Lebanese food has become part of Dubai's culinary DNA. The city has been shaped by waves of Lebanese migration since the 1970s — businesspeople, restaurateurs, and families who brought with them an extraordinary food culture of mezze, charcoal grilling, and the kind of hospitality that turns a meal into an event. Today Dubai has some of the best Lebanese restaurants outside Lebanon itself, spanning everything from the iconic hole-in-the-wall shawarma stands to $200-a-head mezze theatres where the food arrives in waves for two hours.
We've eaten through Dubai's Lebanese scene obsessively — the old institutions in Deira and Bur Dubai, the flashy newcomers in DIFC and Downtown, the neighbourhood staples that regulars guard jealously. This is the definitive guide to every tier, every occasion, and every budget.
The Best Lebanese Restaurants in Dubai, Ranked
Em Sherif Café — DIFC
Em Sherif is an experience, not just a restaurant. Named after the legendary Lebanese TV personality Mireille Hayek's mother (Em Sherif means "mother of Sherif"), this institution originally launched in Beirut before opening its Dubai outpost to rapturous reception. The mezze alone is extraordinary — around 30 cold and hot dishes arrive before you even consider ordering a main. The kibbeh nayeh (AED 95) is silky and freshly prepared; the hummus (AED 55) is as good as you'll find outside Lebanon itself; and the fattoush salad with pomegranate molasses dressing is the benchmark for every other version in Dubai.
The setting matches the ambition: opulent but never cold, with traditional Lebanese textiles, brass lanterns, and a service team that treats you like a guest in someone's home. The mixed grill (AED 320 for two) is theatrical — skewers of kafta, shish tawook, and lamb chops arriving on a vast platter with warm khubz. Reserve at least a week in advance, particularly for Thursday evenings when it becomes the centre of DIFC social life.
Must-Order Dishes
Best Time to Visit
Weekday lunch for business; Thursday dinner for atmosphere. Avoid Friday at launch — it's packed.
Reservation Tip
Book 7–10 days ahead via OpenTable. Request a window table for Gate Village views.
Dubai's Lebanese restaurants do mezze like nowhere else outside Beirut — cold and hot dishes arriving in waves before the grill even begins.
Al Nafoorah — Emirates Towers
Al Nafoorah has been the benchmark for Lebanese fine dining in Dubai for over two decades, and it earns its reputation every single service. The restaurant sits within the Emirates Towers complex — a setting that attracts serious business lunches, anniversary dinners, and anyone who wants to eat the best Lebanese food in one of Dubai's most storied hotels.
The mezze here is almost absurdly comprehensive. You could eat only cold mezze and leave satisfied — the raw kibbeh (served with crispy onions and fresh mint), the vine leaves stuffed with rice and pine nuts, the moutabel with its smoky depth, and the extraordinarily fresh fattoush. The charcoal oven work is precise: shish tawook (AED 145) arrives perfectly charred, the chicken thighs marinated in garlic and lemon for a minimum 24 hours according to the chefs. The bread basket comes warm from the saj oven at intervals throughout the meal.
Must-Order Dishes
Best Time to Visit
Business lunch weekdays (12–3pm) or weekend dinner. The outdoor terrace is magical in winter.
Reservation Tip
Call directly or use OpenTable. Smart casual dress expected — no shorts or flip flops.
Babel — Dubai Mall (Fountain View)
Babel is the Lebanese restaurant that Dubai visitors most reliably end up loving. The original Lebanese chain arrived in Dubai via La Mer before settling into its prime position in the Dubai Mall with fountain views — and the setting does most of the heavy lifting before the food even arrives. But the food absolutely delivers: this is modern Lebanese cooking that respects the classics while presenting them beautifully.
The falafel (AED 55) is correctly crispy-outside, fluffy-inside and served with tahini that has real depth. The kibbeh comes in both fried and baked versions — order one of each. The Lebanese-style seabass (AED 195), baked with tahini, pine nuts, and caramelised onion, is the signature main and worth the premium. At lunch, the set menu (AED 145 per person for three courses) makes Babel one of Downtown's best-value Lebanese options.
Must-Order Dishes
Best Time to Visit
Dinner during the Dubai Fountain show (6pm & 8pm). Book a fountain-facing table.
Reservation Tip
Weekend evenings need 3–4 days' advance booking. Walk-ins possible at lunch weekdays.
Lebanese charcoal grilling in Dubai reaches its peak in the cold winter months — order a full mixed grill at any of our top picks.
Al Hallab — Multiple Locations
Since 1881 — yes, 1881 — Al Hallab has been a cornerstone of Lebanese culinary life, originating as a sweet shop in Tripoli before expanding into a full restaurant group that now operates across the UAE. In Dubai, Al Hallab is the answer when you want authentic, consistent, unfussy Lebanese food at prices that don't require a second mortgage.
