Dubai's Best Restaurants Beyond the Brunch Scene

Dubai has one of the world's most diverse restaurant scenes — a consequence of a population that is over 80% expatriate and drawn from nearly every country on Earth. The city has built a reputation for extravagant brunches and celebrity-chef restaurants with spectacular views, but the best eating in Dubai is often found in humbler surroundings.

Old Dubai — the Deira and Bur Dubai neighbourhoods along the Creek — has some of the finest South Asian, Middle Eastern, and East African food in the city. The Deira spice souk and gold souk area is surrounded by excellent Pakistani, Indian, and Iranian restaurants that have been feeding the city's working population for decades. A meal of hand-thrown Yemeni flatbreads, slow-cooked lamb, and thick black tea at a simple restaurant in Deira costs a fraction of what you'd pay in Downtown Dubai and tastes better.

This guide covers Dubai's food scene from budget street food to splurge-worthy experiences — with an emphasis on eating like a local rather than a tourist, and honest takes on what's worth the premium price.

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