Dubai Restaurants

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Head for the bar/restaurant at Level 27, which is more like a conventional level 54 (as each level represents suites arranged over 2 floors!).

The wrap-around views are lovely, as you enter you see The Palm Jumeirah, through to the World Islands, and then around the front you see the beach & Jumeirah Beach Hotel (a sister hotel), and the city of Dubai spread further out in front.

Service is flawless, the hostess leads you into the room with a warm smile & greeting. From here on it's five star all the way. In fact the warm greetings begin as you report at the concierge.

As you enter this hotel, you'll see the high open atrium right in front of you, with it's fountains. On each side there are escalators, with massive aquariums at both ends. Nice touch, reminding you that you are in fact in/on the ocean: this hotel is created on a man-made island & accessed via a causeway!

Before dining here I'd suggest you opt for high tea, choosing the 1600 hours slot. That way you get to see the Palm & World Islands in daylight, then as the sun sets you see the lights in the city coming on, and the beautifully lit Burj khalifa in the distance.

The dining does not start till 1900 hours, and being located towards the front, you won't see the Palm or World Islands, just the city shimmering with evening lights.

Of course, you can have drinks in the bar, but the Islands would not be visible as they are not fully developed & not inhabited yet :-( The thing you would see the the grand Atlantis Hotel, standing proudly on the outermost fringe of Palm Jumeirah.

Favorite Dish: Your experience begins with a champagne and some canapes.

Next you are offered tea, coffee, etc.

Then out comes the multi-tiered plates housed in a Burj Al Arab shaped stand. Cool touch!

Gorgeous cakes & finger sandwiches, plus really cool bites of salmon, crab, etc.

I liked the apple seed caviar offered as a palate cleanser before they bring the scones out.

Even after this you are offered beverages. Go for the tasty iced tea served in a long glass.

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(Unlicenced - no alcoholic beverages)

The Lime Tree Cafe in Jumeirah is virtually impossible to miss: it's the only house painted bright green! The cafe itself is a house with its own small garden with a lovely seating area & water feature, and from the very beginnings in 2002 it was welcomed as a fresh and highly appreciated addition to the Dubai coffee-sipping scene.

Its location smack-bang in the middle of Jumeirah is great for tourists that are out to explore Dubai on foot or by short taxi rides: the Jumeirah Mosque, Al Ittihad House/Flag, the smaller Jumeirah shopping malls, Mercato Mall and of course the beaches, are all within hopping distance.
Upstairs you'll find another seating area, as well as the washrooms & a lovely outside terrace where you can enjoy the sun and the view of the ocean across the street. (no smoking inside)
You can find another Limetree Cafe with outside seating area at the Ibn Battua shopping mall as well. I actually prefer this location, as it's usually quieter and more relaxing.

This is the sort of place that attracts a loyal clientele of business people grabbing a quick, satisfying lunch & tourists on their way to/back from the beaches...
NOTE: This is in no-way meant to offend anyone; I'm definitely no "child-hater"!, but I just want you to be advised that mums with (screaming) kids also like coffee-sipping here, so if you want some peace & quiet it's best to visit either early in the morning, or after lunch time, or simply sit on the upstairs balcony (child-free zone).

The food is great, prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is lovely & the concept unique: there aren't many good cafes with such nice outdoor seating in Dubai.

Favorite Dish: The menu for breakfast specials, lunch, dinner or simply coffee & a snack offers unique alternatives to boring club sandwiches & salads: there are many healthy options (such as grilled fish & vegetable skewers, an assortment of innovative salads, pasta & sauces) and trust me on this one: throw all of your diet-intentions out of the window, for you MUST try one of their fabulous home-made muffins (peach & chocolate) or cake!

Your order is taken directly at the counter, and your food is then brought to your table. Surely, this is easier on the waiting staff and gives you time to look at the daily selection of yummy food, but the queue can get quiet long between 12:30pm - 02:30pm.

Jumeirah: Opening Hours: 07:30am - 08:00pm.
--> The Lime Tree Cafes is an animal-loving establishment and supports the local cat charity *Feline Friends*. They also look after their very own rescued cats in the cafe's garden.

Lime Tree Cafe also has a branch at the Ibn Batutta Mall
Opening Hours: 08:00am - 10:30pm.
Fridays: 10:00am - 10:30pm.

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(Unlicenced - no alcoholic beverages)

I've eaten sushi many times before, but never in the true conveyor-belt style. So I must admit, the prospect of seeing my food driving past me was the main reason for trying this establishment!

