The Places We Love The Most
I asked Dubai to share the restaurants and places they love. The people spoke. This is a community-led list of the places worth showing up for, before it’s too late.
It started, as these things often do, with a simple question on Instagram: which places would you hate to lose?
The replies stacked up within hours. Not just the usual suspects, but names tied to memory, routine and quiet loyalty.
Restaurants, cafés and a few delivery kitchens, all sent in by you.
This list is drawn entirely from those responses. It is not definitive, nor is it fixed. Consider it a living document, shaped by the people who dine in this city and care enough to show up for it.
It will evolve. If there is somewhere you love, send it through.
Neighbourhood Anchors
The places people return to without thinking.
Cafe Isan, Jumeirah Lakes Towers — A no-frills Thai spot focused on Isan cooking, with fiery dishes delivering punchy, uncompromising flavour.
Fusion Ceviche, Jumeirah Lakes Towers — Bright, punchy Peruvian flavours inside a cosy setting built on generous portions and a sturdy following. “Fusion Ceviche from the Incas to Dubai, yet somehow homegrown, local and always delicious.“
Hashmi Barbecue, Al Barsha — A long-standing Kenyan grill known for smoky charcoal-roasted meats, with seekh kebabs, mutton samosas and glistening lamb chops.
HEAL, Umm Suqeim — A wellness-leaning café that has become a regular stop for those seeking something lighter but consistent.
Kima, Jumeirah Lakes Towers — A compact, Japanese izakaya that trades on warmth and repeat visits over spectacle. “I love how Kima is casual, in the neighbourhood, has great food (their karaage is so good), fair prices and that the owner Tas, chef Pawel and the staff are super friendly.” - Lyn Helbling
Kinoya, The Greens — A supper club-turned-ramen house that has settled into routine for many, where consistency matters over novelty. “Kinoya’s food is a hug for my insides. It’s my happy place and one that I have shared with people I care about time and time again.” - Kavitha Kumar
Kokum & Kari, Motor City — A South Indian/Sri Lankan hole-in-the-wall serving ladles of coconut-slick curries, crisp dosas, and fish fries. “Kokum and Kari’s Chicken Xacuti curry is truly 11/10 - nothing comes close to this absolute flavour bomb. Their coconut pulao is the perfect accompaniment. Rich, comforting and wonderfully intense. On our regular order rotation!” - Zoe Bowker
LDC Kitchen+Coffee — A laid-back, all-day café concept serving European comfort food, with breakfast plates, burgers and coffee forming a dependable, repeat-visit staple for many.
Lento, Al Wasl Road — Understated and unfussy. It is the centre of gravity for burgers. A place that becomes part of one’s weekly rhythm.
Maisan15, Al Barsha South — A café built on calm, community, and a menu people quietly rely on. “Maisan 15, for me, is a place where art, love, and effort are visible from the chef’s pass to the table.” - Amit Kedia
Mythos, Jumeirah Lakes Towers - A stalwart Greek favourite fit for all occasions and rarely empty, serving plates of spanakopita, souvlaki, grilled sea bass and sticky loukoumades.
Pitfire Pizza — A homegrown pizza institution built on signature charred bases, inventive toppings with flair and cool collabs, not to mention the garlic knots’ cult following.
Sticky Rice, Jumeirah Village Circle — A compact Thai kitchen specialising in northern and Isan dishes, famous for its chicken tenders, drawing in a loyal crowd.
Three Bros, Jumeirah — A relative newcomer from the one and only Orfali Bros trio; it’s casual, but familiar and dependable, with a standout burger, carne salada and the OB gambas garum.
Teta’s Recipe, Al Barsha — A Palestinian kitchen rooted in heritage cooking, best known for musakhan and slow-cooked maqluba layered with spice and memory.
Three by Eva, Jumeirah - A convivial Levantine restaurant run by a mother and two daughters — part restaurant, part delicatessen, always a good time.
The Meating Room, Motor City — A desi grill-focused neighbourhood restaurant centred on hearty meat platters, skewers and comfort sides rather than formal steakhouse cuts.
The Toasted Bite, Sharjah — worth crossing emirates for, if you know it, built on simple food made with care, like their TTB chips.
