Dubai
Close to the Mall of the Emirates (next to a Holiday Inn), this local favourite is famous for its kunafeh (cheesy pastry in sugar syrup). Before the sweet…
Must-see restaurants in Middle East
Tel Aviv
The free self-service tshai nana (mint tea) is a nice touch, but Florentin regulars are drawn here solely on the strength of the hummus. Choose from fuul …
Beirut
Yes, it's a chain, but Bar Tartine's original Mar Mikhaël location is set back from the road, up a set of stairs (as many restaurants on this stretch are)…
Tel Aviv
A veritable dream for vegans, Anastasia has it all – breakfasts, salads, soups, sandwiches and more. Set on the leafy corner of Frischmann and Reines Sts,…
Beirut
Beirut first fell for sushi in the naughties; today myriad sushi joints are dotted throughout the city. Tsunami is the best you can get without putting on…
Tel Aviv
Take a trip to Africa with this small, funky Ethiopian vegan restaurant. It may be situated in a rundown area of the city, but the food here is well worth…
Dubai
With a simple whitewashed wood pavilion set right on the beach in the shadow of Burj Al Arab, Shimmers is big on atmosphere. The homestyle Greek cuisine…
Tel Aviv
Head to the south side of Rabin Sq for English-inspired fish and chips with an Israeli twist (of lemon). Yes, Joseph & Sons has fine cod and chips (the…
Downtown Dubai
This Virginia-based chain proves that there is such a thing as guilt-free fast food by serving burgers made entirely from organic, grass-fed and free…
Tel Aviv
Modestly claiming to serve ‘the best hamburgers in the universe’, Susu & Sons does set the burger bar high. It's been an instant hit, so expect long…
Bur Dubai
Teeming with tourists lured by the romantic Creekside setting, this restaurant occupies one of Dubai's oldest buildings, a 1930s shipping office, and has…
Beirut
The Beirut food community, deprived of affordable Asian food for so long, lost its mind for a minute when Don opened. This place hits all the trend marks:…
Abu Dhabi
This restaurant isn't going to win any prizes for decor, but it does muster up delicious authentic Indian, Pakistani, Iranian and Middle Eastern dishes …
Abu Dhabi
A favourite meeting spot for Emiratis, this old-fashioned cafe deals in coffee and cake, croissants and classic sandwiches with some pasta dishes thrown…
Amman
This popular restaurant in the heart of downtown is as much about the ambience as the traditional Jordanian food. Squeezed into every nook and cranny of…
Iran
This large, new basement restaurant, across the road from the Negin Hotel, feels a little generic but the short menu is available in English and the…
Southeastern Iran
Low-priced, good-quality meals see locals clamouring to order at this simple but not unattractive eatery: most people grab takeaways but there are takht …
Iran
The only restaurant within the Ferdosi Mausoleum park is brighter and more pleasant than it looks from outside, with a choice of carpeted seating or takht…
Bur Dubai
Jaffer Bhai, the self-crowned 'biryani king of Mumbai', now feeds his soulful fare to adoring crowds in this modern Karama eatery decorated with a…
Bur Dubai
Look beyond the sun-bleached photos of dishes: the menu may have few surprises but does staples like grills, hummus and tabbouleh (salad of tomatoes,…
Tel Aviv
The 'Don' is a cut above the rest of Tel Aviv's Italian restaurants. Located in the prestigious Jaffa Hotel, diners can sit in the restored 19th-century…
Abu Dhabi
If you want a taste of how seafood is enjoyed locally, nose round the back of the fish market, near the dry-fish section. This tiny Indian restaurant …
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
At this teensy country-style eatery most of the fresh ingredients – from lemons to chickens – are sourced from growers based in nearby Al Ain. Barbecued…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Only in Dubai. Yalla specialises in quirky samosas, but its recently released 24-karat-gold concoction certainly crowns the list: it's a king-size bite…
Esfahan
Located in the Armenian Quarter, this cafeteria-style restaurant serves enormous plates of food. There’s a large self-service salad bar and several…
Iran
If it were central this sofrekhane-style restaurant would be the obvious choice for kababs, tarchin (a layered lamb and rice dish) or a teahouse…
Southeastern Iran
Making cursory attempts to create a traditional teahouse atmosphere, this reliable yet inexpensive basement restaurant is a popular option for backpackers…
Muscat
East of the main entrance to Mutrah Souq on Mutrah Corniche, this thoroughly typical local-style restaurant with tables on the pavement is an ideal place…
East Jerusalem
The Jerusalem Hotel serves food within a stone-walled cellar and, even better, in the courtyard under a pergola heavy with grapevines. It's a pleasant…
Beirut
Any given Beirut manoushe (Levant-style ‘pizza’)stand can be hit or miss. The best turn out better manoushe than the Lebanese Bakery does, but on a short…
Beirut
Jai is Beirut's first pan-Asian restaurant, and it remains a stalwart. The restaurant itself is minuscule, only large enough to house the kitchen and one…
Esfahan
A favourite meeting place for local businessmen, smart young couples and ladies on shopping expeditions, the coffee shop at Esfahan’s best hotel serves…
Haifa
Veal stroganoff, Cordon Bleu–style chicken medallions and mussels in Pernod form an eclectic menu that borrows from multiple Mediterranean cuisines…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
The Westin's all-day buffet restaurant has dishes that aim at pleasing all, in an airy setting with citrus-coloured furniture on a white tiled floor and…
Hajar Mountains
This unlikely campground at the entrance to the village doubles as a restaurant at weekends. Buffets include Omani rice and Indian dishes. Sleep off…
Tel Aviv
Xoho is a cafe with more than a hint of an American accent. Run by Anglos and popular with English-speakers, it's close to the Dizengoff St scene cafe but…
Bur Dubai
Egyptian flavours reign supreme here with tajines, mashawi (roasted meat), stuffed pigeon and a juicy bamia (okra casserole), although there are some…
Tel Aviv
Every neighbourhood should have its own Cafe Lucia. Known for its breads and pastries (the owners also operate the Lachmanina Bakery), its shady street…
West Bank
This is a classic sawdust-on-the-floor Nablusi eatery just a short walk from the main gate into the Old City. Staff speak little English but will happily…
Tel Aviv
A smallish gastro bar that packs a big punch, Hôtel de Ville opened in 2018 and has gained a reputation as one of the best new places to eat in TLV. Chef…
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