Your Guide to Souq Madinat Jumeirah Dubai

MEZZANINE BAR & KITCHEN

This British gastropub has a beautiful spot right by the waterway. Set over 2 levels, it’s bright and airy inside, but the real gem is the large outdoor terrace with great views of the iconic Burj Al Arab. There’s regular live music, featuring local acts - think acoustic guitar and sing-a-long classics. The menu features pub classics such as pies and fish and chips, as well as dishes from the grill, main courses and of course, burgers and sandwiches. Looking for a Sunday roast in Souk Madinat? Mezzanine delivers with one of the best roasts in the city, offering beef, lamb, chicken or cauliflower roast with all the trimmings for AED125. There’s a daily happy hour (noon - 6PM) featuring their own ‘Mezzanine lager’ for only AED34 and you can catch live sport on one of the 12 screens. What more could you ask for?

Open: Daily 10AM - 3AM

Bookings: +971 58 599 4659

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THE MEAT CO.

Fancy a juicy steak whilst overlooking the iconic Burj Al Arab? The Meat Co is the one for you! A stalwart in the Dubai dining scene, located in the Souk for over 20 years, it continues to offer great food in a beautiful setting. Steak is their specialty and the menu includes beef from New Zealand, Australia, USA and South Africa, with prices starting from AED184. Enhance your steak experience with mushroom and truffle butter, truffle carpaccio, lobster tails or jumbo prawns - delicious. Not in the mood for steak? Their menu has a range of different choices, including seafood, burgers and salads. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic evening or to impress visitors as it’s right on the waterfront and you’ll feel like you’re on holiday dining here, even if you’re a resident!  

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Open: daily | 12PM - 11.30PM

Booking: 04 368 6040

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THE NOODLE HOUSE 

This Asian-inspired restaurant has a prime location in the Souk, with a great view of the Burj Al Arab from their terrace. They offer generous portions of all your favourite Asian dishes, at a great price, and even have a robot waiter who will show you to your table! We recommend their duck gyoza (AED52), their Korean fried chicken wings (AED58) and their half peking suck with all the trimmings (AED155). Their dim sum hits the spot, and if you visit Monday-Friday between 6PM-12PM, you can enjoy unlimited Dim Sum for AED65 for street classics (choice of 5 dim sum), or AED95 for street combo (choice of 10 dim sum). It’s a great place to take the whole family, as it has a decent kids menu - the chocolate panda bao (AED14) is a hit with little ones. 

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Open: daily | 12PM - 12AM

Booking: +971 800 666353

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USHNA RESTAURANT 

If you’re looking for an Indian restaurant in Souk Madinat Jumeirah then head to Ushna. Offering a contemporary twist on the Indian classics, the decor is light and airy and they have a terrace overlooking the water, which makes it an ideal night-time dining destination. We love their classic samosa selection (AED56) and the chicken 65 (curry leaf chicken for AED64) to start, and the Old Delhi butter chicken (AED134) with the churchur nan is our pick for the main. It’s not the cheapest spot for an Indian in the city, but portions are large and the service is great. They are flexible with allergies and also have a separate kids menu, making it an ideal place to take everyone. 

Open: daily | 12PM - 11.30PM

Booking: +971 4 368 6506

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AL MAKAN 

Found in the heart of Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Al Makan serves in-demand Lebanese and Emirati local dishes, making it a great spot to bring visitors to Dubai to try some authentic cuisine from the area. We recommend ordering the mixed appetizer platter (AED75) so you can try 4 different dishes from the starter menu. Their main menu features a range of different options, including international ones like penne arabiatta so you’re not limited to the local specialties. If you’re looking with restaurants with a view in Dubai, the view is fantastic from the terrace, with a vista of the Burj Al Arab and surrounded by traditional Arabian architecture: these are great Dubai restaurants with a view. It’s unlicensed and offers a range of thirst-quenching juices and they also offer shisha, if that’s your scene. 

Open: Daily 9.30AM - 2AM

Bookings: +971 4 580 2464

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TRATTORIA

For an Italian restaurant in the Souk, look no further than Trattoria. It’s stylish and will transport you to Tuscany with their rustic decor and authentic food. The menu offers all the Italian classics, with eggplant parmigiana (AED95) and the filetto di salmone (AED170) our highlights from the main courses. The pizzas are a highlight, and it’s hard to see past the classic margherita (AD75) and we also love the diavola with its spicy salami (AED85). They offer happy hour with a view (the majestic Burj Al Arab is stunning from their terrace) 12PM - 6PM Monday - Friday, in which you can enjoy cocktails for AED35 and two small bites for AED40 or AED110 for the full selection, which includes bruschetta, meatballs and fried mozzarella. It’s perfect for a catch-up with friends or a casual meeting. 

