Dubai may be known worldwide for its sky-high towers, designer malls and headline-making restaurants — but beyond the glitz lies a quieter, cooler side to the city’s food scene.
Sure, you’ll find celebrity chefs and glamorous dining rooms at every turn. But if you want to eat like a local — away from the tourist-heavy hotspots and Instagram-famous tables — you need to dig a little deeper.
From hidden bakeries in Al Quoz to family-run gems in Karama and low-key cafés in JLT, these are the seriously underrated Dubai restaurants and cafés that residents actually love.
1. Birch Bakery
Tucked deep inside Al Quoz’s warehouse district, Birch Bakery is a carb lover’s dream. With only a handful of tables, most visitors grab their goods to go — usually leaving with bags stuffed full of flaky croissants and fresh sourdough. The Emirati honey and sea salt croissant is legendary, while the nut-and-seed loaf and sea salt focaccia are top-tier. It’s small, unflashy and absolutely unforgettable.
2. Café Isan
Hidden above a hotel in JLT, Café Isan serves some of the most authentic Thai food in Dubai. Plastic chairs, Thai pop tunes and market-style décor set the tone — but it’s the fiery curries and punchy stir-fries that keep loyal fans coming back. Book ahead in winter to snag a terrace table.
3. Calicut Paragon
For bold Southern Indian flavours, Calicut Paragon in Karama is a long-time local favourite. Specialising in Keralan cuisine, it’s known for dishes like chicken Malabari, fish moilee and masala mushrooms. It’s affordable, authentic and packed with regulars who know exactly what they’re ordering.
4. Harummanis
Chef Akmal Anuar’s Singaporean-Malay concept in Jumeirah 1 is a love letter to his roots. Expect dishes like beef cheek rendang and modern twists on ketoprak. It’s intimate, personal and refreshingly different from Dubai’s usual fine-dining suspects.
5. Kokoro Handroll Bar
Alserkal Avenue is already a favourite among residents, and Kokoro fits right in. Dubai’s first dedicated handroll bar serves crisp nori wraps stuffed with high-quality seafood and rice. Add quirky rubber duck décor and laid-back charm, and you’ve got a foodie-approved hidden gem.
6. Kooya Filipino Eatery
Warm, welcoming and packed with flavour, Kooya reconnects Dubai’s Filipino community with home-style cooking. Expect generous portions of chicken inasal, beef belly caldereta and pancit canton — all at wallet-friendly prices.
7. Lila Wood-Fired Taqueria
Wedged between everyday storefronts in Umm Suqeim, Lila is an unlicensed Mexican taqueria that locals adore. Kick things off with guac and chips, then order the skirt steak tacos — tender, cheesy and packed with flavour. Casual, cool and crowd-free.
8. Long Teng Seafood Restaurant
Hidden at the base of U-Bora Tower, Long Teng is huge — and hugely underrated. Specialising in traditional Chinese seafood dishes, it offers everything from delicate dim sum to comforting stir-fries. If the weather’s right, head up to the rooftop for skyline views without the tourist fuss.
9. LOWE
Worth the drive to Al Barari, LOWE blends Middle Eastern and Japanese flavours in an open kitchen setting. Expect inventive small plates, excellent coffee and a fully loaded burger that has built a cult following. It’s licensed, relaxed and refreshingly unpretentious.
10. Maisan15
Part café, part art gallery, Maisan15 is a creative little hideaway in a residential pocket of Al Barsha South. The terrace is ideal for breakfast, while the menu ranges from pancakes and eggs to shawarma pizza. The rotating artwork keeps things interesting.
11. Mythos Kouzina & Grill
Walk through a hotel parking garage and you’ll find one of Dubai’s best Greek restaurants. Mythos serves creamy tzatziki, moussaka, baked feta and outstanding lamb chops at very reasonable prices. It’s cosy, friendly and wildly underrated.
12. Smash and Sear at Maxzi The Good Food Shop
Originally an online grocery store, Maxzi’s smash burger concept has become a cult favourite. Wagyu patties, potato buns and house sauce make this one of Dubai’s best low-key burger spots.
13. NETTE
Inside Matcha Club, NETTE is a serene French-Japanese café serving egg sandos, overnight oats and yuzu ponzu salmon. It’s bright, leafy and perfect for a relaxed coffee or post-padel breakfast.
14. San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles
This unassuming JLT spot specialises in authentic Shaanxi cuisine. Watch chefs hand-pull noodles before digging into comforting bowls and chicken wontons. Affordable, authentic and beloved by locals.
15. Tacosita
A true hole-in-the-wall, Tacosita serves standout birria tacos and shrimp tacos gobernador in a stripped-back setting. Affordable prices, bold flavours and zero tourist crowds make it a must-visit.
FAQs: Underrated Restaurants and Cafés in Dubai
Some of the most underrated restaurants in Dubai include Birch Bakery, Café Isan, Mythos Kouzina & Grill, LOWE and San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles — all loved by locals and far from tourist hotspots.
Locals often head to neighbourhoods like Al Quoz, Karama, JLT and Al Barsha for authentic, affordable dining experiences that aren’t packed with tourists.
Yes, many underrated Dubai restaurants offer excellent value. Spots like Calicut Paragon, Kooya Filipino Eatery and Tacosita serve generous portions at reasonable prices.
Al Quoz is home to hidden favourites like Birch Bakery, NETTE and Smash and Sear at Maxzi — perfect for coffee, pastries or casual bites.
Dubai’s underrated dining scene spans Thai, Keralan Indian, Filipino, Greek, Mexican, Chinese, French-Japanese fusion and more
Read More:
- Terminal 1 Dining Guide: Restaurants in Concourse D at Dubai Airport
- Dubai Airport Terminal 1: Best Lounges in Concourse D
- Concourse B Food Guide: Restaurants at DXB Terminal 3
- Dubai Airport Terminal 3: Must-Try Restaurants in Concourse A
- Concourse C Dining: Best Restaurants at Dubai International Airport
