Emirati dishes
The menu gives visitors a clear taste of local cooking, including tender mutton machboos, fish kofta and mutton thereed.
Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe - Expo City
Dubai
Al Fanar is a family restaurant in Dubai serving traditional Emirati cuisine in a nostalgic, history-filled setting. At Expo City, diners can order dishes such as mutton majboos and luqaimat while sitting outdoors with views towards the Al Wasl Dome and its light shows.
Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
5,139 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Large portions
Portions can be generous enough for sharing; one review described the sharing platter for two as enough for three.
Luqaimat
The date-syrup doughnut dessert is a standout, with one diner calling the luqaimat the best they had eaten in Dubai.
Dome views
Outdoor tables give diners a view towards the Al Wasl Dome, including during its light shows.
Historic setting
Wall photographs and period-style decoration create a strong Emirati heritage atmosphere rather than a generic café interior.
Family welcome
Reviews describe attentive, friendly hospitality, and diners specifically enjoyed bringing visiting parents here.
Tips for a Better Visit
Try luqaimat. Leave room for luqaimat with date syrup; it was singled out as an especially memorable Dubai dessert.
Share mains. Consider sharing a platter or majboos: the meat majboos was described as enough for two light eaters.
Choose outdoors. Ask for an outdoor table if you want views into the Al Wasl Dome while dining.
Avoid peak times. Allow extra time during busy periods, or visit off-peak if a quicker meal matters to you.
Check vegetarian dishes. Vegetarians should ask what is available that day, since vegetable biryani was not described as a regular menu item.
Bring pets. The outdoor seating area was reported as pet friendly, useful if you are visiting with a dog.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Al Wasl Avenue
Common Concerns
Busy periods
Service can slow down when the restaurant is busy, with some waiting before food arrives.
Vegetarian choice
Vegetarian options were described as limited, mainly salad, samosas and occasional vegetable biryani.
Outdoor seating
Outdoor seating is limited, according to a review written after the Expo peak period.
Music fit
One diner felt the music did not fully match the restaurant’s atmosphere.
Price concern
One review found the prices a bit high, although other diners described them as reasonable or affordable.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
75AED
keema and Arabic coffee with dates
“I ordered keema and Arabic coffee with dates (75AED)”Google review · November 2023
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe - Expo City is a family restaurant in Dubai centred on traditional Emirati food and a deliberately nostalgic setting. You can come for mutton majboos, fish kofta or mutton thereed, then finish with luqaimat or another local sweet. The wall photographs and old-fashioned decoration are part of the experience, not just background detail.
Portions are often generous. A sharing platter for two was described as large enough for three, while the meat majboos was considered suitable for two light eaters. The luqaimat earned especially strong praise, and Arabic coffee with dates is another simple option.
Seafood also appears in the reviews, including grilled fish, shrimp rice and a well-received signature tray. The outdoor seating is the main draw for many visitors after walking around Expo City: tables look towards the Al Wasl Dome, and some diners watched the light show while eating. The area was also reported as pet friendly, though outdoor tables are limited.
Service is usually described as warm and attentive, but busy periods can bring a wait. Vegetarians should check what is available before ordering; reviews mention salad, samosas and vegetable biryani, with the biryani not always offered. One diner found prices high, while another reported a keema and Arabic coffee with dates order at 75AED.