Open: Daily 12PM - 11.30PM

Bookings: +971 800 6663553

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MARIA BONITA 

A Mexican restaurant in the heart of Souk Madinat Jumeirah, this branch is the sister of Dubai’s longest-running Mexican restaurants. With brilliant views from its large terrace, it is a laid back option if you’re looking for something more casual. The guacamole is the signature dish of the restaurant and it’s made on the table side whilst you watch (AED80) and we love the fajitas which come sizzling and fresh (AED95 for chicken). They have an extensive drink menu with 7 different types of margaritas (we love the pineapple jalapeño!) and a range of other cocktails and drafts. Their Saturday brunch is great fun for the whole family, running 1.30PM - 5PM, it offers their a range of starters, mains, sides and desserts (don’t miss the churros!) with characters and music to liven things up!

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Open: Daily 12PM - 3AM

Bookings: +971 4 584 6728

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TAVERNA GREEK KITCHEN 

This Greek restaurant in the Souk is a great option if you’re looking for fresh Mediterranean food. The staff are welcoming and attentive and the service is good. They emphasise the authenticity of their food and source the fish, tomatoes, olive oil and even water from Greece! We recommend the tzatziki (AED35)and the flaming cheese saganaki (AED75) to start, followed by the classic moussaka (AED135) and the Gulf tiger prawns (AED195 - pricey but worth it in our opinion!). They have an outdoor bar called Aegean which gives  rustic and lounge seating, perfect to sample some of their ‘Greek-tails’ from their signature drink list. Every Monday at 9PM they have live music, from the bouzouki, a traditional Greek string instrument, making the Greek experience complete! 

Open: Daily 12PM - 12AM

Bookings: +971 4 589 5665

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PAI THAI 

This award winning Thai restaurant is located in the waterways of Madinat Jumeriah and you start your meal by taking an abra ride across the water. This is definitely one to take visitors; they’ll be impressed by the unique abra journey to the restaurant, the beautiful views and the tasty food. For a unique experience, try the 5 tastes of Thailand menu, which offers 5 courses including an amuse bouche and soup. It’s available from 6PM daily and is AED590 for 2 people for food only, or AED990 for 2 people including wine pairing. Want to order off the menu? We recommend the Pai Thai dim sum (AED135)or the gaeng khiew wan (Thai green curry) for AED135 for chicken. It’s not the cheapest place for Thai in the city, but dining at Pai Thai should be on your list to try for its magical ambience. 

Open: Monday - Friday 12.30PM - 2.30PM | 6PM -11.30PM

Saturday & Sunday 12.30PM - 11.30PM

Bookings: +971 800 323232

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ANAR

Anar is a Persian restaurant with a modern twist and the Persian chefs deliver a wide range of popular dishes from the area. It’s location in the middle of Souk Madinat Jumeirah, mean it’s always busy and you can see why with its range of mezze, kebabs and platters. It’s set overlooking the waterways and inside the decor is stylish (we love their lantern wall). Our standout dishes are the kabab bonab, which is lamb with onion, safffron and parsley (AED184), and the Chef’s special dish of gardan, which is a slow cooked whole lamb neck and is presented by the Chef, adding that extra touch (AED285 for 2 people). For authentic Iranian cuisine in Dubai, Anar is the place to go. 

Open: Daily 12PM - 12AM

Bookings: +971 4 368 6505

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PIERCHIC

Pierchic (at Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah): An over‑water seafood destination set on its own pier reaching into the Arabian Gulf, offering one of the most unobstructed and romantic vistas of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab. The menu showcases elegant Mediterranean seafood dishes like Gillardeau oysters, line-caught sea bass, and saffron-spiced risotto. For dessert, the Valrhona chocolate mousse and citrus crème brûlée are perfect finales to a sunset meal over the water.

Open: Lunch Friday to Sunday from 1-2.30PM (closed Mondays and Tuesdays); Dinner 6.30-10PM Sunday to Thursday, 10.30PM Fridays and Saturdays

Contact: +971  800 323 232

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