The 5 Best Emirati Restaurants in Dubai
Eating like a local is one of the truest pleasures that we can get while traveling or living in a new city.
With Dubai being one of the richest in terms of culture and food, we never run out of places to find traditional Emirati dishes we can feast on.
So we went and tried out some of the most recommended spots in the city to give you Dubai’s best Emirati restaurants.
How We Picked Dubai’s Best Emirati Restaurants
Before we get right into our list of Dubai’s best Emirati restaurants, here are the factors we considered for our entries on this list:
1. Siraj
| Criteria | Rating |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Authenticity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
If you are looking for something that is authentically approved by the Emirati community, look no further than Siraj.
This restaurant is approved by the royal family of UAE themselves, for its contemporary reinterpretation of Emirati-Levantine cuisine.
The menu is composed of local favorites, updated to cement its spot in Dubai’s competitive culinary industry. We love how it has managed to keep the authenticity of Emirati cooking while also finding new ways to give old favorites new twists.
We especially love its warm date and kale salad, and lobster kibbeh. And to top it all off, some luqaimat, fried dough, for dessert.
However, the service needed some improvement. There were no significant problems with the staff, but it needed some help in terms of matching the service quality for the price point that it has.
On top of that, the man shouting “Arabian food” outside of the restaurant was kind of annoying, and not a great way to entice customers to come in.
When it comes to its ambiance, we were in love with the dark and intimate sandy color palette that it has going on. The beautiful arches and intricate lamps made us feel like we were stepping into a temple.
However, the music was simply too loud that it overshadowed our conversations at some points.
Pros
- Serves innovative authentic Emirati-Levantine food
- Beautifully decorated restaurant
Cons
- The service needs improvement to match the price point
- The music was too loud
Customer Reviews
Overall, so good!
“We were going to Karma Kafe but it was closed so we went to Siraj. Sooo yummy! The shrimp majboos and the meat margooba were delicious! Fattouch is my new fav salad. We also ordered the grilled halloumi (always good) and the beet salad. Overall so good!” – MANIYA ABLAZA, Google Reviews
Highly recommended!
“Delicious food, very good and broad menu selection including dome exotic dishes, like camel tenderloin, big selection of traditional Arabic dishes made in a different way, we had a family dinner, ordered 7 dishes – every dish was perfect, very good quality of ingredients.
Very good presentation, service is 5*.
The outdoor terrace is very big with a separate area by the water.
Highly recommended!” – Victor Kolesnikov, Google Reviews
2. Aseelah
| Criteria | Rating |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Authenticity | ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
Aseelah is an award-winning fine dining destination known for bringing contemporary gastronomic twists to traditional Emirati favorites.
The menu offers a selection of creative dishes, combining Western cooking techniques with local ingredients and flavor combinations. Our favorite from here is the Samak, which is fish in gravy with spiced rice.
While we do love the unconventional approach to Emirate food, we feel that it does lose the authenticity of the flavors in the process. The spice levels and the presentation of the dishes do not feel like it was cooked by Emiratis.
Despite that, gourmet is gourmet, and the dishes the restaurant serves are always delicious in their own way. But if you are coming in expecting Emirati flavors then you will leave disappointed.
When it comes to its service, we were not disappointed with the staff, but rather we were let down by its buffet service because of delays and the noticeable downgrade in the food quality.
Despite that, the staff was quite professional and attentive. We could tell that they were all trained to follow global standards.
The ambiance was serviceable, we love the furniture and the patterned tiles, but we don’t like how Raddison forced its aesthetic style on the space because it clashes.
Pros
- Award-winning Emirati restaurant
- Excellent staff
Cons
- The food is not authentic
- Raddison’s aesthetic style clashes with the restaurant’s interior design
- The buffet is not worth it
Customer Reviews
This restaurant has literally a lot of varieties.
“This restaurant has literally a lot of varieties. My Fave was the seafood side, lamb, and kebab. All are actually delicious! The ambiance is okay but quite different from the photo. Overall the food is great!” – Jojaylyn Vera, Google Reviews
Overall a great experience
“Aseelah is an Arabic restaurant situated in Radisson Blue, Dubai Creek Deira( eel known as old Intercon)
During Ramadan, they have a special Ramadan Iftar buffet on the roof and the spread is great. They have a good barbeque, especially fish. The only issue is because it’s on the roof the barbecue gets cold very fast due to the breeze.
The desert is huge with almost all the varieties of Arabic desert.
Overall a great experience.” – Zameer Mohammed, Google Reviews
3. Logma
| Criteria | Rating |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Authenticity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Known for its freshly prepared authentic Arab Khaleeji food, Logma serves breakfast specialties that not a lot of people outside of the UAE actually know a lot about.
The menu shines a light on less popular dishes that are just as flavorful and tasty as your typical shawarma and shakshouka. We love its balaleet and grilled halloumi.
Of course, it doesn’t just serve breakfast. We’re big fans of how complete its menu is with its expansive lunch and dinner items featuring several salads and rice-based dishes.
When it comes to authenticity, it is almost incomparable to anything. Its food is literally Arabian-Khaleeji home-cooking with a few twists to elevate it to restaurant quality.
Unfortunately, the service here can be often inconsistent. We had a great experience with the staff the first time, but the second time around, they were not as accommodating and inviting.
However, when it comes to its ambiance, it keeps us coming back for more. The view of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain, especially during dinner is such an amazing addition to the space.
On top of that, the restaurant feels modern and chic without it feeling cold. We love its use of color on the throw pillows and framed art on the walls, too.
