Jerash
Nicknamed ‘Umm Khalil’, this rambling restaurant, a 10-minute walk from Jerash’s centre, has been a national treasure since it opened in 1977. On offer…
Must-see restaurants in Middle East
Tel Aviv
A real Tel Aviv taverna, this cute restaurant, set in a 500-year-old house on the main tourist square, offers a predominantly Greek and Cypriot menu but…
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…
Upper Galilee & Golan
Ensconced in two 19th-century stone houses, this atmospheric restaurant specialises in authentic Galilee-style Arab cuisine, including dishes made with…
Upper Galilee & Golan
Serving wholesome food that nourishes both body and soul, this cafe offers a menu that's 100% vegan and gluten-free, a healthful, positive vibe and…
Tel Aviv
Ha’achim, meaning ‘the brothers’ in Hebrew, has a distinctly Mediterranean menu of hummus, labneh (thick yoghurt flavoured with garlic and sometimes with…
Esfahan
Opulent Qajar-style wall paintings, stained-glass windows and battalions of black-suited waiters contribute to the Shahrzad’s reputation as the best…
The Ancient City
The Basin serves a wide spread of international dishes, including a healthy selection of salads, fresh falafel and barbecued spicy sausage. Lots of…
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…
North Coast
Situated 4km up the hill from Ein Hod in Ayn Hawd, this family-run restaurant serves authentic Arab cuisine. Set meals include a huge variety of salads,…
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…
Eilat
Mamma mia! Who would have thought that an authentic Italian-style trattoria serving molto delizioso cuisine would be found in a North Beach back street?…
Tiberias
An 8km drive from Tiberias (take Rte 77 to Rte 7717), this rustic, family-run restaurant features local produce and warm, from-the-heart country cooking…
Haifa
Loyal to traditional recipes from around Europe, Gal’s Bakery serves up poppyseed babka, cremeschnitte (custard slice), chausson aux pommes (apple pastry)…
Jerusalem
Carved out of a British hanger, this space was saved by the community and renovated into an intimate and sophisticated restaurant with a one-screen cinema…
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…
Riyadh
This place serves Saudi food in a Saudi setting, where some rooms even have a traditional fireplace. It's the perfect place to sample popular regional…
Jeddah
The secret's out with this no-frills Pakistani restaurant, once frequented only by Little India's South Asian community. Now you'll be rubbing shoulders…
Bur Dubai
Escape Dubai’s bustle at this lovely courtyard cafe where the menu eschews meat in favour of a daily rotating menu of innovative vegetarian dishes, such…
Beirut
It's an upbeat, social scene at this enjoyable cafe-bar-restaurant hybrid. The elegant garden and glitzy interior of this sizeable villa make it look like…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Three-Michelin-starred Yannick Alléno brings his culinary magic to Dubai in this subtly theatrical vaulted dining room accented with black crystal…
Eastern Province
After an elaborate social media campaign launched this trendy restaurant, it has become the place to be seen for young, hip Saudis. A nice open-air garden…
West Bank
This tiny eatery next door to the Al Kebir Mosque in the Casbah is unanimously considered to produce the finest kunafeh in the Palestinian Territories…
Beirut
Epitomising Beiruti chic, Liza serves expertly prepared nouvelle Lebanese food in surroundings that have graced the pages of many international design…
Dubai
Looking for a place to drop an engagement ring into a glass of champagne? Make reservations (far in advance) at this impossibly romantic seafood house…
Esfahan
This sumptuous renovation of a 400-year-old bathhouse is a highly romantic venue for dinner, especially on Wednesday and Saturday nights (or on Thursday…
Bahrain
The regular clientele in this clean no-frills establishment speaks volumes: they're all Pakistani, and they're all here for the wholesome, authentic taste…
Bur Dubai
Enjoy dazzling views while floating down the Creek aboard this fancily outfitted, air-conditioned, glass-roofed dinner boat with panoramic windows, linen…
Jeddah
Jeddah's introduction to the Brazilian churrascaria is an excellent dining choice. Keep your wooden indicator in the upright green position and the…
Oman
This popular Turkish restaurant, with its hand-painted murals and breezy terraces overlooking the lagoon, is a delightful place to watch dhows beaching at…
Aqaba
This canteen restaurant is as unpretentious as they come, but it's always busy whatever the time of day. Super-cheap bowls of hummus, falafel and fuul …
Jeddah
Styled like a traditional tent, with open sides to let the sea breezes in, the huge courtyard with large traditional couches is popular, especially on…
Salalah
One of the best restaurants in Salalah, this open-sided terrace-style restaurant has an exotic ambience, with waves thundering on the shore and moonlight…
Wadi Musa
Serving a top-notch international buffet in an elegant banquet hall, this fine-dining restaurant offers a quality of dishes that matches the general…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
Asia's multi-layered, spice-tinged flavours are presented amid a red-toned dining room replete with gorgeous Thai textile detailing. Malaysian, Thai and…
Beirut
Exceptionally welcoming service and a convivial atmosphere make this one of Hamra's best dining choices for traditional food. A range of tasty hummus dips…
Eilat
Fresh fish from the Red Sea, the Mediterranean and Egypt's Nile Delta and beef from the Golan are the stars at this fish restaurant – some say it's Eilat…
Saudi Arabia
The astonishing takeaway traffic tells its own story at this cosy South Indian restaurant, just north of the centre. It's popular with locals, and you'll…
Yazd
Elegant but uncomplicated, the Talar, with its prim white tablecloths and waiters wheeling trolleys, has a 1950s appeal. Its short menu of classic Iranian…
