Joanna James
Dubai is an Emirate that would offer a myriad of engrossing attractions and experiences for visitors. One of these would undoubtedly be the delectable local cuisine on offer; in fact, it may be said that your visit to Dubai wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local dishes available at restaurants serving Emirati foods. Described below are some of the outstanding restaurants where you could savour authentic native dishes just as a local would.
An excellent place at which to commence your experience of Emirati cuisine would be Al Fanar Restaurant & Café which boasts several outlets scattered around the UAE. This much-liked restaurant aims to provide an old-world Arabian dining experience with features like traditional lanterns, wind towers and full-scale Bedouin statues.
At Al Fanar, you will have the opportunity to savour authentic Emirati dishes like jesheed, a spicy dish of baby shark, and maleh nashef which consists of salted fish in a tomato sauce. Another outstanding dish to try would be its shorbat adas, a delectable delicately flavoured lentil soup. For a classic Arabic-style dining experience, this restaurant would be hard to beat.
You could enjoy a rather different dining experience at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding or SMCCU which you will find in the historical neighbourhood of Al Fahidi. You will find that this establishment would be a wonderful place at which to enjoy a splendid selection of genuine Emirati foods, whilst also gaining an insight into other aspects of the fascinating local culture.
At this centre, visitors will have the opportunity to feast on sumptuous breakfast, lunch and dinner spreads whilst relaxing on comfortable cushions laid out on the floor of the centre’s courtyard. You will see that the traditionally cooked dishes are presented for diners to share in the typical Bedouin manner. Make sure you order the traditionally brewed Arabic coffee which will be served in little finjaan cups.
For a distinctive dining experience in an intriguing Arabian Nights-like ambience, the place to go would be Siraj Restaurant in Dubai’s Downtown. Complete with impressive archways, equestrian sculptures and Arabic calligraphy, Siraj presents an absorbing sight for the discerning diner.
At this restaurant, you may take the opportunity to savour mouth-watering culinary creations like their lobster kibbeh (dough balls stuffed with lobster), date and kale salad, flatbread parcel with chicken biryani, Lebanese milk pudding with gold honey and so on. Also, make sure to try the grilled saffron prawns which are marinated with a perfectly judged quantity of spices.
Among the other, outstanding restaurants in Dubai would be the charming Jigsaw Restaurant, an appealing dining venue where you could enjoy well-crafted Arabic dishes as well as those from other parts of the world. Here, you would be able to feast on Arabic mezze and freshly caught seafood not to mention an array of international gastronomic highlights, contemporary salads, appetizers, soups, satisfying entrees and tantalizing desserts.
At this restaurant, skilled international chefs create delectable dishes at live cooking stations that would appeal to discerning foodies. Jigsaw Restaurant could be found at Avani Deira Dubai Hotel which would also be an accommodation choice to consider. You could additionally enjoy in-room dining at this establishment which is a convenient option for travellers looking to savour culinary delights from the comforts of their rooms.
Another not-to-be-missed culinary experience in Dubai would be dining at the well-reputed Sikka Café. Here, you will be able to enjoy a variety of dishes that are representative of the rich cultural and historical legacy of the UAE. At this cafe, you could take the opportunity to indulge in irresistible Emirati, Persian and Indian dishes. The mouth-watering menu here is well complemented by its vibrant atmosphere and attractive location. A highlight would be its royal tandoori platter featuring a fine collection of grilled succulent meat kebabs.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