Pros
- Serves authentic Arab Khaleei food
- Has an amazing view of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain
- Beautifully decorated space
Cons
- Inconsistent service
Customer Reviews
It has been an amazing dinner experience!
“It has been an amazing dinner experience! Nadir the restaurant Captain has been such a darling! When he got to know it was my birthday and saw my fractured arm, he quickly made the necessary arrangements so that I get the fountain view! Not only is the view fabulous, but the food is also absolutely delicious! I highly recommend this place and a big shout out for their attentiveness, and wonderful service, making it such a memorable birthday for me!❤️ wish I can give this place 10 stars!” – Gina Lee, Google Reviews
By far one of my favorite restaurants in Dubai!
“By far one of my favorite restaurants in Dubai! Service was awesome, the food was delicious and so good 🤤, and the ambiance makes you feel very comfortable. We ordered a lamb dish (forgot the name), Moroccan tea, and salad. 10/10 would def recommend to anyone who’s considering dining here.” – Abbey Gautama, Google Reviews
4. Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe
| Criteria | Rating |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Authenticity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
A local’s favorite, Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe, though old timers still call it Basta Art Cafe, has a great menu of authentic Emirate fare and a great piece of old Dubai.
On top of well-loved Emirati dishes, it also serves authentic gahwa —traditional Arabic coffee— which we just love because it can be quite a challenge looking for a good cup of this kind of coffee in the city.
We also loved its lamb skewers because they were well-marinated and cooked perfectly so that the meat is still tender and juicy.
When it comes to authenticity, Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe is on another level.
We love how connected it is to the city’s history to the point that its restaurant really is a testament to the preservation of its culture and its devotion to sharing this with people.
However, do come to this restaurant ready to wait, because the line can get long. The service may be efficient and experienced with the influx of customers, but they can only do so much to free up tables for more incoming diners.
When it comes to its ambiance. We love how it has really preserved this old building and repurposed it into this beautiful restaurant.
The blue and white color palette nicely gives the space a refreshing energy that contrasts nicely with the sand-colored walls and floors.
However, the entire restaurant is open and has no air-conditioned seating so it can get really hot during summertime.
Pros
- Locals’ favorite Emirati restaurant
- Serves authentic Emirati food and traditional Arabian coffee
- Beautifully styled restaurant
Cons
- The waiting line can get long
- The restaurant gets really hot during summertime
Customer Reviews
Very good traditional Arabic restaurant
“Very good traditional Arabic restaurant. The deco is really nice with a white and blue theme.
The service staff is friendly and dresses up like healthcare workers – still very much in covid-19 mode.
Food is good, especially their nun bread. We ordered a salad, the special tea, and grilled fish, all tasted excellent!” – Boon Kok Lee, Google Reviews
Lovely restaurant, with a great atmosphere, and excellent food
“Lovely restaurant, great atmosphere, excellent food. We ordered the hummus, lamb biryani, and lamb skewers. It was all delicious. Special call out to the lamb skewers – very well marinated, cooked just right, so tasty! The service was great too. Very attentive and friendly waitress.” – Ernest Lee, Google Reviews
5. Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe
| Criteria | Rating |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Authenticity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Known for its Al Harees, a meat and wheat dish that is usually served during Ramadan, Eid, and at weddings, Al Fanar is one of the best restaurants for classical Emirati food.
We love that this restaurant addresses the problem of rapid globalization — losing one’s national identity — so its menu aims to fight against this by introducing Emirati cuisine to the local and international markets.
Besides its Al Harees, we also love its maleh nashef (salted fish with tomato sauce), and jesheed (young shark with Arabic spices).
It truly is one of the quintessential restaurants in Dubai with its traditional fares.
Its rustic Arabic cooking paired with its strong advocacy of introducing unadulterated Emirate cuisine to everyone makes it one of the best Emirati restaurants everyone should try at least once.
However, the service needed some improvement. During our dining experience there, many of the items were not available, and the staff could be friendlier.
The ambiance, though, was amazing. We love how it matched the rustic cooking with beautiful solid wooden furniture, stone columns, and warmly lit lamps.
The displays also made the space much more special, immersing us in the beauty of Dubai in the 60s.
However, the displays didn’t really do much in terms of improving the dining experience itself.
Pros
- Serves amazing purely traditional Emirati food
- Authentic Emirati restaurant that advocates for preserving national identity
- Beautiful rustic and vintage Emirate interior design
Cons
- The service could be friendlier
- Many menu items are not available
Customer Reviews
Amazing restaurant
“The place‘s decoration is really nice and the food tastes amazing. Our waiter Abdul Rahim was very kind in suggesting local Emirati specialties. We had shrimp and fish biryani as well as salad. The tea tasted really nice and we enjoyed the laser show while sitting outside.” —Christos Charistas, Google Reviews
This place is an absolute gem for breakfast/brunches
“This place is an absolute gem for breakfast/brunches! Their Rayouga (breakfast) is amazingly delicious and for a very good price. Their grills are also good, and the variety of sweets is top-notch. Not to mention the friendly staff they have.
The only downside for me is the Karak (too sugary and doesn’t taste that good) so it takes away from the Emirati cuisine experience, but other than that, I still love the place 🤗” — Haya Solaiman, Google Reviews
FAQs about Emirati Restaurants in Dubai
We hope this helped you find your favorite Emirati restaurant in Dubai. Also, if you’re looking for more cuisines to try out, then check out these articles: