Best Lebanese Restaurants Dubai for Authentic Food

Why Lebanese food stands out in Dubai

Lebanese cooking travels well to the UAE. Many families moved here decades ago and brought recipes that still use the same spice blends and daily bread baking. In 2026 you will find restaurants that import zaatar from the Bekaa Valley and serve it on manakish baked in wood-fired ovens. The result is food that feels closer to Beirut than to a hotel buffet.

Manakish worth the early start

Al Hallab in JLT opens at 7 a.m. and serves manakish with extra thyme and toasted sesame for AED 12. Arrive before 8 a.m. to watch the dough being stretched and slid into the oven. Another solid choice is Manakish Street in Al Barsha; their cheese and tomato version costs AED 14 and comes with a small bowl of labneh at no extra charge.

Mezze spreads that feed a table

Order mezze to share. At Al Nafoorah inside Emirates Towers the hummus is finished with olive oil pressed in Ras Al Khaimah and costs AED 38 for a large plate. Add warak enab (stuffed vine leaves) at AED 42 and fattoush salad at AED 36. These three dishes comfortably feed two people before the mains arrive. Service is quick because the kitchen prepares batches every twenty minutes.

Charcoal grills and mixed grills

Shishlik and lamb chops are best eaten hot off the grill. Reem Al Bawadi on Sheikh Zayed Road offers a mixed grill platter for AED 145 that includes two skewers of minced lamb, one chicken tawook and one shish taouk. The meat is marinated for eight hours in garlic, lemon and seven-spice. Ask for the grilled tomatoes on the side; they are included at no charge. If you prefer a sit-down with a view, head to the rooftop at Abd El Wahab in Business Bay where the same platter is AED 165.

Traditional sweets to finish

End the meal with kunafa. The version at Layali Al Sham in Deira uses Akkawi cheese and is finished with rose syrup, priced at AED 28 per portion. For something lighter, try the ashta cream with pistachio at Lebnani Snack in Satwa, AED 22. Both places stay open past midnight during weekends.

Quick tips before you go

Book ahead on Thursday and Friday nights. Most restaurants accept tables up to six people without a deposit. If you have dietary needs, tell the server when ordering; many kitchens will prepare a separate grill section for gluten-free or dairy-free requests. Carry cash for smaller venues that still prefer it over cards for bills under AED 50.

Ask Tovi for more

Tovi knows current 2026 UAE rules, fees, and processes. Ask anything. Ask Tovi free →

Want more UAE tips?

Ask Tovi anything about Dubai or UAE life — your AI guide answers in your language, 24/7. Ask Tovi free →