs are satisfied at this well-known bakery that also supplies upscale Jerusalem hotels…
Shiraz
The friendly waiters at this tiny, attractively decorated restaurant in a busy part of town certainly earn their wages, rushing upstairs to serve a…
Downtown Dubai
Flanked by shelves of glossily illustrated travel books, the concise menu here similarly skips across cultures and continents and is innovative and…
Doha
Dishes here are delicately presented, from the morish creamy fresh burrata to the light, flavoursome sea bass with lobster butter. The risotto is done…
Kuwait City
Joa is a solid counter-service poke joint inside Kuwait's popular luxury mall. Choose your bowl's base (rice, quinoa or cauliflower) and then your protein…
Iran
Though lacking any contemporary zest, Eros (formerly called Absha) is the neatest of many eateries around Shahrdari Sq. It's owned by a butchery company…
Oman
Serving international cuisine, this canteen-style restaurant at the visitors centre isn't always open as billed outside high season, so call ahead to be…
United Arab Emirates
Locals love this place serving well-priced fresh seafood amid a very cheerful, and fish-thematic (fish mobiles hanging from the ceiling, plastic fish…
Sharjah
Grab some spicy hummus, yalanji (stuffed grape-leaves) and a rocca (rocket) salad and you've got a tasty lunch going on. This place is very popular with…
Jerusalem
HaAgas 1 is the place to go for travellers seeking organic veggie, vegan and gluten-free twists on Middle Eastern favourites, like veggie kibbeh, a bulgur…
Wadi Musa
Cavernous and friendly, this restaurant serves local Bedouin specialities, including mensaf (Bedouin dish of lamb on a bed of rice) and makloubeh (chicken…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Retro Feasts was started by a couple of young Londoners nostalgic for their childhood food. The setting is sublime, right on the sand with comfortable…
Tel Aviv
Somewhat officious maîtres d’ orchestrate the service at this hugely popular cafe-brasserie opposite Rabin Sq. The art deco–inspired interior is très…
Downtown Dubai
One of Dubai’s premier steakhouses, Exchange Grill has updated its former, rather stuffy decor and now boasts a punchy New York–inspired look with…
Dubai
Since 1978, everyone from cabbies to professional chefs has flocked to this Pakistani eatery, where you eat like a prince and pay like a pauper. Loosen…
Amman
This is a pleasant low-key cafe-restaurant that attracts a young crowd with its open areas and terrace plus good cheap food. Going simple is the best –…
Downtown Dubai
Nick and Scott of Folly fame have taken over the (former) Black Lion and updated the name, the decor (a bit) and, most importantly, the grub. The classics…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This classy cafe – an outpost of celebrity chef Thomas Keller's popular US chain – serves fiendishly good pastries, cakes and macarons. Everything is…
Tabuk
Every town in Saudi has one, and this is Tabuk's version of a restaurant set within a beautiful mock fort. The Qaryiat has cosy rooms centred on an open…
