Restaurants

While there’s a relaxed vibe inside the light flooded interior of this quirky cafe, you may just hear the revving of some pretty powerful machines outside. Bike lovers congregate on this eatery dedicated to petrol-heads on two wheels to enjoy their menu of eclectic delights. Feast on their ‘Flavor of Arabia’ breakfast platter and tuck into khameer, chebab, balaleet and muhalla (a date and wholewheat crepe). Tel No.   +971 4 349 3585

If you’re looking for a lively venue which serves good food in a buzzing environment, then head to Carter’s. Ideal for a business lunch, an evening out with friends or Friday Brunch. The menu offers a choice of premium food to suit all tastes. The central lounge area is bustling every evening, while the side terrace with sunken seating offers a more relaxed ambience. The house band also keeps the vibe going.

This tea house is a hidden gem situated in Dubai’s historic heart. The quaint cafe is an oasis of calm and it’s easy to imagine times gone by while you relax within its traditional walls made of coral, shell and clay. Settle down to sip your morning tea as the sun rises, taking in the cool breeze coming off the nearby Creek with a traditional breakfast platter that includes balaleet – a dish of egg and cardamom flavoured vermicelli. Tel No.   +971 4 353 5071

This much-loved diner offers a range of Pakistani curry favourites, rice dishes and freshly baked naan breads, alongside more adventurous fare such as fried brains. The setting is basic, but that hasn’t stopped Ravi Restaurant from gaining cult status among local expats. Most people opt to sit outside with all of Satwa life on show, but dining is also available in the main restaurant or in the quieter family section.

Take a break from the city buzz and escape to Rare Restaurant in the Desert Palm. Bask in the tranquil atmosphere, with its green views and relaxed air of refinement. You’ll appreciate this tucked-away haven, which is also a meat-lover’s dream. Enjoy steaks, which are mostly 300 or 400 day grain-fed Australian beef, as well as grilled fish, seafood options and corn-fed chicken that will tempt even the most ardent carnivores.

After a long day traipsing around town, you may want a meal from the comfort of your hotel. The Bistro Restaurant at Holiday Inn Downtown, located in Deira is a casual eatery with a lounge area where you can sit back and relax throughout the day, whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner. Choose from an international and Indian menu, and be sure to inquire about the special themed nights hosted here.

Anantara’s first Dubai property, Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa, recently launched its signature Thai restaurant, Mekong. The restaurant is the second Mekong outlet at an Anantara property – the original outlet is located in Anantara Xishuangbanna, China – and the first in the region.

The Friday ‘BRNCH’ at Qwerty in Media One injects a little fun to your weekend. The restaurant’s quirky decor features pop icon paintings and impish monkey sculptures, setting the tone for an unconventional dining experience. There’s an endless supply of tasty sharing platters, piled high with prawns, cornish pasties and tandoori chicken samosas, but diners can also look forward to challenging their friends to tabletop games like mini Connect 4 and Atari classics. There’s even a Whatsapp broadcast group to receive silent text challenges for the chance to win exciting prizes, including weekend stays and invitations to Qwerty’s superb Saturday…

Originating in London, Baker & Spice Dubai opened in 2009 and offers the same dedication to food. The menu is based on organic ingredients sourced from local farmers, and consequently changes daily. What is constant, however, is the carefully prepared home-cooked flavour of every dish. Located in Souk Al Bahar, with a terrace at the base of Burj Khalifa, the restaurant enjoys prime views of Dubai Fountain.