While Dubai is notable in the diversity of culinary options available, there are also several landmark restaurants offering excellent Emirate fare, with traditional flavours for visitors and residents to tantalise their palates on.

The Emirate of Dubai boasts an impressive range of culinary experiences, with a diverse mix of international cuisines and local Emirati cuisine. The city offers an array of dining experiences, from restaurants championed by world famous chefs to homegrown Dubai talent showcasing the city’s over 200 nationalities and diverse flavours.

In a press statement, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism says that Dubai has witnessed a significant rise in the trend of homegrown eateries in recent years. It says that these eateries are typically small, locally-owned establishments that are known for serving unique and innovative dishes that are inspired by both global cuisine and the region’s rich cultural heritage.

The tourism board has listed some of the top places where the local cuisine can be experienced. 

Arabian Tea House 

Nestled in one of Dubai’s oldest neighbourhoods of Al Fahidi Street in Bur Dubai, the Arabian Tea House is a popular eatery and one of the best places to try authentic Emirati cuisine and a piping hot cup of traditional Arabic coffee. The atmosphere alone is enough to draw you into this quaint little café. It offers more than 150 different types of tea and drinks and mouth-watering dishes like regag bread, a tempting slice drizzled with honey and stuffed with egg and cheese, and khabisah, a sweet blend of sautéed flour and molasses.

Siraj 

Located in Souk Al Bahar, Siraj restaurant fuses contemporary cuisine with traditional Emirati flavour. The cosy and welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant is a reflection of traditional Emirati hospitality. The grilled saffron prawn is one of the hallmark dishes here and is perfectly spiced with the appropriate combination. One can also sample the lobster kibbeh, chicken biryani served in a flatbread packet, and mouhalabiya, a rich 24-karat gold honey-drizzled Lebanese milk pudding.

Al Fanar Restaurant and Café 

Nestled in Dubai Festival City, Al Fanar Restaurant and Café takes diners on a culinary journey back in time. Step into the recreated ambiance of a traditional Emirati village and relish in the delightful flavours of dishes prepared with age-old recipes. With a varied menu to match, featuring Emirati classics such as maleh nashef or salted fish in tomato sauce, and jesheed or baby shark with Arabic spices, Al Fanar offers a quintessential Arabian dining experience.

Local House 

Established in 1997 and also located in Al Fahidi Street, this restaurant is a longtime local favourite. The ambience of this place pulses with Arabian hospitality in every corner and Instagram-friendly backdrops. At the entrance, one can find the oldest buckhorn tree in Dubai. The tourism board suggests camel burger and ice cream for foodies who like to try unusual things. The restaurant also offers a wide range of other traditional dishes, including seafood, starters, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and desserts.

Bait Maryam 

Nestled within a prime location in Jumeirah Lake Towers, one of Dubai’s newer neighbourhoods, Bait Maryam promises a taste of true Arabian hospitality. The tourism board says that the restaurant is helmed by Salam Dakkar, award-winning chef who was named MENA region’s best female chef title by the World’s 50 Best in 2023. Chef Salam has named her restaurant after her mother and is inspired by many dishes and keepsakes from her childhood. The board says that guests can prepare themselves for a feast and tuck into mouthwatering portions of manakish, falafel, lamb chops, and other Levantine specialties with hot potatoes or fried eggplant. Also recommended, for those with a sweet tooth, is dainty kunafa rolls with creamy ashta and a garnish of pistachios.