Dubai is a dazzling emirate on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, renowned for its ultramodern skyline, luxury shopping, and world-record-breaking landmarks. From the iconic Burj Khalifa piercing the clouds to pristine beaches along the Arabian Gulf, Dubai seamlessly blends Bedouin heritage with 21st-century ambition. It is one of the world's most visited cities, attracting tens of millions of tourists each year with its unrivalled mix of culture, adventure, and opulence.
Dubai's dining scene is one of the most cosmopolitan in the world, reflecting the emirate's diverse population of over 200 nationalities. From three-Michelin-star progressive Indian cuisine to 50-year-old Iranian kebab shops, the city offers extraordinary breadth at every price point. Emirati cuisine itself is rarely featured publicly but worth seeking out — fragrant rice dishes, slow-cooked lamb, and pearl-diver heritage food tell the story of pre-oil Dubai. The restaurant scene is concentrated in Downtown Dubai, DIFC, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, and Palm Jumeirah, with the more authentic and affordable options found in Deira and Bur Dubai.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Dubai.
Machboos
Slow-cooked spiced rice with lamb or chicken, the national dish of the UAE
Where to try: Al Fanar Restaurant, Dubai Festival City
Price: $15-25
Shawarma
Marinated meat carved from a rotating spit and wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce
Where to try: Street stalls across Deira and Bur Dubai
Price: $3-6
Luqaimat
Crispy fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup and sesame, a traditional Emirati sweet
Where to try: Al Fanar Restaurant, street vendors at Global Village
Price: $5-8
Harees
A comforting porridge of wheat and slow-cooked meat, especially popular during Ramadan
Where to try: Al Fanar Restaurant
Price: $12-18
Camel Burger
A uniquely Dubai experience — camel meat burger served in several casual restaurants and hotel lobbies
Where to try: Various hotel restaurants
Price: $15-25
Mezze Platter
Lebanese and Levantine selection of hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, and kibbeh
Where to try: Al Hallab, Al Safadi, BeBabel
Price: $15-30
Koshari
Egyptian street food of lentils, rice, pasta, and spiced tomato sauce, very popular in Deira
Where to try: Egyptian restaurants in Deira
Price: $5-8
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Trèsind Studio
Dubai's only three-Michelin-star restaurant delivers a theatrical 20-course tasting menu that deconstructs and reimagines Indian flavours using avant-garde techniques. Located in the St. Regis Garden on The Palm, this is one of the hardest reservations in the city.
Known for: World's first three-Michelin-star Indian restaurant
St. Regis Gardens, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Hakkasan Dubai
A Michelin-starred contemporary Chinese restaurant inside Atlantis The Palm offering stunning sea views alongside exquisite dim sum, Peking duck, and wok-fired specialities. The dramatic interior design matches the quality of the food.
Known for: Michelin-starred contemporary Chinese
Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The Dubai outpost of Heston Blumenthal's celebrated concept at Atlantis The Royal offers historically inspired British cuisine cooked with extraordinary precision. Winner of the Time Out Dubai Award 2024 for best restaurant.
Known for: Historically inspired British fine dining
Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Nobu Dubai
The iconic Nobu brand has a stunning home at Atlantis The Palm with theatrical interiors and the beloved fusion cuisine that made Nobu a global institution. The black cod miso and yellowtail jalapeno are non-negotiable orders.
Known for: Globally iconic Japanese-Peruvian fusion
Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Cipriani Dubai
The legendary Venice institution has a spectacular outpost in DIFC serving authentic Venetian cuisine in a glamorous setting. The risotto, handmade pasta, and carpaccio are prepared to the same exacting standards as the original Harry's Bar.
Known for: Venetian fine dining heritage brand
Gate Village Building 6, DIFC, Dubai
Jara
Opened in 2024 at The Lana – Dorchester Collection, Jara brings Spanish Basque haute cuisine to Business Bay with an elegant terrace overlooking the Creek. The chef's tasting menu showcases premium Spanish ingredients with refined technique.
