Dubai Street Food: 8 Must-Try Dishes

In recent years, Dybai’s street food scene has expanded beyond the traditional Middle Eastern staples like falafel and manakeesh. It now includes a diverse array of popular dishes from European, American, and even Asian cuisines. Great List has curated a selection of the city’s top eight “street food” dishes and provides the locations where you can enjoy them.

The Red pizza at Za Za Slice

This is a small corner shop next to the City Walk that sells New York-style artisanal pizza. It opened in 2023 and quickly became one of the neighborhood’s trendiest street food spots. The menu features only six pizzas, all sold in large slices. The standout is The Red, with a classic tomato base, creamy stracciatella, and hot honey. However, it’s hard to say which of Za Za Slice’s pizzas isn’t a bestseller; in particular, Pepp with pepperoni and a signature cheese blend and the truffle pizza are nearly as popular.

Lobster roll at Homer Lobster

A Dubai branch of the popular French project inspired by New York street food culture, Homer Lobster is a quintessential street joint offering a compact menu. The highlight of this menu is the brioche lobster roll. You can customize your sandwich order with additional sauces and other extras, and you can adjust the spiciness level, but for your first visit, try the classic version with signature mayo, lime, and chives, which became a sensation in Paris several years ago. This is one of the best places in the DIFC for a quick lunch.

The Philly sandwich at Rascals Deli

The founders of Rascals made their debut in 2022 at the Sole DXB festival, where they sold their TLT (turkey, lettuce, tomato) sando at a sandwich stand. They hardly expected that over the next two years, their startup would become one of Dubai’s most popular street food projects. Nonetheless, the permanent venue they opened a year later at Wasl Square next to Safa Park, predictably replicated the success story of their original pop-up. Initially, it was impossible to get in as the lines stretched out the door, and today, it’s rare to meet someone in Dubai who hasn’t visited Rascals. Moreover, with their new special, The Philly, the sandwich shop is experiencing a new wave of popularity. People now flock here for the perfect hoagie bun with ribeye steak and an exceptional blend of melted cheeses, fried onions, and pepper aioli.

Hand roll with spicy tuna at Kokoro

The spicy tuna hand roll is one of the five bestselling dishes on the small yet eye-catching menu at Kokoro sushi bar, which recently opened in the Al Quoz neighborhood. It is a true masterpiece that introduced Emiratis to Japanese-American fast food temaki sushi. We recommend visiting Kokoro during daytime on weekdays because they do not reserve tables, and during peak hours, it is difficult to find a seat.

Burger at Pekoe Tea & Bread Bar

One of Dubai very few tea boutiques sells rare teas, fresh homemade bread and pastries. It also serves excellent casual food. Pekoe was opened in 2021 by the local tea guru Manish Bhargava, who aimed to introduce locals to all existing varieties of Asian tea. A year after its opening, the menu was updated to include the city’s best breakfast burger, which can be slightly customized to your taste. The burger includes the following ingredients: tender milk buns, sunny-side-up eggs, beef or veal bacon, or chicken sausage, along with slightly pickled cabbage and mayo with Korean gochujang soy paste. According to fans, it pairs perfectly with a bottle of freshly brewed iced tea.

Pepperoni Primo pizza at Pitfire Pizza

The classic Margherita and the signature Pepperoni Primo pizzas are constantly competing for the bestseller spot on the menu at Pitfire Pizzeria. According to the chain’s founders, it all depends on the location. For example, Pepperoni Primo has historically been the leader at the Souk Al Bahar food market in downtown Dubai – and for a good reason. The local Pepperoni is arguably Dubai’s best halal version of the classic New York pizza. To make it, the pizzeria uses top-quality Italian beef pepperoni that curls at the edges and the legendary artisanal 72-hour dough. A perfect 10 out of 10 rating is only to be expected.

Churros with homemade caramel at Lila Taqueria

The iconic Spanish street dessert is crafted by Shaw Lash, the founder and chef of a renowned Mexican cuisine bistro. At Lila Taqueria, known for its exceptional street food version of Al Pastor taco with lamb in the mornings and respect for street food in general, they serve churros with a delectable homemade salted caramel dip or a sauce made from artisanal chocolate by the local brand Mirzam and sprinkle them with a traditional blend of sugar and cinnamon. This is one of the best desserts you can enjoy in Jumeirah on your way from the beach.

