Must-see restaurants in Middle East

  • Em Ali

    Beirut

    Finally this popular Souk El Tayeb farmer's market stall has a storefront! Famous for her country-style saj (grilled flatbread) with the freshest greens,…

  • Kiyi

    United Arab Emirates

    Chargrilled kebab plates are this Turkish restaurant's signature dishes, served in a dining room fit for a pasha. Start with mantı (Turkish ravioli) or…

  • Museum Cafe

    Abu Dhabi

    The perfect place to rest up after viewing the Louvre's globe-trotting collection, this contemporary, light-filled cafe, looking out to the sea, has a…

  • Greco

    Israel

    With its authentic Greek menu, immaculate linen tablecloths, traditional live music and atmosphere of a taverna, Greco has quickly become one of the…

  • Afghan Brothers Restaurant

    Doha

    It's not a fancy place, but the rice and meat dishes here are truly delicious – and it's a chance to dine in a typically Middle Eastern atmosphere,…

  • Eucalyptus

    Jerusalem

    Biblical cuisine isn't all unleavened bread, dates and nuts. Chef and owner Moshe Basson has used ancient Israeli cuisine as his starting point to create…

  • Shtroudl

    Haifa

    Shtroudl combines the sweet-toothed savvy of Germany and the Middle East, dishing up desserts in surrounds reminiscent of an eccentric aunt's summer house…

  • Balad Street Food

    Jeddah

    It's not quite like the street-food markets of Southeast Asia, but this place, with a little collection of covered wooden seating lining the corner…

  • Caffit

    Jerusalem

    This Parisian-style cafe with small tables lined up on German Colony's main thoroughfare has been popular with locals and the cosmopolitan set for the…

  • Sofrakhane Zirebazarche

    Southeastern Iran

    If you can find it, this brick-domed subterranean cavern makes an appealingly untouristy alternative to the larger Hamam-e Vakil teahouse. It's not quite…

  • Al Fanar

    Dubai

    Al Fanar lays on the old-timey Emirati theme pretty thick with a Land Rover parked outside, a reed ceiling and waiters dressed in traditional garb. Give…

  • Puaa

    Tel Aviv

    The thrift-shop-chic decor is truly authentic here – every piece of furniture and every decorative knicknack is for sale. In the midst of the flea-market…

  • HaKosem

    Tel Aviv

    One of the friendliest falafel stalls in town, HaKosem (the Magician) is a popular snack stop on the corner of King George St. Aside from its trademark…

  • Café Bezalel

    Jerusalem

    Stop by Café Bezalel for a relaxing pick-me-up and a taste of local produce. Centrally located on a quiet side street, Bezalel offers strong coffee and…

  • Sofrekhane Shah Zadeh

    Southeastern Iran

    Within the upper section of the Shahzde gardens, this restaurant offers private courtyard niches and two multidomed dining rooms, one cosier but darker,…

  • Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara

    Dubai

    A lift posing as a submarine drops you into a gold-leaf-clad tunnel spilling into one of Dubai's most extravagant restaurants. Tables orbit a circular…

  • Hotel Sonargaon

    Saudi Arabia

    Located in the bustling narrow streets of the Bangla Bazaar just beyond the open-air parking north of King Faisal Rd, this is the most accessible of the…

  • Al Odaid

    Qatar

    Big windows overlook the swimming pools and ocean in this solid, modern restaurant in Sealine Beach Resort's lobby, where tasty menu items include fresh…

  • Bukhara

    United Arab Emirates

    Rustic, homely Bukhara is a treat for Indian cuisine old-hands as well as those newer to India's flavours. The dal bukhara (slow-cooked black lentils in a…

  • Avra

    Nazareth

    'Avra' means 'good atmosphere' in Greek, and that's exactly what this cafe-restaurant has, along with delicious Greek and Palestinian dishes and a…

  • Georgie

    Jerusalem

    No fried nuggets and quarter pounders here, just fast food Israeli style. Choose your meat, including salmon as an option, or vegetable (courgette,…

  • Savta

    Tel Aviv

    Just south of Rabin Sq, this cheery, chequerboard-floored kiosk slings hearty sub-style sandwiches with quality ingredients. Hip, friendly workers craft…

  • Al Amin Sweets & Bakery

    East Jerusalem

    Al Amin Bakery brings Jerusalem together to literally break bread. On any given day Palestinians, Israelis, Ethiopians, Filipinos and tourists of all…

  • Asa Moses Restaurant

    Mt Nebo

    This trestle-tabled restaurant opposite the Ayoun Musa junction produces a daily lunch buffet of traditional Jordanian dishes, including makloubeh …

  • Zheng He’s

    Dubai

    Zheng He was an intrepid 15th-century Chinese seafarer, and the food at his namesake restaurant at the Mina A'Salam is just as adventurous. The signature…

  • Al Mihbash

    East Jerusalem

    Perch on an overhanging balcony table for a feast of Palestinian-style dishes, from fish kebabs and falafel to stuffed chicken, along with enough…

  • Beit 7

    Kuwait City

    Around the corner from the Muse coffee shop, this charming restaurant is tucked away in an interior courtyard. Set in a coral-and-gypsum house dating from…

  • Naz Restaurant

    Kuwait City

    The 'Persian soul food' at this casual eatery is terrific, with the full range of kebabs, salads and stews – of the latter, the tangy fattoush (salad of…

  • Moslem

    Tehran

    There's almost always a long line (which does move reasonably quickly) snaking out of this famous restaurant that's located on a couple of upper floors of…

  • Al Khaima

    Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah

    On balmy nights there are few places more tranquil than Al Khaima's linen-draped terrace tables. Classic mezze such as baba ganoush (smoked aubergine dip)…

  • Shah Abbas Restaurant

    Iran

    This hidden, tastefully renovated 640-year-old former hammam oozes atmosphere, with vaulted ceilings and rabbit-warren chambers. Try local pichag qeimeh …

  • Christ Church Cafe

    Jerusalem

    Decorated with Bible quotes, this cafe near Jaffa Gate nurtures a cosy, collegiate atmosphere and is usually brimming with excitable residents of the…

  • Toro Toro

    Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah

    After a major refurb, the decor has as much pizzazz as the food at this pan-Latin outpost conceived by star chef Richard Sandoval. Feast on such small…

  • Katis Restaurant

    Sharjah

    This tiny, seven-table, family-run joint with golden walls and dark wooden furniture serves up mostly Indian home-cooked fare – with a dash of Nepali and…

  • Sukar Pasha Ottoman Lounge

    Doha

    Grand armchairs, comfy couches and an indoor fountain filled with petals give this place a royal feel. It serves good Middle Eastern breakfasts, plus more…

  • KB Döner

    Beirut

    Turkish-German style döner kebab may be one of the top five drunk munchies worldwide, and this fact is not lost on the good proprietors of KB Döner nor…

  • Darna

    Jerusalem

    Aromatic and delicious dishes from Morocco – including plenty of tagine and couscous choices – are served in atmospheric surrounds at this long-standing…

  • Tishreen

    Nazareth

    The wood-fired oven at this well-loved restaurant, adorned with antiques and wine bottles, turns out Arab- and Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as…

  • Mamilla Rooftop Restaurant

    Jerusalem

    Not keen on bumping elbows with fellow diners in the Old City hummus restaurants? This sleek rooftop brasserie is a refined place to retreat. Meals (all…

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