Best casual dining restaurants in Dubai 2025: 10 highly-rated spots to try next
The Time Out Dubai team has carefully and independently vetted each of these restaurants to ensure that not only is it pretty damn brilliant, but offers a meal for two, including two courses each and a house beverage each, for Dhs400 or less.
Check out the full list of the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025 winners here
That's easier said than done in Dubai, so trust us when we say you need to bookmark this top 10 list.
Time Out Dubai reviews anonymously and pays for all its meals. For more on the review process click here.
These are the best casual dining restaurants in Dubai, as recognised by the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025.
The best casual dining restaurants in Dubai 2025
WINNER
Sufret Maryam
(Credit: ITP Images, Sufret Maryam)
There must be something in the water at Wasl 51. New to Time Out Dubai's top 10 casual restaurants in Dubai is Sufret Maryam, the latest creation from Salam Dakkak, chef-owner of Dubai institution Bait Maryam.
Her new venture is a lot bigger but still cosy, thoughtfully decorated with works from Middle Eastern artists and rustic knick-knacks.
Nostalgic Palestinian and Jordanian dishes are elevated to the level you'd expect from such a renowned chef, beautifully presented and executed.
Splash out on the La'Moshet Maryam, a slow-cooked lamb shoulder marinated in chef Salam's special spices. It's a taste experience you'll want to repeat again and again.
Unlicensed. Wasl 51, Jumeirah 1, sufretmaryam (050 417 2272).
Check out our full Sufret Maryam review here
Highly commended
Khadak
(Credit: Khadak)
New casual Indian restaurant Khadak has a story to tell. It does this through everything from knick-knacks and wall-art to its revival of long-forgotten recipes and the culinary adventures of its chef founder Naved Nasir, famed for his years at London's Dishoom.
The menu pays homage to Indian street food stalls across the country, with examples including Radio Café kheema pao, a nostalgic tribute to Bombay's former Radio Café, and chicken sukka, from the coastal kitchens of Mangalore. Every dish is described to make you want to try it – and served to make you want to tell everyone about it.
Unlicensed. Villa 426, 12 Al Wasl Rd, Jumeirah 2, khadak.com (058 979 7830).
Kinoya
Credit: Kinoya
It may now have a branch at one of the fanciest department stores in the world – Harrods in London's Knightsbridge – but Kinoya in Dubai's The Greens is distinctly more casual. A top Japanese restaurant, this spot comes from supper club star chef Neha Mishra and has been a total hit since opening in 2021.
Famed for its silky smooth ramen, this casual izakaya is a brilliant place to visit when you need a comforting bowl of soup, or some of the delicious gyoza, skewers and sushi. It's all excellent, so make a trip there, pronto.
Licensed. Onyx Tower, The Greens, kinoya.com (04 220 2920).
Check out our full Kinoya review here
Shortlisted
21grams
Credit: 21grams
If the thought of a Balkan breakfast floats your boat then there's only one place in Dubai to head. Handmade from family recipes using seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers where possible, don't be surprised if you find yourself ordering a side of creamy polenta or an omelette butter roll with your order of sunny-side-up eggs with pulled beef.
Just be warned, all that lovely wholesomeness makes this place popular, so be sure to book ahead.
Unlicensed. Jumeirah Street next to Umm Suqeim 2, www.21grams.me (050 841 5021).
Check out our full 21grams review here
Café Isan
Credit: Café Isan
One of the coolest spots in town and one of the best casual dining restaurants in Dubai, Café Isan is a top choice whenever you're in the mood for deliciously authentic Thai food. Dig into street food classics like spring rolls and chicken wings, as well as steaming, fragrant curries and flavour-packed stir-fries.
The vibes are super-chill, especially in winter when you can sit on the terrace and take in the sights of the surrounding JLT skyscrapers. The service is warm and friendly, while the drinks are affordable and the poptastic tunes add to the laid-back atmosphere.
Licensed. Armada Avenue Hotel JLT, Cluster P, JLT, cafeisan.co (058 529 1003).
Check out our full Café Isan review here
Franky's Pizzeria
Credit: Franky's Pizzeria
The Park in JLT is one trendy place to visit – being home to cool Asian street food eatery Hawkerboi and café Splendour Fields. And now you'll also find Franky in Florence here – one of the best pizzerias in Dubai, and one of the newest.
