In a world brimming with diverse cuisines, Emirati cuisine often remains a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. A unique opportunity to embark on a culinary journey through various rich and flavorful traditions of the United Arab Emirates cuisine. In this blog post, we will explore the tantalizing dishes, warm hospitality, and cultural immersion that await you through the Emirati restaurant. While surfing through the blog post, you will encounter various Emirati restaurant with a contemporary touch.
Arabian Tea House Restaurant
Arabian Tea House is an Emirati restaurant where time stands still and history sparks to life! This restaurant is located in Al Fahidi neighborhood, which perfectly captures the traditional Emirati’s way of living. You will be blown away by the beautiful old buildings that gives you a glimpse of Emirati’s history and culture. The vibe at the Arabian Tea House is super friendly, the staff are really nice and know the menu really well!
Light traditional options for breakfast:
- Khameer Halloumi zaatar: A dish of warm crispy bread stuffed with halloumi cheese, cucumber, tomatoes and sliced black olives. Definitely worth a try!
- Egg tomato plate: It’s a simple yet super tasty dish of scrambled eggs skewed with tomato. A classic combo that never disappoints!
Coming to the main dish:
- Special Emirati breakfast tray: this dish is a sweet and savory Emirati speciality, it’s a platter of balaleet alongside some dips and condiments, and they serve it up with traditional Emirati bread to give you the full local experience!
I tried the Khameer Halloumi zaatar and Egg tomato plate, eating those dishes felt like home, it was freshly made and super tasty! After that, I went with the Special Emirati breakfast tray, one of their well-known dishes. It’s a delicious combination of different flavors and options. The highlight of the platter is the famous Emirati dish Balaleet, which has a sweet and saffron-infused taste topped with omelet. And that’s not all! You also get to enjoy a variety of tasty dips and condiments like cheese, jam, honey, Bajella, dungeon, and baked beans. To complete the experience, you’ll be served with traditional types of bread – khameer, chebab, and tanoor.
To complement this delightful meal, we can’t forget to order one of the most well-known tea among Emiratis:
- Karak: made with black tea, milk and sugar (some add flavorful spices with it: saffron, cinnamon, cardamom). It’s usually served with breakfast, making it an ideal match for this tasty Emirati breakfast experience.
What really stood out to me is that on the first page of the menu, there is an interesting tale about Dubai’s history called “Zaman Awaal (Old Dubai)”. It talks about how Dubai’s Creek was a big FREE trading zone due to its cultural background and strategic location, which attracted traders from various regions where they mainly trade grains, spices, and herbs. At this Emirati restaurant, you can see that even simple flavors can have amazing stories behind them!
Eating breakfast at the Arabian Tea House is not just about filling your belly; it’s about recognizing the local culture. The amazing food, peaceful vibe, and friendly staff make it a place you shouldn’t miss if you want to dive into the tastes and customs of an authentic Emirati Restaurant. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a visitor or a local, this secret treasure in Dubai is a wonderful way to kick off your day.
Additional information
Location:
Al Fahidi street, Bur Dubai, Dubai
Opening hours:
Daily opening hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Breakfast hours: 7:00 AM – 12:30 PM (P.S. if you are looking for all day breakfast , I would suggest going to Jumeirah Public Beach branch)
Discounts: Emirates platinum – Al Saada card
Contact Details:
Phone: +971 4 353 5071
Website: https://arabianteahouse.com
Social media accounts:
Instagram: @ arabianteahouse
Facebook: Arabian Tea House
Al Jalboot Restaurant
In case you’re looking for delicious seafood with an Emirati touch you’re on the right page!
A hidden gem located in Umm Suqeim, Dubai called Al Jalboot restaurant, an Emirati restaurant located in a calm spot near the sea, takes great pride in serving seafood and its variations without missing the traditional Emirati touch. Al Jalboot is widely known in Dubai as they hand-pick different types of fish straight from the sea to ensure the freshness of dishes.
The interior design of Al Jalboot restaurant is typical of Emirati restaurant and creates a warm and culturally rich ambiance. It combines modernity and tradition in a warm, chic setting for your emirati meal. The traditional Emirati restaurant design, which invites customers to sit on the floor for an authentic touch, heightnes the charm. The staff’s kindness and warmth add to the atmosphere of the Emirati eatery.
