Must-see restaurants in Middle East

  • Hashem Restaurant

    Amman

    You haven’t tried falafel until you’ve eaten here. This legendary eatery, more than 50 years old, is so popular with locals and visitors that there’s…

  • Sufra

    Amman

    Housed in a lovely old villa with a terrace garden, this really is the place to eat well, and Sufra is about as good as it gets when it comes to…

  • Al Quds

    Amman

    We'll happily vote for this tiny, spotlessly clean place on Rainbow St as one of the best falafel spots in Amman. Tasty sandwiches (with tomato and…

  • Rosa Damascena

    Amman

    Rosa Damascena brings a welcome taste of Syria to Amman. The variety of hot and cold mezze is mouthwatering – make particular space on your plate for dips…

  • Jasmine House

    Amman

    Jasmine House is well-named, as the scent of the blooms on the terrace make dining a fragrant experience. The restaurant, in a 1950s villa, takes…

  • Seray-e Mehr Teahouse

    Shiraz

    This serendipitous little jewel in the middle of the Bazar-e Vakil is hidden behind a small door next to the Seray-e Moshir caravanserai. Decorated with…

  • Reem Cafeteria

    Amman

    There are hundreds of shoebox-sized shawarma (meat sliced off a spit and stuffed in a pocket of pita-type bread with chopped tomatoes and garnish) kiosks…

  • Al Angham

    Muscat

    This exquisite restaurant next to the Royal Opera House offers just the kind of refined fare demanded of a special occasion, such as a night at the opera…

  • cof

    3 Fils

    Dubai

    Singaporean chef Akmal Anuar turns out innovative yet unpretentious Asian-influenced small plates at this tiny, unlicensed spot – a perfect foil to Dubai…

  • Nobu

    Doha

    One of the city's most talked-about dining destinations, this is the world's largest – and arguably most architecturally outstanding – branch of chef Nobu…

  • sdr

    Zuma

    Downtown Dubai

    Every dish speaks of refinement in this perennially popular bi-level restaurant that gives classic Japanese fare an up-to-the-minute workout. No matter if…

  • Zahrat Lebnan

    Abu Dhabi

    Amid a cluster of Middle Eastern snack and grill outlets, a short walk from the Qasr Al Hosn, the Lebanese Flower is a local legend, attracting a…

  • Anna

    Jerusalem

    On the upper floor of elegant Ticho House, Anna is a stylish spot for a coffee or an Italian meal. Nibble pastries, pizza bianca, linguine with mushrooms…

  • Asia Asia

    Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah

    Prepare for a culinary journey along the Spice Road at this theatrically decorated restaurant, which is entered via a candlelit corridor that spills into…

  • Bait Al Luban

    Muscat

    You know you're somewhere unique when the complimentary water is infused with frankincense. This delightful restaurant is housed in a renovated khan …

  • Beach House

    Abu Dhabi

    Open for breakfast on weekends and lunch and dinner otherwise, this restaurant, with its emphasis on sunny Mediterranean flavours (think slow-cooked…

  • Baker & Spice

    Downtown Dubai

    A pioneer of the local-organic-fresh maxim in Dubai, this London import offers a seasonal bounty of dishes, prepared in-house and served amid charming,…

  • Logma

    Dubai

    This funky Emirati cafe is a great introduction to contemporary local cuisine. It's popular for breakfast dishes such as shakshuka (poached eggs in a…

  • Evergreen Organics

    Doha

    Doha's first vegan and veggie cafe, Evergreen Organics is the brainchild of two young Qataris who are passionate about changing the health of the nation…

  • Morimoto

    Doha

    'Iron Chef' Masaharu Morimoto's first restaurant in the Middle East is inspired by ancient Japan, with interiors adorned with rose-gold pillars, artwork…

  • 101 Lounge & Bar

    Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah

    It may be hard to concentrate on the food at this marina-adjacent al fresco pavilion, with its stunning skyline views. Come for nibbles and cocktails in…

  • Bu Qtair

    Dubai

    Always packed to the gills, this simple eatery is a Dubai institution famous for its dock-fresh fish and shrimp, marinated in a 'secret' masala curry…

  • First Station

    Jerusalem

    This dining and entertainment complex, housed in a handsome 19th-century railway station, is an atmospheric place for a sit-down meal or a few beers…

  • Zuwwadeh Restaurant

    Amman

    Highly popular with Fuheis locals and discerning expats from Amman, the ambience at Zuwwadeh is lively and warm. The food is delicious, especially the…

  • Taizu

    Tel Aviv

    Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Cambodian flavours shine through the elements at this upscale 'AsiaTerranean' fusion restaurant, and a dinner here…

  • Café Lilou

    Manama

    This elegant balconied venue, with its velvet upholstery, wrought-iron banisters and polished-wood floors, is reminiscent of a 19th-century Parisian…

  • Umm Qais Resthouse

    Umm Qais

    Without doubt one of the best parts of visiting the Gadara site is pausing to take refreshment at the Umm Qais Resthouse, perched atop a small hill in the…

  • Machneyuda

    Jerusalem

    Is it New York comfort food, Italian fine dining or haute cuisine? This superb restaurant owned by three of Israel's most acclaimed chefs near Mahane…

  • Haft Khan

    Shiraz

    Wildly popular with fashionable Shirazis, this enormous restaurant complex near Quran Gateway offers four types of dining experience: there’s a generous…

  • Drawing Room

    Doha

    Part shop, part cafe, this cute and atmospheric spot would fit in London's hip Shoreditch area. It's adorned with crafted trinkets and vintage goods, from…

  • Miznon

    Tel Aviv

    The vibe here is bustling, the prices are (very) reasonable and the staff is friendly and full of energy. And let's not forget the most important thing:…

  • Sontaya

    Abu Dhabi

    You can't beat the beachy atmosphere of this restaurant, surrounded by narrow water-feature canals and looking out towards the sand. The pan-Asian…

  • Tawlet

    Beirut

    There are loads of great restaurants in Beirut, but there's only one that commands the respect of every farmer, chef and foodie in the country – and that…

  • Al Boom

    Kuwait City

    As unique as dining gets in Kuwait, this atmospheric restaurant is set on the huge Mohammedi II dhow. Built in Kozhikode, India, in 1979, it's made of…

  • Modern

    Jerusalem

    The main restaurant at the Israel Museum is as swanky as its setting demands, with a refined array of dishes: artichoke sofrito, stuffed ravioli and…

  • Abu Ashraf

    Nazareth

    This old-time coffeehouse is famous all over town for its katayef (sweet pancakes folded over goat’s cheese or cinnamon walnuts and then doused with…

  • Alto Dairy

    North Coast

    Creamy Tomme cheese, tangy blues and yoghurt thick enough to snap a plastic spoon are just a few of the delights of this all-goat-milk dairy, 1.5km south…

  • Al Aker

    Doha

    Now here's somewhere special. Those with a sweet tooth should make a beeline for these splendid Middle Eastern and Turkish filo pastries such as baklava,…

  • Pinati

    Jerusalem

    While locals swear by the hummus, served with pita and piquant garlic-chilli paste, this hole-in-the-wall's well-seasoned mains are also worth sampling:…

  • Old Man & the Sea

    Tel Aviv

    As classic as the Hemingway novel of the same name, this Old Man is still at the top of its game. Spacious enough for dozens of waiters to serve hundreds…

    • placement: fullWidth
    • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
    • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
    • targeting:
      {
        "position": "superzone"
      }

More destinations you need to see