Um Roubyan, Nad Al Hamar — A long-standing local Emirati favourite where flavour and familiarity keep people coming back. “It’s a great, small local restaurant where I always order the grilled prawns and grilled supreme. It’s always fresh and affordable. No special interior but smiling service, great taste.” - Loretta Grey.
Vietnamese Foodies, Multiple — A widely loved Vietnamese chain known for fragrant pho, fresh rolls and healthy, balanced, accessible cooking.
Cult Favourites
The places people talk about, then return to.
21 Grams, Umm Suqeim — Balkan comfort cooking with a strong point of view and a loyal, knowing crowd. “Breakfast doesn’t get more soulful than 21grams’ pindjur eggs. I like it with their homemade beef chorizo sausages. Even if you’re full, don’t miss their phyllo pies with goat cheese, honey and thyme.” - Pearl Yan
3Fils, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour — Still one of the city’s most talked-about kitchens, balancing precision with approachability.
Birch Bakery, Al Quoz — A cult bakery known for laminated pastries and sourdough, with croissants and seasonal specials that sell out QUICK.
BRIX, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour — A dessert-led concept by a charismatic chef that has developed a following for its creativity and restraint.
Girl & The Goose, Business Bay — Modern Nicaraguan cooking with warmth and character, built on hospitality at its core.
Hawkerboi, Jumeirah Lakes Towers — Big, bold Southeast Asian flavours that trade polish for impact.
Khadak, Jumeirah — An award-winning, is a contemporary Indian brasserie in offering nostalgic and innovative street food and sharing plates inspired by the bustling culinary traditions of Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazaar.
Maiz Tacos, Jumeirah Lakes Towers & Dubai Hills — A focused Mexican concept centred on corn tortillas and bold fillings, with birria tacos and salsas driving its growing following. “Maiz (and Luma) will always be special after they looked after my family and me when we needed it, and will never forget this. Not to mention, those birria tacos are my go-to comfort food”. - Matthew Broderick
Maru Udon, Business Bay / Motor City — Handmade udon that has earned admiration for its simplicity—don’t overlook their tempura! “There are bowls here that make me just feel like I’m being enveloped in a hug. The chef is a real gem and extremely involved in making sure all his diners are happy. Plus, you get to see them being made fresh on the counter at their Business Bay location!” - Devina Divecha
Middle Child, Alserkal Avenue — A thoughtful café-meets-deli-meets-bookshop brimming with personality and a loyal following.
One Life, Jumeirah Village Circle, D3 and Alserkal Avenue — A café-workspace hybrid known for its all-day menu, strong coffee and a creative crowd that treats it as a base for breakfasts that turn into lunch.
Taqueria El Primo, Al Wasl Road — Unpretentious tacos that prioritise substance over setting.
Taqueria Freedah, Jumeirah — A homegrown take on Mexican street food that people return to for its energy and flavour. “Another example of homegrown and authentic ingredients that I love to support. The chef is present and engages with his guests, and the tacos are just ridiculously good.” - Devina Divecha
Tacos Camino, Market Island — A fast-paced Mexican counter serving bold tacos like their “messy and melty” birria tacos built for flavour rather than finesse.
Quiet Excellence (Under the Radar)
High quality, less noise.
77 Asia, Arjan — A casual pan-Asian restaurant offering a wide spread of ramen, Pad Thai, stir-fries and mango brûlée for easy, repeat dining.
Chôm Chôm, Al Barsha - A relatively new Vietnamese opening with a focused healthy menu of banh mi and lettuce wraps. “A neighbourhood spot with a menu of select Vietnamese specialities: their cha gio, wagyu beef rolls, garlic rice and beef pho are such a treat, and they’re one of my favourites on Deliveroo because the cha gio arrive miraculously not steamy and still super crunchy!” - Lyn Helbling
CQ Brasserie, JLT / Barsha Heights — A dependable French brasserie that delivers familiarity with plates of steak frites and more without fuss.
FALCONE, Al Barsha — Italian comfort food with a “neighbourhood opulent” that feels special the moment you walk through the door.
Isola, Jumeirah Islands — Italian cooking that leans into simplicity, best understood over long, unhurried meals inside a secluded neighbourhood.
Kumo, Al Wasl Road — A small Japanese spot that rewards those who value precision and restraint.
