The best places to eat Emirati food in Dubai and the UAE

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

For over two decades, Arabian Tea House has offered 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. the HUNTR loves to visit for a long leisurely breakfast and share the Emirati Breakfast Tray, but it is equally great for snacks, lunch or dinner.

Insider Tip: There are several Arabian Tea House outposts throughout the country.

Ryba: A homegrown seafood restaurant in Abu Dhabi’s Souq Al Mina

Conceptualised by Emirati chef and entrepreneur Faisal Mohamed Alharmoodi, Ryba is a homegrown seafood restaurant located in Abu Dhabi’s Souq Al Mina. First opened in late October 2023, this spacious, elegant restaurant is a must-visit for all seafood lovers…

Using international dishes and injecting them with Emirati flavours and traditions, Chef Faisal will take you on a modern voyage through his country’s cuisine.

Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant: A taste of Emirati culture in Al Fahidi

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy traditional Emirati cuisine & hospitality or take visitors to show them an authentic true Dubai experience, then look no further. Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant is perfectly located in the historical neighbourhood of Al Fahidi; a culturally rich area, with creek views, and many things to do and see…

Emirati-owned and homegrown, this casual dining spot is open daily for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Alcohol-free and family-friendly, here you will find an air-conditioned courtyard experience, that is charming, nostalgic, and relaxing. There are private rooms available for a VIP dining experience, alongside live traditional cooking stations, henna, and more.

Al Qbabh Seafood: An authentic Emirati experience

Inspired by a traditional local village, this Al Awir gem features a communal majlis-style seating area alongside 17 private rooms for women and families. With inside and outside seating available for all group sizes, it’s the ideal place to head to enjoy authentic Middle Eastern/Emirati cuisine with a focus on seafood…

Open daily for lunch and dinner, this casual dining, homegrown concept is alcohol-free and drinks-wise, offers up Arabic coffee, and other standard soft drinks.

Food-wise the menu features an array of generously-portioned and reasonably-priced dishes with fish and seafood options aplenty.

Al Embratoor Cook and Restaurant: An Emirati hidden gem

This Emirati-owned concept is the definition of a hidden gem. Offering a unique and thrilling trip down memory lane, and filled with nostalgia-igniting 90s memorabilia, Al Embratoor Cook & Restaurant is tucked away inside Al Mamzar…

Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there’s a separate family area available, and a full food menu featuring seafood, Emirati, and Arabic cuisine. The dishes are generous and great to share, reasonably priced and the seafood and meat are sourced locally from a nearby market.

First opened in 2009, it was only recently during the 2020 pandemic that Al Embratoor became a treasure trove of 90s memorabilia – thanks to the owner’s nostalgia for “the good old times”. Once upon a time, the building was the owner’s house and it is very much a family affair here. You will love it, such a charming experience.

Dips Cafe: Specialty coffee, chic vibes & dibs

First opened in October 2021, Dips offers specialty coffee powered by Trio, alongside a small curated menu of all-day breakfast bowls, salads, light bites, bao buns, homemade ice cream, and desserts.

The name ‘Dips’ is an ode to the local, Emirati favourite molasses dips (dibs alsukar), which are organic and locally sourced from Liwa here – and the reason this gem has made this guide.

Al Fanar Seafood Market: Celebrating the origins of seafood culture in the UAE

Al Fanar Seafood Market in Barsha Pond Park offers the rare opportunity to experience the origins of seafood culture in the UAE in a setting inspired by the ruins of Jazirat Al Hamra…

Chances are you may have heard of Al Fanar restaurants. With an impressive ten locations (including two international outlets, one in London and one in KSA) the homegrown Emirati restaurant brand’s star is soaring.

Created to celebrate and pay homage to Dubai in the 1960s and authentic Emirati cuisine, Al Fanar eateries aim to “revive the memories of Dubai when it was a small town on the shore of the Arabian Gulf at an idyllic spot close to the creek with rows of wind towers surrounded by Al Badia oasis, with tents and Barasti huts where fishermen, pearl merchants, and Bedouins lived.”

Milk Bakery: A homegrown bakery, cafe and specialty coffee in Jumeirah 1

There are two reasons that this Emirati-owned bakery and cafe have made it into this guide. The first is their Emirati Breakfast Bun – a handmade saffron bun topped with cream cheese and sprinkled with black sesame and fennel seeds that tastes like Dubai. The second is the Cardamom Bun – a local favourite, filled with organic cardamom that's not to be missed.

Bonus for HUNTR Members ☕️ Milk is a HUNTR Coffee Card Partner. Collect stamps and redeem free coffee with your HUNTR Coffee Card here. Not a member? Want to join? Download The HUNTR: City Guide app here and sign up (hurry, only a limited number of memberships are available)

Meylas: A homegrown gem serving traditional Emirati food in a cosy setting

Back in 2011, Shaikha Al Kaabi had a dream of opening the first Emirati restaurant that could showcase and spotlight her beloved country’s cuisine, traditions, and culture. Luckily for us, by 2015, that dream was a reality…

Named ‘Meylas’ – “a local expression that means majlis or a place that gathers people. The name reflects the idea of gathering family and friends in a warm and welcoming setting,” – the homegrown gem serves traditional Emirati dishes using recipes passed down from generations of Emirati mothers and grandmothers. Where possible, the ingredients are also sourced locally, making it a truly authentic and rare dining experience.