Musakhan pizza at Blu Pizzeriá

The most unique pizza on the list can only be found at Blu. As the name suggests, Musakhan is inspired by the traditional Palestinian street food of the same name. Traditionally, it consists of a wheat taboon flatbread topped with chicken fried with onions, sumac, allspice, saffron, and pine nuts. Although it has been somewhat forgotten in recent years, the pizza-style Musakhan is experiencing a revival in Dubai and is equally popular with both locals and tourists. This dish is exceptionally flavorful, offering a classic sweet-and-spicy Arab twist.

Dubai’s Top Seven Fine Dining Spots

In Dubai, fine dining restaurants offer an innovative culinary experience, with branches of prominent international establishments competing alongside equally impressive local ventures. Great List has selected the top seven fine dining restaurants with the most intriguing concepts and unique menus.

Trèsind Studio

This culinary laboratory, led by Delhi native Himanshu Saini, one of the Middle East’s most successful chefs, accommodates only 20 guests. It is a rare instance where a chef has realized his dreams at a very young age: Saini is just 37, yet his “small restaurant where each guest can be showered with attention” has been open for six years. It has achieved international acclaim and earned the status of one of the Emirates’ most exciting fine dining establishments. Dining at Trèsind Studio is a two-and-a-half-hour experience featuring a staged show dedicated to India’s culinary heritage and versatility of Indian cuisine. Here, pani puri is filled with lime and jicama, and fried Kerala doughnuts with kimchi and parmesan, while ice cream is made from curry. Table reservations are required.

Moonrise

One of Dubai’s premier homegrown fine dining establishments is Moonrise. The author of the restaurant’s concept and its chef is Solemann Haddad, who has French and Syrian heritage, was born and grew up in Dubai, and studied in London and Tokyo. He is inspired by the diverse culinary experiences of his own childhood, which enable him to combine authentic Arabian khubz flatbreads with Japanese miso butter and the classic American cheesecake with a popular Dubai mango and melon Abud shake. Among the city’s restaurants offering the omakase format, Moonrise stands out as the most unique and one of the most intimate: each dinner accommodates only 12 guests in a small, atmospheric setting on the rooftop of a skyscraper on Sheikh Zayed Road, offering an exceptional view of downtown. Table reservations are required.

Row on 45

This is the ultimate fine dining experience for a group: if you want to surprise your friends with a unique concept, invite them to Row on 45. Throughout the evening, you will move through several rooms, where you will be served a 17-course tasting menu dedicated to a culinary journey around the world. Row on 45, an abbreviation for Refinement of Work, is located on the 45th floor of the Grosvenor House tower and is the creation of prominent British chef, culinary writer and TV personality Jason Atherton. He manages 16 restaurants and bars worldwide and is renowned as one of the world’s most skilled chefs in the fusion gastronomy genre. Table reservations are required.

STAY by Yannick Alleno

Stay, one of Dubai’s finest contemporary French cuisine restaurants, offers exceptional service and boasts a remarkable location at the luxurious One & Only The Palm resort. The restaurant features a small à la carte menu and offers tasting menus, Emotion (6 courses) and Experience (7 courses), each with an excellent wine pairing option that, while costly, is well worth it. All dishes in the sets can be substituted with vegetarian alternatives. An advance reservation is required, allowing you to discuss your preferences and plan the perfect dinner at Stay when you call to book a table.

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

An iconic establishment and one of the world’s premier fine dining experiences, this restaurant offers a unique concept: its main tasting menu is a journey through British cuisine, spanning the period from the early Middle Ages to the 20th century. It features classic dishes like the mandarin-shaped chicken liver pâté and the exceptional Tipsy Cake brioche. The restaurant also provides an à la carte menu that includes almost all of Dinner’s main highlights, as well as a special Sunday Roast option, which is a mini tasting set of three courses available on Sundays. Table reservations are required.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

This is a classic French fine dining experience at the Dubai location of Joël Robuchon’s international chain of restaurants. The expansive venue features three bars, a terrace, and a main room, attracting a discerning clientele, as it is situated in the DIFC, the heart of Dubai’s business district. The restaurant offers food from a legend of French haute cuisine that needs no introduction. Anyone interested in the origins and history of modern European culinary traditions should dine at L’Atelier at least once. Dishes not to be missed include: a crispy egg with black caviar, quail with truffle mashed potatoes, and ravioli with langoustine.

