Abu Dhabi
One of Lebanon's most popular fast-food chains, known for its manakeesh (baked flatbread with toppings like cheese and minced meat) but also dishing up…
Must-see restaurants in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
This is the place to get your mezze fix. Order up some warak enab (stuffed vine leaves), batata harra (roast potato cubes with coriander, chilli and…
Bur Dubai
Celebrity chef Sanjeer Kapoor's first signature joint is still one of the best Indian restaurants in town, if the loyal following of regulars is any…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
The perfect spot for Brits nostalgic about their curry house back home, this Indian restaurant dishes up tasty classic dishes of the genre such as chicken…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
Where you come to tuck into rich classic curries and tandoor (clay-oven) dishes. The Pondicherry seafood curry of fish and shrimp is delicious. Top marks…
Abu Dhabi
It's not surprising this cafe is a popular pit-stop for office workers at lunch: it's one of Hamdan St's best bets for good coffee and has a menu…
Downtown Dubai
The brainchild of Dubai-based chef Izu Ani, this cafe-shop hybrid is a beacon of good taste when it comes both to hand-selected designer gifts and to…
Bur Dubai
If you've ever fantasised about having a robot doing your fetching and carrying, check out Ruby, the robot waitress at this popular restaurant where the…
Downtown Dubai
With an all-Vietnamese team in the kitchen, you can be sure the tastes are lusciously authentic at this upmarket restaurant. It's been around forever but…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
If you need to put your feet up after visiting the Grand Mosque, this busy cafe inside the complex is the perfect pit-stop, serving up brunch and lunch…
Dubai
Billing itself as a neighbourhood eatery despite being housed in one of Dubai's most touristy malls, Common Grounds offers wholesome dishes with decent…
Yas Island
Strictly gluten-free, this trendy bakery in the Al Muneer Beach development does breakfast all day (French toast, eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros), a host…
Bur Dubai
One of the first restaurants to open in Al Seef (maybe why it snagged one of the top Creek views), this restaurant does breakfast particularly well, with…
United Arab Emirates
Al Roof is the place to be: always pumping with local families digging into mezze spreads, manakeesh or pizza, while couples and groups of women smoke…
United Arab Emirates
This elegant restaurant at the Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort has a good selection of pizzas, pastas and risottos (all under Dhs100 and with a few good…
Dubai
Unicorns and other colourful mythical creatures are the inspiration behind this childhood-fantasy of a cafe in Al Wasl. The ice creams and cakes are an…
Deira
The decor is decidedly un-Thai, with black-lacquer tables, a swooping wave-form ceiling and not a branch of bamboo. Led by respected Thai chef Supattra…
Downtown Dubai
Meat lovers will be in heaven at this rustic-elegant lair with stellar views of the Burj Khalifa from the terrace tables. Start with a selection of…
Bur Dubai
More than 10 of these Indian eateries are dotted around town, but this outpost in Al Seef with its cobbled courtyard has to be the prettiest. Originating…
Ras Al Khaimah
Pining for some pasta? This is RAK's top spot for Mediterranean-influenced dining with the Italian dishes the pick of the menu. Vegetarians are well…
Abu Dhabi
If you're missing your pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), head here. Sure the broth isn't as complex and full-bodied as you'd get in a Hanôi canteen but it's…
Fujairah City
The decor is a bit worn, but the pungently flavoured dishes from the South Indian province of Kerala are fresh and authentic in this licensed restaurant…
Liwa Oasis
It may look like a rather bland hotel-lobby restaurant – sit outside on the terrace overlooking the garden and pool if the weather's cool enough – but the…
Al Ain
Come to this comfort-food haven for poshed-up fish and chips or Australian striploin steak, which feature on a menu that jumps from the Antipodes to Italy…
Bur Dubai
If you’ve never had Singaporean food, Peppercrab is perfect for surrendering your culinary virginity. Prepare your palate with wasabi shrimp and seafood…
Sharjah
The Sharjah branch of this popular mini-chain enjoys cult status among locals for its authentic Iranian cuisine. The spicy, tender kebabs are particularly…
Sharjah
This brilliant little cafe inside Souq Al Arsah, its walls scattered with old photos and bric-a-brac, is as popular with local workers eating lunch as it…
Abu Dhabi
A devoted local following fills this cafe, one of the few public places where you can have a coffee or meal overlooking the sea. If you're walking or…
Dubai
This fragrant cafe, dressed in pink, has a floral motif throughout and the gift of a rose with your dish. The breakfast selection is several notches above…
Fujairah City
It's easy to spot this popular local joint, with its weird crazy-brick exterior and arched upstairs windows – and you'll be glad of it, for the Middle…
Abu Dhabi
This place buzzes after dark when families pack the street-side tables, eating big shawarma plates with salad and hummus, while takeaway customers wait…
Umm Al Quwain
It won't win any design awards, but this family restaurant has some of the best Lebanese food in town. Start with some baba ganoush (smoked aubergine dip)…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Pick your poisson (mullet, sea bream, pomfret) from the ice display at this Egyptian seafood restaurant and have it prepared the way you like it. The…
Dubai
There's an informal vibe to Publique that extends from the decor, with its simple wooden tables and sports screen, to the menu with dishes for sharing,…
Ras Al Khaimah
The extensive menu at this convivial vegetarian canteen hopscotches around India, featuring all the dosa (stuffed pancakes), dal (lentils), and curries…
Deira
Tucked into a small arcade, this little shop brims with spices, nuts, saffron, tea and other goodies from Iran, but insiders flock here for faloodeh, a…
Ras Al Khaimah
Squeeze between the many pillars in the dining hall of this Emirati chain to sit at a table and dig into local flavours. It's known for its machboos (a…
United Arab Emirates
Right on the corniche, this little place is a winner for its mezze menu and hearty biryanis with chicken or fish. Despite the name (and the prominent…
Bur Dubai
Lemongrass’ soothing mango-and-lime-coloured dining room is an ideal backdrop for brightly flavoured cooking that spans the arc from pad Thai (nicely…
United Arab Emirates
This cafe with loungey chairs on the terrace, good espresso-based coffee and a short menu of pastries, sandwiches and pasta is the nicest place to stop…
