Restaurant

1. Trèsind Studio

Progressive Indian tasting menu$$$$Palm Jumeirah

A three-Michelin-star Indian tasting-menu restaurant on Palm Jumeirah, reimagining regional Indian cooking with produce sourced from UAE farms.

View details — Trèsind Studio

Restaurant

2. Al Ustad Special Kabab

Iranian kebab house$Bur Dubai

A family-run Iranian kebab canteen in Bur Dubai, open since 1978 and known for yoghurt-marinated chicken, saffron rice and walls of celebrity photographs.

View details — Al Ustad Special Kabab

Restaurant

3. Ravi Restaurant

Pakistani canteen$Satwa

A no-frills Pakistani canteen in Satwa serving since 1978, loved for its nihari, mutton karahi and fresh naan at very low prices.

View details — Ravi Restaurant

Restaurant

4. Al Mallah

Lebanese shawarma and grills$Satwa

A Satwa shawarma and juice stop open since 1979, famous for chicken shawarma with garlic sauce, falafel and fresh fruit juices late into the night.

View details — Al Mallah

Restaurant

5. Bu Qtair

Fried fish and seafood curry$Umm Suqeim

A casual seafood spot in Umm Suqeim that began as a fishermen's shack, serving spiced fried fish and prawns with rice or roti at low prices.

View details — Bu Qtair

Restaurant

6. Bait Maryam

Levantine home cooking$$Jumeirah Lakes Towers

A homely, female-led Levantine restaurant in JLT holding a Michelin Bib Gourmand, serving Palestinian and wider Levantine dishes in the style of a family kitchen.

View details — Bait Maryam

Restaurant

7. Al Fanar Seafood Market (Al Seef)

Emirati seafood$$Al Seef

The creekside Al Seef branch of an Emirati restaurant group, specialising in local seafood trays, machboos and traditional desserts such as luqaimat.

View details — Al Fanar Seafood Market (Al Seef)

Restaurant

8. 3 Fils

Contemporary Asian$$Jumeirah 1

A small harbour-side restaurant serving contemporary Asian food with a Japanese focus, ranked first in the inaugural MENA's 50 Best list and holding a Bib Gourmand.

View details — 3 Fils

Restaurant

9. Kinoya

Ramen and izakaya$$The Greens

A Japanese ramen bar and izakaya in The Greens with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, serving shio, shoyu and miso ramen, yakitori and small plates.

View details — Kinoya

Restaurant

10. Orfali Bros

Contemporary Middle Eastern$$$$Jumeirah 1

A Michelin-starred restaurant run by three Syrian brothers, reinterpreting the flavours of Aleppo and the wider Middle East through set menus.

View details — Orfali Bros

Restaurant

11. Zuma Dubai

Contemporary Japanese$$$$DIFC

A long-running contemporary Japanese restaurant and lounge in DIFC's Gate Village, serving robata grills, sushi and sharing plates to a lively crowd.

View details — Zuma Dubai

Restaurant

12. Pierchic

Italian seafood$$$$Madinat Jumeirah

A seafood restaurant at the end of a wooden pier off Jumeirah Al Qasr, with sea views towards Burj Al Arab and a Michelin Guide listing.

View details — Pierchic