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Time Out Dubai
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Best Lebanese restaurants in Dubai 2025: 10 highly-rated spots to try next
Dubai's best Lebanese restaurants are not only the finest in the city, but they are also some of the best in the region. If you like Lebanese cuisine, you're in the right place. Check out the full list of Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025 winners here So whether you want a casual shawarma sandwich or a proper sit-down high-end meal, we've got you covered with our list of the 10 best. Time Out Dubai reviews anonymously and pays for all its meals. For more on the review process click here. These are the best Lebanese restaurants in Dubai, as recognised by the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025. The best Lebanese restaurants in Dubai 2025 WINNER Al Safadi Restaurant Credit: Al Safadi Restaurant There are several branches of this brilliant Lebanese restaurant across Dubai, but the one on Sheikh Zayed Road is a great option. For classic Lebanese dishes done well, in a buzzing setting, Al Safadi is a popular choice with groups of friends and families looking to share a hearty, delicious meal in a low-key, relaxed setting. Salads, mezze, grills – all the classics are present and correct here, and you won't be disappointed in the quality. Unlicensed. Sheikh Zayed Road, (04 227 9922). Check out our full Al Safadi Restaurant review here Highly commended Al Beiruti Credit: Al Beiruti With branches across Dubai and in Lebanon, Al Beiruti is a popular choice for lovers of authentic Lebanese cooking. The branch found along Sheikh Zayed Road is a buzzing spot day or night, with a cool restro-café feel and a lively atmosphere. Choose from various types of hummus, perfectly spiced falafel and a tasty chicken liver dish. Follow it up with a mixed grill and don't forget to finish your meal with some delicious kunafa. One of the best Lebanese restaurants in Dubai, and one not to be missed. Unlicensed. Sheikh Zayed Road, (04 320 0043). Check out our full Al Beiruti review here Em Sherif Café Credit: Em Sherif Café Known in Beirut as one of the most elegant restaurants in the city, Em Sherif comes with lofty expectations. And here in Dubai it lives up to those high hopes. The menu in Dubai is a more casual, home-style experience than the Beirut original, and the food is utterly delicious. Start with creamy hummus and sesame-studded falafel before moving onto cheese pie and a perfectly cooked mixed grill. A charming experience with generous, tasty plates – it's no one wonder Em Sherif is the best Lebanese restaurant in Dubai. Unlicensed. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, (056 577 7900). Check out our full Em Sherif Café review here Shortlisted Bab El Bahr by Hallab Credit: Bab El Bahr by Hallab Starting out as a bakeshop in Lebanon's Tripoli in 1881, Al Hallab has a rich history. It's been open in Dubai since 2002 and now has several branches across the city, including its more seafood-focused Bab El Bahr by Hallab which offers tasty Lebanese grills, mezze and more. The seafoody mains feature dishes like some of the best sayadieh in Dubai, while meatier mains include shish tawook, kebabs, mixed grills, and more. There's also seafood, sandwiches, soups and even a raw bar. Sweets are a highlight here, so don't even think about leaving without trying hallawet al jiben, mohalabiah or ward al sham. Unlicensed. Downtown Dubai, (04 456 2881). Al Nafoorah Credit: Al Nafoorah This high-end Lebanese restaurant is a top spot to visit if you're a fan of fine dining, or if you have visitors in town thanks to its charming setting at Jumeirah Al Qasr with a view of Burj Al Arab. With a wide selection of mezze – don't miss the dreamy hummus – ideal for sharing, it's a top one to head to with a group of family or friends. The mixed grill is top-notch, as are the other premium cuts of meat and fish on the charcoal grill, and the vibe is chic but still relaxed. Order a range of dishes and dive in – you won't regret it. Licensed. Jumeirah Al Qasr, Umm Suqeim, @alnafoorahdubai (800 323 232). Check out our full Al Nafoorah review here Allo Beirut Credit: Allo Beirut For budget shawarma and all hours of the day and night, this cool, casual Lebanese street food joint on Hessa Street is a top choice. Slathered in garlic sauce and nestled in fresh saj bread, you can't go wrong here. Open 24 hours a day, anytime hummus cravings hit you know where to go. With loads of tasty options