Northern Coast
A seasonal cafe opens at the Wadi Dayqah dam at peak times (from November to January), offering simple fare (microwaved burgers and other snacks) in a…
Must-see restaurants in Middle East
Southeastern Iran
In Enghelab Park this domed teahouse has inexpensive kebabs; it's well worth considering for breakfast for its tomato omelettes (given a little extra zest…
Oman
For a partial sea view and newly caught hamour (a type of grouper) from the fish market opposite, this simple eatery serves delicious Turkish food at…
Dhofar
One of a couple of basic coffee shops on top of the incline above the Ittin Rd, this simple establishment offers a few seats under shady trees that bob…
Jerash
The only restaurant inside the Jerash ruins, this is a welcome stop for weary visitors. Located near the South Gate, it attracts large volumes of tourists…
Manama
Plain, simple and clean, this no-frills grill serves meals spiced up by the panorama of life in the heart of the city. The dishes range from those…
Tel Aviv
A stylish restaurant on the corner of Nachmani and Yehuda HaLevi Sts, Bana has a vegan buffet serving seasonal dishes. With its ideal location and modern…
Al Saula'ee Restaurant & Grills
Oman
One of many similar grill restaurants here, this local favourite is distinguished by a white-picket fence enclosing a small tree-shaded yard. If it's too…
Tabriz
A plexiglas elevator fires you through the Elgoli hotel atrium as though you're at Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, for predictably great views. The basic…
Ramallah
It's no longer the only place to get pizza in Ramallah, but it is easy to see how Pronto has survived since 1997 in a city where many restaurants barely…
Tel Aviv
Serving up one of the meatiest burgers in town, Fat Cow unashamedly caters for carnivores: the butcher’s knives displayed on the walls next to the heavy…
West Bank
Situated in the lobby of the Al Yasmeen Hotel, Zeit ou Zaatar is worth noting because of its excellent range of both Palestinian and Levantine dishes,…
Yazd
Caesar, in vogue with a fashionable crowd, is a world away from Yazd's old city. Decent attempts at classic Italian dishes are worthwhile; the Iranian…
Bur Dubai
A favourite pit stop of expats and Karama Market shoppers with an eye for a biryani bargain, this local chain puts tummies into a state of contentment…
Tel Aviv
Fantastic for kids, this branch of the Landwer chain, next to Gordon Swimming Pool and Tel Aviv Marina, has plenty of space for families to chill…
Downtown Dubai
This multibranch pan-Asian restaurant is a reliably good choice for a casual lunch or dinner. There’s great variety – from roast duck to noodle soups,…
Beirut
Supremely out of place in the sleepy Geitawi neighborhood, El Brimo's Vegas-style facade hides an elegantly restored manor house with a garden. The mezze…
Saudi Arabia
The lack of tourism infrastructure on Greater Farasan is summed up by the fact that this small, local restaurant with basic seating only for men is one of…
Deira
In fast-moving Dubai, this restaurant has defied the odds and stayed popular since 2006. That's largely because of its legendary Friday Champagne brunch…
Tel Aviv
Run by the same company that own the popular Brasserie M&R, the Bakery is a smallish cafe with a similar French atmosphere. More than a regular coffee bar…
Dubai
Noodles are prepared here in every style imaginable – braised, tossed, fried, added to soups and paired with seafood, beef, chicken, duck or tofu. Service…
Jerusalem
Jerusalemites are fans of fast food, and they're always happy to join 'best snack in the city' debates. When they do, this place on pedestrianised Ben…
Iran
If the waft of delicious fresh bread from the bakery opposite Qom International Hotel makes you hungry, then the local-style restaurant next door is a…
Dubai
We rarely get excited about lobby lounges, but this elegant symphony of one got our attention for including a Middle Eastern breakfast in its greet-the…
Amman
This place really specialises in sweets and pastries, but it has a large, good-value restaurant at the back that provides an opportunity to try typical…
Muscat
This light-spangled restaurant on Mutrah Corniche offers cosy indoor dining on sedans under Turkish lanterns, or at trestle tables alongside Mutrah's busy…
Tel Aviv
Onza taps into the buzz of the Jaffa flea market with its lively atmosphere of music, cocktails and gourmet food. Influenced by the Ottoman-era…
Southeastern Iran
With enameled metal tables, a household kitchen stove and picture-tiled walls, this ultra-down-market cafe is a great spot for people-watching over a…
Tehran
Decorated with antique photographs, this traditional restaurant in the middle of the park, has a laid-back ambience and is a relatively quiet space …
Israel
Named after one of the founders of the city of Petah Tikva, Shtampfer is located in the centre of town and attracts a lively multinational crowd, which…
Tel Aviv
Popular not just by name, this spot is also one of Tel Aviv's trendiest new cocktail bars, where DJs spin until late. Set on the ground floor of a new…
Deira
If you are strolling from Naif Market to the gold souq and beyond, consider taking a refreshing lassi sidestep. Plain, mango, strawberry, mixed fruit and…
Deira
Big hunks of meat – mutton or chicken – charred on foot-long skewers are paired with Afghan pulao (rice pilaf), chewy bread and homemade hot sauce. That’s…
Tel Aviv
Popular with young Tel Avivians, Taqueria is a down-to-earth Mexican joint with very reasonably priced tacos and burritos, plus probably the best nachos…
Tel Aviv
This branch of the popular ice-cream chain offers some much-needed Italian ice cream on those hot and humid summer days. More than an ice-cream shop, it…
Tel Aviv
A popular boutique ice-cream parlour, Vaniglia has branches in Sarona, the Old Railway Station and Ibn Gabirol St. But our favourite is this one with a…
Bur Dubai
The original branch of what has evolved into a shopping mall mainstay, Pars serves Iranian classics like chelo kebab (kebab with rice) and khoresh-e…
Beirut
A favourite with the affluent Achrafiyeh set, this chain cafe at the start of Rue Gouraud is a fine spot to indulge in some people watching. You'll need…
Beirut
The poke wave is crashing into Beirut in a big way. Ahi Poke was the first poke place to open in the city, and, for now at least, it’s the best. Ahi Poke…
Beirut
Zwizz, as the kids call it, is the hometown hero of the Lebanese fast food scene. Franchises abound, and they all sling the same tasty, healthy-ish,…