Hōseki

This classic Japanese omakase, which seats only nine guests, is a luxurious and expensive sushi bar (dinner prices start at $450) located on the fourth floor of the Bulgari Resort Dubai Hotel. It is renowned for its exceptional focus on the origin and quality of its ingredients. Hereditary sushi master, Chef Masahiro Sugiyama, personally supervises the process: fresh fish, seafood, and other ingredients are flown from Tokyo to Dubai almost daily and are purchased directly from the top vendors and manufacturers through intermediaries. This ensures that each dinner at Hōseki is unique, often featuring exclusive offerings, such as sushi made from premium bluefin tuna acquired at the Tsukiji fish market just a day prior. Advance reservations are required.

Guide to the Best Restaurants in Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai covers approximately two square kilometers, is adjacent to the Business Bay neighborhood and the DIFC financial center and features an impressive array of top-notch restaurants and cafes in a various styles. Here are the best dining options in the downtown area and within a short drive.

Urla

This seafood restaurant and nighttime bar is located in the heart of downtown, offering an excellent view of the Burj Khalifa and the dancing fountains show. It is the perfect place to spend an evening surrounded by the city’s two main landmarks while capturing impressive photos. The menu features a fusion of Spanish, Greek, and Turkish cuisines, with an extensive selection of fresh fish and seafood dishes prepared on a coal grill. Additionally, there are classic Mediterranean appetizers such as tartare, carpaccio, and more, along with an exceptional cocktail menu. If you plan to visit during dinner or on the weekend, it is advisable to book a table in advance.


La Maison Ani

Offering a refined take on classic French cuisine, this restaurant is among the finest in the smart casual dining category at the Dubai Mall. It captures the essence of a charming Paris café with a nostalgic 1990s atmosphere, featuring white tablecloths, intimate tables for two, custom-engraved porcelain, and warm lighting in the evenings. The establishment is the brainchild of the talented young British-Nigerian chef Izu Ani, a devotee of Mediterranean culinary traditions and already one of the region’s most seasoned restaurateurs. It is a prime downtown destination for enthusiasts of timeless French gastronomy.

Krasota

This is more than a restaurant; it’s an attraction, and it’s best to arrange a visit here for a special occasion. People come to Krasota not just for dinner but to participate in a unique culinary show for 20 guests and enjoy a variety of unusual visual and sensory experiences. When booking tickets, you can choose between two regular shows: Imaginary Future or Imaginary Art. The shows occur on different days of the week and are paired with special tasting menus. The tasting sets are crafted by Russian chef Vladimir Mukhin, a winner of numerous culinary awards.

Josette

This sophisticated Paris brasserie is just a six-minute taxi ride from downtown. In the mornings, it offers one of the best spots for romantic breakfasts, featuring crab omelets and authentic French crepes. In the evenings, it is one of the city’s few restaurants offering nighttime burlesque and cabaret shows along with high-quality classic dishes of contemporary French cuisine. The menu includes tartare, onion soup, lobster Thermidor, and an abundance of sparkling wine. Tables at Josette even feature special buttons for instant champagne orders. All of this can be enjoyed in the beautiful interiors created by the renowned British artist and designer Luke Edward Hall. For dinner and weekends, table reservations are highly recommended.

Jun’s

This restaurant offers a fusion of Mediterranean, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines, also known as third culture cooking. At Jun’s, the blend of these three artistic cuisines is enhanced by the flamboyant culinary style of chef Kelvin Chang, a Canadian with Asian heritage. He grew up in Chicago, studied in France, and traveled extensively in search of inspiration. This is one of Dubai’s most intriguing and successful recent openings. Jun’s opened in 2022 and quickly became one of downtown’s top spots due to its open ambiance and creative cuisine. It is a ten-minute walk from the Burj Khalifa or Dubai Mall.

