Muscat
This intimate, licensed restaurant, with large windows and a terrace overlooking the fish market, is a good place to get a feel of Muscat’s age-old…
Must-see restaurants in Middle East
Mecca
One of the kingdom's most popular fast-food outlets, Al Tazaj offers local food served super-quick. Conveniently open 24 hours a day and next to Al Masjid…
Esfahan
Close to the Kelisa-ye Vank, this no-nonsense local favourite is housed in a cheery basement of pine furniture, illuminated dioramas and plastic flowers…
Dubai
Locals praise the chicken shawarma and grilled chicken at this traditional joint (which started life as a juice bar some 30 years ago). It is located on…
Tel Aviv
It’s impossible to miss this large restaurant on the corner of Dizengoff St and Nordau Blvd with its antique furniture outside. The menu is standard…
Tehran
This tiny, unpretentious lunchtime place serves a surprising range of Iranian dishes with Turkish fare thrown in. Kababs share space with huge pots of…
Tehran
Handy to the budget accommodation, this lunchtime place serves reliably good interpretations of the standard kababs, khoresht and zereshk polo ba morgh …
Deira
With dishes from China, Japan, India, Italy, Mexico and Mongolia, plus seafood and loads of desserts, this been-here-forever buffet restaurant delivers…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Michelin-decorated chef Gary Rhodes is famous for bringing British cuisine into the 21st century. At his plant-filled white-and-citrus-hued Dubai outpost,…
Southeastern Iran
This pleasant, bright kebab restaurant serves high-quality food in a slightly bare, triangular, drop-in dining room (and, for special occasions, in a…
Tyre
Also known locally as ‘Hadeed’, this place is famous for its fresh fish, which is served fried or grilled. A pleasant outdoor terrace overlooks the…
Fujairah City
A branch of the popular Sadaf franchise, this always-busy eatery serves up traditional Iranian fare, including grilled kebabs and delicately spiced…
Bethlehem
A lounge-style place on the opposite side of the square to Peace Center, Square is a good spot for an early evening beer with a view of the Church of the…
Jerusalem
Grab a stool at the small bar and chow down on an Angus beef patty – yep, just the patty. Buns optional. The meat is bought fresh from Mahane Yehuda…
Iran
This spacious, two-level fast-food restaurant has a certain elegance despite the lime-green colour scheme. A menu in English covers Iranian pizza, basic…
Iran
Tehran's fast-food chain comes to Orumiyeh. When you can't stomach another kabab or hidden surcharge, have a go at one of these meat-and-bean stews. There…
Haifa
This large, family-focused restaurant is a hit with Haifa's Arab community. It serves a familiar range of Middle Eastern classics – huge spreads of…
Iran
The logo implies a KFC knockoff, but while they do have ready-to-go fried chicken, there's also a range of pizzas, burgers, stuffed baked potatoes and…
Tabriz
In Daneshgah, east of the centre near the uni entrance, this is a tale of two restaurants. The scary day-glo fast-food section is popular with students,…
Tel Aviv
Robustly flavoured pan-Asian dishes including dumplings, noodles and sushi rolls are served at this bustling branch of the popular local chain. The food…
Northern Saudi Arabia
The speciality at this local fast-food chain are the wraps filled with chicken, meat or fish. It also does chicken boxes, subs, salads and burgers. In a…
Nizwa
The biggest bakery in Nizwa and part of a chain operating all over Oman, this establishment sells a range of local- and Western-style bread, cakes and…
Mitzpe Ramon
'The Barrel' serves hefty portions of fresh salad (10 kinds), steak, burgers, schnitzel, sandwiches and pasta dishes in a pub-like atmosphere and is the…
North Coast
With indoor and outdoor tables, this reliable cafe busily prepares pizzas, salads and omelettes – which seem like a mere side dishes next to their…
Muscat
Catering to homesick traders from the interior, this restaurant is one of the few to serve genuine Omani food the traditional way with seating on old…
Tehran
Akbar Mashti became famous for his ice cream in the 1950s and today his son continues to sell what he modestly describes as ‘the most famous ice cream in…
Beirut
Beirut is home to the only international outpost of this Los Angeles institution, slinging cholesterol-rich breakfast sandwiches to AUB students morning…
Qadisha Valley
Situated on the street directly below Hotel Chbat, this bar and restaurant succeeds in channelling a rustic mountain theme, with wooden furniture and a…
Al Ula
Of Al Ula’s small selection of restaurants, Al Ula Bukhari, which lies 100m south of the Saptco bus station, has the best reputation. It’s signposted in…
Hajar Mountains
Men and women sit apart (or in family groups) at this highly popular restaurant serving Omani dishes, such as chicken mandhi (OR1.7) and Indian favourites…
Dhofar
This simple coffee shop serves black tea, tea boiled with milk, soft drinks and a few basic snacks. With a shaded terrace, it's a good spot from which to…
Beirut
Despite Hamra's buzzing scene, it's not that easy to find a straight-up Lebanese restaurant without a hipster slant or burger menu. This fits the bill:…
Jebel Akhdar
Serving simple but well-prepared fare such as shawarma (shaved grilled meat in bread) and whole roasted chickens (OR2.8), this local-style restaurant has…
Iran
This mildly inventive twist on a sonati-style cafe isn't antique but the frontage has striking window-murals and the interior feels vaguely 1920s. There's…
Amman
This simple restaurant serves good local food at budget prices. The shish tawooq (marinated chicken grilled on skewers) has portions large enough for two;…
Kashan
A favourite with Kashanis celebrating weddings, birthdays and other big occasions, this brightly lit restaurant in the modern part of town serves fish…
Beirut
Had your fill of hummus? Das Küche has opened smack in the middle of Mar Mikhaël, slinging imported (read: overpriced) pork and beef brats and wursts…
Israel
The Herzliya branch of this popular Tel Aviv all-day breakfast joint is as liked as its inner-city equivalents. Diners can fill up on eggs Benedict,…
Bur Dubai
Follow Afghan tradition: find a spot on the carpet, order lots of food and eat with your hands. All dishes are served with a soup, bread and salad, making…
Hajar Mountains
This coffee shop sells snacks and simple fare in a jolly, red-decked restaurant with some chairs on the pavement. It offers a quiet place to watch…
