Liquid gold: The best karak spots in Dubai

Al Farwania: A four decade-old Umm Suqeim Karak institution

For over four decades, Al Farwania Restaurant has been serving its famous karak to those in the know, many of whom, form an orderly queue in their cars outside for a grab-and-go chai. The small family business is now being managed by a lovely chap named Feras who has been at the helm for the last 10+ years after the owner returned to Kerala.

Alongside the self-proclaimed “best karak in Dubai”, Al Farwania also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner including paratha concoctions, curry, grilled meats, and more, alongside Chinese rice and noodle dishes.

Al Shaab: A 50-year-old Meena Bazaar Karak gem

If you find yourself aimlessly walking around the Meena Bazaar area, hankering after something sweet and warm to give you an energy kick – you can’t go wrong with a pitstop at Al Shaab Restaurant for a cup of Karak.

This tiny hole-in-the-wall gem has been operating for over 50 years. A friendly chap called Firas, who has been managing the cafe for 15 years, told us that the owner has returned to India and he’s been looking after the operations in his place…

Satwa Falcon Cafeteria: Budget karak and Indian food in Satwa

Alongside its popular Karak, Satwa Falcon Cafeteria offers a range of juices and smoothies, milkshakes, burgers, sandwiches, shawarma, noodle dishes, biryani, Chinese specials, curries, fried chicken, paratha, and Indian breakfast dishes.

This cheap and cheerful “no frills” spot first opened in Dubai in 2010. the HUNTR tried and loved the karak (1AED) and we hear good things about the paratha, so we are already planning our return…

HumYum: Emirati cuisine, karak, and specialty coffee

An Emirati gem in Jumeirah with snappable interiors and delicious, cheat-day-worthy Emirati cuisine. HumYum is one of our favourite spots for breakfast or a cheeky late-night snack…

Flanked by a charming little straw stick gate and clad in wood, HumYum offers outdoor seating and indoor tables and chairs for small and large groups – including two private and traditionally decorated enclaves. There are also two vintage Land Rovers propping up the semi-open kitchen and the barista’s coffee bar.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this homegrown gem’s menu is bursting with an array of dishes and drinks. Loved for its karak, the options include standard karak, karak with cornflakes, saffron karak, and ginger karak. There’s also the nostalgic favourite Horlicks on the menu alongside a variety of teas and specialty coffees.

Project Chaiwala: A cafe dedicated to chai (and Indian streetfood) in Al Quoz

Project Chaiwala Dubai is the brainchild of two tea enthusiasts – Emirati Ahmed Kazim and Indian Justin Joseph. Ahmed and Justin first met in Dubai whilst working in the financial sector and would often take a chai break between meetings together, to step back, relax and recharge. They both realised a gap missing in the city’s chai offering and set to work to fill it with Project Chaiwala…

The duo embarked on multiple trips to tea gardens in Darjeeling, India to source the best quality organic teas, which they brought back to Dubai and crafted into their signature chai concoctions at 20+ pop-up events, serving over 20,000 cups of chai.

Arabian Tea House: An authentic Emirati gem that first opened in 1997

For over two decades, Arabian Tea House has been offering a unique and rare opportunity to experience authentic Emirati and Arabic cuisine and hospitality in one of the UAE’s oldest neighbourhoods.

Situated inside a traditional wind tower house in Bur Dubai’s Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (which used to be known as ‘Bastikiya’), the Arabian Tea House is picture-perfect in more ways than one.

This is the perfect place to visit if you want to pair your Karak with Emirati culture and delicious, Emirati fare – especially the breakfast platters…

Ravi Restaurant Satwa: A Dubai icon serving affordable curries, kebabs & more

Chances are you’ve heard of Ravi's and probably visited at least a handful of times. Unless of course, you are new to the city or visiting for vacation. In that case, you definitely need to find out why this Dubai institution should be added to your hitlist…

Founded by Pakistani expat Chaudary Abdul Hameed in 1978, not much has changed in the four-plus decades since the humble restaurant first opened its doors. Many of the staff are the same, Chaudary himself still mans his iconic eatery – sometimes working double shifts. There are still no bells and no whistles in terms of the decor and presentation of the food. The service is still basic but friendly and welcoming and the prices are still friendly enough to be enjoyed by almost all.

Head here for a cracking cup of karak alongside reasonably-priced, highly coveted curries in Satwa.

Raju Omlet: Karama’s most iconic eggs

An old-school Karama classic, Raju Omlet serves, you guessed it, omlets and eggs. But there's also curries, other Indian street food, and of course, Karak…

Here it is made with fresh milk and done in the Mumbai-style Cutting Chai way. You can even buy it in flask size to sip on all day.

Insider Tip: Raju Omlet has numerous locations throughout Dubai.

Karak House: An Emirati cafe on the bustling Boulevard

If you want to have an upmarket cup of karak then this Emirati-owned gem situated along the bustling Boulevard in Downtown Dubai is your place.

It features a lovely outdoor seating area with a Burj Khalifa view for the cooler months, and a cosy indoor dining space – complete with AC (and a nice big potted tree) for the hotter climes.

Here you can enjoy your karak with a host of nostalgic dishes and a cracking view…

Not (So) Guilty: A nostalgia-inducing baqala-inspired cafe

Meet Not (So) Guilty, a nostalgia-inducing cafe nestled inside Alserkal Avenue. Designed to evoke memories of childhood, this petite gem resembles a baqala (convenience store) and features an eye-catching colour palette and charming outdoor seating.

The brainchild of the creative Bukash brothers, the menu at Not (So) Guilty features an array of sweet and savoury treats such as cookies, juices, karak, filled parathas, and more — perfect for any time of day.

Saravanaa Bhavan: South Indian eats and epic Karak by the Creek

Tucked away inside Bur Dubai, Saravanaa Bhavan is a casual dining South Indian gem serving up epic Karak. Using fresh milk and simmering all day long, this is one of the best karaks in the city and if you're not in Bur Dubai you are bound to find a branch of Saravanaa Bhavan closeby as there are several – you can even find this Indian chain in Paris and New York.

We love to take our karak outside and sit by the Creek and watch the world go by. Bliss…