By rating and review confidence
Best Middle Eastern restaurants in Dubai
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What people like
Grilled meatsGrilled meats are a standout, with visitors praising juicy chicken, lamb chops, kafta and mixed grills.
ShawarmaChicken, beef and sujuk shawarma all get strong mentions, including a review calling the shawarma one of Dubai’s best.
Qalat Baalbak is a Lebanese restaurant in Al Barsha focused on charcoal-grilled meats, traditional dishes and casual dining. Reviews especially point to its shawarma, sujuk sandwiches, mixed grills and fresh, hot bread, with delivery also praised for careful packaging.
View full business page →Tip: Plan parkingAllow time for parking; if the paid spaces out front are full, the back side road is an option but involves walking.
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What people like
Desert SettingOpen-air dining combines a traditional Arabian setting, lanterns and desert surroundings.
Buffet VarietyThe buffet covers Arabic specialities alongside international dishes, seafood, grills, vegetarian food and desserts.
Al Hadheerah is an open-air Arabian buffet restaurant in Mugatrah, pairing Middle Eastern and international dishes with live cooking. The evening also brings cultural performances, including music, dancing and desert animal shows, making dinner feel like a full night out rather than a quick meal.
View full business page →Tip: Check WeatherAvoid the hottest summer dates or ask about cooling before committing, since the restaurant is outdoors.
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What people like
Outdoor seatingThe outdoor area is a recurring highlight, with greenery, open-sky space and a pleasant setting for shisha.
Warm serviceGuests describe the waiters, hostesses and shisha service as friendly, attentive and professional.
Al Falak Cafe & Lounge is a Business Bay hookah bar and casual restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. It suits relaxed evenings built around smooth shisha, generous food portions and drinks such as fresh juices, mocktails and milkshakes.
View full business page →Tip: Choose outdoorsAsk for an outdoor table if you want open-air shisha; reviewers also mention mobile air-conditioning outside.
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What people like
Broasted ChickenThe broasted chicken is repeatedly praised for its crisp texture, juicy meat and strong flavour.
Fresh BreadWarm complimentary bread is a useful accompaniment to the grilled dishes.
AlFarooj AlShami is a Syrian restaurant in Deira serving traditional Arabic food, with broasted chicken and grilled meats drawing particularly detailed praise. It has indoor and outdoor seating, a broad menu, and a welcoming atmosphere, although experiences with portions and service are not completely consistent.
View full business page →Tip: Check PortionsBefore eating, check that your order has the expected quantity; one customer found three kabab pieces instead of four.
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What people like
Tender MandiChicken mandi was described as perfectly cooked, with soft meat and well-done rice.
Haneeth PicksHaneeth Shoulder & Haneeth Ribs are singled out as dishes worth trying, with attentive recommendations from the serving team.
Bait Al Nadeg is a Yemeni restaurant in Hor Al Anz, known in reviews for mandi, haneeth and other traditional rice-and-meat dishes. Customers also mention its spacious family areas, majlis seating and desserts such as Kunafa Crème, making it suitable for both casual meals and group dining.
View full business page →Tip: Try HaneethFor a first order, consider Haneeth Shoulder or Haneeth Ribs, which were specifically recommended by a reviewer.
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What people like
Levantine FlavoursReviewers describe traditional Lebanese and Syrian dishes with an authentic Levantine taste, including fattoush prepared in a home-style way.
Mixed GrillThe mixed grill is described as flavourful and generously portioned, with one review saying the serving was enough for two.
Kahloun is a Lebanese restaurant and cafe in Jumeirah serving Levantine favourites in a warm, traditional-meets-modern setting. Reviews point to its mixed grill, Arabic breakfast and shisha as strong reasons to visit, with buffet dining also available on selected occasions.
View full business page →Tip: Choose Your AreaAsk for the non-smoking section if you want to avoid shisha smoke; the restaurant has both smoking and non-smoking areas.
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What people like
Spicy MadbeeThe Spicy Special Madbee stood out for its perfectly cooked meat and rich flavour.
Fish OptionsFish mandi and tawa fish both received positive mentions, including praise for fresh, tender fish.
Spicy Cafe Mandi & Grill is a casual mandi-focused restaurant in Al Qusais, with grilled dishes and South Asian-influenced flavours. Reviews point especially to the tender mutton mandi and richly seasoned Spicy Special Madbee, alongside complimentary desserts such as luqaimat and kunafa.
View full business page →Tip: Avoid LunchVisit outside lunch peak if you want to reduce the chance of queuing for a table.
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What people like
Shisha careSeveral reviews praise the shisha, including attentive coal changes and smooth, flavourful preparation, though other visits report the opposite.
Late openingA review reports the restaurant is open 24 hours, making it an option for late-night meals or outings.
Al Shorfa Restaurant & Cafe is a Syrian and Arabic restaurant in Dubai Marina with indoor and outdoor seating, including shisha areas. Reviews point to generous traditional dishes such as kibbeh, shawarma and grilled options, alongside a relaxed terrace setting for long meals or coffee.
View full business page →Tip: Check availabilityAsk whether your chosen dish is available before ordering, since a review found some menu items unavailable on a Friday night.
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What people like
Terrace viewsThe outdoor terrace is highlighted for its Burj Al Arab backdrop, especially around sunset.
Food presentationReviewers regularly call out dishes that arrive beautifully presented as well as flavorful.
No10 Shisha & Cigar Restaurant is a multi-floor hookah bar and dining venue in Umm Suqeim, with a terrace, food and shisha for relaxed evenings. Reviews point to smooth, long-lasting shisha and flavorful dishes, while the several floors offer both quieter seating and lively match-watching.
View full business page →Tip: Use iPadsIf you dislike QR menus, ask for an iPad instead; the venue was reported to have them available.
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What people like
Beirut HummusBeirut hummus is a standout for some diners, with one reviewer calling it the best they had tried in Dubai.
Clean InteriorReviews describe the interiors as clean, polished and aesthetically designed, with spotless washrooms noted by one diner.
Zahr Al Karz is a Lebanese restaurant in Al Barsha where diners come for traditional Levantine dishes in a polished, clean setting. Reviews particularly highlight the meat shawarma, mixed grills, fresh bread and cheese manakish, with friendly service and generous family-style meals.
View full business page →Tip: Try BreakfastConsider breakfast as well as dinner: one review reports a breakfast formula priced at 49 dhs for two individuals.
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