Dubai is one of the most exciting destinations for food, as it offers a vast multi-cultural cuisine, with flavors from all over the world. Wanting to satisfy the excessive demands of the visitors, Dubai is constantly importing Michelin-level chefs, who offer dishes of unique taste. In the city there are more than 2,000(!) restaurants that cover all tastes and budgets.

The local cuisine is mainly inspired by Asian and Middle-Eastern dishes. This means that you get to try flavors from India to the North Korean cuisine. Traditional dishes include many spices, while they refrain from pork, opting for the meat of chicken, camel, goat and calf. For a nice meal at a restaurant you will pay 30-50€ per person with wine (if alcohol is offered), while for a quick and filling sandwich you will pay 3-5€. Do not leave Dubai without having tried Harees (meat with wheat), Thereed (Stew with vegetables and spices), Machboos (rice with meat and a variety of spices), the traditional Luqaimat dessert (like the Greek “loukoumades”) and the unusual dessert with noodles, eggs and sugar that listens to the name Balaleet. Finally, do not miss the chance to try the camel burger, as well as drink their most nutritious milk!

Notes: a) Most restaurants are parts of hotels. The reason for this is so that they can serve alcohol, as its sale is allowed only inside hotels. b) You will find Arabic food in the street (street food), as well as in houses of the non-secular areas Al Fahidi, Al Karama, Al Muraqqabat and others.

The Mythos Kouzina & Grill restaurant is synonymous to good food and warm, Greek hospitality. It is the best option for anyone who wants to taste non-local cuisine. It is located a bit above the Dubai Marina, inside a modern and very well-kept space. The restaurant offers purely Greek flavors made with excellent, first-rate raw materials. The flavors call Greece to mind 100%, while it is not an overstatement that many dishes are better even compared to home-made ones. The variety is wide, portions are just perfect and prices are at reasonable levels. As for the staff, this is another huge advantage, as they are attentive and polite, with professionalism and politeness being distinctive through every move. A true “mythos” in Dubai that you simply must visit. Highly Recommended (H)

Our suggestion: the delicious Rooster with orzo!
Our order: Shrimp Saganaki, Octopus, Melitzanosalata (aubergine puree), Salad, Meatballs, Rooster with orzo, 1 Bottle of wine and dessert.
Cost: €€-€€€

Total score: ?????

Special Ostadi is not unjustly considered one of the most affordable and high-quality restaurants in Dubai. Meat heaven has Persian/Iranian origins, while it is not incidental that many Bollywood stars have tried their mouth-watering meats. But, despite the fame it has built, Mohammed’s (the restaurant’s creator) son keeps prices pretty low, underlining that it will always be a people’s restaurant. The meats are well-cooked and flavorsome, with spices accompanying them in the most ideal way. It is not recommended for vegetarians. Highly Recommended (H)

Our suggestion: all their flavors.
Our order: A variety for 2 persons.
Cost: €-€€

Total score: ?????

If you want to immerse yourselves in an Arabic culinary experience, away from the tourist crowds, we have the ideal restaurant for you. The Arabian Tea House Cafe is located in Dubai’s most historic neighborhood, Al Fahidi. The restaurant’s main area, namely its courtyard, is decorated in Arabic style and it is cooled by air-condition at all times. The dishes showcase the aromas of the East and are satisfying in quality, quantity and taste. The staff is polite and ready to suggest the dishes most fitting to your tastes. The restaurant is also a great option for breakfast, tea, snacks or refreshing fruit smoothies. Recommended (R)

Tip: The air-conditioning is pretty strong. Do not sit in front of a unit.

Our suggestion: the refreshing cold tea with mint.
Our order: Lamb chops, Chicken wings with curry & 2 Cold Teas.
Cost: €€-€€€

Total score: ????

Welcome to 1,000 & 1 nights of Dubai! The Courtyard restaurant is located in the heart of the city, inside the Al Manzil Downtown hotel and aside from magical nights, it also offers great food. The outdoor yard space in which it is housed, is decorated with wonderful Oriental style, the service is very quick and polite, while prices are slightly high. The dishes are refined and rich in flavor, as they are made with high-quality products. You can also visit The Courtyard for drinks, accompanied by a hookah. Good Choice (G)

Our suggestion: the rich Penne with cheeses and spices!
Our order: Lemon chicken, Penne with cheeses and spices, Cake & 2 Glasses of wine.
Cost: €€€-€€€€

Total score: ???

The Meat Co at Madinat Jumeirah can also be described as the restaurant of the tourists, as it is swarmed by hundreds of tourists daily. It is located in the amazing-traditional space of the Madinat Jumeirah resort and offers an incredible view with the 7-star Burj Al Arab hotel in the background. Its products are of good quality, but rather expensive, while the staff is pleasant and attentive. When you visit the picturesque space of Madinat Jumeirah, do not hesitate to opt for it. You might need to put your hand a bit deeper into your pocket, but you will fill up both on flavors and images. Good Choice (G)

Our order: 1 Cheeseburger & 1 Aperol.
Cost: €€€-€€€€

Total score: ???

The well-known TGI Fridays almost never make our lists of options for food, except for Dubai! The reason we picked it is that from the balcony of the restaurant you can enjoy the crazy dance of the mall’s fountains, unobstructed. Their products are pretty good in quantity, but mediocre in quality and taste, while prices are a bit high! Nonetheless, it is worth visiting, if only to enjoy this beautiful spectacle, without the noise and pressure of the crowd. Good Choice (G)

Tip: Be there before 18:00 (when the first dance starts) in order to get a good seat.

Our order: 2 Burgers & 2 Soft drinks.
Cost: €€-€€€

Total score: ???

Breakfast

Breakfast in Dubai is a really easy business as most hotels include it in their standard benefits. The buffets are filled with all kinds of flavors that leave everyone satisfied. Nonetheless, if your hotel does not offer breakfast, you can visit the buffet of another hotel (cost around 15€ per person). However, if you would like to take your breakfast somewhere other than hotels, prefer some of the following establishments:

Tiramisu Cafe (Downtown): The fanciest breakfast in town with endless options, excellent flavors and high prices.

Pappa Roti (Dubai Mall): They offer pretty good coffee, which you must accompany with the bready sweet snack.

Tim Hortons: An affordable choice, with a variety of puff pastries and tasty doughnuts.

Roseleaf Cafe: The locals’ favorite place, with a variety of flavors in low prices (away from the city center).

Costa Coffee: You will find Costa Coffee shops everywhere in the city. They offer cheap coffee, as well as snacks-sweets of mediocre taste and quality.

*Exception Taj Dubai: Breakfast at the Taj Dubai hotel will cost you a little more, but it will compensate you both with its amazing flavors and variety!

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We specially thank the Mythos Kouzina & Grill restaurant and especially the chef Ilias Kokoroskos and Evangelia Pispirigkou for the impeccable hospitality.

The texts depict objectively and honestly everything that we saw and encountered during our stay, at the specific time period that we visited them. Travelen holds no responsibility for any possible changes regarding prices, decorations, service, change of management or anything else that you might find different during your visit. It is also worth mentioning that our review/opinion pertains ONLY to shops that we have visited.