Must-see restaurants in Middle East

  • Cairo Restaurant

    Amman

    This simple restaurant serves good local food at budget prices. The shish tawooq (marinated chicken grilled on skewers) has portions large enough for two;…

  • Das Küche

    Beirut

    Had your fill of hummus? Das Küche has opened smack in the middle of Mar Mikhaël, slinging imported (read: overpriced) pork and beef brats and wursts…

  • Benedict

    Israel

    The Herzliya branch of this popular Tel Aviv all-day breakfast joint is as liked as its inner-city equivalents. Diners can fill up on eggs Benedict,…

  • Kabul Darbar

    Bur Dubai

    Follow Afghan tradition: find a spot on the carpet, order lots of food and eat with your hands. All dishes are served with a soup, bread and salad, making…

  • Time of Tea

    Hajar Mountains

    This coffee shop sells snacks and simple fare in a jolly, red-decked restaurant with some chairs on the pavement. It offers a quiet place to watch…

  • Thala Cafe

    Oman

    This tiny cafe serves up tasty shawarma (pockets of bread filled with shaved meat and salad) into the small hours of the night. During the day, it offers…

  • Gelateria Siciliana

    Israel

    This local branch of the Tel Aviv gelateria hits the spot with its sheer array of flavours of ice cream and sorbet, plus cookies and chocolate brownies…

  • City Tower Grill Restaurant & Cafe

    Muscat

    Ignore the entirely irrelevant name of this venue and have an egg roll-up and fresh orange juice in view of Al Mirani Fort in this corner street cafe,…

  • Abu Alezz Restaurant

    Jordan

    Near the main roundabout, this restaurant has cheap and tasty standard Jordanian fare, including grilled chicken, hummus and shawarma (meat sliced off a…

  • Pizza Pizza

    Iran

    This family-friendly establishment is unusual for its female waitstaff and children’s play area. The pizzas are typically Iranian style, with lots of…

  • Arg

    Iran

    A favourite special night out for the locals, the Arg is up an elevator from Kashani Sq (above the shopping centre) and has great views of the surrounding…

  • Hezaroyek Shab

    Iran

    Almost out on the ring road, this cosy restaurant has a wide selection of Iranian and Western favourites. Owner Pari Bakhtiyari speaks fluent English, so…

  • Alia Supermarket

    Jordan

    Self-caterers and would-be picnickers should head to this supermarket near the Omayah Hotel; it has a good selection of local produce, including the…

  • Ghaderi

    Iran

    The most attractive of four eateries directly north of the Omar Khayyam mausoleum, Ghaderi serves Iranian standards in a pleasant dining room and also in…

  • Parsian Restaurant

    Iran

    This understated place, decorated in two tones of dark-wood veneer, serves huge portions of akhbar juje (tender, slow-cooked chicken) as well as typical…

  • Mama Cafe

    Nazareth

    Decorated with colourful photos by local artists, this mellow cafe and cake shop serves sandwiches, fresh-squeezed juices and homemade baked goods,…

  • Golden Beach Restaurant

    Oman

    Used to rustling up rice and dhal or an egg roll-up for breakfast for the occasional foreign guests from the neighbouring hotel, this local-style…

  • Rum Gate Restaurant

    Wadi Rum

    The buffet at this restaurant at the visitor centre is popular. Outside lunchtime, the restaurant is a meeting place for guides, weary hikers and…

  • Khaneh Mo’allem Restaurant

    Iran

    On sunny days, the nicest places for mirza ghasemi (dip-like pureed charcoal eggplant with garlic and tomato) or torche kabab (lamb and/or chicken coated…

  • Barf Cafe

    Iran

    Travellers sometimes just need a good barf ('snow' in Farsi), and this fun, modern cafe is just the place, with cheap and tasty omelettes, pizzas and…

  • Hermes

    Esfahan

    This bright, modern designer cafe offers a fashionable dining experience in the heart of the Amenian Quarter. Food focuses on Western-style diner fare,…

  • Pasta Basta

    Jerusalem

    This carb-loading canteen in Mahane Yehuda Market isn't well signposted, but you'll catch sight of penne, fettuccine and fusilli being energetically…

  • BBQ Meat & Grill

    Jerusalem

    Kosher fast-food joint in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, good for a quick pre- or post-Western Wall visit. Serves schnitzel, burgers, falafel and hummus…

  • Kebab Al Shaab

    Jerusalem

    Going on half-a-century of serving delicious kebabs in a pita with hot peppers or on plate with yoghurt. No signage makes this place tough to locate; it's…

  • Coffee Shop

    Dhofar

    One of the only places to buy food and provisions for many kilometres in either direction along this desolate stretch of coastal highway. It is tucked…

  • Arshia Traditional Restaurant

    Esfahan

    Arshia’s location just off Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Sq and its friendly service make it worth considering. Seating is traditional, and the menu features all…

  • Chelokababi

    Iran

    Cheap, tasty, fresh, no-frills kababs served up by a friendly crew who might invite you to a game of darts in the kitchen. It's about 200m past the Anza…

  • Zamn

    Ramallah

    The hippest spot in Ramallah for locals and expats alike, Zamn is a fun place for a morning croissant and coffee or a lunchtime sandwich. Walk down Dar…

  • Lulu Hypermarket

    Khasab

    This supermarket sells fresh biryani, tandoori chicken, salads and pastries – all the ingredients needed for a picnic. It's also handy for camping…

  • Visitors Centre Food Court

    Dead Sea

    Stalls serve falafel, shawarma, sandwiches, salads and cold beer. At the cafeteria a meal costs 65NIS (55NIS for vegetarian), including a drink. Situated…

  • Azraq Palace Restaurant

    Jordan

    This busy restaurant attracts tour groups on desert-castle excursions. The standard Jordanian fare of rice, grills, salads and dips is tasty and filling,…

  • Jazireh Pizza

    Iran

    This cheerful, clean and modern fast-food place is in an area where there's not much choice. The pizzas, though small, come quick, cheap and tasty. It's…

  • Mansfield Cafe

    Jerusalem

    Cafe in the Israel Museum serving salads, sandwiches, as well as pastries and good espresso. You can eat here without paying museum admission.

  • Noghl Torabi

    Iran

    Sells fabulous carrot-and-walnut halva (a sweet made of sesame flour and honey) and noghl (icing-sugar-coated nuts or fruit), the latter made in big,…

  • Telecabine Restaurant

    Iran

    The food is overpriced, but the view of the Caspian isn't bad from this rooftop restaurant on top of the telecabine wheelhouse. Take the external lift up…

  • Safa Café

    Iran

    This little cafe sitting opposite the classic Mil-e Gonbad tower offers ice-cream sundaes, floats and freshly squeezed seasonal juices.

  • Lilipar Traditional Restaurant

    Iran

    Prop yourself on a rug and get stuck into some tasty skewered meat at this hip traditional restaurant, where Maraqeh's young come to eye each other over…

  • Dana Restaurant

    Madaba

    Popular with tour groups, this restaurant serves a quality buffet in a pleasant dining hall. It makes a reasonable stop if you’ve worked up an appetite on…

  • Shine Cottage Grilling

    Umm Qais

    With great views from the terrace, this small open-air cafe with a grill is one of only two places for casual refreshments near the ruins. It's opposite…

  • Sunrise Supermarket

    Wadi Musa

    This handy shop near the entrance to Petra sells all the necessary ingredients of a picnic for a day's walking in the Ancient City, including fruit and…

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