Moonrise

This place provides the best view of downtown from the rooftop of the Eden House skyscraper located in the Al Satwa neighborhood, Dubai’s oldest area. It is one of the city’s most intriguing omakase-style restaurants. Moonrise offers a tasting menu with 12 courses, where each dish is an ingenious combination of European and Asian culinary techniques and an original take on the traditional cuisine of the Middle Eastern region, where the establishment’s chef Soleman Khaddad grew up and gained experience. The location is a ten-minute taxi ride from the Dubai Mall, and advance booking is required.

UAE’s Popular Pan-Asian Restaurants and Cafes

Pan-Asian cuisine is one of the most eagerly sought-after and intriguing niches of contemporary fusion cuisine inspired by the phenomenally diverse and vibrant traditional food of East Asian countries. Great List has compiled a list of Dubai’s seven best-known restaurants specializing in multicultural gastronomy.

Zuma

This contemporary Japanese cuisine restaurant offers a menu featuring a diverse selection of creative interpretations of traditional Asian dishes and pan-Asian cuisine. The menu ranges from black cod croquettes to a mushroom hot pot with fresh truffles. The lounge bar, located on the second floor above the main dining area, is worth a visit. Here, you can enjoy unique versions of classic cocktails and innovative mixes made with original Asian ingredients like hibiscus infusion, yuzu tonic, or homemade Japanese cola. We recommend to book in advance.

Din Tai Fung

A branch of the large international chain of Chinese and pan-Asian cuisine restaurants originating from Taiwan. It is one of the world’s most successful ventures offering comforting and diverse casual Asian dishes. Visit this restaurant for the signature steamed dumplings, xiao long bao, which marked the beginning of the Din Tai Fung empire, as well as the legendary spicy cucumber appetizer, exemplary sweet and sour chicken, exceptional Mongolian-style beef with vegetables, and ja jian noodles. The latest menu additions include mapo tofu, a staple of Szechuan cuisine, perfectly adjusted for European tastes in terms of heat and spiciness.

Electric Pawn Shop

This bar and restaurant, known for its excellent Asian cuisine, is the creation of the region’s renowned DJ Lobito Brigante, a devoted fan of 1970s urban culture and the Bohemian aesthetics of New York’s Chinatown. The menu offers an eclectic yet delightful mix of Korean, Japanese, Szechuan, and Thai cuisines, featuring designer dishes inspired by contemporary pan-Asian classics. Highlights include tuna tataki, crab salad with yuzu aioli, teriyaki beef, and Peking duck sando, among others. The establishment also boasts a sophisticated bar menu with unique cocktails. Be sure to try the Love Hotel 75, which features yuzu sorbet.

Kokoro

A city gastro café and Japanese cuisine restaurant renowned for its exceptional hand rolls, the most outstanding of them being the spicy marinated tuna. Other popular menu items include a fantastic salad made from hijiki brown seaweed, a salad with Chinese-style marinated cucumbers, tomatoes, crispy garlic, and shallots, and the signature raw fish crudo featuring bluefin tuna, salmon, scallops and amberjack. Kokoro’s menu is small, just like its premises, and you can’t book a table, but you should definitely visit at least once.

Shanghai Me

This Asian food restaurant in the DIFC offers a diverse menu and exceptional dishes inspired by the culinary traditions of East Asia. Be sure to explore the extensive selection of spring rolls, dim sum, and other Asian dumplings. The interiors reflect the aesthetics of the post-imperial Chinese capital of the 1930s, creating an elegant atmosphere and inviting pleasant crowds of guests. One of the best ways to brighten your mood on a weekday is to visit Shanghai Me for a business lunch. Opt for the quick lunch featuring Vietnamese Pho soup and katsu sliders, available on weekdays from noon to 3:30 pm.

3 Fils

Contemporary Japanese cuisine with a view of the port. This is one of Dubai’s most successful and charismatic establishments that continually updates its menu with seasonal offerings and intriguing culinary collaborations. On the regular menu, look for the croissant with tuna and black caviar (check with the waiter and order it if it’s available), sando with Wagyu A5 beef, salmon carpaccio with ponzu sauce, and the spicy beef tartare. If you plan to visit in the evening or on a weekend, it is advisable to book a table in advance.


