Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Only in Dubai. Yalla specialises in quirky samosas, but its recently released 24-karat-gold concoction certainly crowns the list: it's a king-size bite…
Must-see restaurants in Middle East
Iran
If it were central this sofrekhane-style restaurant would be the obvious choice for kababs, tarchin (a layered lamb and rice dish) or a teahouse…
Southeastern Iran
Making cursory attempts to create a traditional teahouse atmosphere, this reliable yet inexpensive basement restaurant is a popular option for backpackers…
East Jerusalem
The Jerusalem Hotel serves food within a stone-walled cellar and, even better, in the courtyard under a pergola heavy with grapevines. It's a pleasant…
Muscat
East of the main entrance to Mutrah Souq on Mutrah Corniche, this thoroughly typical local-style restaurant with tables on the pavement is an ideal place…
Beirut
Any given Beirut manoushe (Levant-style ‘pizza’)stand can be hit or miss. The best turn out better manoushe than the Lebanese Bakery does, but on a short…
Beirut
Jai is Beirut's first pan-Asian restaurant, and it remains a stalwart. The restaurant itself is minuscule, only large enough to house the kitchen and one…
Esfahan
A favourite meeting place for local businessmen, smart young couples and ladies on shopping expeditions, the coffee shop at Esfahan’s best hotel serves…
Haifa
Veal stroganoff, Cordon Bleu–style chicken medallions and mussels in Pernod form an eclectic menu that borrows from multiple Mediterranean cuisines…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
The Westin's all-day buffet restaurant has dishes that aim at pleasing all, in an airy setting with citrus-coloured furniture on a white tiled floor and…
Tel Aviv
Xoho is a cafe with more than a hint of an American accent. Run by Anglos and popular with English-speakers, it's close to the Dizengoff St scene cafe but…
Hajar Mountains
This unlikely campground at the entrance to the village doubles as a restaurant at weekends. Buffets include Omani rice and Indian dishes. Sleep off…
Bur Dubai
Egyptian flavours reign supreme here with tajines, mashawi (roasted meat), stuffed pigeon and a juicy bamia (okra casserole), although there are some…
Tel Aviv
Every neighbourhood should have its own Cafe Lucia. Known for its breads and pastries (the owners also operate the Lachmanina Bakery), its shady street…
West Bank
This is a classic sawdust-on-the-floor Nablusi eatery just a short walk from the main gate into the Old City. Staff speak little English but will happily…
Tel Aviv
A smallish gastro bar that packs a big punch, Hôtel de Ville opened in 2018 and has gained a reputation as one of the best new places to eat in TLV. Chef…
Tabriz
It was once Tabriz' premier fish restaurant, but Baliq's standards no longer quite match its prices (which in turn don't quite match its bills). It's…
Dubai
This multi-branch staple hasn't lost a step since first firing up that charcoal grill in 1972. Chicken tikka and various kebabs are all tickled to…
Iran
The facade looks bland, but inside the decor is a kitschy delight. Achaemenid figures lead down to a vaulted cavern, artificial grotto and circular dining…
Bur Dubai
Locals love the opulent Bedouin tent–style ceiling of this formal Lebanese restaurant in the Grand Hyatt hotel, complete with belly dancer and live band…
Al Shariq Restaurant & Coffeeshop
Oman
This typical local-style restaurant, with its attractive red-painted exterior, has tiny, screened cubicles for private family dining. There's a huge…
Amman
This restaurant doesn’t look much from the outside and looks positively uninviting from the street entrance, but it turns out decent seafood, fried up in…
Tel Aviv
One of the most popular cheap eateries in the hip neighbourhood of Florentin, Casbah is run by the same people behind the equally cool Hoodna Bar, just…
Southeastern Iran
This sofrekhane sonati–style teahouse serves dizi and other basic meals at carpeted tea-beds, but it only opens in the evening (except on Fridays). When…
Haifa
Hidden away behind busy HaNassi Ave, this chain cafe serves a hotchpotch of East-meets-West recipes – with varying success. Offerings range from pad ka…
Iran
This family-oriented tea cavern overflows with character, especially in its carpet-draped front cellar. The good dizi sangi (stew of lamb, chickpeas and…
Ein Bokek
In a Bedouin tent (no air-con!) outfitted with rugs, pillows and low couches, Ein Bokek's best restaurant serves Middle Eastern grilled meats (kosher),…
Deira
The big draw at this handsome restaurant dressed in sensuous silks and embroidered tapestries is the yum cha (dim sum) buffet served nightly and at…
Downtown Dubai
Thiptara means 'magic at the water' – very appropriate given its romantic setting in a lakeside pagoda with unimpeded views of the Dubai Fountain. The…
Downtown Dubai
There's nothing like adding a little texture to your cuppa courtesy of a sprinkling of slightly sweet and gummy tapioca. Originally a Taiwanese treat…
Al Batinah Restaurant & Coffee Shop
Oman
Serving delicious grilled meat, steaming piles of biryani, whole fried chicken and fish scooped from the sea by the fishermen mending their nets nearby,…
Tel Aviv
Movieing feels like a quintessential Tel Aviv cafe. Packed with good-looking people, it has everything a local caff needs – fab breakfasts with poached…
Deira
One of Dubai's oldest Japanese restaurants (since 1987), Miyako now flaunts a post-facelift contempo look while retaining its three-way split into…
Iran
Currently the most popular restaurant in Nahar Khoran, Soufi looks very alluring from the road and the front-balcony tables with wrought-iron chairs are a…
Deira
This oldie but goodie serves modernised Indian fare in an elegant, dimly lit dining room that radiates the intimacy of an old private villa. The menu…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This is the Lebanese fast-food favourite among locals, with high-quality Levant street food at heart-warmingly low prices. Stick to what they do best:…
Ramallah
Across the road from La Grotta, close to the Old City and down the hill from Al Manara, Boaz is a hole-in-the-wall kebab house with a few plastic tables…
Jebel Shams
By the signpost for Dar Lawi, across from some picnic shelters (and derelict toilets best avoided), this simple one-storey establishment with a barasti …
Beirut
Head up the wooden staircase to access this huge and ultra-popular restaurant and then choose between a garden table or one in the attractively decorated…
Tel Aviv
A staple of north Tel Aviv, Fu is predominantly a sushi restaurant that also serves some of the best noodles in town. Right near the fashionable corner of…
