Shiraz
Wildly popular with fashionable Shirazis, this enormous restaurant complex near Quran Gateway offers four types of dining experience: there’s a generous…
Must-see restaurants in Middle East
Doha
Part shop, part cafe, this cute and atmospheric spot would fit in London's hip Shoreditch area. It's adorned with crafted trinkets and vintage goods, from…
Tel Aviv
The vibe here is bustling, the prices are (very) reasonable and the staff is friendly and full of energy. And let's not forget the most important thing:…
Abu Dhabi
You can't beat the beachy atmosphere of this restaurant, surrounded by narrow water-feature canals and looking out towards the sand. The pan-Asian…
Beirut
There are loads of great restaurants in Beirut, but there's only one that commands the respect of every farmer, chef and foodie in the country – and that…
Kuwait City
As unique as dining gets in Kuwait, this atmospheric restaurant is set on the huge Mohammedi II dhow. Built in Kozhikode, India, in 1979, it's made of…
Jerusalem
The main restaurant at the Israel Museum is as swanky as its setting demands, with a refined array of dishes: artichoke sofrito, stuffed ravioli and…
Nazareth
This old-time coffeehouse is famous all over town for its katayef (sweet pancakes folded over goat’s cheese or cinnamon walnuts and then doused with…
North Coast
Creamy Tomme cheese, tangy blues and yoghurt thick enough to snap a plastic spoon are just a few of the delights of this all-goat-milk dairy, 1.5km south…
Doha
Now here's somewhere special. Those with a sweet tooth should make a beeline for these splendid Middle Eastern and Turkish filo pastries such as baklava,…
Upper Galilee & Golan
One of Israel’s finest fish restaurants. Except when it's raining, diners sit outside under gorgeous fig trees with the cold, clear waters of the Dan…
Jerusalem
While locals swear by the hummus, served with pita and piquant garlic-chilli paste, this hole-in-the-wall's well-seasoned mains are also worth sampling:…
Tel Aviv
As classic as the Hemingway novel of the same name, this Old Man is still at the top of its game. Spacious enough for dozens of waiters to serve hundreds…
Haifa
Dishes at this exemplary family restaurant are as authentic as its ancient stone arches. After a warm welcome, settle in for Lebanese and Palestinian…
Haifa
Founded as a butcher’s shop, a carnivorous theme endures in Ma’ayan HaBira’s menu of Eastern European soul food. Lined with old photos and Bavarian beer…
Bethlehem
This local restaurant on a hillside in Beit Jala serves homely Palestinian food, beers and wine on the grounds of an organic farm, with hens clucking,…
Kuwait City
Fantastic views of the Kuwait Towers, a discerning menu, an exclusive chocolatier and a landmark steel-and-glass building make this one of the hippest…
Kuwait City
This unmissable waterfront restaurant is a terrific place to sample Middle Eastern fare. Grilled meat and seafood dominate, but there's also top mezze,…
Kuwait City
They've been serving excellent Middle Eastern cooking at this fine place since 1953. Charcoal-grilled meats, seafood and hearty rice dishes are menu…
Byblos
There's a golden rule in the Med: restaurants outside archaeological sites are awful. But Feniqia is a glorious exception. A beautifully decorated rustic…
Al Ain
This restaurant at the Danat Al Ain Resort will have your taste buds doing cartwheels. Tandoori (clay oven) specialities like tandoori fish tikka and…
Beirut
Beirutis of Armenian descent tend to head to this elegant restaurant in Gemmayzeh if they want to celebrate a special occasion, and once you've eaten here…
North Coast
This well-run kosher restaurant offers almost every imaginable preparation of fish: homemade sushi, tangy ceviche, baked mullet and bream, or hunks of…
Nazareth
In a 200-year-old Ottoman-era mansion, this atmospheric restaurant – the songs of the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum are on high rotation – serves…
Jerusalem
With slow-cooked comfort food, on kerosene burners no less, and efficient service, this Turkish-influenced kosher restaurant off Rehov HaEshkol St near…
Jeddah
'The man from Solo' (a city in Java Island, Indonesia) is an excellent budget Indonesian restaurant close to the start of Al Balad. It's been wholly…
Caesarea
The chefs at this chic, shoreside restaurant borrow from Italian and Greek cuisine. The menu roams from classic bistro meals (maple-glazed pork, grilled…
Doha
Famed French chef Alain Ducasse's restaurant crowning the Museum of Islamic Art is one of Doha's best. Try the whole blue lobster, or the tender camel…
Tehran
The name gives a clue to the menu: that's right, it's Iran's favourite lamb, potato and chickpea stew. Here they do it damn well, served with all the…
Tehran
Plush Divan is the pick of several restaurants operated by the Monsoon Group on the 8th floor of the swanky Sam Center. Chic furnishings, including…
Yas Island
This restaurant-bar with its terrace opening out onto the reed-covered coastal dunes is one of the most pumping places on Yas Island. Order up a pumpkin…
Tehran
Just north of the train station, this large and wonderfully atmospheric chaykhaneh (teahouse) is justly popular with locals. The dizi (lamb, potato and…
Beirut
Tucked away in true urban style under a hostel and in the shade of an overpass, this excellent semi-open space brings together locals and foreigners,…
Amman
This tiny restaurant is one of Lweibdeh's gems, and you won't mind sharing at one of the large tables on the communal verandah when the meals come. The…
Abbasi Teahouse & Traditional Restaurant
Esfahan
Set into a flank of the Abbasi Hotel's elegant main courtyard, this delightful little restaurant (not to be confused with the hotel's main restaurant)…
Madaba
Al Mandi knows the adage: do one thing and do it well. Come for an enormous plate of mandi – delicious barbecued chicken with portions of different types…
Deira
With its mix of traditional and modern Emirati cuisine, this stylish restaurant ticks all the boxes. Many dishes feature a local spice mix called bezar …
Qeshm Island
Conveniently located at the edge of Zeytoun Park and benefitting from top-notch views of the beach, Shabhaye Talai is easily the most atmospheric…
Eastern Province
South of Al Qatif's centre, this beautiful, traditional restaurant is set around an open courtyard filled with greenery and a water feature. All the staff…
Bastani Traditional Restaurant
Esfahan
Esfahan’s most atmospheric restaurant is located in the shadow of the Masjed-e Shah and features an internal courtyard with fountain, tiled walls and…
