Disclaimer
I just wanted to add a short disclaimer before talking about my favourite restaurants in Dubai. I love Arabic food and places that offer Middle-Eastern cuisine are my go-to in England. I just find it so easy to find vegetarian options and the flavours of the dishes served are just amazing. I do apologise for the lack of diversity in terms of my food choices but how can I pass on trying my favourite dishes in a place like Dubai. I can honestly say that Dubai is a foodie’s paradise! The city is full of diversity which makes it such a great food destination. You are most probably going to gain a few pounds but you can worry about that later – you are spoilt for choice in Dubai!
Zaroob
I thought I’d kick things off with the first place I visited – Zaroob. I reached my hotel at almost midnight, hopeful that one of my friends who lives in Dubai can recommend a restaurant that is open at that time as I was starving. After talking to a few people and they all recommended the same place, I decided to give it a go. Zaroob, which literally translates to “small alley”, is inspired by the traditional food vendors from the Levantine region and offers authentic Arabic food with a modern twist. Offering delicious Arabic food in a couple of locations, Zaroob is a go-to for locals. Although it was quite late, I couldn’t resist ordering a selection of cold and hot starters such as – houmous, two kinds of falafel, tabbouleh, fatteh, cheese fateer and of course my favourite pomegranate juice. I loved every single dish I ordered and for those of you wondering how I managed to eat everything, I don’t blame you – I could not move afterwards! The outside terrace provides the perfect dining space if you want to enjoy the beautiful views of the night sky or if you want to get a full glimpse of the eye-catching design of Zaroob.
If you want traditional dishes at affordable prices served in a lively and casual setting, look no further – open 24/7 (restaurant on Sheikh Zayed Road), Zaroob is the perfect spot for those who enjoy wholesome and simple cooking with unique flavours.
Cafe Bateel
If you are a not fan of dates, you should grab yourself some dates from Bateel and thank me later. You would definitely change your mind about anything made with dates and dates in general. I am obsessed with Bateel as they offer great coffee and so many different types of dates and various fillings such as pistachio, hazelnut, roasted almond, caramelised macadamia, caramelised pecan, orange peel, lemon peel, ginger. You also have the option of having their vast selection of organic dates – wanan, segai, madjool, kholas, ajwa, khidri, sokari, covered with chocolate which obviously taste incredible. Cafe Bateel offers a modern take on the Arabian heritage with a Mediterranean twist, resulting in a tempting selection of delicious pastries, wholesome food, as well as gourmet chocolate, biscuits and other indulgent treats which are perfect for gifts. The date pudding and the khidri date opera are Bateel must-haves.
Al Hallab
If I have to choose one restaurant to go to in Dubai it would Al Hallab. Where do I start – the amazing customer service, incredible food and exquisite interiors. Al Hallab is a Lebanese restaurant that started as a sweet retailer in Tripoli and quickly transformed into a full-service restaurant opening four branches in Dubai. My favourite location would have to be Bab El Bahr due to the incredible attention to detail from the staff there, you won’t need anything while you are dining there because the staff are just so professional and well-trained to the point where they anticipate your every need. From starters to mains, desserts and drinks – every single item tastes better than the other. I personally always order the classics such as houmous, tabouleh, waraq enab (vine leaves), mohamara (spicy potatoes) and of course my favourite – fresh pomegranate juice. As a vegetarian, these are some of my favourite dishes to order in Al Hallab and if you are a self- proclaimed Lebanese cuisine connoisseur like myself, you will understand why I am so in love with that restaurant. You can obviously find a lot of grilled meat dishes that can satisfy every carnivore’s craving. The famous seafood options only available at Bab El Bahr are perfect if you are out with friends as the presentation of the dishes would not only impress those around but will also get the surrounding tables ordering the same thing. In terms of drinks, you are definitely spoilt for choice as there are around fifteen juices to choose from all of which are fresh and taste amazing. Finally, Hallawet algeben is a semolina dough filled with Arabic ice cream which has flavour notes of cardamom and rose, has to be my favourite dessert from their menu.
Zahr El- Laymoun
If you have read my Mini guide to Dubai post, you would remember that I mentioned Zahr El-Laymoun back in December. This restaurant is still one of my favourites due to the amazing food, great service and location – it’s just opposite Dubai Mall and it’s the perfect spot to grab some food and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Dancing Fountain and Burj Khalifa. Situated in Souk Al Bahar, Zahr El-Laymoun(meaning “orange blossom”) is all about wholesome, delicious and timeless dishes. With restaurants in Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and three locations in UAE, the smell of orange blossom invites you to discover an exceptional Arabian menu served in an elegant setting reminiscent of the authentic cooking of villagers in Lebanon.
Gunaydin
Although I might not be the right person to express opinions on Gunaydin mainly due to the simple fact that I have been a veggie for the past fourteen years, I can’t go without mentioning this leading Turkish Steakhouse. Set in the beautiful Arabic-style shopping mall- Souk Al Bahar, Gunaydin sits on the waterfront promenade, overlooking the spectacular views of the Burj Lake and Burj Khalifa. I can’t recommend enough the Turkish style pizza with cheese called “kasarli pide”, as well as the traditional Turkish baklava, served with delicious Turkish ice-cream.
Arabesq
Last but certainly not least, Booza should be next on your list! Using a manufacturing technique where milk that has been heated with salep, mastic gum and sugar then it gets frozen and pounded with a big wooden pestle until it reaches a thick, elastic consistency. To this thick mass, pistachio and cream are added, then the ice cream is folded into a Swiss-roll shape, and coated with more shredded pistachio nuts. Arabesq offers authentic Arabic sweets that are from Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Oman, UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia which are not only delicious but are also presented in beautiful boxes which makes them perfect for gifts. The recipes have been passed on within families for generations. Arabesq at Dubai Mall serves some of the best knafeh and Arabic ice-cream and it’s the perfect place to end a day of shopping.
Yours truly,
Tanya