These 10 American Restaurants in Dubai Made Me Realise How Good American Food Can Be
I grew up watching a lot of American television shows, so my idea of American food was always burgers, steak, and French fries.
But I started exploring American restaurants in Dubai, I quickly realised how diverse the cuisine really is. Asian, Latin American, and even European influences showed up on so many menus.
The more I tried, the more impressed I became. I’m pretty sure you’ll feel the same when you visit my top favourites.
The Grill Shack
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Website: https://www.thegrilllshack.com/
Address: Unit SF 130-33 – The Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai
Contact details: +971 4 388 2382
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM from Sunday to Thursday
- 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM from Friday to Saturday
Price: $$$
Steaks, ribs, burgers, and milkshakes – what could be more American than that? The Grill Shack specialises in classic comfort food that leaves you full and happy every single time.
But here’s the catch: The Grill Shack was actually born in Dubai, but its flavours are American to the core.
I love that the restaurant is in a food court, which makes it more casual and inviting for family and friends. You can pick a table and watch people skating in the Dubai Ice Rink while waiting for your order.
The open-style kitchen offers a cooking spectacle to make you drool, and the food is everything you’d expect it to be – grilled and flavoured to perfection!
It’s hard to choose a favourite here, but I’d recommend their Wagyu burger, Australian T-bone steak and grilled salmon fillet any day.
Pro tip:
If you want to taste everything on the menu—but you don’t want to order too many dishes—go for The Grill Shack Sharing Platter. Don’t worry, you’ll eat everything on that plate.
Buffalo Wings & Rings
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Website: https://dubai.bwr-intl.com/
Address: Liberty House – Level C – Al Sukouk Street – DIFC
Contact details: +971 4 359 6900
Operating hours: 12:00 PM to 3:00 AM daily
Price: $$
How can you say no to an American restaurant in Dubai that guarantees you will leave happier than when you came in? Definitely not me.
Buffalo Wings & Rings isn’t just any typical wing place – it’s one of the OGs in the wing business, having opened its first shop in Ohio in 1984. So if you’re looking for the real “wing” deal, this is it.
Here’s the drill: you start with your choice of wings – breaded or traditional. Then, you get to choose your sauce depending on your heat tolerance. And yes, their wings can go as hot as their 1 million, which will surely send your taste buds to hell.
But if you’re not about the heat, they also have a variety of flavours to choose from, including my favourite bourbon BBQ and sesame ginger teriyaki.
Of course, you can’t have wings without some rings! Breaded onion rings that are deep fried until golden – ah, what more could you ask for?
Pro tip:
Who says you can’t have fun on a Monday? Check out Buffalo Wings & Rings’ “Monday Madness” for some great deals on wings and drinks.
Fuddruckers
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Website: https://www.fuddruckers.com/
Address: 61 Jumeirah Street – Jumeirah 1
Contact details: +971 4 385 4144
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM from Monday to Thursday
- 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM from Friday to Sunday
Price: $$
When I think of classic American comfort food, I picture a juicy burger, golden crispy fries and a glass of creamy milkshake. Fuddruckers has all that and more!
From its interiors to its food, Fuddruckers scream American fast food and diner combined. But again, this isn’t your ordinary burger joint because Fuddruckers means serious business when it comes to its burgers.
For starters, they only use fresh buns baked in-house every day. Fuddruckers also uses only 100% American, premium-cut beef for their patties. And yes, these are also made fresh and not frozen, giving the patty that extra flavour.
When you order your burger, you can guarantee that it will be grilled fresh according to your preferred doneness.
And if that’s not enough, you have complete control of what you put in your burger from the restaurant’s legendary toppings bar. You even get to choose how thick you want your patty to be.
Pro tip:
Are you feeling a little adventurous with your burger? Try Fuddruckers’ elk, turkey or bison burger that will surely surprise you with an explosion of flavours that you haven’t tried in a burger before.
TGI Friday’s
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Website: https://tgifridaysme.com/
Address: The Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM from Monday to Thursday
- 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM from Friday to Sunday
Price: $$
I can’t talk about American restaurants in Dubai without my go-to, TGI Friday’s. With more than six locations around the city, you’ll know that this restaurant is such a hit.
Eating at TGI Friday’s is like going to McDonald’s and a steakhouse all in one place, but with elevated food. In fact, it feels like you’re in an American diner with all the classics on the menu.
Let me warn you – their menu is so massive that you’d want to order everything. They have the classic buffalo chicken wings, steaks, ribs, and fried chicken. Seafood, pasta, and tacos are also available!
Well, I’m always guilty of ordering more than what I can consume. But their food is so good that I don’t mind eating leftovers.
Pro tip:
Here’s a little budget hack: if you eat at TGI Friday’s on Wednesdays and order any main course, your kids aged 12 and below get to eat for free.
G.O.A.T Burger
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Website: https://goatdubai.com/
Address: Marine Transport Station – Zaa’beel Second – Dubai Design District
Contact details: +971 58 860 0200
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM from Sunday to Thursday
- 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM from Friday to Saturday
Price: $$
When an American restaurant tells you that they have “The Greatest Burger of All Time,” you drop everything and run. And it’s exactly what I did when I first heard of G.O.A.T Burger.
I’d say what really makes their burger better than everyone else’s is variety. Sure, you can get a classic double cheeseburger anywhere. But it’s not every day that you come across a Korean fried chicken burger, a “truffalo” burger and a “musakhan” burger.
I mean, I didn’t even know what the last two meant until I tried them.
They also make their own sauces, so you can guarantee that you’re not just getting mayo and ketchup in your burger. And of course, you can’t have a burger without fries on the side and believe me, they have some of the best in town!
Pro tip:
Craving a G.O.A.T burger but too lazy to visit their store? Order online and have your hot burger and fries delivered straight to your hotel.
