Muscat
This exquisite restaurant next to the Royal Opera House offers just the kind of refined fare demanded of a special occasion, such as a night at the opera…
Must-see restaurants in Arabian Peninsula
Yas Island
California meets Afghanistan at this cafe charmer where almond butter and chia pancakes are offered alongside borani banjon (oven-baked aubergines with…
Marina Breakwater
A fine-dining Levantine feast awaits. Scoop up Lebanese mezze classics of moutabel (purée of aubergine mixed with tahini, yoghurt and olive oil) and…
Dubai
Singaporean chef Akmal Anuar turns out innovative yet unpretentious Asian-influenced small plates at this tiny, unlicensed spot – a perfect foil to Dubai…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
The contemporary Peruvian cuisine with its flavour-fusion of Latin American and Asian is a tastebud sensation. Dig into the menu of sharing plates…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
All cosy alcoves surrounding an open kitchen, Dai Pai Dong's award-winning Chinese is where Asian foodies chase Cantonese roasted duck, spicy braised…
Doha
One of the city's most talked-about dining destinations, this is the world's largest – and arguably most architecturally outstanding – branch of chef Nobu…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
Housed in a three-floor villa, this cafe is run by a Lebanese arts enthusiast, Aida Mansour. Vast breakfast choices from avocado toast to shakshuka …
Downtown Dubai
Every dish speaks of refinement in this perennially popular bi-level restaurant that gives classic Japanese fare an up-to-the-minute workout. No matter if…
Abu Dhabi
Amid a cluster of Middle Eastern snack and grill outlets, a short walk from the Qasr Al Hosn, the Lebanese Flower is a local legend, attracting a…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
Romantic and elegant, this place hums with appreciation for the complex cuisine of India, brought to the United Arab Emirates by a large expat community…
Marina Breakwater
Meaning 'old door lock', Mezlai delivers a rare chance to enjoy traditional Emirati cuisine in an upmarket and airy Bedouin-tent-inspired atmosphere. The…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Prepare for a culinary journey along the Spice Road at this theatrically decorated restaurant, which is entered via a candlelit corridor that spills into…
Muscat
You know you're somewhere unique when the complimentary water is infused with frankincense. This delightful restaurant is housed in a renovated khan …
Abu Dhabi
Open for breakfast on weekends and lunch and dinner otherwise, this restaurant, with its emphasis on sunny Mediterranean flavours (think slow-cooked…
Downtown Dubai
A pioneer of the local-organic-fresh maxim in Dubai, this London import offers a seasonal bounty of dishes, prepared in-house and served amid charming,…
Dubai
This funky Emirati cafe is a great introduction to contemporary local cuisine. It's popular for breakfast dishes such as shakshuka (poached eggs in a…
Doha
Doha's first vegan and veggie cafe, Evergreen Organics is the brainchild of two young Qataris who are passionate about changing the health of the nation…
Doha
'Iron Chef' Masaharu Morimoto's first restaurant in the Middle East is inspired by ancient Japan, with interiors adorned with rose-gold pillars, artwork…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
It may be hard to concentrate on the food at this marina-adjacent al fresco pavilion, with its stunning skyline views. Come for nibbles and cocktails in…
Dubai
Always packed to the gills, this simple eatery is a Dubai institution famous for its dock-fresh fish and shrimp, marinated in a 'secret' masala curry…
Manama
This elegant balconied venue, with its velvet upholstery, wrought-iron banisters and polished-wood floors, is reminiscent of a 19th-century Parisian…
Doha
Part shop, part cafe, this cute and atmospheric spot would fit in London's hip Shoreditch area. It's adorned with crafted trinkets and vintage goods, from…
Abu Dhabi
You can't beat the beachy atmosphere of this restaurant, surrounded by narrow water-feature canals and looking out towards the sand. The pan-Asian…
Kuwait City
As unique as dining gets in Kuwait, this atmospheric restaurant is set on the huge Mohammedi II dhow. Built in Kozhikode, India, in 1979, it's made of…
Doha
Now here's somewhere special. Those with a sweet tooth should make a beeline for these splendid Middle Eastern and Turkish filo pastries such as baklava,…
Kuwait City
Fantastic views of the Kuwait Towers, a discerning menu, an exclusive chocolatier and a landmark steel-and-glass building make this one of the hippest…
Kuwait City
This unmissable waterfront restaurant is a terrific place to sample Middle Eastern fare. Grilled meat and seafood dominate, but there's also top mezze,…
Kuwait City
They've been serving excellent Middle Eastern cooking at this fine place since 1953. Charcoal-grilled meats, seafood and hearty rice dishes are menu…
Al Ain
This restaurant at the Danat Al Ain Resort will have your taste buds doing cartwheels. Tandoori (clay oven) specialities like tandoori fish tikka and…
Jeddah
'The man from Solo' (a city in Java Island, Indonesia) is an excellent budget Indonesian restaurant close to the start of Al Balad. It's been wholly…
Doha
Famed French chef Alain Ducasse's restaurant crowning the Museum of Islamic Art is one of Doha's best. Try the whole blue lobster, or the tender camel…
Yas Island
This restaurant-bar with its terrace opening out onto the reed-covered coastal dunes is one of the most pumping places on Yas Island. Order up a pumpkin…
Deira
With its mix of traditional and modern Emirati cuisine, this stylish restaurant ticks all the boxes. Many dishes feature a local spice mix called bezar …
Eastern Province
South of Al Qatif's centre, this beautiful, traditional restaurant is set around an open courtyard filled with greenery and a water feature. All the staff…
Muscat
With a choice of open-air and majlis-style dining (on sedans in small rooms), this Muscat favourite has spilt into a courtyard of illuminated trees to…
Bur Dubai
The chef here has Dorchester and Ritz cred, and studied under nouvelle cuisine guru Michel Guerard. Kickstart your menu with the dahi puri (stuffed crispy…
Doha
One hell of a dining experience, Argan serves tasty Moroccan cooking in a classy, convivial majlis (reception room), with mauve couches and patterned…
Greenland Vegetarian Restaurant
Kuwait City
A real find, this excellent vegetarian Indian restaurant has a light dining area decorated with Gandhi portraits and Indian street art. It does a popular…
Northern Coast
Seeb has a large expat community from India, and this is reflected in the presence of this very good Indian restaurant. It showcases dishes mostly from…
