Orfali Bros wagyu dumplings, Bait Maryam kibbeh nayyeh, Arabian Tea House karak, and a lamb buried in the desert. Dubai has quietly become a top-five food city.
9 places Phil ate at in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Each spot below has its address, dishes Phil ate, and (where I could verify) booking + hours.
Open the Dubai map →Lunch
Orfali Bros Bistro
€€€€Contemporary fine dining — Syrian-rooted, technical execution.
Phil ate: Caviar buns, Smoky eggplant, Wagyu dumplings
Booking: Book via orfalibros.com or phone +971 4 348 4161. Michelin 1-star — book early.
When: Lunch 12:30–15:00. Dinner 18:00–23:00. Closed Mondays.
Bait Maryam
€€Intimate family-run Palestinian-Jordanian home cooking — Bib Gourmand.
Phil ate: Kibbeh nayyeh, Manakish, Family Palestinian-Jordanian dishes
Booking: Reserve via baitmaryam.com or phone +971 4 408 8555.
When: Lunch 12:00–15:00 and dinner 17:00–23:00. Open daily.
Also worth your time
Atmosphere — Burj Khalifa
Phil ate: Gold-crusted burger, Cocktails, High-rise snacks
Nihal Restaurant
€Old Dubai Sindhi institution — family-run vegetarian diner.
Phil ate: Paratha, Indian curries
Booking: Walk-in only.
Arabian Tea House
€Heritage Emirati café in a restored Al Fahidi building.
Phil ate: Machboos lamb, Chicken saloona, Lamb tikka
Booking: Walk-in or phone +971 4 353 0522. Often queues at peak hours.
When: Daily 10:00–23:00.
Nara Desert Escape
Desert experience with falconry and Bedouin-style dining.
Phil ate: Lamb madfoon, Falconry dinner
Booking: Reserve via nara.ae or phone +971 4 323 8383.
Frying Pan Adventures (Al Ras Food Tour)
Guided walking food tour through historic Al Ras and Deira spice markets.
Phil ate: Regag, Spiced potato chips, Za'atar flatbread
Booking: Book tours via fryingpanadventures.com.
Ossiano
Phil ate: Foie-gras candle, Alcohol-free pairing
Al Qbabh
Phil ate: Grilled seafood, Madhbi rice