You’ve gotta try the fish dishes at this Emirati restaurant. They get their fish straight from the sea nearby, so you know it’s super fresh and top-notch quality.
Let’s take a closer look at some of their best dishes:
- Fried Safi : This one blew my mind, it was crispy, tender, and bursting with flavor. Seriously, I can’t recommend it enough.
- Foga Hamoor Fish : If you’re a fan of Hamoor fish like me, you won’t be disappointed by this dish. It was prepared beautifully and had a delicate flavor that really showcased the quality of the fish. The seasonings added an extra layer of yumminess without overpowering the natural taste.
- Al Jalboot Salad : This salad was a feast for both your eyes and your taste buds. The colors were vibrant and the taste was just as impressive. It brought some freshness and texture to balance out the rich fish dishes perfectly. It really showed off the true flavors of Emirati cuisine.
Make sure to check out their menu so you don’t miss out on these incredible dishes, they offer a food experience like no other!
Al Jalboot restaurant’s ability to provide high quality Emirati cuisine at reasonable pricing is one of its most impressive features. Every visit to this Emirati restaurant is a wonderful trip into the soul of Emirati food because of the dedication to quality, freshness, and traditional authenticity. Al Jalboot restaurant is a must-go-to Emirati restaurant if you want to experience both delicious Emirati fish dishes and a truly authentic Emirati dining experience.
Additional information
Location:
Jumeirah Beach Road, Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai
Opening hours:
Sunday – Thursday 11:30AM – 11PM
Friday – Saturday 9:30AM – 11PM
Contact Details:
Phone: +971 4 321 5177
Website: Aljalboot.com
Social media accounts:
Instagram: @aljalbootrstrnt
Facebook: Aljalboot Restaurant in Dubai
Logma Restaurant
We’ve got you! Since you’re surfing through this page, you are obviously looking for an exceptional Emirati restaurant. Logma restaurant would definitely be your ultimate spot. Upon entering Logma, you are instantly transported to the heart of Emirati culture. The restaurant’s decor, adored with traditional motifs, evokes a sense of nostalgia and belonging. The warm and inviting atmosphere sets the stage for the authentic dining experience.
The Culinary Adventure begins:
The menu at Logma restaurant boasts an impressive array of Emirati dishes, each meticulously prepared to preserve the essence of tradition while catering to modern taste. Start your meal with fragrant Arabic coffee and dates, a complementary Emirati welcome.
Signature Dishes:
- Seafood platter: mix of seafood (prawns, calamari, fish filets) infused and cooked with tomato sauce placed around rice. (Highly recommended)
- Lamb machboos: A flavorful rice dish, often featuring succulent lamb or chicken, infused with an array of spices and served with a side of tangy tomato sauce.
- Luqaimat: These sweet, bite-sized dumplings drizzled with data syrup are a popular Emirati dessert, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth (So good!)
The food at Logma restaurant is authentic and flavorful. We’ve tried the seafood platter, which was cooked to perfection and served with a variety of delicious sauces, as well as the chicken and lamb machboos, which were infused with different kinds of spices, yet we would recommend you not to miss the lamb machboos. Lastly, we had one of the most popular emirati desserts, commonly known as “luqaimat” which was served with drizzled data syrup. Their luqaimat was crispy! Don’t forget to satisfy your sweet tooth with their luqaimat and have some arabic coffee with it!
Logma restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere. The decor is traditional emirati, and the music is appropriate for the setting. The staff at Logma restaurant is friendly and attentive. They are knowledgeable about the menu and able to answer your questions. The food is served promptly and correctly. We felt like we’ve got good value for the price range of the dishes served noting down the quality of food and service you receive.
Overall, we’ve had a wonderful experience at Logma restaurant. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for a modern emirati dining experience.