Known for: Spanish-Basque haute cuisine
The Lana – Dorchester Collection, Business Bay, Dubai
Alici
A dreamy Amalfi-inspired restaurant at Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah known for picture-worthy sea urchin spaghetti, fresh seafood pasta, and spectacular Gulf views. A popular spot for romantic dinners and weekend lunches.
Known for: Amalfi-style seafood with Arabian Gulf views
Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
BeBabel
Contemporary Lebanese dining at Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah offering mezze, grills, and creative cocktails in a stylish waterfront setting. One of Dubai's most popular Lebanese restaurants for both taste and atmosphere.
Known for: Contemporary Lebanese with waterfront views
Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Italian
Cipriani Dubai
Alici
Oppidan
Fi'lia
Eataly Dubai
Larte
International
Birds by Caesars Palace
Baker & Spice
The Sum of Us
Comptoir 102
Japanese
Nobu Dubai
Kinoya
Reif Japanese Kushiyaki
3Fills
Lebanese
BeBabel
Al Hallab
Al Safadi
Awtar Lebanese Restaurant
Indian
Trèsind Studio
Bombay Chowpatty
Bikanervala
Middle Eastern
Ninive
Operation: Falafel
Shawarma Guys
Chinese
Hakkasan Dubai
Long Teng Seafood Restaurant
Plant
Seva Table
Wild & The Moon
Arab Street Food
Zaroob
Australian
Tom&Serg
British
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Emirati
Al Fanar Restaurant
European
Folly by Nick & Scott
Greek
Mythos Kouzina & Grill
Iranian
Al Ustad Special Kabab
Pakistani
Ravi Restaurant
Pan
Hu'u
Seafood
Dampa Seafood Grill
Spanish
Jara
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Shawarma
Chicken or meat rotating spit wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce and pickles
Find it at: Street stalls throughout Deira, Bur Dubai, and Satwa
Samboosa
Deep-fried pastry triangles filled with meat, cheese, or spinach — Middle Eastern samosa
Find it at: Bakeries and market stalls across old Dubai
Falafel Wrap
Crispy chickpea fritters with tahini, pickles, and salad in fresh flatbread
Find it at: Operation: Falafel and street stalls in Deira
Manakish
Lebanese flatbread baked with za'atar and olive oil or cheese, eaten for breakfast
Find it at: Zaroob and Lebanese bakeries across Dubai
Corn on the Cob
Charcoal-grilled corn with butter and spices sold by street vendors along JBR
Find it at: JBR Beach Walk and Deira waterfront
Fruit Juice
Freshly pressed juice from pomegranate, mango, and seasonal fruits
Find it at: Juice stalls throughout Deira and souks
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Waterfront Market Deira
The largest seafood, meat, fruit, and vegetable market in Dubai where chefs and residents shop daily
Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Spice Souk
Traditional open-air market selling frankincense, saffron, dried herbs, and exotic spices
Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Ripe Food & Craft Market
A weekend farmers market with organic produce, homemade food stalls, and artisan products
Hours: Fridays 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (seasonal)
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Alcohol is only served in licensed hotel restaurants and clubs — budget restaurants are generally alcohol-free
Dubai Friday brunch (noon-4 PM) is a local institution — most hotels offer all-inclusive food and drinks packages from $80
Lunch specials at top restaurants can be 40-50% cheaper than dinner menus
Tipping 10-15% is customary at sit-down restaurants, though service charge is sometimes included
Ramadan significantly changes dining hours — restaurants outside hotels are closed during the day
- Vegetarian
- Vegetarian options are widely available, especially in Indian restaurants. More plant-based cafés opening each year.
- Halal
- The overwhelming majority of restaurants in Dubai serve halal meat. Non-halal pork products are only available in certain supermarkets and hotel restaurants.
- Gluten free
- Growing number of gluten-free cafés and menu options, especially in Jumeirah and Downtown. Ask staff about allergens.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-10 per meal | Street shawarma, falafel wraps, and South Asian restaurants in Bur Dubai and Deira |
| Mid-range | $20-40 per meal | Sit-down Lebanese, Italian, and Asian restaurants across the city |
| Upscale | $80+ per meal | Michelin-selected restaurants, hotel fine dining, and international celebrity-chef venues |