at pocket-friendly prices, it's one of the best Lebanese restaurants in Dubai – and one of the most affordable too. Unlicensed. Hessa Street, (800 8263 4788). Check out our full Allo Beirut review here Almayass by the Sea (Credit: Almayass) From the group that has brought us Clap, Iris and Leña comes Almayass by the Sea, a Lebanese-Armenian restaurant focusing on brilliant mezze and seafood. Already well established in Abu Dhabi, the new Dubai outpost in the much-talked-about J1 Beach boasts accents of rose gold and stunning terraces on its two floors. Welcoming and laid-back, head here with a group of friends and order as many of the classic mezze as you can. We recommend at least a couple of the Armenian signatures, from the manti (mini meat dumplings) to the bizri (fried whitebait). And, relax. Licesned. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, @almayass_dubai (04 214 5999). Babel Credit: Babel Previously found in La Mer, this Lebanese-born restaurant can now be visited in the Dubai Mall, with a prime view of The Dubai Fountain – making it a special place if you have visitors who love Lebanese food. You can expect high-quality dishes including mezze, grills and more. Falafel, kibbeh, hummus and tabbouleh make up the top picks for starters while a shawarma is never a bad idea. Take a seat on the terrace and soak in the atmosphere of Downtown Dubai. Unlicensed. Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, (04 431 2333). Check out our full Babel review here Habib Beirut Born out of one man's passion for authentic Lebanese cookery, Habib Beirut aims to bring traditional homestyle dishes to the rest of the Middle East. In Dubai, the restaurant to visit is located in Dubai Marina, with its bright, airy space, bird motifs on the walls and open kitchen. Open throughout the day until 3am, you'll dine on the recipes Habib himself nurtured over 40 years. The menu is huge with just about every traditional Lebanese dish you can conjure, all packed full of flavour. Start with Habib's mezza mix and the Habib mixed grill, and go from there. Unlicensed. Silverene Towers, Dubai Marina, (04 585 4838). Ibn AlBahr Credit: Ibn AlBahr A seaside restaurant run by Lebanese fishermen, you know you're onto a good one when dining at Ibn AlBahr. A very popular place, come day or night, you'll find families and friends tucking into authentic Lebanese sharing plates on the terrace or down on the sand at Club Vista Mare on the Palm. The setting is delightful – overlooking the Arabian Gulf – and the vibe is chilled. Food is top-notch too, dig into a range of mezze from hummus and vine leaves to calamari and beyond, while there's a fish market-style set-up offering up the fresh catch for mains. Ibn AlBahr is one of the best Lebanese restaurants in Dubai and consistently impresses. Licensed. Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, (04 553 9575). Check out our full Ibn AlBahr review here Other award-winning spots in Dubai The 10 best Asian restaurants in Dubai to bookmark, ASAP From sushi to pad Thai, these are officially the best spots in town 10 of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Dubai to visit MENA cuisine at its very best The 10 most délicieux French restaurants in Dubai Where to go for that je ne sais quoi in Dubai
Time Out Abu Dhabi
02-05-2025
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Em Sherif Sea Café in Abu Dhabi
If you know anything about Lebanese food, then you'll surely have heard of Em Sherif – a fine dining multi-course experience in Beirut with plenty of casual iterations all around the region. And luckily for us, the excellent Em Sherif Café has a home on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, with its popular sub-brand is a seafood-focused concept called, well, Em Sherif Sea Café. This seaside spot inside the Rosewood Abu Dhabi on Al Mariyah Island, which overlooks the capital's bright turquoise sea. Expect sun-bathed during the day and dimly lit at night in its spacious dining room. The space, although lacking a bit of atmosphere (the Arabic elevator music doesn't exactly elevate the vibe either), is prettily decorated with cerulean blue tiles depicting waves while little fish, crab and seashell motifs are found all over the place. (Credit: Em Sherif Sea Café) The bar, in particular, is striking, with hundreds of pots and pans suspended above the marble countertops. While an impressive cellar, which lines the entire left wall of the restaurant, offers up an interesting selection of grape from the region and beyond. The