CLAW BBQ
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Website: https://www.clawbbq.com/
Address: Marsa Dubai – Jumeirah Beach Residence
Contact details: +971 4 577 4357
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 3:00 AM from Monday to Friday
- 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM from Saturday to Sunday
Price: $$$
CLAW BBQ is what you’d imagine a Texas grillhouse should be – huge portions of meat, buckets of seafood and a vibrant atmosphere that will make you go “Yeehaw!”
I’ve been a fan of this American restaurant in Dubai for years, and everyone I took to this place has also become a patron. You can’t blame us, though, because the barbecue here is the best that you can get in the city.
CLAW BBQ understands bold American flavours so well, and they have a way of cooking their brisket and ribs that they just melt in your mouth. This restaurant is definitely a meat lover’s heaven with all its classic options.
They also have burgers, seafood, and even tacos if you’re going all out with your feast. And you know American diner food is all about the sides. Think corn on the cob, creamed spinach, and loaded baked potato on the list!
Pro tip:
Are you hosting a cowboy-themed party? CLAQ BBQ has “The Barn,” a secluded private function room where you can enjoy a party with family and friends.
They have a jukebox, dart boards, arcade games and even a Budweiser Fridge that you can stock up with your favourite drinks to last all night long.
Texas Roadhouse
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Website: https://www.texasroadhouseme.com/en/storelocator/festival-city
Address: Dubai Festival City Mall – Al Kheeran – Dubai Festival City
Contact details: +971 4 419 0826
Operating hours:
- 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Monday to Thursday
- 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM from Friday to Sunday
Price: $$$
If you’ve heard the saying “everything is bigger in Texas,” Texas Roadhouse will prove just that. From the steaks to the sides, everything here is packed with Western flavours, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the best American restaurants in Dubai.
Everything here is made from scratch. Their steaks are hand-cut, and all their sides are made fresh daily using the best ingredients. Of course, there’s the grill that puts that extra punch of flavour to everything.
Texas Roadhouse is steak heaven with cuts like their Dallas Filet, Porterhouse T-bone, and New York strip. But it’s their fall-of-the-bone ribs that really keep me coming back.
All of their entrees also come with two sides, so you’d better come with a big appetite.
Now, if you want some good steak but can’t afford the big cuts just yet, go for their beef steak tips, which are actually the burnt ends of the steak that pack the most flavour.
Pro tip:
Enjoy good lunch value offers at Texas Roadhouse from Sunday to Thursday. You’ll be able to choose from a burger and fries or a steak and fries, all at pocket-friendly prices.
The MAINE Oyster Bar and Grill Restaurant
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Website: https://themaineoysterbar.com/
Address: Ground Floor – DoubleTree by Hilton
Contact details: +971 4 457 6719
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM from Wednesday to Saturday
- 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM from Sunday to Tuesday
Price: $$$
In case you haven’t heard yet, Maine has the best seafood in the United States. So if you want both seafood and meat options, this American restaurant in Dubai will not disappoint.
The MAINE Oyster Bar and Grill is where I usually go for a more formal dinner with family and friends.
The menu celebrates the rich seafood of Maine. We’re talking about seafood towers filled with oysters, shrimps, mussels, and king crab legs. Even the salmon and sea bass are freshly caught and delivered to Dubai regularly.
They have the freshest oysters out of all the restaurants I’ve tried in the city, and their classic steak tartare is also very delicious.
Pro tip:
Can’t get enough of their fresh oysters? Don’t worry, because the restaurant has a daily “Shuck Fest” where you get to enjoy freshly shucked oysters at just 10 AED a shuck.
SLAB Test Kitchen
– Media Credit: slab.uae
Address: Ground Floor – Mercato Mall – Jumeirah Street
Contact details: +971 4 548 1477
Operating hours:
- 9:00 AM to 10:45 PM from Sunday to Thursday
- 9:00 AM to 11:45 PM from Friday to Saturday
Price: $$
SLAB Test Kitchen isn’t your typical American restaurant in Dubai. But it’s a place I’d highly recommend for its seasonal menu with American influences here and there.
For starters, I love the idea of having a restaurant right in a mall courtyard. It has a dining area and a coffee shop that don’t make you feel intimidated about eating and enjoying their food.
SLAB also has a more unpredictable menu, which adds to its charm. You can get everything from a simple chicken sandwich to a complex octopus dish here.
And did I say that Chef Omar Rodriguez is a genius? I mean, who else can put ceviche mixto, tuna tostada and steak in one menu?
Pro tip:
SLAB attracts a huge crowd, especially during the weekend. So if you don’t want to miss out on the best seats in the house near the open kitchen, then you’d better book a table as early as now.
Nola Bijour Bistro and Bar
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Website: https://www.noladubai.com/
Address: City Walk – C2 – Al Wasl
Contact details: +971 4 334 4098
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM from Sunday to Thursday
- 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM from Friday to Saturday
Price: $$
I’ve always been fascinated by New Orleans, especially with its famous food. So when I heard that there’s an American restaurant in Dubai specialising in NOLA cuisine, of course, I had to go right away.
Nola doesn’t disappoint on all fronts. For one, the interiors will take you to New Orleans with its colonial-inspired decor. In fact, it’s so rustic that you’d want to dress in your best colonial outfit to blend in.
But the real show starts when your food is served on your table. I couldn’t even believe that I was eating seafood jambalaya, blackened salmon and braised short ribs right in the middle of Dubai.
The bistro also has such an energetic atmosphere that makes it perfect for a weekend meal with family and friends or even any special celebration. They even have a live band playing in the background to get you grooving while you’re eating.
Pro tip:
After dining at Nola, treat yourself to a show at nearby Coca-Cola Arena or visit The Green Planet with your family.