Restaurants in Dubai - where to eat? The question is really not easy to answer, as there are thousands of restaurants in this city, with different price ranges and specialities. Here are our tips.

In the last two years alone, over 2,000 new restaurants have opened in Dubai - and more are on the way. With its central location in the Middle East, the city is a gateway to both Europe and Asia.

Blending European, Asian and Arabic flavours in a slightly addictive way, you're sure to find something to satisfy your taste buds.

Restaurants in Dubai - book a table

It is not always necessary to book a table, but if you want to eat in a popular restaurant, you should make a reservation. Calling the restaurant works well and the staff usually speak English.

You can also use websites and mobile apps to facilitate table bookings. Some of them are:

• eatapp.co/dubai-restaurants
• www.reserveout.com/dubai-en
• www.opentable.ae/dubai-restaurants

Tipping at restaurants in Dubai

Dubai is known for its hospitality and excellent service. Tipping is common, but not compulsory. Many restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill.

If no service charge is added, you can add 10-15 percent, or round up the bill. Remember to always be polite and friendly - this is more important than being generous with your tip. Read more about tipping in Dubai.

Vegetarian restaurants in Dubai

Dubai is famous for its lamb and chicken dishes, but vegetarian options such as falafel, hummus, baba ganush and noodles are also readily available.

There are many Indian restaurants in the city and most of them offer a wide range of delicious and hearty vegetarian dishes.

Dubai's best restaurants - our tips!

It's not easy to sift through the thousands of exciting restaurants in Dubai, but here are some of our favourites:

Al Mallah

One of Dubai's oldest restaurants - and also one of the best. Lebanese food at its best: good, cheap and served quickly. Order a shawarma wrap or grilled chicken and a freshly squeezed juice. You won't regret it.

Al Mallah opened on 2nd December Street in the Satwa district more than 25 years ago. Today it has three more restaurants in Dubai and the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah.
Website: www.almallahuae.com
Address: 2nd of December Street, Al Satwa

Nineveh

For those who know its wonders, the name may sound familiar - the restaurant is named after Nineveh, the city where Babylon's hanging gardens were located.

Serving Middle Eastern cuisine, the restaurant is a cosy oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle, decorated with palm trees, lanterns and cushions.
Web: ninive.ae
Address: Jumeirah Emirates Tower

Miss Tess

Cosy and colourful Miss Tess serves modern Asian street food in a restaurant setting. The menu includes delicious noodles, sushi and BBQ with a modern twist.

One tip is to book a table on the terrace overlooking the Dubai skyline, including the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
Web: www.misstessdubai.com
Address: Taj Dubai, Business Bay

Bayt Al Wakeel

A Dubai classic - that few people find. Bayt Al Wakeel has been around since 1935 and has a terrace that stretches out over the water on Dubai Creek.

Here you can sit for a long time and watch the life on the bay. The small taxi boats called abra pass by constantly, sometimes a classic dhow sails by. The food is affordable and good. All About Dubai always orders shish taouk and a lemon mint lemonade.

Bay Al Wakeel can be a little hard to find, but look out for the alleyways leading to the water as you walk through the Old Souk and you'll see the sign.
Web: www.wakeel.ae
Address: Souk Al Kabeer, On the Creek, Near Bank of Baroda Abra Station

Urth by Nabz & G

This casual notch was named Dubai's best vegan restaurant in 2018. Here, vegetarians and carnivores live in harmony. There's plenty of vegan and raw on the menu, but also some meat dishes to satisfy herbivores and carnivores alike.

The food is prepared from scratch with fresh ingredients free from preservatives.
Website: nabzandg.com
Address: Cluster J, Jumeirah Lake Towers

Shake Shack

America's most hyped burger in recent years, is now also available in Dubai. At three locations in the city - and at the airport. Head to JBR, the Mall of Emirates or the Dubai Mall if you want to test whether the burgers are as good as almost everyone says. In fact, we think they are.

The nicest restaurant is the one in JBR, where you can sit on the outdoor terrace by the seafront.
Web: www.shakeshack.com
Address: Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) Shop 2202, Dubai Mall and Mall of Emirates

Pier 7

Pier 7 has several restaurants with 360-degree views of the marina. Here you can choose from cuisines from all over the world - Middle Eastern, Asian, Mediterranean, and South American. Whatever you like, you'll find something on the menu.
Web: www.pier7.ae/en
Address: Pier 7, Dubai Marina

Maharaja Bhog

The restaurant serves traditional Indian food and has quickly become a favourite among Dubai's vegetarians. Try their vegetarian thaili, which consists of several small dishes.
Website: maharajabhog.com
Address: ground level, Hamsah Mall, Al Karama

Seven Sands, Dubai Marina

The restaurant is a tribute to the seven emirates. The name, decor and menu all have Arabic influences. Portions are large and there is a terrace with a beach view.
Web: www.sevensandsrestaurant.com
Address: The Beach, Dubai Marina, Makani No. 1145374508

Kaleidoscope

Perhaps the best buffet restaurant you'll ever eat at. Kaleidoscope at Atlantis The Palm offers a plethora of tasty and delicious dishes. The restaurant is divided into different stations such as barbecue, seafood and desserts - just to name a few.

Different themes every night and we haven't tried them all, but can highly recommend both the Indian Mondays and the Arabic Thursdays.

If you're a whole family travelling together, this is a top tip. There's something for everyone - and the kids get to pick up some sweets for dessert.
Web: www.atlantisthepalm.com/restaurants/kaleidoscope
Address: Atlantis The Palm

Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara

At this famous 'underwater restaurant' in the extravagant Burj Al Arab, you'll enjoy your dinner (seafood, of course) surrounded by a huge aquarium full of fish. The restaurant is extremely popular (and expensive), so be sure to book your table well in advance.
Website: www.jumeirah.com/al-mahara
Address: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Jumeira Road Umm Suqeim 3

Atmosphere Burj Khalifa

This restaurant in the world's tallest building will leave you gasping for breath - both at the food and the view. Atmosphere is on the 122nd floor, so high you'll be looking NER at airplanes.

Be prepared for an expensive visit here - to get a table by the window, you'll need to spend at least 2,000 crowns. And yes, you guessed right - table reservations are a must.
Website: atmosphereburjkhalifa.com
Address: 122nd Floor, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai

Restaurant tips in Dubai
- here you will find the restaurants

Dubai is a sprawling city and many of the best restaurants are located in hotels in Downtown, JBR or out on The Palm Jumeirah. You can expect to travel some distance. Taking a taxi in Dubai is both convenient and easy, fortunately.