Neapolitan-style pizzas come adorned with toppings including cavallo nero, black truffle and mushroom, mussels and prawns, 'broken meatball' or classic stracciatella. The interiors are decked out with foliage and artwork, while the views from this rooftop spot are also superb. Order a drink and enjoy a slice at sunset.
Licensed. The Park, JLT, @frankyspizzeria (050 427 5217).
Check out our full Franky's Pizzeria review here
Fusión Ceviche
A petite, unassuming Peruvian spot in JLT serves absolutely brilliant ceviche. With super-fresh fish and packed full of flavour (and a fair amount of heat) it's one of the best Latin American restaurants in Dubai and a terrific place to delve into Peruvian food.
With only a handful of tables, bag a spot at the counter and go with the chef's recommendations for the most authentic experiences. The Peruvian juices are worth a try too. A laid-back restaurant that's a top one to check out if you're looking for something a little more off the radar.
Unlicensed. Cluster Q, JLT, @fusionceviche (04 449 6292).
Check out our full Fusion Ceviche review here
Hawkerboi
Credit: Hawkerboi
If you're in the mood for a cooler than cool casual dining restaurant in Dubai's JLT, then Hawkerboi is the one to check out. With a lively vibe, moody lighting and a range of creative mixed drinks, it's the prime place for a fun date night that's not too fancy but with great food.
With Asian street food-style plates, dig into everything from curries to dumplings, satay, stir-fries and grills. The menu is affordable and there's even a supper club-style tasting menu for under Dhs400 that will see you trying more, for less, at this must-visit spot.
Licensed. The Park, JLT, @hawker.boi (505 427 5217).
Check out our full Hawkerboi review here
Isabella Cucina Italiana
Authenticity is the order of the day at Isabella's, which prides itself on its house-made fresh pastas and pizza doughs, fermented for 48 hours.
There are soups, salads, raw dishes and antipasti along with hearty mains, including popular picks like ossobuco and lamb chops. Every table should feature at least one wood-fired pizza and filled pasta and if you like fish, go for the classic branzino al sale, or salt-baked seabass to share.
This is homestyle food served with care and a perfect option for a meal with all the family.
Licensed. Vida Hills Hotel, Emirates Hills, isabellas.ae (04 323 7347).
Kokoro Hand Roll Bar
(Credit: Kokoro)
When Kokoro first opened in 2024, the hype around this little no-bookings sushi joint in quirky Al Quoz was huge. A year on and it's attention that's justified.
Hailing from Texas, Kokoro is the brainchild of chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee, who pride themselves on using only top-notch ingredients.
There are 23 dishes on the menu, all made-to-order, including eight different handrolls. Sit at the bar to watch everything from the slicing of fish to the flame-torching of wagyu and marvel at the precision of the chefs as they work.
Unlicensed. Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz, eatkokoro.xyz (04 259 7919).
