You are visiting Dubai and plan to explore Old Dubai. Is where Dubai started from fishing village to be one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, it is a great place to experience the culture and traditions of UAE. It is also a great place to test and try traditional Emirati food, there are many local restaurants serving quality authentic Emirati food. Here you go with the list of best restaurants recommend for you:
1.Arabian Tea House
This traditional Emirati restaurant is located in Al Fahidi historical area, used to be a house of one of Dubai’s pearl merchants, it is one of the most instagrammable restaurants for its ambiance which has a lot of white and turquoise traditional benches, it gives a feel of Greek Island, the food is in presented beautifully in an authentic Emiriti platters. You can have traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch, dinner Emirati afternoon Tea, or light snakes.
2.Al Ustda Special Kabab
One of the unique authentic experience in Dubai, it is a hidden gem yet well known by locals. The restaurant is serving delicious Iranian food such as lamb, chicken kabab, mixed grilled and much more.
3. Bayt Al Wakeel
Bayt Al Wakeel restaurant is a heritage restaurant in a renovated building was built of mud, coral and wood beams in 1935 located in the textile Souk. It has terrace floating over the amazing Dubai Creek. Makes it one of the greatest places to enjoy watching the Dubai Creek and Abras (traditional dhows) crossing the Dubai Creek. This restaurant offers Emirati diches as Birany, Levantine, seafood, salads and selections of fresh juices.
4. Al Mazmi Cafe
A must visit cafe while visiting old Dubai for sightseeing. Al Mazni Café has a wonderful location in textile souk, it over view the Dubai Creek, perfect location to watch the sunset and Abra (traditional dhows) crossing the Dubai Creek. They offer good coffee, snakes and ice-cream.
5. XVA Cafe
XVA Café consider as “Dubai’s best kept secret”, located within a boutique XVA hotel which is in the heart of AlFahidi historical area. They are serving freshly prepared vegetarian food or you can stop to refresh after long walk and enjoy a signature mint lemonade in the traditional courtyard.
6. Al Bait AlQadeem
One of Emirati traditional restaurants in Old Dubai, located in Al Rass Area, Deira said. The restaurant building was originally constructed in 1909 and owned by Mr. Abdulla Bin Jamaan. Their offer local and Arabic dishes in addition to a selection of famous Persian and Indian cuisines. Their menu represents the different communities living in Dubai who have been sharing throughout the history of old commercial and cultural relationships.
7. Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant
This restaurant was opened in 2020 in a restored old house located in Al Fahidi historical area. You can enjoy delicious food whether breakfast or lunch or dinner in a Majlis (traditional Emirati seating room) the restaurant combine modern cooking methods with traditional UAE recipes.