5 Must Try Restaurants in Dubai

On September 22, 2018
By Shruti
Comments Off on 5 Must Try Restaurants in Dubai

Every now and then there is a new eatery that opens up in Dubai and here is my list of top 5 Must Try restaurants in Dubai. These are some of the best restaurants in Dubai especially if you are looking for value. Also, since we are a veggie lot, these are also some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Dubai (meaning serve a good spread of vegetarian food).

This list is across the cuisines I really like and the restaurants I have had some of the most fantastic food and time with my family and friends at.

Pai Thai: Delectable Thai on the riverside
- Highly recommended whether you are staying in Dubai or visiting Dubai, for the multi sensory experience it has to offer: be it the view, the ambience, the service, vegetarian options or the tantalizing food.
- Consistently rated as one of the best Thai restaurants and I can say for all the right reasons. from my own experience. It is one of the most popular restaurants in this side of town and hence a reservation is recommended as you will find it almost impossible to get a seating without one especially on a weekend.
- Some of the most authentic Thai you will ever experience in a blissful surrounding. You can read my detailed review of Pai Thai here to know more.
Oregano: Bringing Italian Liguarian Cuisine to Dubai
- Another one of my favourite. As a family we are quite fond of Italian cuisine and so one of the very first restaurants we try are usually Italian. In Dubai, I have tried Trattoria Toscana (in Madinat Jumeirah), Pizza Express, Cavalli Cafe (which used to be in JBR) and probably more Italian restaurants. The simple reason Oregano struck with me was because of its simple yet flavourful food, slightly different flavours than those I had eaten elsewhere and the combination of this food at the price they offer it. Another one which makes it to the best vegetarian restaurants in Dubai due to their large offering of vegetarian dishes. Trattoria is another one option I can recommend (not over Oregano though), if you feel like eating Italian and you’re in Madinat Jumeirah.
- You can read a more detailed review of Oregano here.
Shakespeare & Co: Love their food and ambience as much as their packing and bags
- Shakespeare and Co is a cafe which serves sumptuous breakfast across many cuisines (largely italian and mediterranean though). Their open hummus sandwiches are as delectable as their fries and pasta. I’m already drooling as I write about their desserts and cakes. With a lot of branches all over Dubai, it is one place you must visit for the whole ambience and the charm and that’s why I have included it in my 5 must try restaurants in Dubai.
- Looks like it isn’t just me who loves their old English charm, as they have recently started their own decor collection. You can check it out on their website.

Operation Falafel: Lip smacking Arabic street food with a modern twist on a shoestring budget

Super high on value for money without compromising on the flavours. I’m in love with their stuffed falafels and that’s a staple whenever we order from this place. Its again a chain of restaurants and you will find it at most of the touristy locations: JBR, La Mer Beach etc.
What sets it apart from the other lebanese and Arabic eateries (and trust me we have tried many – Al Safadi, Zaroob, Cafe Bateel etc) is its portions, flavours, vegetarian options and the price. It makes the cut for one of the best restaurants in Dubai, hands down if you don’t bother about the ambience and

Farzi Cafe: Serving Farzi Indian food – My all time favourite

Its not really a cafe and not really Indian cuisine. What it dishes out is an absolutely lip smacking melange of Indian ingredients with molecular cuisine twists. Zorawar Kalra has created magic in rethinking Indian delicacies, some as close to home as Dal Chawal. The plating is super chic doing justice to art in the appearance just as much in the flavours. No wonder it is in my list of best restaurants in Dubai.
I had an opportunity to try Farzi in both India and Dubai and it is just the same awesome at both places.
It’s a restaurant based on Molecular Gastronomy, which is powder that turns to bhujia, foam that turns to chutney, yogurt that comes in the shape of a ball in the mist of liquid nitrogen… you get the sense! Since it dishes out a whole gamut of veggy friendly fare too, it features in my list of best vegetarian restaurants in Dubai as well.
Take a look at this review to know more about Farzi Cafe.