Turkish cuisine — one of the world's great culinary traditions, born from the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East — has found a natural home in Dubai. The Ottoman culinary legacy, refined over 400 years in the imperial kitchens of Topkapı Palace, informs the finest restaurants here: elaborate mezze spreads, dry-aged meats from Istanbul's most celebrated butchers, and desserts (baklava, künefe, Turkish ice cream) that have no equal. From Sirali's imperial cooking at Al Habtoor City to Gunaydin's legendary meats with Dubai Fountain views, here is our definitive guide.
The Best Turkish & Ottoman Restaurants in Dubai, Ranked
Sirali
Sirali is Dubai's definitive Turkish restaurant — awarded best Turkish restaurant in the city multiple years running, and not without reason. Located at Al Habtoor City's spectacular hotel complex, the cooking draws from over 400 years of Ottoman imperial culinary tradition: recipes from the palace kitchens of Topkapı, refined and presented with the ambition and technical skill of a world-class fine dining establishment. The interior matches the food's ambition — hand-painted tiles, silk drapes, copper lanterns, and a kitchen visible through an arched window that is itself a performance.
The Ottoman mezze (AED 195 for two) is a journey through forgotten Turkish flavours: sigara böreği (crispy cheese pastry rolls), acılı ezme (fiery tomato paste), stuffed vine leaves, and a hummus made with dry-roasted chickpeas that bears no resemblance to the supermarket version. The slow-roasted leg of lamb (AED 325, must be pre-ordered 24 hours ahead) is the centrepiece dish — presented whole, pulled apart tableside, served with fragrant rice and roasted vegetables. Reserve well ahead.
Must-Order Dishes
Best Time to Visit
Thursday or Friday dinner for the full atmosphere. Pre-order the lamb 24 hours ahead — it's worth planning your visit around.
Reservation
Book 1–2 weeks ahead for weekends. The private dining room seats 12 and is one of the most spectacular in Dubai.
The magic of Turkish dining in Dubai — kebabs, mezze, and spectacular views. Dubai dining scene.
Gunaydin
Originating from Istanbul — where it has earned a reputation as the finest meat restaurant in Turkey — Gunaydin arrived in Dubai with considerable expectations to meet, and it exceeded them. Situated in Souk Al Bahar with direct views of the Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa from its terrace, the setting is among the most spectacular for any restaurant in the city. But Gunaydin earns its reputation through its meat, not its location: dry-aged beef of exceptional quality, brought in from the Istanbul mothership and prepared with the theatrical confidence that Istanbul's best steakhouses have perfected.
The Istanbulite dry-aged rib-eye (AED 295, 300g) is the signature — deeply flavoured, perfectly charred, served simply with pickled vegetables and flatbread. The köfte (AED 115) — Gunaydin's proprietary blend of beef, lamb, and spices — is the best in Dubai. The meze selection is strong, particularly the haydari (thick yoghurt with herbs) and the cold vegetable dishes. Plan your visit for fountain show time (8pm and 10pm) for the full theatrical experience.
Must-Order Dishes
Best Time to Visit
Book the terrace table for the 8pm fountain show. Arrive 30 minutes early — the pre-show atmosphere with meze and tea is excellent.
Reservation Tip
Request a terrace table explicitly — the indoor tables miss the fountain views entirely. Book 2 weeks ahead in peak season.
Bosporus
Bosporus has built a quietly impressive restaurant group across Dubai — with locations at JBR, The Dubai Mall, and Dubai Hills Estate — delivering consistent, accomplished Turkish cooking at prices that make it genuinely accessible. This is the Turkish restaurant you'll find yourself returning to regularly: reliable, comfortable, and always slightly better than you remembered. Named after the strait that bisects Istanbul between Europe and Asia, it captures something essential about Turkish cooking: its position at the crossroads of culinary traditions.
The Iskender kebab (AED 115) — thinly sliced döner lamb over bread, smothered in tomato sauce and browned butter, served with yoghurt — is one of the great one-dish meals in Dubai. The kunafa (AED 68) — crispy pastry filled with stretchy cheese, soaked in syrup, served warm — is the best version in the city. The breakfast service, available on weekends at JBR, is an extraordinary spread of Turkish morning dishes worth setting your alarm for.
Must-Order Dishes
Best Location
JBR location has the best atmosphere and terrace. Dubai Mall is convenient but busiest. Dubai Hills is the most relaxed for families.
Weekend Breakfast
The JBR Turkish breakfast (weekends, 8am–noon) is exceptional and worth a dedicated visit — fresh simit, white cheese, olives, and Turkish tea.
Ottoman's
Ottoman's at the Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort brings Turkish fine dining to Dubai's most beautiful resort stretch — a sophisticated dining room overlooking the Arabian Gulf with a menu that genuinely honours the depth and complexity of Ottoman palace cooking. The atmosphere is serene and unhurried, appropriate for a special occasion dinner where you want to slow down and savour rather than rush. The interior uses Ottoman architectural motifs — geometric tilework, brass lanterns, arched windows — without falling into theme-park territory.
The ali nazik (AED 145) — a classic Ottoman dish of smoked aubergine purée topped with seasoned lamb mince — is here rendered with a refinement that makes it one of the finest dishes on any Turkish menu in Dubai. The sea bass prepared in the Turkish style (AED 185) — marinated with herbs and lemon, grilled over charcoal — makes the most of the restaurant's resort seafood connections. The dessert trolley, featuring multiple varieties of baklava and Turkish sweets made in-house, is unmissable.
Must-Order Dishes
Best Time to Visit
Sunset dinner, October–April. The terrace view of the Gulf and the Marina skyline in the background is outstanding.
For Celebrations
One of the better hotel restaurants for private dining rooms — speak to the team about setting up a special occasion table.
Asil Dubai
Asil Dubai at Rixos Premium combines excellent Turkish cooking with an energy and entertainment offering that makes it one of the most fun dining experiences in JBR. The restaurant occupies a prime spot at Rixos, with a menu that spans mezze, grills, seafood, and the full range of Turkish cuisine — but it's the live entertainment (traditional Turkish music on select evenings, belly dance performances that manage to feel celebratory rather than kitschy) that elevates it beyond a straightforward restaurant experience.
The meze section is outstanding — 30 cold and hot options including rarely seen regional dishes like mumbar (stuffed sheep's intestine for the adventurous, AED 65) alongside the crowd-pleasers. The mixed grill platter (AED 285 for two) — adana kebab, shish tavuk, lamb chops, and köfte over flatbread — is the ideal centrepiece for a group celebration. Come with the right group and Asil turns into a proper party.
Must-Order Dishes
Entertainment Evenings
Check what's on before booking — live music and cultural entertainment evenings fill up fastest. Wednesday–Saturday has the best atmosphere.
Best for Groups
One of the best Turkish restaurants in Dubai for birthday celebrations and group dinners — the entertainment makes it a complete evening.
Turkish Food by Budget in Dubai
| Budget | Per Person (AED) | Best Options | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💚 Budget | 50–120 | Turkish Village (Festival City), Kahraman (Karama), pide spots | Lahmacun, pide (Turkish pizza), casual kebabs, Turkish tea |
| 🟡 Mid-Range | 150–300 | Bosporus, Asil Dubai, Gunaydin | Full mezze, proper grills, good desserts, lively atmosphere |
| 🔴 Fine Dining | 300–550 | Sirali, Ottoman's, Gunaydin premium cuts | Ottoman recipes, dry-aged meats, exceptional service |
Turkish Food by Area in Dubai
🏙 Downtown Dubai
Gunaydin at Souk Al Bahar has the most spectacular setting — Dubai Fountain views and excellent meats.
Best for: special occasions, fountain views
🏢 Al Habtoor City / Sheikh Zayed
Sirali is the finest Ottoman dining in the city — worth the drive for the imperial cooking experience.
Best for: Ottoman fine dining, groups
🌊 JBR
Bosporus (casual, breakfast) and Asil at Rixos (lively, entertainment) — contrasting but both excellent.
Best for: casual and lively Turkish
⛵ Dubai Marina
Ottoman's at Westin Mina Seyahi for resort-quality Turkish dining with Gulf views.
Best for: resort dining, romantic evenings
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Turkish restaurant in Dubai?
Sirali at Al Habtoor City is Dubai's finest Turkish restaurant — inspired by 400+ years of Ottoman imperial culinary tradition, with exceptional dry-aged meats and elaborate mezze. For casual Turkish dining at its most flavourful, Gunaydin at Souk Al Bahar (with its Dubai Fountain views) is the most beloved. For accessibility across multiple Dubai locations, Bosporus consistently delivers quality Turkish cooking at fair prices.
Where is the best Turkish food in Dubai?
Turkish food is spread across Dubai but concentrates in Downtown (Gunaydin at Souk Al Bahar), Al Habtoor City (Sirali), JBR and The Dubai Mall (Bosporus multiple locations), Dubai Marina (Ottoman's at Westin), and Festival City (Turkish Village). Karama also has excellent budget Turkish options.
How much does Turkish food cost in Dubai?
Turkish dining in Dubai spans all budgets. Budget: AED 50–100 at casual spots and pide restaurants. Mid-range: AED 150–280 at Bosporus and Asil Dubai. Fine dining: AED 300–550 at Sirali and Ottoman's. Gunaydin sits mid-high at around AED 200–350 per person for a full meal with the best cuts.
Explore more: Arabic & Lebanese restaurants, Persian & Iranian cuisine, Mediterranean restaurants, and our Downtown Dubai restaurant guide.
