7 Jebel Ali Restaurants Worth Braving Sheikh Zayed Traffic For
I used to think Jebel Ali was just full of warehouses, trucks, and big ships — not really a place for good food. That changed when my cousin, who works in the free zone, took me there for lunch. I didn’t expect much… until the food came.
Grilled meat, fresh fish, warm bread — it was so good I had to stop and say, “Why don’t more people eat here?”
I’ve tried more than a few food spots since then, and I haven’t been disappointed! And yes, they’re worth the traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road.
If you want a quick meal or just something big and filling, these 8 Jebel Ali restaurants are worth checking out.
1. Aurum Restaurant & Cafe
Media Credit: aurumlounge.ae
Website: https://www.facebook.com/aurumrestaurant.ae/
Address: VillageDiscovery Gardens – Jebel Ali Village – Jebel Ali Freezone – Dubai (in Carrefour Market)
Contact Details: +971 4 580 7214
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 8 AM to 3 AM;
- Tuesday – 8 AM to 3 AM;
- Wednesday – 8 AM to 3 AM;
- Thursday – 8 AM to 3 AM;
- Friday – 8 AM to 3 AM;
- Saturday – 8 AM to 3 AM;
- Sunday – 8 AM to 3 AM
Price Range: $$-$$$
If you’re near Jebel Ali and want delicious food, Aurum Restaurant & Café is a great place to go!
You can eat here any time of the day—breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Their breakfast is very popular! We recommend the Arabic breakfast, but the English breakfast is also a good choice. If you like sweets, try a warm croissant with a nice cup of coffee.
For lunch or dinner, try the seafood pasta, mixed grill, eggplant kebab, or mango shrimp salad. You can also try their strawberry ginger mocktail or fresh avocado juice!
In the evening, you can relax with shisha in the outdoor area. There’s space for smokers and non-smokers, which we appreciated. Finally, the team at Aurum is kind and helpful. They make guests feel right at home!
Pro Tip:
Even if you don’t normally order soups, try the ones here—you might be surprised! It’s a crowd favorite!
2. C House Milano Cafe & Restaurant
Media Credit: chousedxb
Website: http://www.chouseitalia.com/
Address: H Rd – Jebel Ali Village – Dubai (in Jebel Ali Recreation Club by Dubai Retail)
Contact Details: +971 52 218 5569
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 12 PM to 12 AM;
- Tuesday – 12 PM to 12 AM;
- Wednesday – 12 PM to 12 AM;
- Thursday – 12 PM to 12 AM;
- Friday – 12 PM to 12 AM;
- Saturday – 12 PM to 12 AM;
- Sunday – 12 PM to 12 AM
Price Range: $$
For Italian and international cuisine in Jebel Ali, check out C House Milano Café & Restaurant! It’s located inside the Jebel Ali Recreation Club and is one of the best spots to enjoy a nice meal in this quiet part of Dubai.
The menu has lots to choose from! You can try Italian favorites like bruschetta, pizza, and tiramisu. They also serve popular dishes like nachos, butter chicken, and honey chilli potatoes. And if you love steak, try the tenderloin!
This place isn’t just about food—it’s also a great spot to spend time with family and friends. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating (perfect during the cooler months). You can even watch a game on their big screens with fellow fans!
Service can be a little slow when it’s busy, but the staff are kind and ready to help. There’s free parking, and the place is pet-friendly too.
Pro Tip:
The entrance can be a little hard to find, so make sure to give your driver the full name—Jebel Ali Recreation Club—and watch for signs along the way. This will help you get there without any trouble.
3. EatNStay Restaurant
Media Credit: eatnstay_restaurant
Website: https://eatnstaydxb.com/
Address: Easy Hotel, Behind Jafza lob 17 – Jebel Ali Freezone – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 887 2008
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
Price Range: $
For an affordable but delicious place to eat in Jebel Ali, you should visit EatNStay Restaurant, inside Easy Hotel near JAFZA. If you’re on the way to Abu Dhabi, this is a smart place to stop!
Their lunch buffet costs just AED 28, and you can eat as much as you want. There are many dishes to try, and everything is fresh. Vegetarians will be happy too—the Palak Paneer is a must-try!
We also recommend trying the Chicken Biryani Rice, a guest favorite. The Burnt Fried Rice is also a big hit and enough for two people. If you still have space, have some ice cream—it’s a perfect way to end your meal!
The restaurant is quiet, clean, and welcoming. The staff are friendly, attentive, and always ready to help, making the dining experience even better. It’s a great spot for families or groups, with plenty of space for everyone.
Pro Tip:
The lunch buffet begins at 12:30 PM, so arriving then means you’ll have the freshest food and the most options to choose from. Getting there early is the best way to enjoy everything!
4. Exotic Shoreline Restaurant
Media Credit: exoticshorelinerestaurant
Website: https://exoticshoreline.com/
Address: Jebel Ali Village – Al Furjan – Dubai (in Rose Residence, Al Furjan)
Contact Details: +971 50 310 3057
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Tuesday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Wednesday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Thursday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Friday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Saturday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Sunday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM
Price Range: $$-$$$
If you love seafood and are in Jebel Ali, you should visit Exotic Shoreline Restaurant. It’s one of the best seafood places in Dubai! The restaurant is known for using very fresh ingredients, and the food always tastes like it was just caught.