Additional Information
Location:
Logma, Fashion Avenue, L3, The Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday 10 AM-12AM
Friday – Sunday 10AM-1AM
Contact Details:
Phone: +971 800 564 62
Website: https://www.logma.ae/
Social Media Accounts:
Instagram: @ Logma
Facebook: Logma
Al Fanar Restaurant
A visit to Al Fanar restaurant is like taking a journey through time, experiencing the past while enjoying the present. This dining establishment serves as an example of introducing Emirati cuisine as the background of the Emirates’ cuisine can potentially be traced back to each dish. Al Fanar restaurant is more than simply an Emirati restaurant; it’s a place filled with cultural photos where guests can learn about the culture of the United Arab Emirates as they dine.
Al Fanar restaurant is known for its friendly service and historical decor that creates the impression where one can be transported back in time to Dubai in the 1960s. It reflects the traditional Emirati way of life especially after witnessing the illuminated majlis-style rooms. The atmosphere is cozy, genuine, and traditional, providing an unforgettable meal.
At Al Fanar restaurant, you get to go on a delicious food journey. They have a cool market where you can buy all kinds of traditional goodies, and they offer a great selection of fresh veggies and fish to choose from. The menu is filled with delicious Emirati options, and when I went there, everything was just perfect.
Here are some dishes you should definitely try out from their menu:
- Freshly prepared Rocket Salads: (“rocket leaves with cucumber salad topped with some dressing and seasoning”) were considered the best among the salad choices.
- Hobool: translates to “crunchy deep-fried fish roe dipped,” highly recommended on the appetizer platter.
- Jesheed and White Rice: “It is a type of baby shark,” and it is the best choice for the main course. It comes with well-cooked and deliciously seasoned rice.
- Machboos Chicken: contains chicken that has been cooked perfectly and seasoned with an amazing mix of spices and herbs.
Overall, the food was so tasty and the staff were super nice to us. If you want to try out a genuine Emirati restaurant, we would highly recommend Al Fanar restaurant for the best dining experience.
Additional information
Location:
Opening Hours:
Sunday – Friday 8:30 AM – 10 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM – 11PM
Contact Details:
Phone: +971 4 353 3733
Website: https://www.alfanarrestaurant.com/uae/
Social Media Accounts:
Instagram: @alfanarrestaurant
Facebook: Al Fanar Restaurant
Smat Restaurant
Smat is an exceptional Emirati restaurant that wonderfully combines Emirati cuisine with aspects from various culinary traditions, resulting in a dining experience that is both traditional and modern. Their fusion cuisine includes the UAE’s rich culinary heritage while embracing the diversity of cuisines from around the world. Smat is a must-visit if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind dining experience that highlights Emirati cuisine in a creative style. Your taste buds will reward you for trying it out!
When I first stepped into the restaurant, I felt greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that felt very elegant and comfortable. Smat’s interior design is not your standard Emirati restaurant design; rather, it is a modern take on an Emirati restaurant. The surroundings make you feel welcome, with the respectful and kind employees who meet you and guide you through your journey.
These are the delicious dishes that were suggested, they are the most popular menu options at Smat restaurant:
- Fattat Samboosa: A crispy pastry filled with flavorful seasoned pulled chicken, with Palestinian spices (fusion), along with a delicious garlicky yogurt sauce that accompanies it perfectly.
- Yogurt marinated chicken tikka: Tender chicken pieces on a skewer with delicious Emirati spices that make the dish unique, along with a mint yogurt sauce which was the perfect combination.
- Machbous Yadoh: Their most popular and flavorful rice dish, with a tender piece of lamb shank in their special Machbous sauce served with cucumber yogurt sauce. The rice had perfectly been spiced along with the lamb.
Smat is more than simply an Emirati restaurant; it is a culinary adventure that crosses the gap between tradition and innovation. The restaurant offers this blend of Emirati cuisine at a reasonable price and of excellent quality. Even UAE locals should visit it, since it would be something new to them too, combining their traditional cuisine with international cuisines in a perfect way.
Overall, my experience at Smat was wonderful and interesting to me as a UAE local, reading the menu was an experience itself to see all these unique and new dishes that caught my curiosity. Smat is a must-visit restaurant for an exciting dining experience!
Additional information
Location:
Building 10, Dubai Design District
Opening Hours:
Sunday- Saturday: 7:30 AM to 11:30 PM
Contact Details:
Phone: +971 4 480 2429
Website: https://smat.ae/
Social media accounts:
Instagram: @smat.ae
Facebook : Smat AE
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