There’s nothing more enjoyable for me than sharing a delicious platter of Lebanese mezze and drinking a sundowner (or two) on the beach with close friends. However, I must admit that choosing between all the outstanding Lebanese restaurants in Dubai was not an easy feat.
So, here’s my list of the eight best Lebanese restaurants in Dubai, based on honest customer reviews where all you need to do is kick back, and relax – who can ask for anything more!
1. Ibn Albahr Lebanese Seafood: Award-Winning Restaurant
Ibn Albahr Lebanese Seafood Restaurant, located on the lively Club Vista Mare, based on the spectacular Palm beachfront, has engendered a near “cultlike following” for producing delectable seafood dishes – straight out of the ocean.
This superb restaurant distinguishes itself from other seafood eateries as you choose your own meal at their fish market and specify whether you would like to have it steamed, butterflied, or chargrilled, including the accompanying sauce, or a crunchy salad.
While the Ibn Albahr Lebanese Seafood Restaurant primarily serves groups at the fish market, they have gone above and beyond by catering to unaccompanied business people, making them feel like the restaurant is a home-away-from-home.
Moreover, the restaurant is renowned for providing exemplary attentive service, with timeously served meals.
The comprehensive menu includes a catch-of-the-day octopus, prawns, and authentic Lebanese-styled mezze like zingy stuffed vine leaves, served with silky hummus, accompanied by delicious piping-hot freshly baked bread straight out of the oven.
Alternatively, order some creamy Lebanese dips and nibbles with a group of friends while enjoying breathtaking ocean views and the lively seaside atmosphere with a few celebratory sundowners.
However, plan your visit on a quiet weekday if you want to escape the holiday and weekend crowds. All in all, you will have the time of your life at this incredible restaurant. Where else can you enjoy the ocean’s bounty with your feet in the sand?
So, to avoid disappointment, book a table well in advance as there’s nothing worse than being turned away!
Contact Details:
- Reservations: +971 4 553 9575
- Website: https://www.ibnalbahr.me/
- Address: Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah
- Opening Hours: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
2. Siraj: Critically Acclaimed Lebanese Cuisine
This stylish restaurant, nestled in the Souk Al Bahar with spectacular views of the iconic Dubai Fountain, offers a gastronomic feast for discerning diners in a magnificent setting, especially in the evening when the sparkling fountain comes to life!
Siraj is renowned for its delectable Middle Eastern dishes that marry the best authentic Levantine and Emirati culinary traditions to craft sumptuous dishes with a modern twist.
This exceptional restaurant prides itself on using the finest organic produce and bespoke spices, including delicious homemade pickles and an assortment of jams, and other signature dishes.
With so many delicious options, it might be good to know that you can’t go wrong by ordering their succulent kebabs or their butter-soft Camel Tenderloins. Although, diners have pointed out that their thinly sliced Calamari can be a bit chewy at times.
However, don’t get me started about their aromatic, generously portioned Chicken Biryani adorned with a nutty, above par deliciousness or creamy hummus, which will have you craving more.
Overall, Siraj is a fantastic restaurant, and its sumptuous culinary offering is truly a feast for the eye, so book that table!
Contact Details:
- Reservations: +971 4 513 6207
- Website: http://sirajrestaurant.com/
- Address: Souk al Bahar Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard
- Opening Hours: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
3. Al Hallab
Al Hallab’s illustrious journey started way back in 1881 in Tripoli as a bakery that supplied resident artists and wealthy aristocrats with freshly baked Lebanese delicacies and prided themselves in their warm hospitality.
This rich family tradition of crafting authentic cuisine, coupled with superb hospitality, was subsequently exported to Dubai and has become so popular that four restaurants were established with critical acclaim.
Al Hallab Restaurant & Sweets, nestled in the heart of Al Garhoud, offers diners a delicious assortment of moreish grilled dishes with a distinct Lebanese or Middle Eastern flair, coupled with their profoundly entrenched family tradition of a warm welcome.
It is the place to be if you crave delicious Lebanese food, with generous portions at reasonable prices. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, immaculately clean, with attentive, friendly staff that is super efficient and knowledgeable concerning their signature dishes.