Check out our full Kokoro Hand Roll Bar review here
Other award-winning spots in Dubai
Hands down the 10 best steakhouses in Dubai
Places that are really worth your money
The 10 best pizzerias in Dubai for the perfect slice
Because pizza is life, let's be real
10 of the best bar food venues in Dubai (whether you drink or not)
Brilliant plates with your drinks
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
British Rabbi whose wife and daughters were killed by Hamas finds love again
Brave British Rabbi Leo Dee, whose wife Lucy, and two daughters, Maia and Rina, were killed by Hamas gunmen in 2023 is to marry again after falling in love with Aliza The British Rabbi whose wife was killed by evil Hamas gunmen has found love and is getting married again. 'I'm going from grief to joy," he told the Mirror in an emotional interview. Leo Dee, was left devastated by the murder of his wife Lucy and their two daughters, Maia and Rina, who were shot dead in Israel on April 7 2023 - exactly six months before the horrific Hamas attacks which left 1,200 people dead and 250 taken hostage. Lucy's lungs, liver, kidney and heart were donated to save the lives of four other people. Her kidney saved the life of 39-year-old Palestinian carpenter Abu Radia. Now two and a half years later Rabbi Dee will wed Aliza later this month in front of friends and family. And he insisted his first wife would have fully approved of his new bride. He said: 'I feel that life has to go on. When terrible things happen it's possible to put them in the past and to live your life into the future. 'I feel like I don't have to be defined by my tragedy. I look at the positive in life and try to overcome the negative and try to make a disaster into something meaningful." He went on: 'Life rarely gives us answers wrapped in ribbon. It gives us moments. Quiet, painful, surprising moments. Lucy was perfect for me for our idyllic 25 years together – the ideal partner for a young man finding his way as a rabbinical student, exemplary as a mother of five, and the spiritual architect of our home. But tragedy rewrites a person. And the man I am today is not the man that I was. 'Aliza is perfect for the man I've become. She brings out the best in me – and she's the most optimistic person I know. Lucy taught me how to love, how to listen, how to give without overpowering. 'Maia taught me how to parent, how to believe in someone's potential. Rina taught me how to be a human – how to care for the planet, and even more, for people who don't think like you do. "And tragedy? Tragedy taught me how to see what matters. It stripped away the noise. It left behind only the meaningful: friends, family, purpose.' School teacher Lucy, 48, and her daughters Maia, 20, and Rina, 15, were shot dead while on holiday. The two men who carried out the attack were later killed by Israeli forces. The rabbi, from Radlett, Herts, who has two surviving daughters and a son - Keren, Tali and Yehuda - moved from London with his family to Efrat, near Bethlehem. He said he first decided to find a new partner last year. He said: 'I came back to an empty house a year ago. On the Shabbat just over a year ago, as I ate a meal myself, all my remaining three children were away over the Sabbath. I just burst into tears and I cried for half an hour. And at some point, I thought to myself. Why are you crying? 'When you feel pain, it comes as a blessing. I suddenly realised: I need to get remarried. I suddenly felt calm. The tears stopped.' He added: 'So how does someone get from heartbreak to happiness? I still don't know. I do know this: sometimes the first step isn't understanding. It's crying alone,, and listening for the still quiet voice that follows. "I'm going from grief to joy. I know Aliza is just perfect for me. I am not the same person I was when my family were murdered. I was determined from then on to look forward not back. This is the pinnacle. 'I am not one person anymore. I am a mosaic – pieces gathered from a 25-year marriage, from raising five children, from loss, and from healing."
Evening Standard
14 hours ago
- Evening Standard
We Out Here 2025 review: Gilles Peterson throws a damn good party
Music is only half the story here. This is a festival where you can stumble from a bass-heavy tent into a fine dining dinner. Food and drink offerings were as diverse as the crowd. Jerk chicken sat next to vegan Indian comfort food, and local producers such as Cranborne Chase Cider poured vintages from wooden barrels, while El Rayo's frozen margarita quickly became the unofficial drink of the weekend. For the hardcore foodies, the On Rotation pop-up restaurant was the place to be. They hosted three-course dinners curated by rotating chefs, soundtracked by their favourite records. The only snag? If you're in need of the toilet, you're forced to leave the stylish confines of the restaurant to find a stinky festival loo, because there wasn't a designated toilet. Not ideal mid-meal.
Economist
15 hours ago
- Economist
How Rajinikanth, a 74-year-old actor, drives fans into a frenzy
Culture | A man called 'Superstar' Photograph: Getty Images Aug 19th 2025 | MUMBAI | 4 min read F OR FANS of Rajinikanth, or Rajini, it is not enough to simply buy a ticket to one of his films and turn up at the right time and place. No: preparations begin days in advance. Ahead of his latest release, 'Coolie', on August 14th, some fans prostrated themselves in front of shrines, seeking a divine blessing for the Indian actor. Others bathed giant cardboard cutouts of him in milk, a sign of reverence usually reserved for Hindu gods. 'Tart', a new memoir, is a woman's take on 'Kitchen Confidential' Our recommendations this week explore mythmaking A hit Broadway show brings 'The Crucible' into the era of #MeToo He won a Nobel prize in 1968 for his work on particle physics. But his interests ranged far beyond that field What lies beneath the pumice in the ancient city is magnificent Young people, in particular, want audiobooks, podcasts and videos to go faster
