Arabic restaurants in Dubai

These restaurants cover three strands of the region's cooking: Emirati home dishes, Lebanese street food and Persian-style grilled kebabs. All three are low-cost places in the older parts of the city, with published menus and prices.

Filters
Price per person
Alcohol
Dress code
Good to have

20 restaurants, sorted by recommended

How we rank
  • A traditional Middle Eastern breakfast spread with a cup of tea, fried egg, tomatoes, walnuts, cheese, jam and flatbread

    Arabian Tea House, Al Fahidi

    • Arabic, Emirati
    • Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

    about AED 68 per person

  • A toasted shawarma wrap cut in half to show the meat filling, on a wooden board with lettuce and chips

    Al Mallah

    • Arabic, Lebanese

    about AED 43 per person

  • Saffron-marinated grilled chicken kebab with a charred tomato and vegetables, in the Persian style

    Al Ustad Special Kabab

    • Arabic
    • Bur Dubai

    about AED 31 per person

  • Rows of small turquoise bowls filled with yellow and deep red dips on a dark wooden pass

    Orfali Bros

    • Arabic
    • Jumeirah

    about AED 295 per person

  • A wooden abra full of passengers crossing Dubai Creek with gulls overhead and Deira towers behind

    Bayt Al Wakeel

    • Arabic, Seafood
    • Bur Dubai

    about AED 80 per person

  • Whole fresh fish, langoustines and flatfish laid out on crushed ice with lettuce

    Ibn AlBahr, Club Vista Mare

    • Arabic, Lebanese, Seafood
    • Palm Jumeirah

    about AED 85 per person

  • A wooden board of grilled octopus, langoustines and prawns with lemon halves

    Samakjë Harbor

    • Lebanese, Seafood
    • Palm Jumeirah
    • Alcohol served

    about AED 145 per person

  • A falafel and shawarma wrap in blue paper with seasoned fries and pickles on a white plate

    Zaroob, Sheikh Zayed Road

    • Arabic, Lebanese

    about AED 44 per person

  • A quiet lane of sand-coloured traditional buildings with fabric stalls and lanterns

    Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

    • Arabic, Emirati
    • Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

    about AED 79 per person

  • A plate of kofta, chicken skewers, kibbeh, hummus, salad and fries on a marble table

    Siraj Restaurant & Cafe

    • Arabic, Lebanese, Emirati
    • Downtown Dubai

    about AED 75 per person

  • Levantine mezze in a divided dish: hummus, tabbouleh, fried pastries and spiced potatoes, with flatbread on the side

    Bait Maryam, JLT

    • Arabic
    • Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)

    about AED 62 per person

  • Bowl of hummus with chickpeas beside pickled turnips, pickles and spoons of spices on a wooden table

    Wafi Gourmet, The Dubai Mall

    • Arabic, Lebanese
    • Downtown Dubai

    about AED 88 per person

  • Lebanese platter of hummus, tabbouleh, falafel and grilled meats, with folded flatbread and small spoons of spices

    Al Nafoorah, Jumeirah Al Qasr

    • Arabic, Lebanese
    • Jumeirah

    about AED 80 per person

Price per person is our estimate for a meal without drinks. Price levels: $ under AED 100, $$ AED 100 to 250, $$$ AED 250 to 450, $$$$ over AED 450.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I try Emirati food in Dubai?

Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi serves Emirati dishes such as machboos, harees, balaleet and luqaimat, with most mains at AED 60 to AED 76.

How much is a shawarma in Dubai?

At Al Mallah, a regular shawarma costs AED 10 on the brand's online menu, and a shawarma plate AED 45.

Which of these restaurants open late?

Al Mallah is open until 02:00 and Al Ustad serves dinner until 01:00. Arabian Tea House closes at 23:00.

All restaurant types