Year after year, it feels like Dubai’s restaurant scene becomes more exciting, eclectic and international. World famous chefs from all over the globe - Gordon Ramsay, Gaston Acurio, Jason Atherton, Mauro Colagreco, to name but a few - come here to set up glitzy outposts, and Dubai has slowly become a hub for great food in the Middle East. Whatever you’re looking for these days, you can find it among Dubai’s streets, but there was a time when that wasn’t the case. One thing that Dubai has always had is outstanding Lebanese restaurants, and that is more true now than ever before.
Despite the influx of international food into the city, Lebanese food remains extremely popular in Dubai. Tourists come from all over the world to sample some of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Dubai, and these restaurants are equally beloved by locals who come on weeks and weekends, filling the tables with hot and cold mezze plates. Many of these restaurants are also attached to specialist Lebanese and Middle Eastern bakeries, which turn out a huge range of breads and sweets to eat in or takeaway. It’s easy to over-order on delicious savoury dishes, but we always recommend saving room for dessert when you visit one of these. If you can’t manage that, don’t worry - you can normally pick up a box of sweets to take away!
Wherever you are in Dubai you’re never too far away from a good Lebanese restaurant. Whereas some cuisines are generally limited to hotels, Lebanese food is spread all over the city. Some of the more upmarket establishments are attached to glamorous hotels at The Palm Jumeirah or in Dubai Marina, but there are lots of other restaurant groups and independent Lebanese cafes that serve up excellent food. The popularity of Lebanese food in Dubai ensures that the standard is always pretty high.
Read on for our pick of the best Lebanese restaurants in Dubai, and remember - you can find booking details by clicking through to the restaurant of your choice.
Best Lebanese restaurants Dubai
You’ll find fantastic Lebanese restaurants all over Dubai, from The Palm to Downtown and Dubai Hills. Here’s a selection of our favourites.
Al Beiruti Dubai Hills
![dining room at al beiruti dubai hills]()
What: Al Beiruti is one of Dubai’s most reliable Lebanese restaurants, with sites in Umm Al Sheif and Palm Jumeirah, as well as this ultra-popular restaurant at Dubai Hills. It’s probably our favourite Lebanese restaurant in Dubai Hills thanks to the relaxing interiors and a huge menu of well-executed classics.
Where: Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai Hills
Book now: Al Beiruti Dubai Hills
Ibn Albahr, Palm Jumeirah
![seaside dining at ibn albahr]()
What: This Palm Jumeirah restaurant has an incredible reputation, which was only solidified in 2022 when it received a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The menu is mostly seafood based, with almost everything you can imagine featuring somewhere, so whether you’re hoping for grilled fish, lobster, calamari or huge prawns, you’re bound to find it here.
Where: Club Vista Mare on Palm, Jumeirah
Book now: Ibn Albahr
Café Beirut, Downtown Dubai
![cafe beirut's beautiful dining room]()
What: Cafe Beirut is widely regarded as one of, if not the, best Lebanese restaurant in Downtown Dubai. Aside from the fantastic menu, it’s also one of Dubai’s most beautiful restaurants, with a dining room built around a large ceramic fountain and olive tree, and a garden that has direct views of the towering Burj Khalifa.
Where: Al Murooj Complex, Downtown Dubai
Book now: Café Beirut
Abd el Wahab, Dubai Marina
![rice dish at abd el wahab]()
What: Abd el Wahab has sites all over the world but the Dubai location is a beauty, with views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountains from the third floor al fresco terrace. The food matches up too, with a menu that focuses on great seafood but also includes classic mezze and more.
Where: Pier 7 Building, Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Marina
Book now: Abd el Wahab
Ayamna, Palm Jumeirah
![marble columns and arches at ayamna]()
What: Ayamna’s gleaming white marble archways and intricate mosaics are a sight to behold, and though Ossiano tends to steal the headlines at Atlantis The Palm, this plush Lebanese spot is absolutely worth a visit. The menu isn’t enormous but the classic cooking is spot on, ranging from hot and cold mezze to dishes off the charcoal grill and desserts.
Where: Atlantis Dubai, Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah
Book now: Ayamna
Em Sherif, Downtown Dubai
![beef kebab with onions at em sherif]()
What: A phenomenon in Beirut, Em Sherif’s Dubai restaurant has been a storming success, bringing a signature menu of outstanding mezze, meat, fish and desserts. The luxury interiors make this a nice hangout too, with a dining room that feels positively palatial thanks to huge draped curtains, regal blue walls and plush Ottomans.
Where: The Address Downtown, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
Book now: Em Sherif Dubai
Al Mandaloun, DIFC
![outdoor terrace at al mandaloun]()
What: Al Mandaloun has been synonymous with great Lebanese food in Dubai for decades - this beloved restaurant set up shop in Deira in the 80s before moving to the DIFC in 2006. These days it’s easily one of the most popular and best Lebanese restaurants in DIFC, thanks to authentic cooking and a range of spaces, including a lovely terrace that overlooks fountains and gardens outside.
Where: Gate Village, Building 3, Towards DIFC Parking, DIFC
Book now: Al Mandaloun
Al Nafoorah, Palm Jumeirah
![lebanese mezze at al nafoorah]()
What: Beautiful Al Nafoorah at Jumeirah Al Qasr is another restaurant that really takes the spirit of Lebanese hospitality to heart, combining great food with wonderful service. The prize tables are those on the terrace overlooking the swimming pool - a great spot to enjoy the extensive menu of mezze and signature plates.
Where: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah
Book now: Al Nafoorah
Best Lebanese restaurants Dubai Mall
When you’re done shopping, drop into one of these excellent Dubai Mall Lebanese restaurants for a spot of mezze and a cup of tea.
Al Hallab Dubai Mall
![sweets and tea at al hallab]()
What: Al Hallab’s huge menu of authentic Lebanese dishes is a tad overwhelming but you’re always bound to find something you want to eat here, and they even do sandwiches and some international dishes too. Save room for the famous sweets, whether it’s homemade mohalabiah or a slice of cake from the beautiful display.
Where: Near the Waterfall, Level 2, Dubai Mall
Book now: Al Hallab Dubai Mall
WAFI Gourmet Dubai Mall
![baked sweets from the bakery at WAFI Gourmet]()
What: One of the largest eateries at Dubai Mall, WAFI is ultra-reliable and extremely popular thanks to favourite dishes like the fresh fattoush, shrimp fatteh and very serviceable cold mezze plates. The bakery is a big draw too - a visit to WAFI isn’t complete unless you walk out with a box of sweets afterwards.
Where: Lower Ground Floor, Dubai Mall
Book now: WAFI Gourmet Dubai Mall
Babel Dubai Mall
![luxurious dining room at babel dubai mall]()
What: One of Dubai’s most famous Lebanese restaurants was a fixture at La Mer for a long time, but it has relocated to Dubai Mall, taking up a plum spot on Fashion Avenue. All the luxury favourites remain on the menu, including smokey caviar hummus, falafel truffle, and smoked short ribs, now with lovely views of Dubai Mall Fountain. There's also the more relaxed Bebabel Dubai Mall on Fashion Avenue too, which serves a similar menu in a more laid back cafe setting.
Where: 1st Floor, Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall
Book now: Babel Dubai Mall
Not only do these restaurants serve excellent food, a few of them are also astonishingly good value, making them perfect for anyone who wants to eat out on a budget. If you're looking for more affordable restaurants, check out our list of the best cheap eats in Dubai, including Indian restaurants, Thai cafes and an extremely popular fried chicken joint.