Iran
This cheap and cheerful small restaurant does tasty takes on the usual kababs, stews and rice dishes.
Must-see restaurants in Middle East
Wadi Musa
Good for putting together a picnic, the Sanabel Bakery sells a delicious range of Arab sweets.
Golan Heights
Picnic supplies for a hike or Shabbat. Situated 100m east of Merkaz Eitan commercial centre.
Karak
These popular shawarma stands are in a busy part of town, and offer a quick, filling meal.
Ein Gedi
The only proper food shop in the area. Situated next to Kibbutz Ein Gedi's dining hall.
Upper Galilee & Golan
Israel's only 100% spelt bakery has delicious bread, crackers, cookies and snacks.
Upper Galilee & Golan
Head here for picnic supplies and self-catering at reasonable prices.
Bur Dubai
The sister restaurant of the fabled Bu Qtair sits on the corner of a lone gentrified block in working-class Karama, with plastic chairs and tables spread…
Deira
In a city that likes to teeter on the cutting edge, this revolving restaurant on the 25th floor is endearingly old school. After a makeover in 2017, the…
Dubai
This corporate take on the street food truck craze comes complete with a kids' playground, prayer rooms, ATMs and other infrastructure and makes a good…
Dubai
Close to the Mall of the Emirates (next to a Holiday Inn), this local favourite is famous for its kunafeh (cheesy pastry in sugar syrup). Before the sweet…
Tel Aviv
The free self-service tshai nana (mint tea) is a nice touch, but Florentin regulars are drawn here solely on the strength of the hummus. Choose from fuul …
Beirut
Yes, it's a chain, but Bar Tartine's original Mar Mikhaël location is set back from the road, up a set of stairs (as many restaurants on this stretch are)…
Tel Aviv
A veritable dream for vegans, Anastasia has it all – breakfasts, salads, soups, sandwiches and more. Set on the leafy corner of Frischmann and Reines Sts,…
Beirut
Beirut first fell for sushi in the naughties; today myriad sushi joints are dotted throughout the city. Tsunami is the best you can get without putting on…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Nusr'et is part of the steakhouse chain run by Nusret Gökçe (better known as viral video sensation #saltbae), who became famous due to his peculiar…
Tel Aviv
Take a trip to Africa with this small, funky Ethiopian vegan restaurant. It may be situated in a rundown area of the city, but the food here is well worth…
Dubai
With a simple whitewashed wood pavilion set right on the beach in the shadow of Burj Al Arab, Shimmers is big on atmosphere. The homestyle Greek cuisine…
Tel Aviv
Head to the south side of Rabin Sq for English-inspired fish and chips with an Israeli twist (of lemon). Yes, Joseph & Sons has fine cod and chips (the…
Downtown Dubai
This Virginia-based chain proves that there is such a thing as guilt-free fast food by serving burgers made entirely from organic, grass-fed and free…
Tel Aviv
Modestly claiming to serve ‘the best hamburgers in the universe’, Susu & Sons does set the burger bar high. It's been an instant hit, so expect long…
Bur Dubai
Teeming with tourists lured by the romantic Creekside setting, this restaurant occupies one of Dubai's oldest buildings, a 1930s shipping office, and has…
Beirut
The Beirut food community, deprived of affordable Asian food for so long, lost its mind for a minute when Don opened. This place hits all the trend marks:…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
What makes this indulgent cafe in the Galleria Mall an experience is the exceptional view of Abu Dhabi's Al Zahiyah district from the wall of windows in…
Abu Dhabi
This restaurant isn't going to win any prizes for decor, but it does muster up delicious authentic Indian, Pakistani, Iranian and Middle Eastern dishes …
Abu Dhabi
A favourite meeting spot for Emiratis, this old-fashioned cafe deals in coffee and cake, croissants and classic sandwiches with some pasta dishes thrown…
Amman
This popular restaurant in the heart of downtown is as much about the ambience as the traditional Jordanian food. Squeezed into every nook and cranny of…
Iran
This large, new basement restaurant, across the road from the Negin Hotel, feels a little generic but the short menu is available in English and the…
Southeastern Iran
Low-priced, good-quality meals see locals clamouring to order at this simple but not unattractive eatery: most people grab takeaways but there are takht …
Iran
The only restaurant within the Ferdosi Mausoleum park is brighter and more pleasant than it looks from outside, with a choice of carpeted seating or takht…
Bur Dubai
Jaffer Bhai, the self-crowned 'biryani king of Mumbai', now feeds his soulful fare to adoring crowds in this modern Karama eatery decorated with a…
Bur Dubai
Look beyond the sun-bleached photos of dishes: the menu may have few surprises but does staples like grills, hummus and tabbouleh (salad of tomatoes,…
Tel Aviv
The 'Don' is a cut above the rest of Tel Aviv's Italian restaurants. Located in the prestigious Jaffa Hotel, diners can sit in the restored 19th-century…
Deira
This is not a frontage you can stroll by without a second glance: a scarlet, neon-lit extravaganza of dragons and lanterns with a pagoda-style roof…
Deira
Tucked into a ho-hum hotel (albeit across from the Creek) and incongruously fronted by a red British phone booth, this coffeeshop-type eatery is…
Bethlehem
This Manger Sq eatery is the place to go for traditional Palestinian food downtown, with a range of dishes including makloubeh ('upside down' chicken,…
Abu Dhabi
If you want a taste of how seafood is enjoyed locally, nose round the back of the fish market, near the dry-fish section. This tiny Indian restaurant …
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
At this teensy country-style eatery most of the fresh ingredients – from lemons to chickens – are sourced from growers based in nearby Al Ain. Barbecued…
Esfahan
Located in the Armenian Quarter, this cafeteria-style restaurant serves enormous plates of food. There’s a large self-service salad bar and several…