To celebrate the region’s history and culture, the restaurant space is decorated with nostalgic nods to the past and is dimly lit to represent the time before electricity lit up the Bedouin people. There’s also a small retail corner, which is a great spot to pick up a unique gift or a souvenir for out-of-towners.

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…

The regag bread stand at Al Labeeb Grocery store

Regag bread is actually more of a crepe or a cracker than bread, this Emirati delicacy is crafted using unleavened dough and water – which is spread out thin onto a super hot griddle and cooked until crispy. It can then be topped with all manner of concoctions, before being folded and handed to the lucky person who gets to wolf it down. And one of the best spots to find this tasty nostalgic treat is at the regag bread stand at Al Labeeb Grocery store in Jumeirah…

Freej Eshhafan: Homegrown Emirati dining in Nadd Al Hamar

Traditional Emirati home in Nadd Al Hamar with a menu spanning breakfast through dinner, served in a warm, inviting space that feels comfortable rather than precious. The restaurant splits across two floors, with the main dining room upstairs offering three semi-private alcoves decorated with geometric wooden screens and colourful macramé tassels. The seafood selection demonstrates the kitchen's strongest hand, particularly the signature seafood soup studded with crab, mussels, and shrimp, and the grilled seabass that arrives whole with perfectly charred skin.

Free basement parking, all-day service from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and complimentary Arabic coffee with dates upon arrival signal a neighbourhood restaurant built for repeat visits. Prices sit in the accessible range, with breakfast dishes from 14 AED and mains from 42–89 AED, making traditional Emirati cooking approachable for families and curious newcomers alike.

Houd: A hidden gem serving authentic Emirati and Indian breakfast trays in the middle of the desert

Arrive at this Al Awir restaurant and you'll find yourself in what feels remarkably like someone's extended family home – if that home happened to serve some of Dubai's most traditional breakfast trays. Natural light filters through the open sides of the covered pavilion, illuminating woven palm fronds, a bamboo-style ceiling, and a central stone fountain whose ornate carved details add cultural heritage to the setting.

The beauty lies in its complete lack of pretension, where traditional Emirati breakfast trays sit alongside Indian morning staples, each prepared with the kind of care typically reserved for home cooking. The Emirati Breakfast Tray features balaleet topped with a perfectly cooked egg, accompanied by nakhi and shakshuka, whilst the camel milk tea offers curiosity value without jarring unfamiliarity. During winter months, an outdoor majlis-style seating area extends the experience under the open sky.

Amina: Award-winning Chef Mariam's theatrical Emirati restaurant in Reem Mall

Chef Mariam Al Mansoori – the first Emirati to win France's prestigious 'Best of Gastronomy' Gold Award in 2024 – brings impressive credentials to this theatrical restaurant on Level 2 of Reem Mall. The dining room embraces drama through rich burgundy curtains with golden tassels, marble tables trimmed in gold, and crystal chandeliers that create an atmosphere equal parts French château and Emirati majlis.

Her philosophy centres on preserving and modernising Emirati home cooking traditions, drawing inspiration from her mother's and grandmother's recipes whilst applying contemporary techniques. The extensive menu spans breakfast pastries and international classics alongside Emirati specialities, with standout dishes like the shrimp biryani showcasing masterful technique and perfectly balanced spicing. The maximalist aesthetic might feel overwhelming initially, but the thoughtful symmetry and spacious layout prevent the space from feeling cramped despite its visual intensity.

Bait Elowal: Emirati heritage dining and cultural shopping in the Heart of Sharjah

Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's vision transforms a beautifully restored heritage house in Sharjah's Heart district into something far more ambitious than a restaurant. Bait Elowal – literally "House of the Traveller" – recreates the warmth that once welcomed merchants returning from distant lands, with a menu celebrating silk road flavours alongside timeless Emirati traditions.

The striking central courtyard centres around a green Zellige-tiled fountain, whilst multiple seating areas span two floors, each serving different moods. The cultural retail integration sets this apart, with Soghat Elowal showcasing handcrafted pottery and traditional textiles, whilst Al Kutubkhana stocks carefully curated travel literature. Facing Sharjah Creek from Al Merraijja Square, this alcohol-free venue operates simultaneously as restaurant, gallery, and testament to Sharjah's historical role as a vibrant trading hub.

Shalwa: A celebration of Khaleeji culture by an iconic homegrown brand

This is a concept by Independent at The District at Dubai Mall. The striking red façade offers bold contrast to the mall's polished surroundings, whilst inside, warm lighting and abundant potted plants create an intimate atmosphere that feels like a Khaleeji home reimagined for contemporary diners. The beautifully crafted coffee bar serves both traditional Gahwatna and modern specialty brews with equal reverence.