Yo! has already proved a deeply successful formula in London, whose population has clasped the raw-fish-on-a-conveyor-belt motif firmly to its collective bosom; and never wanting to be "out of style", Dubai was not far behind to follow this phenomenon.
Sushi has the reputation of being "healthy fast food" for the executive with the hectic lifestyle. So we arrived after such an aforementioned hectic day at work, sat down at the counter & suddenly I felt myself being mesmerised by the little round dishes with plastic domes, slowly drifting past me on the conveyor belt... uuuuiiihhh! How cute!

You can endulge on Green Tea & Miso Soup (tofu, seaweed & vegetable broth) until it's coming out of your ears - free refills all the way.
Either order from the menu, or snatch & savour any of the dishes driving past you on the conveyor belt. Pricing is done by colour-coded plates (orange, purple, etc.), starting at Dhs 8,- and not exceeding Dhs 18,- and don't worry about catching any weird food-bug from the raw goods: the food is prepared freshly throughout the day & none of the fish is on the conveyor belt for longer than 2 hours.

Favorite Dish: >> (Poached) Kimchee Salmon Salad in a lime, red pepper & herb dressing - my favourite!
>> California rolls, Nigiri Sake (salmon sushi), Unagi (BBQ Eel) & shrimp sushi all yummy, fresh, tasty with perfect sticky rice.
>> If you fancy something hot & cooked (I still haven't been able to convert my husband into a fan of raw cuisine) definitely try the Teriyaki Salmon or Chicken, the Miso Hamour, the breaded Prawn Katsu and the lovely, thick & chewy Udon Noodles with your choice of chicken, shrimp or vegetables... and Tempura!

I've been here numerous times and both quality & quantity have always been consistent. Take-away is also available.


NOTE: This is a non-smoking restaurant.

Opening Hours: Saturdays to Thursdays: 11:30am - 11:00pm.
Fridays: 02:00pm - 11:00pm.
--> UPDATE NOVEMBER 2007: Our favourite Yo!Sushi branch, now open at Dubai Festival city, with both indoor and outdoor seating!
--> UPDATE 2010: Yo!Sushi is now also based on the lower level of the Dubai Mall.

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SINCE JANUARY 2011 THIS RESTAURANT HAS CLOSED. I'M LEAVING THIS TIP HERE TO INFORM OF THIS FACT.

(Licensed - serves alcoholic beverages)

Even though Scarlett's is located in the overly-posh Emirates Towers business hotel, the prices are relatively reasonable & the atmosphere is positively non-snobby. It was also the winner of the "Dubai What’s On Awards": Best Bar 2003.
This is one of Dubai's typical venues that can't seem to decide whether it's a pub, restaurant or night club. In this order, it transitions throughout the day from a few patrons sipping Guinness and Gin & Tonics at the bar; to couples, friends or families dining on the delicious food; to a loud, crowded & hot nightspot with a small dance floor; bodies rubbing against bodies in a struggle to reach the bar, the rest rooms or the exit.

The decor is equally schizophrenic: "am I a sports bar, a fancy cocktail lounge or a cheesy Colonial dining room reminiscing about the American civil war?"
Anywayz, who cares about the wall paper whilst you're chomping down a plate of shrimp & chilli pasta accompanied by a delicious cocktail?

Main courses usually consist of mostly well-heaped plates of gorgeous aromatic food, a fusion of British pub-grub & Creole favourites.

Favorite Dish: I recommend the mushroom & angelhair pasta, flavoured with chilli flakes & fresh parmesan. John loves the burgers, and any dish with shrimp is a winner in this place! And if you have any space left, tuck into some dessert favourites such as Mississippi Mudpie and Brownie Delight.

Happy Hour: Daily from 05.00pm - 08.00pm a selection of beverages is yours with 2 for the price of one.

--> Check their website for daily special events!

Opening Hours: Daily 12.30pm-03:00am. Last food order at 11.30pm.
Children are welcome until 11.00pm & there is a children's menu.

Dress Code: Smart-casual. beach wear, shorts & sandals not permitted.

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(Licensed - serves alcoholic beverages)

Al Dawaar at The Hyatt Regency (5 star) is Dubai's only revolving restaurant & is located on the 25th floor: It spins at a rate of one complete turn every 2 hours; just enough time to see it all during a unique & relaxed lunch or dinner.

This highly sophisticated venue's decor is chic and classy, with attentive waiters and soft background music. This is one of the city's all-time favourites, and not just for tourists - so it's highly adviseable to make reservations.

You get a great view of the airport, the never-ending traffic, the entrance to the Creek as well as the port and the sea. An awe-inspiring buffet allows you to choose from an extensive selection of food from salads to shrimp to lobster; with specialities from Arabic, Chinese, European and Novelle Cuisine... you'll definitely be re-filling your plate more than once ;-)

Dinner Buffet: AED 230.- per person (drinks charged extra)
Lunch Buffet: AED 165.- per person (drinks charged extra)
(Prices in year 2011)
1 US Dollar = 3.67 AED (UAE Dirhams)

TIP: Watch out for the cost of any extra drinks: they are at least 40% more expensive than in most bars & clubs.
TIP: Bring a light shawl or jacket, as the air conditioning can be arctic!

