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.

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.

Location: Building 5 — Zaa𧯮l 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.