You Wouldn’t Want Any Other Stew After Trying Margoogat in These Dubai Restaurants
You might know Dubai as a city of supercars, skyscrapers and gold. But if you look beyond that, Dubai also has one of the best cuisines in the world.
Living here, I’ve tried many Emirati dishes, but one food always keeps me coming back for more – margoogat. This dish is essentially a hearty tomato-based stew made with lamb or chicken and flavored with a rich blend of spices.
I love this dish so much because it’s literally a feast in my mouth with the sweet, tart, tangy and spicy notes, all coming together to feel like a big, warm hug in food form.
Oh, I know you’re already salivating. So I gathered five of my favourite restaurants to try margoogat in Dubai. Enjoy!
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant
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Website: https://alkhayma.com/menu/al-khayma-heritage-restaurant-dubai
Address: Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood – 79 Al Mussallah Road – Al Fahidi
Contact details: +971 55 180 2080
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily
Price: $$
Whenever I’m craving for a hearty bowl of margoogat in Dubai, my feet always take me to Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant, one of the best dining spots in the city if you’re looking for authentic Emirati food.
In fact, margoogat is one of their best selling dishes, especially for tourists who want to sample this delicious stew.
You have the option between chicken or lamb margoogat here, and they also add some vegetables and garam masala to give their stew a unique aroma and flavour.
Wha’s great about Al Khayma is not just the food but the entire experience of dining in a traditional Emirati restaurant.
And it doesn’t hurt that the restaurant is located in the middle of Old Dubai to really give you that memorable dining experience that will surely be a highlight of your trip.
Pro tip:
Aside from margoogat, you should also order the restaurant’s signature lamb madfoon that’s slowly cooked and paired with aromatic rice. Of course, you also need to sample their kebab, tikka, tabbouleh and umm ali.
Aseelah Middle Eastern and Emirati Restaurant
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Address: Radisson Blu Hotel – Dubai Deira Creek
Contact details: +971 4 205 7033
Operating hours:
- 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM from Wednesday to Friday and every Sunday
- 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM every Saturday
Price: $$
If you want to enjoy margoogat in a more chic setting, head to Aseelah in Radisson Blu to experience a unique interpretation of classic Middle Eastern fare.
What I love about this restaurant is the fact that Chef Rabeh Adel Amer isn’t afraid to reinvent traditional dishes like margoogat while still honoring the classic recipes that Emiratis grew up with.
Aside from the meat versions of margoogat, the restaurant also offers a vegetable margoogat if you’re on a healthy journey.
And if you’re wondering what makes Aseelah’s stew extra delicious, the Chef shares that it’s his special spice mixture called Bezar where he uses more than 20 kinds of roasted and ground spices. Yes, everything is made from scratch here, so you can expect the best flavour there is.
Pro tip:
Aseelah’s signature spice mix isn’t only used in its margoogat but also in other dishes like Rubian made with shrimp and lamb kebab.
Sufra by Noor
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Website: https://www.hyattregencyresidence.com/sufra/
Address: Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights – 5668 20th Street – Bur Dubai – Dubai Healthcare City
Contact details: +971 4 553 1212
Operating hours:
- 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM daily
Price: $$$
Sufra by Noor is my go-to restaurant if I’m entertaining guests with different food preferences because it cateres to Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and International cuisines, all in one roof.
It also helps that dining in the restaurant is really impressive to guests, especially with its show kitchen where you get to see the chef and his team prepare your food in a theatrical show.
Sufra also emphasises the use of the freshest ingredients available, and they can cater to vegan and vegetarian clients with their healthier options.
The margoogat here is extra special. In fact, eating it reminds me so much of the holidays because of the hints of cinnamon that pairs well with the lamb.
Pro tip:
Sufra has a lot to offer when it comes to different cuisines. In fact, you should also try their falafel wrap, philly steak sandwich and jibneh bel zaatar manousheh.
Logma
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Website: https://www.logma.ae/english/about-us
Address: Unit TF 004 – Dubai Mall – Financial Center Street – Downtown Dubai
Contact details: +71 4 241 5557
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM from Monday to Thursday
- 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM from Friday to Sunday
Price: $$
Logma is undeniably one of the most popular Emirati restaurants in Dubai not only for its delicious margoogat but also its stunning interiors inspired by Arabian architecture.
What makes Logma special is its no nonsense food inspired by Khaleeji flavours. Here, they serve you classic Emirati dishes like how you would be served in a traditional home, giving you that really homey feel.
Their margoogat here is simple yet rich, heartwarming and absolutely delicious. I also love their chicken biryani and lamb machboos that pair well with the hearty stew.
And if you have a good sense of food adventure like me, you can’t pass up their classic “Chips Oman,” which is essentially a sandwich made with hot sauce, cream cheese and crisps of the same brand name.
Pro tip:
Are you dining with your kids? Logma has a kids menu with dishes like mini burgers and chicken strips that your little ones will surely love.
Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe
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Website: https://www.alfanarrestaurant.com/
Address: Ground Floor – Dubai Festival City Mall – Canal Walk
Contact details: +971 4 232 9966
Operating hours:
- 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily
Price: $$$
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without Al Fanar Restaurant, one of the most iconic Emirati restaurants in Dubai.
This restaurant never fails to take me back in time every time I step inside its doors, thanks to its classic decor that’s very simple, rustic and authentic.
The same philosophy also translates to its food where their margoogat is the star of the show. The popular stew is ordered by most diners because it’s packed with flavors that really make a feast in your mouth.
Al Fanar also has a lot of other offerings including meat and seafood options that are flavoured with authentic Emirati spices.
Pro tip:
Al Fanar is usually packed even during weekdays. So if you want to secure a spot to enjoy your margoogat, make sure to book a table at least a month before your visit.