Oman
This tiny cafe serves up tasty shawarma (pockets of bread filled with shaved meat and salad) into the small hours of the night. During the day, it offers…
Must-see restaurants in Middle East
Ein Bokek
Just south of Sky Blue Mall, this small restaurant offers sea views from some of its tables. Main dishes include beef, kebab, chicken, fish and pasta, and…
Upper Galilee & Golan
A good family choice for burgers (45NIS to 63NIS), steaks, lamb chops and other meaty dishes, most of them made with aged Golan-raised meat. Also has…
City Tower Grill Restaurant & Cafe
Muscat
Ignore the entirely irrelevant name of this venue and have an egg roll-up and fresh orange juice in view of Al Mirani Fort in this corner street cafe,…
Deira
In a prime people-watching spot near the Gold Souq, wallet-friendly Ashwaq may be just a hole-in-the-wall with a few pavement tables, but its shawarma is…
Israel
This local branch of the Tel Aviv gelateria hits the spot with its sheer array of flavours of ice cream and sorbet, plus cookies and chocolate brownies…
Jordan
Near the main roundabout, this restaurant has cheap and tasty standard Jordanian fare, including grilled chicken, hummus and shawarma (meat sliced off a…
Karak
This restaurant serves steak, chicken with local herbs, fried halloumi and mushrooms with garlic and thyme, as well as standard Jordanian fare. There's a…
Tabriz
Don't bother looking for a menu – there isn't one; just say chelo murgh or point at anybody else's plate, as the only dish here is chicken and rice. It's…
Iran
This family-friendly establishment is unusual for its female waitstaff and children’s play area. The pizzas are typically Iranian style, with lots of…
Iran
Almost out on the ring road, this cosy restaurant has a wide selection of Iranian and Western favourites. Owner Pari Bakhtiyari speaks fluent English, so…
Iran
A favourite special night out for the locals, the Arg is up an elevator from Kashani Sq (above the shopping centre) and has great views of the surrounding…
Tabriz
Locals rate the kalleh pache ('head and hoof' soup) here as the best in Tabriz. The soup is a traditional winter heart-starter and is made by boiling up…
Jordan
Self-caterers and would-be picnickers should head to this supermarket near the Omayah Hotel; it has a good selection of local produce, including the…
Deira
Though not as dynamic or sophisticated as some Asian restaurants, Yum! is open plan–informal and a good pick for a quick bowl of noodles when you’re…
Iran
The most attractive of four eateries directly north of the Omar Khayyam mausoleum, Ghaderi serves Iranian standards in a pleasant dining room and also in…
Iran
This understated place, decorated in two tones of dark-wood veneer, serves huge portions of akhbar juje (tender, slow-cooked chicken) as well as typical…
Nazareth
Decorated with colourful photos by local artists, this mellow cafe and cake shop serves sandwiches, fresh-squeezed juices and homemade baked goods,…
Oman
Used to rustling up rice and dhal or an egg roll-up for breakfast for the occasional foreign guests from the neighbouring hotel, this local-style…
Wadi Rum
The buffet at this restaurant at the visitor centre is popular. Outside lunchtime, the restaurant is a meeting place for guides, weary hikers and…
Iran
On sunny days, the nicest places for mirza ghasemi (dip-like pureed charcoal eggplant with garlic and tomato) or torche kabab (lamb and/or chicken coated…
Iran
Travellers sometimes just need a good barf ('snow' in Farsi), and this fun, modern cafe is just the place, with cheap and tasty omelettes, pizzas and…
Tyre
On a busy intersection in the centre, you can't miss the huge signage of this place. It's a friendly spot, doing a range of great falafel and shawarma…
Esfahan
This bright, modern designer cafe offers a fashionable dining experience in the heart of the Amenian Quarter. Food focuses on Western-style diner fare,…
Jerusalem
This carb-loading canteen in Mahane Yehuda Market isn't well signposted, but you'll catch sight of penne, fettuccine and fusilli being energetically…
Mashhad
Upstairs within this ordinary-looking, counter-service kababi is a pleasant stone-and-brick dining room. For breakfast (before 8am) you can get halim …
Jerusalem
Kosher fast-food joint in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, good for a quick pre- or post-Western Wall visit. Serves schnitzel, burgers, falafel and hummus…
Jerusalem
Going on half-a-century of serving delicious kebabs in a pita with hot peppers or on plate with yoghurt. No signage makes this place tough to locate; it's…
Dhofar
One of the only places to buy food and provisions for many kilometres in either direction along this desolate stretch of coastal highway. It is tucked…
Iran
Cheap, tasty, fresh, no-frills kababs served up by a friendly crew who might invite you to a game of darts in the kitchen. It's about 200m past the Anza…
Esfahan
Arshia’s location just off Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Sq and its friendly service make it worth considering. Seating is traditional, and the menu features all…
Ramallah
The hippest spot in Ramallah for locals and expats alike, Zamn is a fun place for a morning croissant and coffee or a lunchtime sandwich. Walk down Dar…
Khasab
This supermarket sells fresh biryani, tandoori chicken, salads and pastries – all the ingredients needed for a picnic. It's also handy for camping…
Dead Sea
Stalls serve falafel, shawarma, sandwiches, salads and cold beer. At the cafeteria a meal costs 65NIS (55NIS for vegetarian), including a drink. Situated…
Jordan
This busy restaurant attracts tour groups on desert-castle excursions. The standard Jordanian fare of rice, grills, salads and dips is tasty and filling,…
Iran
This cheerful, clean and modern fast-food place is in an area where there's not much choice. The pizzas, though small, come quick, cheap and tasty. It's…
Jerusalem
Cafe in the Israel Museum serving salads, sandwiches, as well as pastries and good espresso. You can eat here without paying museum admission.
Iran
Sells fabulous carrot-and-walnut halva (a sweet made of sesame flour and honey) and noghl (icing-sugar-coated nuts or fruit), the latter made in big,…
Iran
The food is overpriced, but the view of the Caspian isn't bad from this rooftop restaurant on top of the telecabine wheelhouse. Take the external lift up…
Iran
This little cafe sitting opposite the classic Mil-e Gonbad tower offers ice-cream sundaes, floats and freshly squeezed seasonal juices.
