With over 13 million visitors already exploring Expo 2026 Dubai, the UAE is proving itself a global hub for culinary creativity. The Expo isn’t just about futuristic architecture and world-class entertainment – it’s also a stage for the country’s finest home-grown talent. From perfectly brewed coffee to freshly baked manakish, juicy seafood, and indulgent desserts, Expo 2026 Dubai is packed with local gems waiting to be discovered.
To celebrate these incredible UAE-born spots, Expo 2026 Dubai has partnered with Time Out Dubai to launch the Expo Eats Awards. Visitors can vote for their favourite local restaurants, cafés, and bakeries – and you could even win Dhs1,000 in dining vouchers every week until voting closes.
Running alongside the Expo Eats Awards is the Expo 2026 Dubai Food Festival, a month-long culinary celebration featuring restaurant week, a barbecue festival, and more. Whether you’re sampling Emirati classics, street food favourites, or artisanal treats, the local gem category showcases the very best of what the UAE has to offer.
Here are 20 standout local spots to try at Expo 2026 Dubai:
Al Fanar Restaurant & Café – An authentic Emirati experience, Al Fanar has been delighting diners since 2011. Expect traditional dishes like machboos, luqaimat, and other Emirati classics served in a warmly nostalgic setting. Location: Al Wasl.
Al Farwania Restaurant – Famous for its karak chai and paratha sandwiches, this long-standing Indian eatery brings a taste of home to visitors exploring the Sustainability District. Location: Welcome Plaza, Sustainability District.
Al Reef Lebanese Bakery – Renowned for its manakish, Al Reef offers a selection of cheese, zaatar, and spinach toppings. Perfectly baked and charred, these flatbreads are a must-try. Location: Welcome Plaza, Opportunity District.
Around The Block – For coffee enthusiasts, this UAE-born café serves globally sourced beans in a modern, welcoming setting. Pair your cup with a fresh sandwich or snack for the perfect break. Location: Jubilee Park.
B-Café – Specialists in single-origin and microlot coffees, B-Café is a haven for coffee connoisseurs, offering rich brews sourced from around the world. Location: Mobility District.
Chicken Tikka Inn – A Dubai institution since 1972, this spot is perfect for lovers of curries, biryanis, and classic tikka dishes. Comfort food at its best. Location: Sustainability District.
Daily Dose – Serving up “daily doses of happiness,” this café offers espressos, lattes, affogatos, and iced coffees, alongside sweet treats like red velvet and pistachio drinks. Location: Metro Plaza.
Dampa Seafood Grill – Dive into piles of crab, prawns, mussels, and more, seasoned to perfection. Eating with your hands is part of the fun here. Location: Mobility District.
Depresso Café – Known for its coffees and mini donuts, Depresso also serves frappuccinos and unique drinks like Spanish lattes and pistachio shakes. Location: Mobility District.
Dips Café – Modern Emirati cuisine meets coffee culture in this stylish spot, offering organic dips, cakes, and beverages. Location: Mobility District.
Koub by Wacup Café – Combining Emirati heritage with global coffee flavors, Koub is perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up. Location: Sun Plaza, Opportunity District.
Mama’esh – Palestinian street food at its finest, with fresh fatayer, kunafa, and mana’esh crafted using organic ingredients. Location: Palestine Pavilion, Opportunity District.
Maraheb Restaurant – Traditional Yemeni dishes like mandi chicken and kibbeh, plus desserts such as kunafa and basbousa, make this a must-visit for authentic flavours. Location: Opportunity District.
Ravi – Famous across Dubai, Ravi serves biryanis, curries, and freshly baked naans that showcase Pakistan’s rich culinary traditions. Location: Mobility District.
Rogue Coffee – For an unconventional coffee experience, Rogue Coffee offers Italian espresso blends with beans sourced from Colombia, Brazil, Ethiopia, and more. Location: Al Forsan Park.
RX Coffee Apothecary – Divided into mind, body, and soul sections, RX Coffee Apothecary offers healthy bowls, sandwiches, desserts, and artisanal drinks. Location: Sustainability District.
Saddle Café – Claiming the best açai bowls in town, Saddle Café also serves crêpes, brioche, avocado toast, and specialty coffees. Location: Al Forsan Park.
Sarouja Restaurant & Café – Offering authentic Syrian cuisine with traditional family recipes, this restaurant is a must-visit for Damascus flavours. Location: Mobility District.
The Espresso Lab – Founded by Emirati entrepreneur Ibrahim Al Mallouhi, this café delivers specialty coffee alongside cakes, tarts, and pastries. Location: Jubilee Park.
The Majlis Café – Showcasing Emirati hospitality, The Majlis serves camel meat in creative dishes, alongside croissants, sandwiches, and coffee. Location: Sustainability District.
These 20 local gems prove that Expo 2026 Dubai is not just a global showcase – it’s also a celebration of UAE-born culinary excellence. From coffee to seafood, Emirati classics to Middle Eastern treats, your taste buds are in for a world-class journey. Cast your vote in the Expo Eats Awards, and enjoy a chance to win weekly dining vouchers while exploring the very best local cuisine Dubai has to offer.
FAQs
Discover 20 top local gems serving Emirati, Middle Eastern, Indian, and more at Expo 2026 Dubai.
Vote via the Expo Eats Awards to pick your favourite UAE-based eateries at Expo 2026 Dubai.
Check out Around The Block, B-Café, Daily Dose, and The Espresso Lab for premium coffee experiences.
Yes, spots like Al Fanar and The Majlis Café serve authentic Emirati cuisine including machboos and luqaimat.
Yes, participants can win Dhs1,000 in dining vouchers weekly until the voting deadline.
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
