10 Must-Try Restaurants in Dubai (2026 Guide)
Discover 10 must-try restaurants in Dubai, from traditional Emirati dishes and Middle Eastern favorites to popular spots worth adding to your trip.
Quick answer
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant is a great place to start for Egyptian travelers who want to try traditional Emirati food in Old Dubai, including rice and meat dishes, machboos, and other local specialties. For a more upscale experience, Zuma Dubai offers contemporary Japanese izakaya dining in DIFC. If you prefer familiar Middle Eastern flavors, Awtar and Yara Jumeirah offer halal options with dishes that are closer to the flavors many Egyptian travelers know.
10 Must-Try Restaurants in Dubai, Ranked for Egyptian Travelers
Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe
Start here if you want to understand what Emirati food actually is. Al Fanar recreates 1960s Dubai with old Land Rovers, barasti huts, and wind-tower interiors across locations including Festival City Mall and Al Seef. The Michelin Guide lists the Al Seef branch. Order the Machboos (spiced meat and rice), Saloona stew, and finish with Luqaimat drizzled in date syrup. A main dish runs roughly AED 70 per person, per verified menu data.
Best for: first-timers who want a clear, approachable introduction to Emirati cuisine. All food is halal.~AED 70/person (~USD 19, check today's rate at cbe.org.eg)View on map
Bu Qtair Fish Restaurant
Bu Qtair began as a fisherman's shack in the 1980s near Dubai's Fishing Harbour 2 in Umm Suqeim, steps from the Burj Al Arab. It now draws 11,000-plus reviews on Google and a cult following across the city. Pick your fish from the counter by weight, and it comes back fried or grilled in a secret spice blend with rice and curry sauce. A full meal with fish and sides runs roughly AED 50 to 90 per person . Bring cash. No alcohol.
Best for: Egyptians who love no-frills seafood at honest prices and want a truly local Dubai experience.~AED 50-90/person (~USD 14-25, verify at booking)View on map
Bait Maryam
Bait Maryam holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand, meaning the inspectors rate it as exceptional value, not just exceptional food. Located in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, it serves home-style Levantine cooking built on generational recipes from chef-owner Salam Daqqaq. Try the Maryam fukhara (kibbe meatballs in pomegranate molasses cooked in a clay pot) and the classic mezze spread. Prices run AED 80 to 160 per person.
Best for: Egyptians who want familiar Levantine flavours elevated by real craft. Fully halal. Easy to reach from JLT or Dubai Marina metro.
Arabian Tea House
Open since 1997 in a traditional wind-tower house inside the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Arabian Tea House is one of Dubai's most photographed courtyards. The blue-and-white courtyard doubles as a great social media moment. Come for the Emirati breakfast tray: chebab (spiced pancakes) and balaleet (sweet vermicelli) for about AED 85. It sits about 7 kilometres from Downtown Dubai and pairs perfectly with a walk through Al Fahidi.
Best for: Egyptians visiting Old Dubai who want a calm, photogenic breakfast with genuine Emirati morning food. All halal.~AED 85 for breakfast tray (~USD 23, verify at booking)View on map
Al Safadi
Al Safadi has run Lebanese grills across Dubai since 2001 and now has multiple branches, including in Deira and Downtown. The mixed grill, fattoush, and hummus are crowd staples with consistently generous portions. Prices run AED 50 to 120 per person. Egyptians will feel at home with the format: mezze, grilled meats, fresh bread, and nothing unfamiliar on the menu. A reliable choice when you want a long, relaxed meal with the whole family.
Best for: groups and families who want solid Lebanese food at fair prices across multiple neighbourhoods.AED 50-120/person (~USD 14-33, verify at booking)View on map
Logma
Logma is a modern Emirati cafe in Downtown Dubai with views of the Dubai Fountain, making it one of the most convenient lunch stops after the Dubai Mall. The menu blends classic Khaleeji dishes like chebab and balaleet with more accessible items such as chicken shawarma paratha and butter chicken. Budget roughly AED 30 to 45 per person for a snack, or more for a full meal. Confirmed on the Michelin-listed Emirati dining circuit.
Best for: Egyptian travelers who want a quick, modern Emirati taste without committing to a full sit-down dinner. Halal.~AED 30-80/person (~USD 8-22, verify at booking)View on map
Zuma DIFC
Zuma is ranked the top restaurant in Dubai for 2026 by wheretoeatdubai.com and has held that standard since opening in 2008. Located in DIFC, the robata grill is the main draw: black cod, wagyu beef, and an izakaya-style sharing format. Prices average AED 350 to 550 per person. The 9 PM Thursday crowd is one of Dubai's most electric dining atmospheres.
Best for: Egyptians who want a genuine splurge night, a special occasion meal, or simply to understand why Dubai's restaurant scene gets so much international attention. Alcohol is available; non-alcoholic options confirmed.
Nobu Dubai
Nobu sits inside Atlantis The Palm and carries a Michelin Selected listing in the Dubai 2025 guide. The Japanese-Peruvian fusion menu is famous globally, but the Dubai location adds a Palm Jumeirah setting that few restaurants can match. Signature dishes include Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Jalapeño. Prices run AED 400 to 700 per person à la carte, with a business lunch option from AED 195.
Best for: Egyptians on a Dubai bucket-list trip who want to combine a world-famous chef's cooking with a memorable coastal setting. Non-alcoholic pairings available.
Fi'lia
Fi'lia occupies the 70th floor of SLS Dubai in Business Bay, 3.1 kilometres from Downtown Dubai, with direct Burj Khalifa sightlines. The Italian menu focuses on wood-fired dishes: truffle pizza, burrata, and handmade pasta are the crowd favourites. Prices sit at AED 150 to 300 per person. Trip.com ranks it among the top 14 fine dining restaurants in Dubai. The setting works as a viral moment: the panoramic views photograph well.
Best for: Egyptians who want Italian food with a Dubai skyline backdrop without paying Michelin-star prices. Halal ingredients confirmed; no pork on the menu.AED 150-300/person (~USD 41-82, verify at booking)View on map
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant
Al Khayma sits at Dubai Creek, about 7 kilometres from Downtown, and offers one of the most atmospheric Emirati dining settings in the city: a lantern-lit courtyard with traditional Bedouin decor and live music. Trip.com ranks it among Dubai's top must-visit restaurants for 2026. The Michelin Guide lists it under Emirati cuisine with a budget-friendly price point of two dollar signs. Order the slow-cooked lamb, Harees, and a pot of karak tea. Budget roughly AED 80 to 150 per person.
Best for: Egyptians visiting Deira or Old Dubai who want a complete heritage evening, not just a meal. Fully halal.~AED 80-150/person (~USD 22-41, verify at booking)View on map
