Three by Eva
At Three by Eva, conviviality is a promise, and great food a guarantee. Founded by Eva Halasa, and her two daughters Lilian and Emilie, this homely Middle Eastern restaurant is one of the best spots for authentic flavors of Jordan and Palestine. The beautifully converted villa, opposite Boxpark, is split across two levels: downstairs, a small bakery with a pretty outdoor terrace; upstairs, a bright dining hall, filled with the herby aroma of freshly baked falafel. Food is prepared, cooked, and served with the same love and attention as a home-cooked meal. Jordanian mansaf (lamb cooked in a sauce of dried yogurt and served with rice) and the feta brûlée with dates and thyme are the main draws here, as is the cauldron of freshly prepared vine leaves, stuffed and rolled by hand with lamb, spices, herbs, and lemon, then cooked for more than 18 hours—a labor of love that so few Middle Eastern restaurants invest the time in doing.
Moonrise
Both the proud owner of Dubai’s latest Michelin star, Moonrise, and its young chef-owner, Solemann Haddad, are now familiar names in the city. At 27 years old, Haddad hit a home run with his first solo project—a boundary-pushing modern take on what he calls “Dubai cuisine.” Located on the rooftop of a residential building in Satwa, the newly licensed restaurant is a small, understated counter-dining space where guests enjoy a front-row seat to the kitchen. Regulars and first-timers all want an up-close perspective on Haddad’s cooking, which showcases largely Middle Eastern and Japanese seasonal ingredients. He and his team serve 12 guests at two sittings each night, telling colorful culinary stories as they enjoy his unique creations. While the menu rotates regularly, signatures include a delicate pani puri with layering flavors of date syrup, foie gras, saffron chutney, and truffle, and an outstanding take on the first dish Haddad ever made in Dubai as a child: a grilled cheese sandwich. Anything but basic, this one features charcoal-kissed milk bread, black garlic carpaccio, and 36-month-aged Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Zaroob
Zaroob is just the kind of casual neighborhood spot you wish you had at the end of your road, offering everything from morning breakfast trays (filled with scrambled eggs, za’atar, olive oil, and labneh) to freshly baked akkawi cheese manakeesh. The vibrant menu bridges authentic Lebanese street food, inspired by the founder’s childhood memories growing up in the Levant. While there are several branches across the city now, it’s still hard to beat the bustling market-style original on Sheikh Zayed Road, which serves up a selection of delectable mezze plates, 24/7. Dishes arrive in a kaleidoscope of colors and are vibrantly bold. Try the deliciously crispy halloumi skewers, the fresh Lebanese foul, and a nostalgic cheese and honey feteer.
A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller.