What makes Shalwa particularly special is its community-driven approach, with a nationwide call for family recipes creating a living archive of Emirati and Khaleeji culinary traditions. The name itself – referring to a type of falcon symbolising the ideal man in Khaleeji culture – hints at the attention to detail and cultural significance woven throughout.

Gerbou Dubai: Authentic Emirati cuisine and hospitality in Nad Al Sheba

In a beautifully restored 1987 building in Nad Al Sheba, Her Highness Sheikha Lateefa Bint Maktoum's vision for celebrating Emirati cuisine comes to life through thoughtful collaboration with Atelier House Hospitality. Every detail reflects meticulous consideration, from custom-designed tables to handpicked cutlery, with contributions from Emirati and UAE-based designers throughout.

The all-day menu showcases UAE-sourced ingredients and nostalgic classics elevated for contemporary palates, whilst the space itself – featuring both inviting indoor areas and tranquil outdoor seating – offers genuine Emirati hospitality that makes it ideal for introducing visitors to local culture. The service operates at fine dining standards, with staff greeting returning guests by name and recalling preferences, creating an experience that feels both sophisticated and warmly welcoming.

Sadou Tea House Abu Dhabi: Emirati tea by the marina

In Abu Dhabi's Rabdan Marina, this charming homegrown café brings traditional Emirati tea culture to life in a contemporary waterfront setting. The name honours 'Sadou', the traditional Bedouin horizontal weaving craft, with artisanal patterns appearing throughout the décor. The intimate ground floor houses a carefully curated collection of vintage items celebrating the Emirates' rich heritage, whilst the open-air upper level presents breathtaking views of both the marina and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

The cheese regag with honey strikes an impeccable balance between crisp texture and sweet-savoury notes, whilst the karak proves exceptional – rich, perfectly spiced, and worthy of its must-try status. Open daily from 8 a.m. until 1 a.m., with free parking on-site, this waterfront gem transforms throughout the day from morning tea spot to evening retreat, particularly appealing after water activities at the marina.

Maisan15: A cosy eatery inspired by an artist’s studio in Barsha

Formerly known as Cabin, this brainchild of Emirati artist and entrepreneur Rami Farook sits enclosed within a circular, wooden-boarded courtyard garden at the base of Maisan Tower in Al Barsha South. Walking in feels like stumbling across an artist's den, discovering an awesome café inside, and never wanting to leave. Every detail shows thoughtful consideration, from the playlist to casual servers who feel like old friends and the pretty front terrace that's arguably one of the city's best secret spots during pleasant weather.

The space functions simultaneously as restaurant, gallery, garden, café, and library, with seasonal menus sourcing local produce where possible and offering interesting takes on popular dishes. The epic Croque Monsieur Maisan Breakfast Pizza showcases the kitchen's creative approach, whilst the elegant, cosy atmosphere makes this equally suitable for getting work done or hosting creative meetings. Free parking sits just across the road, with service running daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Karak House: An Emirati cafe on the bustling Boulevard

Along the bustling Boulevard in Downtown Dubai, this Emirati-owned gem features outdoor seating with Burj Khalifa views for cooler months and a cosy, fully air-conditioned indoor space. The Chebab Pancakes showcase the region's favourite flavours of cardamom, rose cream, and saffron syrup, crafted with fresh berries and ricotta for an Arabic-inspired take on the breakfast staple.

The Baith Wa Tamat presents an Emirati dish of scrambled eggs with tomato, onion, chilli, crunchy baby vegetables, sumac, labneh, and za'atar, whilst the Shakshuka features braised beef, smoked aubergine, tomatoes, and baked eggs. The namesake karak follows a homemade recipe by the owners – simple and utterly delicious. The limited edition milk cakes achieve perfect balance in sweetness, with options including Karak with cereal, Pistachio, and Rose. The friendly, accommodating team and consistently busy tables signal a popular spot that's well worth visiting.

Walid Mohammad Bakhit Bakery Dubai: A nostalgic Iranian bakery in Jumeirah 1

In Jumeirah 1 near the Iranian Hospital, this no-frills spot has been making regag bread for over four decades. The setup remains decidedly old-school, with regag makers working their craft outside, expertly spreading and flipping delicate batter on a hot circular plate. The connected grocery shop adds authentic neighbourhood character whilst stocking basic provisions and drinks.

Traditionally served with mehyawa (fermented fish sauce), regag now comes with modern additions like eggs, cream cheese, honey, and the popular Chips Oman. The classic regag with fish sauce and hot sauce arrives fresh off the hot plate, with extra crushed Chips Oman adding satisfying crunch. Simple drinks like Arabic coffee and karak tea accompany small menu offerings including foul medames. The bread needs eating straight away to enjoy its crisp texture at its best. Takeaway only, cash payment, served on paper plates – a genuine piece of old Dubai serving quick, tasty street food with easy parking nearby.