The Al Hallab outdoor dining area, with its picturesque views of the Burj Khalifa and its ambient twinkling lights, is simply magical at night, so book a table well in advance to avoid disappointment as this restaurant is incredibly popular.
- Reservations: +971 4 330 8828
- Website: https://alhallabrestaurant.com/
- Address: Emaar Boulevard, The Dubai Mall
- Opening Hours: 12:00 PM-11:00 PM
4. Zahr El Laymoun
Zahr El-Laymoun, which means the ‘orange blossom,’ expresses their culinary pursuit to balance romance with nature’s bountiful serenity and sublime beauty.
This gastronomic philosophy is brought to life in their healthy yet straightforward delicious offering consisting of an assortment of baked, grilled Lebanese dishes, accompanied by nutritious salads, including mezze adorned with aromatic spices and crunchy nuts, and organic herbs.
While Zahr El-Laymoun’s offering is wholesome and uncomplicated, it packs a punch in the flavor department, with mouthwatering smells that constantly tempt diners permeating the air.
Zahr El-Laymoun has built a sterling reputation for serving delicious, generously portioned meals that offer value for money, to such an extent that you could easily share a plate as a couple, although you did not hear that from me.
While the restaurant’s customer reviews all mentioned that Zahr El-Laymoun’s food offering was superb and that it is situated in a beautiful location, there were mixed reviews about their staff’s friendliness.
Contact Details:
- Reservations: +971 4 448 6060
- Website: https://zahrellaymoun.com/
- Address: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard Souk al Bahar
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM-01:00 AM
5. Al Mandaloun: Award-Winning Lebanese Cuisine
Al Mandaloun has built a sterling reputation for producing outstanding traditional Lebanese cuisine to such an extent that they were recognized with a critically acclaimed fine dining award in 2021. It’s an accolade they thoroughly deserve!
If the name sound familiar, it’s probably because the restaurant first opened its hospitable doors in Deira in the eighties, from where it relocated in 2005 to the epicenter of the Dubai International Financial Center.
Al Mandaloun prides itself on welcoming guests with its traditional Arabian warm hospitality, coupled with friendly smiles, and on serving its guests a delicious aromatic taste of Lebanon’s finest culinary delights in a beautiful setting.
This incredible restaurant prides itself on only using the finest fresh ingredients, and the quality of its sumptuous dishes substantiates that claim.
Al Mandaloun is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal, especially in their alfresco dining area at night with beautiful views of the cityscape. While you might have to wait for your food because the restaurant is incredibly busy, it is certainly worth it!
Contact Details:
- Reservations: +971 4 363 7474
- Website: https://www.al-mandaloun.com/
- Address: Gate Village, Building 3, Level 2 4 Street, 11b; DIFC
- Opening Hours: 08:30 AM – 11:30 PM
6. Al Nafoorah: Award-Winning Lebanese Restaurant
The award-winning Al Nafoorahm, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, is situated in a splendid palatial setting with its elevated indoor ceilings, intricately carved wood paneling, and sublime alfresco vistas to the soundtrack of gentle Arabic music is renowned for its warm hospitality and sumptuous authentic Lebanese cuisine.
It’s one of the few Lebanese restaurants where you can truly immerse yourself in Middle Eastern culture, albeit in an exquisitely beautiful setting that evokes childlike fairytale images of a far-flung exotic destination.
The Al Nafoorah expansive menu includes numerous signature dishes that emanate from various Lebanese regions, including a comprehensive A La Carte option that consists of various reasonably priced mezze, main courses, baked goods, and decadent desserts.
Alternatively, you can feast on an assortment of hummus, stuffed vine leaves, pickles, Falafel, Moutabel, Shanklish, Batata Harra, Tabbouleh, Spinach Fatayer, including succulently grilled kofta, lamb kebab, or aromatic Shish Taouk.
If that is not enough, try their deliciously grilled shrimps, crispy lamb chops, or a succulent chicken shawarma classic. Followed by dessert (if you can manage it after all that food) consisting of either ‘Ashta Bil Assal’ or wholesome fruit.
