Dubai is not short of attractions. Think theme parks, shopping malls, luxury hotels and desert safaris. Now the UAE super city wants to serve up another attraction: Food.
Dubai's 13,000 restaurants and cafes are eyeing status as a culinary capital of the world, offering a variety of experiences for foodies, including award-winning restaurants and homegrown concepts.If you’re heading to Dubai, here are some of the Emirati restaurants and dishes recommended by the city’s chefs and food experts.
Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe
With four locations in the city, including its Al Seef venue which is featured in the Michelin Guide Dubai, Al Fanar serves a menu of authentic Emirati dishes, using age-old recipes and local ingredients to tell a story of heritage and culture. Traditional architecture recreates old-world Arabia. Dish to try: Al Fanar seafood tray (grilled sea bream, prawn biryani, deep fried fish roe, and calamari on white rice),
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant
Located in the heart of Old Dubai in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Al Khayma is both a restaurant and museum that reflects the city’s rich culinary heritage. Awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin, Al Khayma has a particular focus on Emirati flavours and hosts traditional cooking classes. Dish to try: lamb machboos (lamb pieces marinated with Emirati machboos spices with saffron rice),
Logma
Meaning ‘mouthful’ in Arabic, Logma at Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue gives a contemporary take on Khaleeji and Emirati cuisine, including street food and twists on classic dishes. Dish to try: chicken shawarma paratha (shawarma slices, lettuce, tomato, pickles and coleslaw served in flatbread).
Arabian Tea House
Reminiscent of an old Arabian home, the Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood has been serving authentic Emirati and Arabic cuisine since 1997. Dish to try: biryani deyay/laham (chicken or lamb cooked with rice and aromatic Gulf spices served with yoghurt).
Al Bait Alqadeem Emirati Heritage Restaurant
Al Bait Alqadeem, which translates to ‘The Old House’, serves authentic Arabic fare amid period architecture. Located close to the Gold Souk, the restaurant is an ideal pit stop between browsing for goods. Dish to try: shawarma thinly-sliced meat wrapped in khubz, a traditional pita-like bread).