Mohalla, Design District — its contemporary Indian casual dining delivers big and subtle flavour bite by bite.
MTR, Mankhool — An industrious South Indian restaurant famous for inventing Rava Idli and serving authentic breakfasts. “MTR is a humble restaurant with a mighty heart and Herculean endeavour.” - Sanjay Varman
La Strega, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa — an Italian restaurant offering everything from spaghetti to calamari to carpaccio, where one person said the carbonara is “the best I have had outside of Roma”.
Rania Gourmet Kitchen (delivery) — A Levantine, home-style kitchen known for generous trays and dishes like stuffed vine leaves and baked kibbeh. “I have a cherished group of Palestinian friends, with whom I occasionally have the honor of sharing a home-cooked meal. The food of Palestine is comforting in a deep, soul-satisfying sense. It touches something that you didn’t know you remembered, until you take a bite. Rania’s Gourmet serves that comfort. Rotating dishes, get it while you can before it sells out.“ - Michele Johnson
Rare, City Walk — A steakhouse with a standout wine list that focuses on doing the fundamentals properly without frivolous theatrics. “Rare is what happens when a Parisian brasserie meets a New York cocktail bar and has a restaurant baby that is quintessentially Dubai today.”
SLAB, Mercato Mall — A focused, modern concept built by one of Dubai’s most intriguing chefs with a menu disloyal to one cuisine. “I love Slab by Omar Rodriguez for what it is - unpretentious, unmistakably flavour-packed food that delivers every time. It’s perfect for everyday eating, the kind of spot you keep going back to without overthinking it. And then there’s Omar, a genius in his own quiet way, creating food that speaks louder than any hype ever could. Easily one of the most underrated homegrown heroes we have.” - Stasha Toncev
Slice45, Rabdan — Pizza worth travelling for if you care about dough, detail and consistency.
Zagol, Al Karama — A no-frills Ethiopian restaurant built on injera platters and slow-cooked stews, where communal eating and depth of flavour define the experience.
Worth a special journey
Restaurants you plan around.
Fish Gourmet, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour — A straightforward, Egyptian seafood spot overlooking the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour. “I love it because it’s low-key and unpretentious and relies on exceptional seafood cooked perfectly, with really friendly service. Order the spicy prawns on their own charcoal grill and the seafood sambousek. Both are knock-outs.” - Nicola Chilton
Long Teng Seafood, Business Bay — Cantonese seafood done with confidence, best approached with a group and an appetite. “As a Cantonese person, I can wholeheartedly recommend Long Teng for an authentic dim sum lunch or home-style meal that reminds me of Hong Kong. Order the Cheung fun and shrimp dumplings, and their Sichuan dishes, including the water-boiled beef.” - Pearl Yan
Lowe, Al Barari — Ingredient-led, imaginative, woodfire cooking in a setting that feels removed from the city’s usual pace. “I love LOWE because it’s one of those rare places where everything just feels right—the food is consistently beautiful, the service is warm and familiar, and there’s an ease to the atmosphere that makes you want to linger. What makes it truly special is that you can feel their values in every detail—from how they treat their team to their commitment to sustainability and doing business with integrity—which creates a kind of quiet respect and trust. It also holds personal meaning for me, with memories shared there with my husband, so it’s not just a restaurant—it’s a place we keep coming back to for how it makes us feel.” - Marijana Pavicic
Moonrise, Satwa — A dynamic chef’s table experience with palpable storytelling that rewards curiosity and feels truly Dubai with every bite.
The Polished Crowd-Pleasers
Refined and genuinely loved.
Alici, Bluewaters — Seafood-led Italian dining with jaw-dropping views and Mediterranean swagger, polish and familiarity.
Bistro des Arts, Dubai Marina — A lively French bistro on the waterfront serving brasserie classics like steak frites and escargots in an almost French caricature setting.
Carine, Emirates Golf Club — A modern French-Mediterranean restaurant turning out elevated comfort with broad appeal from one of Dubai’s most well-known chefs.
Chez Wam, Palm Jumeirah — A modern dining room that balances technical cooking with a sense of ease. “These are places that, for me, are more than just restaurants. I feel comfortable in them, they are beautifully decorated, the service from their teams is impeccable, and the chefs always come to serve you at some point and check in on how you are and the food. It feels familiar, and at the same time, you eat exceptional food.” - Myriam Calvo (about Chez Wam and Middle Child, above)
Eugène Eugène, Kempinski Mall of the Emirates — A verdant, well-executed brasserie that leans into atmosphere as much as food.
