Creek views
Waterfront seating looks across Dubai Creek, with traditional abras and water taxis passing by.
Bayt Al Wakeel Restaurant / مطعم بيت الوكيل
Bur Dubai
Bayt Al Wakeel is a heritage-style restaurant in Bur Dubai, known for fresh seafood and Arabic and Lebanese dishes. Its main appeal is dining beside Dubai Creek, where you can watch traditional abras pass while enjoying the old-Dubai setting, including seating over the water.
Reputation Score
4.5
★★★★★
1,671 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Fresh seafood
Reviews repeatedly highlight fresh fish and seafood, including seafood platters, crabs and fish of the day.
Heritage setting
The restaurant occupies a heritage building built in 1935, giving the meal a strong Old Dubai context.
Glass floor
Some waterfront tables have glass floor panels, allowing diners to see the creek water beneath them.
Generous portions
Several diners describe the portions as generous or plentiful, with one calling the food good value.
Air conditioning
The outside-facing seating includes an air-conditioned enclosure, useful during Dubai's hotter months.
Quick service
Multiple reviews mention attentive service and short waits, including a birthday meal served quickly.
Tips for a Better Visit
Look carefully. Allow extra time to find the entrance in the souq; it is easy to walk past the restaurant.
Go early. For a quieter meal, arrive before lunch time; one visitor found it peaceful and uncrowded then.
Ask about fish. Ask about the fish of the day or the server's recommendation; one diner chose a fresh sea bream this way.
Choose AC. In hot weather, request the air-conditioned enclosure, which still has a clear view of the creek.
Check discounts. If you have a partner bank card, ask whether a discount is available before paying.
Finish tea. Several diners suggest ending the meal with Moroccan tea; one specifically recommends medium sweetness.
Plan the visit
Practical details
On the Creek - near Bank of Baroda Abra Station
Bur Dubai - Al Souq Al Kabeer, Dubai
| Mon | 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Tue | 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Wed | 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Thu | 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Fri | 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sat | 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sun | 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
Common Concerns
Pita handling
One diner received cold pita in a ziplock, then saw the whole bag microwaved after asking for it to be warmed.
Staff incident
A customer reported a supervisor shouting and yelling in front of diners during a difficult service interaction.
Easy to miss
The entrance can be difficult to spot from the surrounding souq; one visitor walked past it three times.
Food uneven
One reviewer found the food average, describing the hummus as pedestrian and a recommended fish as lacking Arabic flavour.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Bayt Al Wakeel is a creekside heritage restaurant in Bur Dubai, worth considering when the setting matters as much as the meal. You can sit beside the water or over it, watch abras pass, and order seafood, Arabic or Lebanese dishes. Reviews mention fresh fish, seafood platters, mixed grills and generous portions.
The atmosphere is the clearest strength. The building dates to 1935, and diners describe a calm Old Dubai feel beside the souq. Some tables have glass floor panels showing the creek below, while an air-conditioned enclosure keeps the view available in hotter weather.
It is a useful stop after walking the markets, though the entrance is tucked away and easy to miss. Food reports are mostly positive, especially for seafood, fattoush, hummus with meat, lamb chops, crabs and fish of the day. Service is often described as friendly, attentive and quick, but experiences are not completely consistent: one customer reported cold pita being microwaved inside a non-microwave-safe ziplock, and another described a supervisor shouting in front of diners.
Arriving before lunch may give you a quieter experience. Ask about the day's fish, check for partner-bank discounts, and consider Moroccan tea to finish. Price feedback ranges from good value to one warning about high costs, so confirm expectations when ordering.