Dubai’s Top Cafes and Restaurants for Evening Beach Experiences

In Dubai, you can enjoy stunning views of the beach and the gulf throughout the year, particularly before sunset when even the summer heat eases, and the coastline comes alive. Great List has chosen six best cafes and restaurants that offer the perfect ambiance for memorable evenings by the water.

Tagomago

A private beach, bar, and restaurant featuring traditional Spanish cuisine, decorated in the resort style of the Balearic Islands, offers an exceptional view of The Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab tower from its terrace, just a few steps from the pool. This is Dubai’s top spot for leisurly family weekends where you can spend the entire day and watch the sunset with a glass of homemade sangria or Catalan Sauvignon Blanc. By the way, Tagomago boasts one of the city’s largest and most intriguing wine menus, featuring a wide selection of Spanish classics and Old World wines. The restaurant also provides an appealing kids’ menu and a special tapas menu that’s updated each season. It’s best to reserve a table if you plan to visit on the weekend.

Bungalo34

A Mediterranean restaurant with beach access is part of the Nikki Beach Resort & Spa and is owned by the Tashas restaurant group. This group has successfully launched numerous cafes and bars in Dubai, including the renowned speakeasy bar Galaxy. The menu offers classic seafood fishes such as oysters, king crab, seafood bisque, and grilled catch of the day, alongside pasta, pizza, and an extensive dessert selection. After dining, we suggest relaxing on one of the lounge chairs on the beach or enjoying a walk along the surf, as Dubai’s sunsets are brief but extraordinarily beautiful near the water.

Nammos

A comprehensive beach resort with a restaurant offering Greek, Japanese, and Mediterranean cuisine, Nammos is one of Dubai’s top beach clubs, known for its lavish parties and expensive food. For special occasions, the menu features a caviar section that is truly impressive. Nammos is located in the beach area of the Four Seasons Resort. It is ideal for festive nighttime parties and events, frequently hosted by private clients and major fashion brands. Another advantage is an expansive and well-equipped beach, open from 11 am to 7 pm. Advanced booking is recommended from fall to the end of spring.

Loren Ristorante

This is a restaurant located on the beach of the luxury resort, The Club, at The Palm Jumeirah. It boasts elegant interiors with an abundance of marble and gold, successfully recreating the ambiance of a fashionable Italian café from an early 1970s film. The restaurant offers top-grade classical Italian cuisine and features a large terrace with a view of Palm West Beach. It is one of The Palm’s finest establishments for enjoying relaxed evenings by the beach. If you plan to dine at Loren Ristorante, it’s advisable to book a table outside and arrive at the start of the golden hour to enjoy the view of the Dubai Marina skyline. The best dishes on the menu include spaghetti alle vongole and seafood risotto.

Tasca

A contemporary Portuguese cuisine restaurant with a view of the beach at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The best time to visit is just before the sunset when the magical combination of the sea breeze, the Persian Gulf panorama, and a glass of 20-year-old tawny port wine transports Tasca’s guests from the scorching heat of Dubai to the terrace of a beach café along the rocky Algarve coast. We recommend booking a table on the Infinity Bar terrace, open from October until the onset of summer heat. To enhance your experience, we suggest ordering the inventive Taste of Tasca tasting menu from chef José Avillez, which is dedicated to the cuisine of his native Atlantic coast and full of delicate irony. For example, one of the tasting menu’s starters is made from various Algarve carrots, an essential ingredient of every traditional Portuguese dish.

Brix Café

The only café on this list—and it’s not even by the beach. The Brix dessert bar is located next to the 3 Fils Japanese cuisine restaurant in the fisherman’s marina. Until last spring, it only offered a view of a small marina with boats and yachts. Fortunately, the owners of Dubai’s best pastry shop keep up with the latest trends, and this season they are offering their fans a trendy beach club. The café now features an additional terrace with a sandy island, sunshades, lounge chairs, and a special tropical menu of refreshing drinks. The top choices include apple tea with cinnamon, soda with Emirati dates and ginger, and the watermelon slush. The Brix “beach” is open from noon until night and operates on a “first come first serve” basis.