Restaurant
Trèsind Studio
A three-Michelin-star Indian tasting-menu restaurant on Palm Jumeirah, reimagining regional Indian cooking with produce sourced from UAE farms.
Al Fanar Seafood Market (Al Seef)
The creekside Al Seef branch of an Emirati restaurant group, specialising in local seafood trays, machboos and traditional desserts such as luqaimat.
At a glance
- Type
- Emirati seafood
- Area
- Al Seef, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open daily · 13:00–22:30
- Official site
- alfanarrestaurant.com
Why we recommend it
Al Fanar was founded in 2011 as a family-run restaurant with a simple aim: to bring back the flavours of the UAE as they were in the 1960s, before the country changed beyond recognition. Its Al Seef branch, one of its Seafood Market outlets, sits in the heritage-style waterfront quarter on the banks of Dubai Creek and is listed in the Michelin Guide. It is one of the easiest places in the city for visitors to try Emirati dishes that rarely appear on hotel menus.
The signature here is a seafood tray of fish, prawns and calamari served over spiced rice, which is best ordered to share. The wider menu covers Emirati classics: machboos, a spiced rice dish cooked with chicken, meat or fish; jesheed, a dish of shredded shark seasoned with spices; and luqaimat, small fried dumplings drizzled with date syrup, to finish. Karak tea, sweet and spiced with cardamom, rounds off the meal. Menus vary between branches, so check the Al Seef menu online if there is a dish you particularly want.
You can sit indoors in a rustic dining room or out on the terrace, which looks across the water to the boats and the older districts of Dubai. In the cooler months the terrace is the obvious choice, especially at sunset. The restaurant is open daily from 1pm to 10.30pm, and the group notes that hours can change during Ramadan and public holidays. Booking is a good idea for terrace tables at weekends. Alcohol is not served.
Families are well catered for, and the generous portions and moderate prices make it a good choice for groups. For anyone who does not eat seafood, the chicken and meat versions of machboos are a safe introduction to Emirati cooking. Service is warm and the staff will explain unfamiliar dishes.
Al Seef stretches along the Bur Dubai side of the creek, next to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. Al Ghubaiba and Al Fahidi Metro stations on the Green Line are both within walking distance, and the abra stations for the Deira souks are close by, so lunch or dinner here fits easily into a day in old Dubai.
Al Fanar Seafood Market (Al Seef) FAQs
What is Emirati machboos?
A spiced rice dish cooked with chicken, meat or fish.
What is the signature dish?
Seafood trays of fish, prawns and calamari served over spiced rice.
What are the opening hours?
Daily from 1pm to 10.30pm; hours can change during Ramadan and public holidays.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes, a terrace overlooks Dubai Creek and old Dubai.
Is it in the Michelin Guide?
Yes, the Al Seef restaurant is listed in the 2026 Michelin Guide Dubai.
Does it serve alcohol?
No.
What should I have for dessert?
Luqaimat, fried dumplings with date syrup, with a cup of karak tea.
How do I get there?
Walk from Al Ghubaiba or Al Fahidi Metro stations on the Green Line.