Top 10 Best Middle Eastern restaurants in Dubai
Choose:
- ✦ Traditional Emirati food in a heritage setting
- ✦ Choose shareable Gulf, Yemeni and Iraqi meat dishes
- ✦ Choose casual Middle Eastern mezze and grilled dishes
- ✦ Or choose a tea-led Arabic breakfast and café
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What people like
Emirati BreakfastBreakfast platters are generous, varied and repeatedly praised, with flatbread refills and traditional dishes to share.
Heritage SettingThe courtyard, white gravel floors, blue décor and historic details create a calm Old Dubai dining atmosphere.
Arabian Tea House is a Middle Eastern restaurant in Bur Dubai serving traditional Emirati and Arabic food in a heritage-style setting. Reviews point especially to its generous breakfast platters, Moroccan or karak tea, and relaxed courtyard atmosphere in Al Fahidi.
TipConfirm breakfast timing before visiting, especially if you want the full breakfast menu rather than breakfast-style dishes.
Choose Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe - Al Fahidi, Dubai for generous Emirati breakfast platters with unlimited flatbread refills.
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What people like
Tender ribsThe Haneeth ribs are repeatedly praised for being tender, flavorful and well cooked.
Authentic breadThe signature Yemeni bread and freshly made meat samosa were singled out as tasty, with the samosa noted as fresh rather than frozen.
AL - ROMANSIAH is a Gulf and Yemeni-style restaurant in Al Barsha, with traditional dishes served in a welcoming dining room. Reviews especially point to the tender Haneeth ribs and generously portioned mandi, alongside complimentary soup and tea that add a thoughtful touch to the meal.
TipExpect complimentary meat soup with some meals; one reviewer recommends dipping the Yemeni bread into it.
Choose AL - ROMANSIAH for tender Haneeth ribs and hearty traditional meat dishes.
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What people like
Quiet branchThe Jumeirah branch is described as calmer and more peaceful than the busy Al Fahidi location.
Fresh falafelThe Egyptian breakfast’s falafel was freshly made, crisp outside and soft inside.
Arabian Tea House is a relaxed Middle Eastern restaurant in Jumeirah serving Emirati-style meals, breakfast trays, local seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes, coffee and teas. Customers come for traditional food, a peaceful heritage setting and unhurried hospitality beside the archaeological site.
TipStart with a breakfast tray; the Egyptian option is specifically recommended by a returning customer.
Choose Arabian Tea House - Jumeirah Archaeological Site, Dubai for substantial breakfast trays served with fresh warm bread.
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What people like
Beachfront viewsOutdoor tables look over JBR beach and Ain Dubai, making the setting a major part of the meal.
Grilled dishesLamb kebab, lamb lula kebab and grilled meats stand out in reviews for flavour, tenderness and seasoning.
Awani - JBR is a Middle Eastern restaurant in Jumeirah Beach Residence, known for Levantine-style food in a beachfront setting. Customers especially mention the generous breakfast tray, fresh mezze and grilled dishes, with views toward the beach and Ain Dubai adding to the experience.
TipVisit outside busy periods if timing matters; reviews mention long waits during peak seasons and busy Sundays.
Choose Awani - JBR for fresh, generous mezze with a strong hummus option.
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What people like
Generous portionsPortions can be large enough to share with family or friends.
Helpful serviceReviews describe the team as warm and attentive, with staff helping guests feel comfortable throughout the meal.
Al Fanar is a Middle Eastern restaurant in Dubai Festival City serving traditional Emirati cooking in a rustic interior inspired by 1960s Dubai. Reviews point to a culturally immersive meal, with standouts such as Majboos and baby shark with rice, plus traditional breakfast for earlier visits.
TipAsk about baby shark with rice for two; one reviewer preferred it to ordering fish, squid and prawns separately.
Choose Al Fanar for confidently cooked Majboos with authentic Emirati flavour.
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What people like
Masgouf fishThe smoky, wood-grilled masgouf is the standout for many diners, with reviews calling it unforgettable and exceptionally well cooked.
Warm startersLentil soup, fresh Iraqi bread and pickled vegetables are commonly served soon after seating, making the meal feel generous from the start.
Samad Al Iraqi is a Middle Eastern restaurant in Jumeirah serving Iraqi specialities in a traditional setting of stone walls and arched windows. Reviews point to generous shared meals, especially masgouf fish and Iraqi kebab, with warm bread, tea and hospitality adding to the experience.
TipAsk about masgouf or roast carp before ordering; the roast carp takes an hour and weighs 3kg, enough for four.
Choose Samad Al Iraqi Restaurant for smoky masgouf and generous Iraqi specialities made for sharing.
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What people like
Shawarma qualityChicken shawarma is described as tender, juicy and full of flavour, with soft or freshly baked bread.
Vegetarian rangeVegetarian diners can build a meal around hummus, falafel, manakeesh, fattoush, batata hara and tabbouleh.
Operation: Falafel JBR is a Middle Eastern street-food restaurant in Jumeirah Beach Residence, serving shawarma, falafel and other familiar favourites. Reviews highlight crispy falafel, fresh bread and a terrace for eating a Beef Shawarma Bun while watching The Walk.
TipIf choosing between meats, chicken may be the safer pick: one diner found the beef dry but called the falafel excellent.
Choose Operation: Falafel JBR for tender chicken shawarma and crisp, freshly prepared falafel.
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What people like
Karak varietySeveral karak flavours are available, including saffron, ginger and iced caramel versions.
Dietary flexibilityReviews report successful gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-allergy accommodations when guests asked.
Karak House is a stylish Arabic and Indian cafe in Downtown Dubai, centred on karak chai and breakfast. Reviews point to a varied tea menu, well-liked parathas and dishes such as shakshuka, with indoor and outdoor seating and a Burj Khalifa view.
TipIf you have dietary restrictions, tell the attendant before ordering; one guest had gluten-free and dairy-free dishes prepared successfully.
Choose Karak House Restaurant for a wide range of karak flavours alongside breakfast dishes.
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What people like
Family friendlyFamilies are well catered for; one review mentions complimentary bread given to a child.
Menu guidanceFirst-time diners can get help choosing dishes, with reviewers noting patient menu explanations and recommendations.
Arabian Tea House in Jumeirah’s Mercato Mall serves traditional Emirati and Arabic food in a calm, heritage-inspired setting. Reviews point to it for breakfast trays, fresh breads and a notably popular Karak Tea, whether you are settling in for a family meal or a slower tea break.
TipIf ordering the AED 78 Egyptian breakfast tray, note that Karak is separate and bread is free.
Choose Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Café-Mercato Mall, Dubai for traditional Arabic breakfast with fresh bread and vegetables.
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What people like
Late hoursA practical choice for night owls: one customer visited at 2am and reported that the restaurant is open 24/7.
Hot pitaOne review specifically praises the hummus with hot, unlimited pita, making it a useful detail for mezze orders.
Zaroob is a colourful Middle Eastern restaurant in DIFC serving Levantine street food across two floors. It is especially useful for breakfast, late-night meals and familiar favourites such as falafel wraps, chicken shawarma and hot pita, with a lively market-style setting and 24-hour opening reported by customers.
TipGo when it is quieter if you want a more relaxed meal; a customer says the restaurant can get busy.
Choose Zaroob Restaurant - Sheikh Zayed Road for highly praised falafel in a Lebanese and Syrian-style street-food setting.
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