Must-see restaurants in Middle East

  • Al Bandar

    Doha

    With perhaps the best seafood in the souq – or anywhere in downtown Doha, for that matter – this little place is a wonderful choice. Its casserole is…

  • Vinaigrette

    Amman

    Located on the top floor of the Al Qasr hotel, and in keeping with the hotel’s boutique theme, this restaurant offers trendsetting Middle Eastern fusion…

  • Golden Rice

    Saudi Arabia

    Resembling a palace from the Aladdin movies, this huge restaurant is part of a growing trend of stylish Indian eateries that cater to a more refined…

  • Oysters Restaurant

    Sur

    One of the few venues in Sur where you can dine with a glass of wine, Oysters is a sociable gathering point. The Friday lunch buffet (OR6) includes fresh…

  • Villa Badaro

    Beirut

    In the heart of the Badaro eating and drinking area, this appeals for its tables in the handsome covered streetside garden of a villa. The menu is…

  • Nam

    Tel Aviv

    It may sound like a Vietnamese restaurant, but Nam is very much a Thai cook house with tasty classic dishes and hearty portions. Advance booking is…

  • Coco's

    Manama

    With indoor and outdoor seating, huge servings and an extensive international menu offering a range of delicious salads, rice dishes, pasta, impressive…

  • River Nile Restaurant

    Hajar Mountains

    With a rather elegant dining room, tables draped with cloths and upholstered chairs, this restaurant is a cut above the norm in a region of utilitarian…

  • Publik Kuwait

    Kuwait City

    This cool space – with a mosaic tiled floor, exposed pipes and large art murals painted directly onto the concrete walls – is a cafe by day and occasional…

  • Mirage Indian Restaurant

    Saudi Arabia

    Although light on atmosphere, with small touches of Indian decor, the Mirage is still very popular with locals and offers an excellent biryani (rice dish…

  • Diwan Al Sultan Ibrahim Restaurant

    Amman

    The Diwan is well known for its high-quality Lebanese food. The fresh fish is the speciality, with options arrayed on ice, although the meaty barbecue is…

  • Layali Al Helmeya

    Kuwait City

    A lovely place to sit and enjoy the view overlooking Kuwait Bay, offering reasonably priced dishes; huge salads, delicious freshly made muttabal …

  • Spazio 77

    Riyadh

    Located in the nook of the ‘necklace’ of the Kingdom Tower, Spazio 77 is a combination brasserie, coffee house and luxury restaurant serving fine-dining…

  • Clock Tower Restaurant

    Jordan

    The name of this popular local is written in Arabic, but as it’s right next to the clock tower and has a huge spit of shawarma roasting in the window, it…

  • Smoking Bun

    Beirut

    Beirut is certifiably mad for burgers, and for our money, this is the city’s best. You don’t come here for ambience (it’s a tiny space with a few…

  • Keykhosro Restaurant & Coffeeshop

    Southeastern Iran

    Keykhosro serves traditional Kermani specialities qatoq and boz ghormeh – as well as more standard Iranian favourites – in a lovely garden or in carpeted…

  • Shtisel

    Jerusalem

    Grab a seat at one of the half dozen tables, probably filled with yeshiva students, to gorge on traditional ultra-Orthodox food like chulent (beans,…

  • Dosa Bar

    Tel Aviv

    Indian, kosher, vegan and gluten-free – Dosa Bar is all of the above. This small restaurant with friendly staff specialises in dosa (Indian pancakes)…

  • Bistro By Tao

    Riyadh

    This little joint has an air of zen about it. Eastern and contemporary-chic decor and mellow music create a relaxing atmosphere. The prices here aren't…

  • Al Fannar Restaurant

    Hajar Mountains

    This large restaurant offers a range of international favourites and some pan-Arab dishes, too. Between October and March it sets up tables around the…

  • Pottery Restaurant & Café

    Salalah

    This smart little restaurant, with two floors of seating, has created a friendly, homely atmosphere with its cheerful and quaint interior. There is no…

  • Suzanna

    Tel Aviv

    A longstanding Neve Tzedek favourite, Suzanna offers a Middle Eastern mix of dishes. Some of these are more successful than others, so the ‘I’ll have what…

  • Zaki Restaurant

    Sur

    Located next to the Oman Oil petrol station, this popular local chain serves Omani, Indian and Chinese cuisine, including a signature fried-chicken dish …

  • Annabi Shisha Lounge

    Salalah

    Tuck behind an arabesque screen for private dining or sit outside on the landscaped terrace and watch the shoppers go by at this attractive restaurant…

  • Sabayos

    Jerusalem

    Whopping crêpes are crammed with fillings such as olive, tomato and various cheeses at this kosher crêperie. Dessert options are just as filling, with…

  • Imbala

    Jerusalem

    Imbala is a Israeli and Palestinian cooperative that’s home to a vegan cafe, library and event space. Check out its Facebook page to see what music events…

  • Amir Kabir Restaurant

    Tehran

    Carp swim in the rectangular pool at the centre of this atmospheric restaurant with wood-carved pillars holding up a gallery floor. It's a good choice for…

  • Hashem

    Saudi Arabia

    A big green and yellow sign greets you at this popular, local establishment on the corner of a busy intersection. Famous for its delicious mezze, Hashem…

  • Yildizlar

    Jeddah

    With appealing decor and a comfortable atmosphere, Yildizlar is a local institution serving a splendid mix of Turkish and Lebanese food. Dishes range from…

  • Samad Al Iraqi

    Dubai

    This huge and fairly formal mall restaurant with decor inspired by ancient Iraq is locally adored for its excellent masgouf – wood-fired grilled fish, the…

  • Paradise Restaurant

    Mecca

    This no-frills little eating spot is tucked away along one of the backstreets east of the clock tower, close to Al Masjid Al Haram. The food is cheap,…

  • Aroma

    Riyadh

    Aroma, the signature in-house restaurant of the Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski, is an all-day buffet restaurant that hosts themed buffets that are great value…

  • Falafel Mullah

    Jerusalem

    Grab one of the three sidewalk tables to enjoy some of the city's best falafel (gluten-free even) at this hole-in-the-wall spot on the southern edge of…

  • Seven Sands

    Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah

    Located on the 1st floor and with seamless views of the sand and the sea, Seven Sands dishes up generous portions of traditional Emirati cuisine in a…

  • Alborz

    Tehran

    Popular with well-heeled Iranians for business dinners and family celebrations, Alborz serves beautifully presented kabab platters with, especially, very…

  • Bin Ateeq Restaurant

    Nizwa

    Part of a small chain of Omani-style restaurants, this is one of the few places where you have the opportunity to sample genuine local dishes. Dining is…

  • Leila

    Downtown Dubai

    This Beirut import serves granny-style rural Lebanese cafe cuisine adapted for the 21st century: light, healthy and fresh. The homey decor more than…

  • Dina

    Amman

    A great Jordanian place with a large shaded terrace and swift service in an area that's popular with international aid agencies working in Jordan. The…

  • La Brasserie

    Muscat

    Serving delicious French food in a small wooden den of a restaurant opposite the fish market in Mutrah, La Brasserie is the perfect venue for coffee and a…

  • Chillax Cafe & White Lounge Restaurant

    Iran

    As chic as it gets when it comes to dining in Shemshak and Darbansar, this is the place to see and be seen by Tehran's liberal ski set. Waiters in…

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