5 incredible Al Quoz restaurants to hit up this weekend
And we're not just talking about it's brilliant café culture. Oh no.
If you like this: Your ultimate guide to Al Quoz: From the best galleries to where to eat
The restaurants in this neck of the woods have casual dining down to a tee, from spectacular handrolls to messy barbecue joints that'll live in your head rent free.
So the next time you're in the neighbourhood and your belly starts to rumble, make a beeline for one of these incredible restaurants.
Best restaurants in Al Quoz
Big T BBQ Kitchen
Operating only three days a week (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Big T BBQ isn't what you would call a traditional restaurant. Casual and a relaxed affair, you're not here for the silver service, it's what's on the grill that's important.
The menu features a selection of traditional southern barbecue dishes including ribs, beef cheek, Texas sausage, pastrami, brisket and burgers which you can pair with mac n' cheese, seasoned fries, cornbread, potato salad and coleslaw (prepare to be impressed).
Open Fri noon-10pm; Sat noon-11pm; Sun noon-10pm. Al Quoz, @bigtbarbecue (058 886 7569).
Kokoro
In Dubai, there's nowhere doing handroll sushi at a more reasonable price than Kokoro. With its laid-back, quirky charm and rows of costumed rubber ducks dotted all over the venue.
A tiny restaurant squeezed into Alserkal Avenue, you can opt for a table or seat at the bar, where you can watch the fish being sliced and prepared to become your dinner.
If you're dining at the effortlessly cool street that is Alserkal Avenue, check out all out top suggestions here.
Open Sun-Wed noon-11.30pm,Thu-Sat noon-midnight. Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, eatkokoro.xyz
Lila Molino + Café
Credit: Lila Molino + Cafe
Authentic Mexican food can be hard to find. And while we're not averse to a fully loaded Tex-Mex burrito or platter of sizzling fajitas, sometimes you want something that shouts traditional Mexican cooking.
So take a trip to Alserkal Avenue and you'll happen across a delightful little spot serving up just that.
The line-up is a who's who of comfort food faves. Think queso fundido – melted cheeses served with tacos – or seared steak torta (grilled steak and cheese sandwich) and a crispy chicken gringa, a 'big fat' take on a quesadilla.
Open Tue-Sun 9am-10pm. Alserkal Avenue, lilamolino.com (04 388 5600).
Smash and Sear at Maxzi The Good Food Shop
Credit: Smash and Sear at Maxzi The Good Food Shop
Hungry for a smashed burger? This is the place for you. Maxzi was originally an online grocery store, before setting up shop in the hip Al Quoz in 2018. And since then its awesome burgers have drawn in a loyal following.
Burgers are made with wagyu beef and smooshed into squidgy potato buns, smothered with onion, pickles and house sauce. Hungry? Go for the double cheeseburger. Extra-hungry? Go large with the triple patty. Pair it with tater tots and you're onto a good thing.
Now officially the best burger in Dubai for 2025, this is one patty you'll be dreaming of for days.
Open daily 8.30am-1.30am. Al Shafar Investment Building, Al Quoz, maxzi.ae (04 395 3988).
The Pitmaster
An Emirati-owned North American barbecue restaurant without the grease and all the flavour, this venue has been making the rounds on TikTok (for good reason).
The mains feature very well-made brisket, sticky smokey wings and stacked-to-the-max burgers. The Pitmaster also dabbles with those social media famous sausages – the cheddar and beef is a must-try, trust us.
Located in the heart of Al Quoz 3, this Texan-style spot offers all of the classics without much damage to your wallet, making it one of the best-priced barbecue spots in town.
Open Tue-Sun noon-midnight. Al Quoz, @pitmaster08 (058 905 5998).
Hungry for more?
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Pocket-friendly meals for all the family
Your ultimate guide to Al Quoz: From the best galleries to where to eat
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