Lilipar Traditional Restaurant
Iran
Prop yourself on a rug and get stuck into some tasty skewered meat at this hip traditional restaurant, where Maraqeh's young come to eye each other over…
Must-see restaurants in Middle East
Madaba
Popular with tour groups, this restaurant serves a quality buffet in a pleasant dining hall. It makes a reasonable stop if you’ve worked up an appetite on…
Umm Qais
With great views from the terrace, this small open-air cafe with a grill is one of only two places for casual refreshments near the ruins. It's opposite…
Wadi Musa
This handy shop near the entrance to Petra sells all the necessary ingredients of a picnic for a day's walking in the Ancient City, including fruit and…
Kashan
For those who've had their fill of heritage, this down-to-earth, centrally convenient restaurant offers standard fare at reasonable prices in a locally…
North Coast
This welcoming restaurant favoured by locals offers standard Middle Eastern staples such as kebabs, falafel, stuffed grape leaves and labneh (thick…
Masirah Island
Abu Shabeeb is the most comprehensive supermarket in town (useful for camping provisions), but if you require any ‘must haves’ it's best to bring them…
Iran
The good doctor's traditional dishes are a cut above the local fast food. Set back from the street in a courtyard near the corner of Saadi St.
Karak
A reasonable option for standard Jordanian cuisine. Note that if unrequested mezze is brought out and you eat it, it'll be added to the bill.
Aqaba
The fruit and vegetable souq, hidden at the southern end of Raghadan St, is the best place to buy healthy, locally grown items for a picnic.
Iran
Just off crowded Ferdosi St is the reliable Morvarid with its eye-searingly red interior. Try the Kurdish kofte (meatballs).
Iran
Better-than-average rice and kabab dishes from the restaurant below the mosaferkhaneh (lodging house) near the bazaar.
Tabriz
Out in Valiasr, this typically small, fast-food standby has attractive framed glass art and a window upstairs with a good view.
Northern Coast
Near the harbour in the heart of Seeb, this is a cheap and cheerful venue for roast chicken, chopped salad and hummus.
Iran
This place dishes up cheap and cheerful kababs without a surcharge in sight. It's just off Daneshkadeh St.
Aqaba
A good option for Syrian and Jordanian cuisine, including grilled meat and fish. It’s next to the Al Amer Hotel.
Haifa
The best place in Haifa for fresh fruit and veggies, along with picnic goodies like sweets, hummus and pastries.
Nazareth
The decor is unspeakably tacky, but the shawarma, hummus plate and veggie salad-and-starter spread are tops.
Tabriz
These guys have been churning out pizza forever. Check out the black decor and real flames over the doorway.
Karak
This unsophisticated but popular eatery sells the standard local fare of grilled chicken, hummus and salad.
Aqaba
On a hot day, stop by Hani Ali, a sugar addict’s paradise of traditional sweets and delicious ice cream.
Tiberias
Some of the stall owners may be a bit, shall we say, uncouth, but the produce is top quality and cheap.
Tabriz
This Tabriz institution opposite the bazaar has the best kababs in town, according to locals.
Tiberias
Serves fish (grilled, baked or fried), meat, seafood and pasta, on solid pine tables. Open Shabbat.
Tiberias
Specialises in shawarma and schnitzel on a baguette or in a pita. Open very late and on Shabbat.
Tel Aviv
Locals swear by the burgers here, which feature beef or vegetarian patties of varying sizes sizzled up with choose-your-own toppings. It's the perfect…
Tel Aviv
Jaffa’s first bakery was established in 1880 and, four generations down the line, the Abu Elafia family is busier than ever. The main attractions are its…
West Bank
For a more formal sit-down meal, follow the locals and ascend Assaraya’s wood-panelled staircase from the main gate into the Old City. Take a seat in the…
Tel Aviv
Fresh ingredients and filling portions make this tiny stall slinging sabich – an Iraqi-derived snack consisting of fried aubergine, boiled egg, cabbage,…
Tel Aviv
Aside from the classic meaty hamburgers with all the trimmings, this branch of the popular burger chain also has schnitzel and vegan mushroom burgers…
West Bank
Head up to Aawtar’s spacious roof garden for a choice of Arabic and Western dishes under the stars. Even on cool evenings, the terrace is packed with…
Tel Aviv
Equal parts restaurant, late-night bar, club and art space, the port's most popular venue serves a mix of mezze, seafood, pasta and Israeli-style brunches…