The Garhoud location is the most atmospheric and is where local Lebanese families still gather for long weekend lunches. The mezze is generously portioned — the hummus (AED 30) and moutabel (AED 32) are kitchen staples executed perfectly. But Al Hallab's real USP is its sweets counter: hallawet el jibn (AED 38), a warm semolina and cheese roll drizzled with rose water syrup, is genuinely one of Dubai's greatest food experiences, and at 38 dirhams it's also one of its greatest bargains. The Dubai Mall BAB EL BAHR outpost adds Levantine seafood dishes with fountain views.
Must-Order Dishes
Best Time to Visit
Weekend lunch for the full family experience. The Garhoud branch has the most authentic atmosphere.
Reservation Tip
No reservations needed at most locations — walk in. Busy after 8pm on weekends.
Al Mallah — Satwa
If Em Sherif represents the summit of Dubai's Lebanese dining, Al Mallah represents its soul. This legendary Satwa institution has been serving the neighbourhood's mixed community of Emiratis, Lebanese expats, South Asian workers, and adventurous food lovers for nearly 40 years. The queue at peak times is practically a Dubai landmark — and it's almost entirely made up of people who've been coming here for years.
The chicken shawarma (AED 17) is Dubai's gold standard — thin slices of spiced rotisserie chicken wrapped with toum (the powerful Lebanese garlic sauce), pickled turnip, and fresh parsley in warm flatbread. The falafel wrap (AED 13) is equally essential. Order at the counter, eat standing at the outdoor tables, and watch the Satwa street life happen around you. Al Mallah also serves good sit-down Lebanese food — the fresh juices (AED 18–25) are spectacular — but the wraps are why Dubai loves this place.
Must-Order Dishes
Best Time to Visit
Late night (11pm–2am) for the authentic experience. Also great for breakfast shawarma.
Getting There
Al Diyafah Street, Satwa. Parking on the street. No reservations — queue and order at the counter.
Quick Lebanese Picks by Occasion
Best for Business Lunch
Al Nafoorah at Emirates Towers — private booths, excellent service, impresses clients
Best for Families
Al Hallab Garhoud — generous portions, relaxed atmosphere, kids love the mezze
Best for Date Night
Em Sherif DIFC — theatrical setting, exceptional food, evening atmosphere
Best Budget Lebanese
Al Mallah Satwa — legendary shawarma, no-frills, full flavour under 60 AED
Lebanese Dining by Budget
| Budget | What to Expect | Best Options |
|---|---|---|
| Under AED 50 | Street food: shawarma, falafel wraps, manakish | Al Mallah, Al Safadi, Lebanese Bakery |
| AED 80–150 | Sit-down mezze + grill, full meal experience | Al Hallab, Zouzou, Al Beiruti |
| AED 200–350 | Modern Lebanese, cocktail scene, smart setting | Babel, Liza, Almaz by Momo |
| AED 400+ | Fine dining, theatrical mezze, exceptional service | Em Sherif, Al Nafoorah, Coya |
The Essential Lebanese Dishes to Know
Navigating a Lebanese menu for the first time can feel overwhelming — the mezze alone can run to 40+ dishes at the top restaurants. Here's what to always order:
- Hummus bi tahini — chickpea purée with sesame paste and lemon. The quality benchmark for any Lebanese restaurant.
- Kibbeh nayeh — raw lamb tartare mixed with bulgur and spices. An acquired taste that converts most skeptics on first bite.
- Fattoush — crispy bread salad with tomato, cucumber, sumac and pomegranate. Better than any other green salad in the world.
- Shish tawook — garlic-marinated chicken skewers. Judge a Lebanese restaurant by how good these are.
- Kafta — spiced minced lamb shaped around skewers. Served with charcoal char and flatbread.
- Kunafa — shredded pastry soaked in sugar syrup over cheese or cream. The greatest Lebanese dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Lebanese restaurant in Dubai?
Em Sherif Café in DIFC is our top pick for Lebanese dining in Dubai — the mezze spread is unrivalled, the setting is theatrical, and the service is genuinely warm. For a more accessible everyday option, Al Hallab's multiple locations deliver consistently excellent traditional Lebanese food from AED 80 per person.
How much does Lebanese food cost in Dubai?
Lebanese dining spans all budgets. Budget shawarma and street food: AED 15–40. Casual sit-down (Al Hallab, Al Safadi): AED 80–150 per person. Mid-range (Babel, Liza): AED 200–350 per person. Fine dining (Em Sherif, Al Nafoorah): AED 350–600 per person.
Where can I find authentic Lebanese mezze in Dubai?
For the most authentic mezze spread, head to Em Sherif Café in DIFC or Al Nafoorah at Emirates Towers. Both lay out an astonishing selection of hot and cold mezze before you even order a main. Al Hallab also does excellent mezze at a fraction of the price.