We recommend trying the grilled tiger prawns, crispy fried fish, or the popular yellow fish curry. You can even choose the size of your fish or how many prawns you want, which makes it easy to order just the right amount for your appetite.
If you don’t eat seafood, don’t worry — they also have tasty vegetable dishes like grilled asparagus and broccoli. They also offer a lunch meal for just 13 AED, which is a great deal if you want something good and affordable.
Some days, if you’re lucky, you might even get a free Kunafa chocolate at the end of your meal!
What makes this spot special isn’t just the food—it’s also the kind and helpful staff. They greet you with a smile, answer your questions, and help you choose the best dishes. The place is quiet and peaceful, perfect for a family dinner or relaxing lunch. There’s plenty of free parking too!
Pro Tip:
Be sure to check the daily specials board. It often has fresh seafood or unique dishes you won’t want to miss!
5. Kinara by Vikas Khanna
Media Credit: kinaradxb
Website: https://www.jaresortshotels.com/dubai/ja-the-resort/ja-lake-view-hotel/restaurants/kinara
Address: JA Lake View Hotel JA The Resort Exit – 13 Sheikh Zayed Road – Mina Jebel Ali – Jebel Ali Freezone – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 814 5604
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 6:30 to 11 PM;
- Tuesday – 6:30 to 11 PM;
- Wednesday – 6:30 to 11 PM;
- Thursday – 6:30 to 11 PM;
- Friday – 6:30 to 11 PM;
- Saturday – 6:30 to 11 PM;
- Sunday – 6:30 to 11 PM
Price Range: $$$$
For one of the best restaurants in Jebel Ali, visit Kinara by Vikas Khanna. Located at JA Lake View Hotel inside JA The Resort, this fine-dining spot offers more than just delicious food—it gives you a full experience!
The restaurant is led by Michelin-starred Chef Vikas Khanna. It feels elegant the moment you walk in. There’s often soft harp music playing in the background, making the mood even fancier.
The food here looks good and tastes even better. You can start with dishes like shakarkhandi ki chaat or the green banana quinoa tikki. For the main course, the achari lamb and dal sultani are favorites. And don’t forget dessert—the gulkand kulfi and jaggery rice kheer are both sweet and satisfying.
The staff are kind, helpful, and always ready to guide you through the menu. They go the extra mile to make your evening special. There’s also outdoor seating and valet parking!
Pro Tip:
Kinara is very popular, especially on weekends and special days, so it’s a good idea to book your table ahead of time to avoid waiting and get the best seats.
6. The Bhukkad Cafe
Media Credit: thebhukkadcafe
Website: https://www.thebhukkadcafe.com/
Address: Near Entertainment Car Park, Dubai Festival Plaza – Ground Floor – Jebel Ali Village – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 546 0411
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 8 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Tuesday – 8 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Wednesday – 8 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Thursday – 8 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Friday – 8 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Saturday – 8 AM to 11:30 PM;
- Sunday – 8 AM to 11:30 PM
Price Range: $$
The Bhukkad Cafe is a great place to visit for real Indian street food in Jebel Ali. It’s one of Dubai’s favorite Indian restaurants and takes you back to the busy streets of India with its fun decorations, Bollywood style, and delicious food.
The menu has many popular Indian street foods. Their Bhukkad Chicken Biryani is a must-try, along with dishes like Chilli Chicken Pav and Champaran Mutton. For something special after your meal, try the saffron tea or gulkhand ice cream.
What makes Bhukkad Cafe even better is its special shisha bar with Desi-style flavors like Amrud and Gulkand. It’s a great way to relax with friends after your meal!
Pro Tip:
It’s best to visit with a small group of people because the portion sizes suit small groups well. This way, you can share different dishes and enjoy your meal without feeling rushed or crowded.
7. Brotzeit Restaurant
Media Credit: brotzeitfze
Website: https://www.brotzeit.ae/
Address: Mina Jebel Ali – Jebel Ali Freezone – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 388 5044
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 7 AM to 7 PM;
- Tuesday – 7 AM to 7 PM;
- Wednesday – 7 AM to 7 PM;
- Thursday – 7 AM to 7 PM;
- Friday – 7 AM to 7 PM;
- Saturday – 7 AM to 7 PM;
- Sunday – 7 AM to 7 PM
Price Range: $$-$$$
In a busy area like Jebel Ali, where food choices can be limited, Brotzeit stands out. Located near Roundabout 13 inside JAFZA, this gem is a favorite for many people in the area—and it’s easy to see why!
The restaurant is all about good food and a relaxing atmosphere. The place feels welcoming and comfortable, with soft music in the background and friendly staff who are always happy to help. You can stop by for breakfast, lunch, or even just a snack.
The food is made with care, using old family recipes. We recommend the beef broccoli, grilled salmon fillet, and pasta penne. Their fresh juices go well with any dish! They also serve Lavazza coffee for coffee lovers and offer a special collection of loose-leaf teas from around the world for tea fans.
Pro Tip:
Looking for a spot to meet clients or catch up with coworkers in JAFZA? Brotzeit offers a quiet atmosphere that’s perfect for informal business meetings or lunches with colleagues. It’s a great alternative to the usual food court noise!