menu is packed with Lebanese dishes you'll know and love – cheesy saj, silky hummus, zingy tabbuleh and much more. However, the majority of the menu features classic Lebanese seafood dishes, as well as a couple of popular European plates (think carpaccios and lobster linguine, to name a few). Highlights include the samak rass asfour, a bright and tangy Middle Eastern fish stew with the tiniest herbiest pieces of fish. For something a little heartier, moghrabiyet el bahr is a twist on the traditional Lebanese dish made with round semolina pearls and packed with calamari, shrimp and sea bass. A dish that easily transports you straight to Lebanon. The sayadieh, in particular, is a must-try at the sea cafe. It offers an aromatic dish that's exceptionally well-flavoured. Fish is sautéed until golden brown, then layered over a fragrant bed of spiced rice. That rice is infused with a mixture of caramelised onions, garlic and a blend of cinnamon, allspice and cumin. It brings an added layer of depth and warmth to the dish, which is topped with toasted pine nuts for a little extra crunch. (Credit: Em Sherif Sea Café) If you fancy something lighter, the delicate raw red sea bream offers a refreshing and clean bite, while the more Med-leaning shrimp Provencal, rich with garlic and herbs, showcases Em Sherif's skillset at stepping out of their Lebanese speciality and tackling the European stuff with gusto. Finish with a warm em Ali that's baked in vanilla-infused milk. It's rich, creamy and wonderfully bready. Whether you're in the OG Beirut restaurant, the café at the Corniche or right here on Maryah Island, Em Sherif never misses the mark when it comes to the food.
Khaleej Times
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Ramadan 2025: Indulge in these scrumptious iftar deals around the UAE
Chouchou Dubai Experience a vibrant Ramadan at Chouchou, Dubai's chic beachfront venue, offering a French Riviera-inspired ambiance at J1 Beach. Executive Chef Valentin Bernigaud presents a lavish four-course Iftar menu blending French elegance with Middle Eastern flavours, featuring delicacies like lamb confit, foie gras ravioli, truffle hummus, and exquisite desserts, priced at Dh360 per person with special Ramadan beverages. After 9pm, Suhoor is served à la carte alongside a curated shisha experience. Guests can also enjoy Board Game Café Nights (Monday-Wednesday) and an interactive Chouchou Mystery Iftar (March 13 & 20), making this Holy Month truly special. Babel Dubai This Ramadan, Babel Dubai, located in Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue with stunning views of the Fountains, invites guests to a refined Lebanese dining experience. Their Set Iftar Menu (Dh250 per person for tables of four or more) features traditional yet modern dishes, including mezze, oriental rice with beef, and rotating daily mains. An à la carte option with diverse daily specials is also available. Suhoor, starting at 10pm, offers freshly baked manakish, Lebanese mezze, and a serene ambiance enhanced by an oud player. Origins at Vida Creek Beach This Ramadan, Origins at Vida Creek Beach offers a serene Iftar experience with breathtaking views of Dubai Creek Harbour. Guests can indulge in a delicious Iftar buffet featuring a variety of traditional dishes and live cooking stations in a tranquil lagoon-side setting. Whether dining with family, friends, or colleagues, the ambiance blends tradition with modern elegance. Available until March 30, Iftar runs from sunset to 8:30pm, priced at Dh220 per person, Dh190 for groups, and 50 per cent off for kids (6-12 years). Em Sherif Café Em Sherif Café presents a special Iftar set menu this Ramadan, celebrating Levantine flavours while honouring Middle Eastern traditions. Available daily from 7pm to 9pm for Dh250 per person in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the menu features vibrant starters, grilled kebabs, and indulgent desserts like knefeh and Tamriyeh. The à la carte menu is offered from 9pm until Suhoor. Guests in Abu Dhabi can enjoy live oud performances nightly. Abu Dhabi's Marriott Hotel Al Forsan is inviting guests to a luxurious Iftar and Suhoor experience at Khayal All Day Dining and the Lobby Lounge. The Iftar menu features traditional favorites like Ouzi, Moroccan Tajin, and Mashawi, alongside an Asian and Sushi Corner and a variety of Arabic and international pastries. Guests can also enjoy six live cooking stations for a dynamic dining experience. Running until March 29, iftar is priced at Dh250 for adults and Dh110 for kids.