Jun’s, Downtown Dubai — A globally influenced menu that weaves together technique, storytelling and accessibility in equal measure. It’s a restaurant for just about any occasion. “Jun’s is the first restaurant in the city that didn’t just accommodate my dietary restrictions, they made them feel genuinely welcome without compromising on flavor or creativity. Where most tasting menus automatically shut down my table’s requests, fall short or feel like an afterthought, Jun’s delivers at the same level for everyone at the table, whether you’re a carnivore, vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. For vegans especially, dishes like the dan dan noodles and watermelon tartare feel just as thoughtful, vibrant, and satisfying as anything else on the menu. It’s rare to find a place that truly makes space for everyone while still feeling warm and intentional, but Jun’s does it naturally. Oh, and the storytelling is the cherry on top.“
Royal China, DIFC — A long-standing Cantonese institution known for precise dim sum, roast duck and polished, formal dining.
Sufreit Maryam, Wasl 51 — Chef Dakkak’s refined vision of Levantine cuisine in a warm, art-filled atmosphere where you should definitely leave room for dessert.
Tasca, Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah — Contemporary Portuguese cooking with a view, designed to please and with elegance.
Trèsind Studio, Palm Jumeirah — A three-Michelin-starred Indian tasting menu restaurant pushing progressive Indian cuisine, with dishes like the multi-course regional explorations redefining expectations of the genre. “At Tresind Studio, the warmth of the team makes it feel less like a formal tasting menu and more like you’re being welcomed into someone’s living room. The food is undeniably three Michelin-star level, but the atmosphere isn’t stiff or quiet. Instead, the team is not only allowed but encouraged to let their personalities shine, which makes the entire experience feel lively, personal, and genuinely memorable.”
TOMO, Raffles Dubai — Traditional Japanese cooking with a long-standing reputation for consistency and, arguably, one of the best ramen in town.
Specialists & Single-Item Obsessions
Focused, specific, and often memorable.
852 Bakery, Downtown Dubai (inside Jun’s) — A Hong Kong-style bakery known for soft milk buns, egg tarts and nostalgic pastries that attract a steady, knowing crowd.
Boon Coffee Roasters, Multiple — Ethiopian-rooted café and roastery centred on single-origin beans and traditional jebena coffee service.
Butter by the Dozen — A dessert concept centred on indulgent, butter-heavy bakes, with loaded cookies as the main draw
Chocolate Molécule Pastry Lab, Wasl Vita — A pastry lab that treats desserts with the precision of fine dining. “Chocolate Molécules gives me the feeling that I travelled to France to eat exquisite pastry. Her consistency is outstanding, the amount of dedication put behind each recipe is felt in every bite, I can never get sick of it!! Fun fact, I have travelled to Morocco and brought her cookies with me, that’s how good it is.“ - Nora Louzgani
Kanji (delivery) — A delivery-only Japanese concept from the 3fils team specialising in comforting rice bowls and curry, with katsu curry and donburi as its core offering.
Onda Empanadas — A niche concept centred on empanadas that has found its audience through flavour and simplicity.
Liam is a restaurant critic, food and travel writer based in the Middle East. He co-authored The Rise of Indian Food: Recipes Reimagined by Trésind Studio, out 6 May from Phaidon Press. He owns EatGoSee and contributes to other publications. You can find Liam on Substack, Threads, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook.
Thanks for this amazing list! (and for including Onda empanadas 🫶)
I forgot to mention Chôm Chôm - another neighborhood spot with a menu of select Vietnamese specialties: their cha gio, wagyu beef rolls, garlic rice and beef pho are such a treat and they’re one of my favorites on Deliveroo because the cha gio arrive miraculously not steamy and still super crunchy!
Great List!
I would add: Mohalla & Khadak for Indian; Sufreit Maryam for Palestinian; LDC Kitchen+Coffee for cafe; Pitfire for Pizza; Bordomavi for fresh sea food; Arabian Tea House for local experience, Cocina Tres for Mexican, Sugargram for online treats 🫶