Al Nafoorah has built an outstanding reputation with its avid fans for having attentive, loyal staff who genuinely go the extra mile to cater to their needs in an efficient and friendly manner.
To illustrate this point, they have even persuaded their world-class chefs to prepare unique off-menu dishes.
It’s great to know that this outstanding restaurant was rewarded for its efforts with a well-deserved dining certificate of excellence award.
Contact Details:
- Reservations: +971 4 453 0444
- Website: https://www.jumeirah.com/en/dine/dubai/zabeel-saray-al-nafoorah
- Address: Crescent Road Ground level, right-wing, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
- Opening Hours: 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM (please refer to their website as opening hours differ)
7. Leila: Award-Winning Family-Friendly Lebanese Restaurant
Leila, the Downtown area’s hidden gem, was born long ago when a little girl called Leila learned to master the art of cooking authentic Lebanese dishes in her grandma’s kitchen.
Leila has subsequently gained a near cultlike following and critical acclaim for creating lovingly prepared homemade yet contemporary Lebanese cuisine that will transport you back to Beirut’s bustling city and its aromatic sights and smells.
While the restaurant is outwardly glamorous, it is a warm and inviting atmosphere with quintessentially feminine decorative touches and friendly, hospitable staff. So it’s an excellent option for discerning diners who want the best of both worlds.
Leila’s comprehensive menu features several vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free, and Halal food options, including signature dishes like fresh crunchy Tabbouleh salads, Eggplant Moutabbal, and succulent Tawook mixed grills, Taboule with Batata Hara, and piping hot bread straight from the oven.
Other signature dishes include Fattoush starters, Raheb salads, succulent Chicken Othmaliye, and moreish Arayes Kafta, all served by friendly and efficient staff to make you feel right at home.
Finish your meal on a high note with a decadent dessert like the signature Ghazal Beirut, which consists of two white cotton candy layers filled with delicious ice cream, and adorned with pistachios.
Alternatively, enjoy Leila’s Osmalliyeh, comprised of layers of crunchy vermicelli filled with pistachio and rose ice cream.
Moreover, if you happen to be there at breakfast time, enjoy their authentic Lahmeh bl Ajine, Fattet Bathenjen with freshly squeezed juices.
Contact Details:
- Reservations: +971 6 554 4388
- Website: https://leilarestaurant.ae/
- Address: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard Downtown (Clarens Tower I)
- Opening Hours: 09:30 AM – 12:00 AM
8. Al Safadi Restaurant: Wholesome Lebanese Soul Food
While Al Safadi is undoubtedly not a pretentious fine dining establishment with avant-garde dishes, it offers soul food with a quintessential Lebanese flair where friends share meals in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
All Al Safadi restaurants serve traditional Lebanese food in an unpretentious, casual family-orientated setting, renowned for serving delicious meals with copious amounts of delicious piping-hot Lebanese bread.
This award-winning chain of restaurants offers much-loved Lebanese breakfast meals comprising of silky Fatteh, generously sized Manakish, and creamy scrambled eggs served with delicious Makanek.
Most of the hearty lunch and dinner menu options comprise sharing-sized dishes that include delicious hummus, spicy chicken livers, Shanklish, and ocean-fresh seafood like Sayadiyah served with butter-laden rice and smoky grilled meals.
While Al Safadi is not a fine-dining establishment, it is a family-orientated restaurant where you can share moreish platters of divine Fatoush, Moutable, hummus, and an assortment of succulent grills, followed by ice cream and fresh Kanafe.
The restaurant is incredibly popular due to its reasonably priced offering and picturesque alfresco dining views, so it is a little crowded at times. However, Al Safadi’s staff are friendly and attentive, so you won’t have to wait long for your delicious meal.
Al Safadi restaurants are all about serving crowd-pleasing, family-orientated Lebanese food in a casual setting with quick turnaround times and warm, hospitable staff to create a welcoming space.
Contact Details:
- Reservations: +971 4 343 5333
- Website: https://alsafadi.ae/
- Address: Sheik Zayed Road
- Opening Hours: 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM