8 Jan 2026
How do you find the best food spots in any city? You ask the locals.
That is exactly what we did — we asked a few friends of The Sandy Times who live in Dubai where they like to grab a bite and what they usually order. The result is a well-rounded list, featuring everything from Emirati and Balkan food to other local favourites across the city.
The choice of Jullz Bek, creative
Al Fanar Restaurant
Location: Al Seef St — Al Hamriya
Founded in 2011, Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe started as a small family-run spot with the idea of sharing traditional Emirati food. The name “Al Fanar,” meaning lantern, reflects the restaurant’s focus on preserving and guiding Emirati culinary traditions. Today, it is a go-to place for both locals and visitors looking for authentic Emirati dishes.
Jullz: "I love getting karak and luqaimat at Al Fanar. Sometimes it can be very busy with tourists, but it still feels like a low-key spot."
One Life Kitchen and Café (d3)
Location: Building 5 — Zaa'beel Second — Dubai Design District
You have definitely heard of this place — we have mentioned it more than once before. Established in 2016, One Life Kitchen & Café is a homegrown café in Dubai Design District (d3) where people come for good food and great coffee. It is a relaxed, welcoming space to eat, work, or meet friends, with a menu of simple, from-scratch dishes made using natural ingredients, plus bread and pastries baked in-house.
Jullz: “The Tuna Melt Sandwich here is great, I often order it!”
ALICA Bakery / Eatery
Location: La Cote 2 — 2A PDLM Street — Jumeirah 1
ALICA is a homegrown café and bakery in Dubai, known for its fresh sourdough and produce sourced from local and organic UAE farms. The space is built around seasonality, simplicity, and a sense of community — a calm spot for slow living and good food.
Jullz: "I love almost everything at Alica, but when I’m just feeling peckish, I usually get the snacking plate — it’s perfectly seasoned."
The choice of Tarik Zaharna, architect
KOKORO
Location: Alserkal Avenue — 17th St
KOKORO is the UAE’s first Japanese hand roll bar, offering a focused, counter-style dining experience. The menu is made to order using fresh fish, crisp harvested seaweed, house-made sauces, and warm, seasoned rice.
The name Kokoro, meaning “heart” in Japanese, reflects the hands-on approach behind the bar, where guests can watch the chefs prepare each roll up close. Led by chefs Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham, the kitchen keeps things precise, personal, and a little unconventional — rethinking sushi while staying true to quality and technique.
Tarik Zaharna: “I love going to the KOKORO outlets, depending on my mood — whether it’s a casual weekend bite at their NAS outlet, an after-work visit to their main flagship location in Alserkal, or a stop at their beautiful new Dubai Mall outlet. I always go for the Yubi hand roll — and everything else on the menu, often more than once.”
Piehaus
Location: Alserkal Avenue, Warehouse 22a
Piehaus is a homegrown pie shop by the team behind 21grams, tucked away in Warehouse 22A. It is the kind of place you wander into on a whim and end up staying longer — drawn in by buttery crusts, thoughtful craftsmanship, and the easy, welcoming atmosphere. Here, pies are treated as something familiar and meaningful, and you will feel it from the very first bite.
Everything here is made with intention: quick to serve, but never rushed in the making. It is straightforward, comforting food with character — welcoming to newcomers and deeply loved by those who already know.
21 Grams
Location: Meyan Mall, Second Floor, Umm Suqeim 2
21 Grams is a homegrown Dubai bistro led by chef Stasha Toncev, whose cooking is rooted in Balkan family recipes and regional traditions. The menu brings together handmade dishes and flavours from across the Balkans, Eastern Europe, and beyond. It’s an easy, neighbourhood spot that has become a go-to for those who appreciate comforting food made with care.
The choice of Suzanna (bazzzuk), DJ
Foul w Hummus Restaurants
Location: Al Barsha First – Al Barsha
A go-to spot in Dubai for classic Middle Eastern comfort food. This place is all about tradition — think slow-cooked foul, creamy hummus, and simple recipes that have been around for generations. No fuss, just proper flavours done the way they’re meant to be.
Suzanna: "My personal favourites here are the falafel and the galayet bandora — basically a rich tomato dish with meat that’s incredibly comforting and full of flavour."
Maisan15 Cafe
Location: Al Barsha South Second — Al Barsha South
Maisan15 is one of those places you might miss if you’re not looking — but once you’re in, you’ll want to stay. Founded by artist and curator Rami Farook, with Rita Soueidan running the kitchen, it blends food, art, books, and community into one space. You can eat breakfast while browsing original artworks on the walls, and the menu mixes Middle Eastern flavours with a creative twist. It’s become a real neighbourhood hub in Al Barsha South, known as much for its warm vibe as for its Yemeni shakshuka and signature dishes.
Suzanna: "Churros! But honestly, anything served with their house bread is amazing — it’s insanely good. The chicken adobo is another must-try."
Falafil Al Rabiah Al Khadra
Location: Al Barsha Rd — Al Barsha First — Al Barsha
Originally founded in Jordan back in 1981, this spot opened in the UAE in 2014 and quickly became a local classic. Despite the name, it’s not just about falafel — the menu covers all the essentials, from fragrant manakeesh with zaatar to rich, well-balanced hummus. Everything tastes familiar, comforting, and consistently good.
Suzanna: "I usually stick to the classics: hummus, falafel, and their potato pie, which is simple but really satisfying."
Lali Gurans Restaurant
Location: Sikka Satwa — 22 17B St — Al Satwa
A solid place in Al Satwa if you’re curious about traditional Nepali cuisine. The menu focuses on classic dishes you’d actually eat in Nepal — hearty, flavorful, and cooked without trying to “modernise” them too much. Simple, authentic, and very satisfying.
Suzanna: "The spiced fries are great, I love the paneer tikka roll, and their karak tea is always a good idea. Fresh juices are perfect if you want something light and refreshing."
Mamaesh Al Manara ممائيش المنارة
Location: Union Coop — Villa 1081 — Al Wasl Rd — opposite Umm Suqeim — Al Manara — Al Safa
Mamaesh Al Manara feels like a love letter to Palestinian food. Everything here is made with respect for tradition — from the flavours to the way dishes are prepared. It’s less about trends and more about heritage, bringing classic Palestinian recipes to Dubai with a lot of heart and care.
Suzanna: "Everything here is delicious — proper Palestinian food done right. My absolute favourites are the fattoush (the best in town for me), rummaniyeh, chicken musakhan, the watermelon and Nabulsi cheese salad, and most of their fatayer."
More from
SponsoredDubai
Oysters Were Never Supposed To Work In the UAE. Until They Did
And now the local ones are serious enough to deserve a documentary
by Sofia Brontvein
25 Feb 2026
FoodPeople
Carmen Rueda Hernandez: “I Don’t Follow the Rules In Cooking. Who Created Them?”
From economics to edible art: Chef Carmen on the start of her journey, most difficult dessert, and the proudest moment of her career
by Barbara Yakimchuk
25 Feb 2026
InterviewFood
Kelvin Cheung: “If I Ever Stop Learning in the Kitchen, I Will Stop Cooking”
From long nights in the kitchen to an earned place in the Michelin Guide
by Alexandra Mansilla
19 Feb 2026
FoodLiving
Matcha Out, Hojicha In: Everything You Need To Know About Roasted Japanese Tea
Meet matcha’s toastier successor
by Sana Bun
17 Feb 2026
FoodHealth
Is Matcha Halal? What Muslims Should Know About the Green Tea Craze
Easy clarity on matcha and Islam
by Sana Bun
10 Feb 2026
FoodLebanon
Where To Get the Perfect Pour Over In Beirut, Cairo & Doha
A guide to manual brew spots across the Middle East
by Sana Bun
5 Feb 2026
HealthRamadan
What To Eat During Suhoor For Energy & Hydration: Tips For Hot Climates
A practical guide on what to eat for Suhoor in hot weather
by Sana Bun
2 Feb 2026