Open daily: For buffet lunch from 12:30pm - 03:30pm and
for dinner from 06:30pm - midnight.

Favorite Dish: You may also order items from their great a-la-carte menu, but this restaurant has gone down in Dubai's hall-of-fame for it's enormous, luxurious buffet and that's what I'm going to enjoy!

Special Offer for children: For Friday brunch, each child up to the age of 6 years dines free, and each child aged between 7 - 12 years receives a 50% discount when accompanied by 2 paying adults.

This is also a very nice place for Xmas dinner or Xmas-day lunch.

UPDATE early 2008: this may be one of Dubai's oldest hotels, but their recent rennovation work is now completed with a new, chic, modern and sophisticated luxurious look. I'm very impressed with the change!

--> Please note that since the beginning of 2008, this restaurant employs a no-smoking policy.

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(Unlicensed - no alcoholic beverages.)

This is a great, understated, budget-friendly, authentic & underestimated restaurant in the heart of the Karama Shopping District. It might not look like much, but I've been coming here with friends, family & visitors for years and have never been disappointed.
When you've finished your souvenir-shopping in Karama and need a refreshment or some good Arabic food, settle down at Yahala and experience what *old Dubai* is all about. (I tend to avoid Karama in the summer months because the walkway is open to the elements and only the individual shops are air-conditioned, but the restaurant has ample indoor & outdoor seating, whatever the seasonal temperature may be.)

"Yahala" is an informal Arabic way of saying "What's up? Come on in!"

When we first starting coming here we only used to see Arabic or Indian families. Nowadays, word has spread about this little gem and we often see families of Western expatriates & tourists as well, chewing with a huge grin on their faces! The waiters have therefore really improved their English and are always extremely happy to see Westerners jumping "off the beaten path" & dining at their little corner of the world.

Favorite Dish: Their menu is an amusing welcome, with spelling mistakes such as "French Fairies" & "Sheep Tongs" :-) Our favourite dishes are:
-> As a starter, I recommend the Yahala Salad Platter, complete with Hummous, Fatoush (green salad), Tabbouleh (parsley salad), baba ghanoush (eggplant salad) and my beloved Falafel (chickpea balls) that is great for sharing for 2-3 people and costs only 30 Dirhams.
-> You absolutely must try their selection of freshly squeezed fruit juices. We like the large glass of pineapple juice for 10 Dirhams.
-> John ordered the ever-popular Chicken Shwarma Platter with & French fries for 20 Dirhams.
-> I love fish, and had a whole grilled Hammour (grouper) fish with fries for 40 Dirhams.
-> According to my Iraqi friend, this place has the best Kebabs in town! (1 US Dollar = 3.67 Dhs).
A bottomless basket of Arabic bread is free, and after your meal enjoy a complimentary glass of strong & sweet mint tea to help you digest when you've eaten too much... which you definitely will!

There aren't very many vegetarian options, but you can always ask the chef to prepare something "special" for you. To cut a long story short: you can eat Authentic Arabic/Lebanese food here for a very low price!

--> Update 2009: We ate at Yahala again in December 2009 - quality of the food is still brilliant, and customer service has improved even more! We'll definitely be back.

--> Update 2010: Have been back to Yahala a few times this winter; still love it :-)

Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 09:00am-01:00am.

NOTE: Please be so kind & share some of your dinner with the loveable Karama street cats ;-)

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(Unlicensed – no alcoholic beverages)

If you want to try some authentic Arabic/Lebanese food in a traditional setting, then this is the place for you. Kan Zaman is located on the Dubai Creek's Bur Dubai shore, right down by the water's edge. Only a few hundred metres further, and the creek spills out into the Persian Gulf. Watch as the Abras (water taxis) bob along on the waters... this could be one of the few occasions in Dubai when you actually feel like you are in the true Middle East.

I absolutely love this place, which I stumbled upon many years ago whilst walking around & exploring the Textile Souk and historic area around the Dubai Museum. This is an unusual place: 1/3 filled with Local families, 1/3 filled with "veteran" Western expatriates and 1/3 tourists - but this mix doesn't spoil the traditional atmosphere by even an inch...

Favorite Dish: The food is decent and receives a 90% rating from me. Service is sufficiently good & most of the waiters speak English well. The main attraction is the ambience (this place manages to be both romantic & buzzy at the same time) and of course the al fresco tables; meaning there's space for hundreds of diners either upstairs, down by the water, or inside their spacious dining hall. They also offer international dishes on their looong traditional menu, but as it goes with all authentic eateries, it's probably best to stick to the Arabic specialities. They have everything from hummous, to shwarma, kebabs, grilled seafood, etc.

