When you live in a melting pot of cultures, food becomes a hot topic.
With Dubai's thriving 'never sleep' culture and you can be assured of tasty treats from around the world, around the clock.
Hop in and let's explore Dubai's food scene to discover places you absolutely cannot miss:
Ravi
The most iconic of all restaurants in Dubai. Ravi is an absolute institution. No wonder it was chosen by adidas as part of its Adilicious food collab in the UAE (the only food outlet in the region to be selected!). Located near the Satwa Roundabout, Ravi has been serving authentic Pakistani cuisine since 1978 and has hosted many a celebrity since then. Parking can be a bit tricky but the food is worth it, hands down. What do we recommend? Everything, of course.
Bu Qtair
Another iconic mainstay of Dubai's food scene, Bu Qtair has had a glow up in recent years. From its humble beginnings in a little hut, serving freshly caught seafood, Bu Qtair lets you choose your fish and how it should be cooked. There was a time when the experience was quite rustic with plastic chairs and plates. It's gone up a notch since then but that hasn't changed the quality of the food or the service. Catch Bu Qtair in Jumeirah.
Al Ustad Special Kebab
Also in operation since 1978 is Al Ustad Special Kebab in Bur Dubai. Let us tell you, they really mean it when they say special. From the decor to the ambience and of course the menu, everything is a feast for the senses. As you would expect from a place with the word kebab in its name, kebabs are a speciality and there's all sorts available to sample. Along with freshly made flatbread, you really can't go wrong here. It's always busy but we're sure you'll be able to get a seat if you time it just right.
Al Mallah
In the business of authentic Lebanese food since 1979, Al Mallah in Dhiyafah (not too far from Ravi in Satwa and the Etihad Museum) is one place worth visiting. From hummus to shawarma to manakeesh, you name it, Al Mallah has it. You can't miss it the huge neon green signs that light up the street and since they're open until 2am, you definitely don't want to miss them for that late night craving.
Al Reef Lebanese Bakery
A mainstay of the local food scene since the mid 80s, Al Reef hasn't changed much over the years. Apart from some cosmetic changes to the physical outlet, the menu has consistently delivered shawarma and manakeesh to hungry patrons. Can't go wrong with a zaatar manoush though if we're being completely honest, everything is good here. Food hasn't been the only thing driving Al Reef's popularity. It's also open 24 hours which makes it a great choice any time of the day or night.
So there you have it folks. 5 of the most iconic food outlets in Dubai that you should definitely try at least once. If you're anything like us, you'll keep going back again and again!
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