We paid 10 Dirhams for a pot of gorgeous Moroccan Mint Tea and 24 Dhs for a nice Sheesha. Prices are extremely reasonable, considering that you are sitting in the most visited streets of Dubai. For a comprehensive list of popular Arabic food, click here: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tp/1411c2/.

NOTE: Women, please wear respectful clothing. There are many Muslim families here that might easily feel offended.

TIP: In the winter months, bring a jacket as it can get quite cold & windy here! In summer, you have no choice but to sit inside in air-conditioned bliss.

Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 11:00am - 03:00am.
(Gets busy from about 10pm onwards, so arrive early.)

--> Update 2010: returned for a visit in November and glad to report that the food is still great, service is ok, and portions appear to be getting bigger!

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You shouldn't miss out on trying some Arabic specialities whilst you're here, but I understand that everyone has their limits when it comes to being adventurous with food (even when I used to eat meat, I never touched things like brain-salad!)

Arabic food in the UAE is heavily influenced by cooking-styles of Lebanon, Eygpt & India. So depending on the restaurant, the same dishes could slightly vary in flavour & ingredients.

Here are some of the most common Arabic foods you'll see on a menu:

BABA GHANOUSH:
Vegetarian Dip of char-grilled eggplant mixed with tahina, olive oil, lemon juice & garlic puree.

BAKLAWA: (Baklava)
This is THE typical Arabic dessert; love it or hate it (it's far too sweet for me) Layered pastry filled with nuts & steeped in honey-lemon syrup - usually cut into triangular or diamond shapes.

BURGHUL: (Bulghur wheat, Bulgar)
Parboiled & dried wheat kernels processed into grain, used in salads & meat dishes.

CHAI:
Arabic Tea; usually black tea with lots of sugar & fresh mint leaves.

(CHEESE) MANAKISH or MANAEESH:
Arabic bread with melted cheese topping. Also available with meat or herbs.

FALAFEL:
Vegetarian small deep-fried balls made of spiced ground chickpeas... yummy!

FATAYER:
Pastry pockets filled with spinach, meat or cheese (ask about the filling)

FATTOUSH:
This is your regular Arabic green (vegetarian)
salad of toasted croutons, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes & mint.

FOUL: (Foul Medammes)
Slow-cooked mash of brown beans & red lentils, dressed with lemon, olive oil & cumin... if you love beans, this is the dish for you! Can sometimes also contain meat or a fried egg.

GAHWA: (Kahwa) Arabic Coffee.

HALWA:
Dessert: Sweet sesame paste, usually made in a slab & studded with fruit & nuts (can also be bought in containers in the supermarket)

Favorite Dish: HAMMOUR:
Red Sea fish of the grouper family & most commonly used fish in the UAE. More info here.

HOMMOUS:
The most famous Arabic dip! Vegetarian puree of chickpeas, tahina, lemon & garlic - grab some Arabic bread and dip-away!

KEBAB: Skewered meat or fish cooked over charcoal.

KIBBEH: Oval-shaped nuggets of ground lamb & burghul.

KOSHARI:
Vegetarian dish of pasta, rice & lentils with onions, chillies & tomato paste.

KOFTA:
Balls or a flat cake of minced meat & spices, baked or charcoal-grilled on skewers.

LABAN:
Tangy-tasting sour milk drink (drinking yoghurt) widely used in cooking or as a refreshing drink.

MEZZE: (Mezzah) The Arabic word for Appetiser.

SHAWERMA (click on photo)
This is the true Arabic name & version of a "doner kebab": A cone of pressed lamb, chicken or beef roasted on a vertical spit where the meat is shaved off from the outside as the spit keeps turning. It's then packed into Arabic bread together with lettuce, onions & tahina.

SHISH TAOUK: Skewered chicken pieces cooked over charcoal.

TABBOULEH:
Vegetarian salad of burghul, tomato, shredded mint & parsley (really gets stuck in your teeth, but it's very refreshing & healthy!)

TAHINA: An oily paste made from ground sesame seeds.

UMM ALI:
Translated it means "Ali's mother" - this is the Arabic version of a bread & butter pudding, made from Arabic bread soaked in hot milk with coconut, raisins, honey & sometimes nuts... I love it - it's delicious.

ZATTAR:
Blend of spices including oregano, thyme, marjoram & salt (often used in salads, or sprinkled onto cheesy Arabic bread)

--> Traditionally you will be given a lot of fresh mint leaves & salad with your meal. Arabs chew on the mint throughout and after the meal to freshen their breath & to aid digestion.