Al Fanar

Middle Eastern restaurant · Festival City

Al Fanar

Middle Eastern restaurant · Festival City

Ground Floor, Dubai Festival City Mall, Near P.F.Chang's, Canal Walk - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Highlights

Traditional Emirati cuisine in a rustic 1960s Dubai setting.

Ground Floor, Dubai Festival City Mall, Near P.F.Chang's, Canal Walk - Dubai - United Arab Emirates Get directions

alfanarrestaurant.com

@alfanarrestaurant

$$ · Menu

@michelinguide

"This restaurant from the Al-Fanar stable is on the banks of the Dubai Creek and, like the others, showcases the owners’ passion for Emirati cuisine. The interior has a rustic feel, while, out on the terrace, diners can enjoy views of boats and old Dubai across the water, underlining the freshness of the seafood on their plate. The friendly and hospitable team add to the warmth of the experience." - Michelin Inspector

https://guide.michelin.com/en/dubai-emirate/dubai/restaurant/al-fanar

View Postcard for Al Fanar

@insider

"Go to Al Fanar Restaurant and Café for an Emirati feast. The interior is modeled on 1960s Dubai. There are mud-and-coral walls surrounding a central courtyard, traditional lamps, wooden doors, old photos, vintage memorabilia, and lifelike re-creations of souk and village scenes. The food is tasty and hearty, and the portions are big enough to share."

The best things to eat in Dubai

View Postcard for Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe (مطعم ومقهى الفنر)

Hazem Alaaraj

Google

Wow! This is the best food I have had in Dubai so far. The meal tasted and looked like home made and was delicious. The spicing was quite balanced. I went for mutton stew with rice and it was amazing. The service was brilliant. I was looked after by a lovely chap called Mani. Thank you Mani for the recommendation. They have a lot of nice things on the menu, I need to explore them on my next visits.

Amna AlKitbi

Google

Visited for breakfast and had a lovely experience overall. I ordered the breakfast tray, and it was both satisfying and well-presented. The flavors were balanced, and the portion size was just right for a morning meal. The atmosphere of the place added a lot to the experience — warm, cozy, and inviting, perfect for a relaxed start to the day. What really stood out, though, was the service. Praveen took care of everything with genuine warmth and professionalism, making sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. It’s always nice to be served by someone who clearly enjoys what they do. Definitely recommend trying this place if you’re looking for a good breakfast spot with quality food, great ambiance, and attentive service. A must-try!

Rose Braganza

Google

Had dinner today of chicken machboos, shrimp machboos, biryani rice, grilled squid. As usual all dishes were delicious. Quiet atmosphere. Service was great especially Mani’s attentiveness and promptness in serving the food. Overall we always have a nice time when eating here.

Ehab Ibrahim

Google

An incredible experience that truly captures the essence of Emirati culture and cuisine. The traditional décor, warm ambiance, and authentic flavors made it feel like a journey back in time. Every dish was bursting with flavor — rich, comforting, and beautifully presented. Special thanks to our waiter Abdul Rahim, who was exceptionally attentive and welcoming. He explained the dishes with passion and made sure we had everything we needed. A great guy who made our visit even more memorable! Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy real local food in a charming, heritage-inspired setting.

Wael Mishlawi

Google

I recently visited Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe — a truly authentic Emirati dining experience. The ambiance was charming and took me back to the UAE’s heritage, the food was absolutely delicious, and the service was warm and attentive. Highly recommend it if you’re looking to try traditional Emirati cuisine in a cozy, nostalgic setting!

Jeremy Meacham

Google

Excellent and welcoming to foreigners. Staff spoke English, amazing service from our waiter Osama!!!! Osama gave us a welcoming smile and service he even tried explaining the foods to us which were new for us. The food was excellent! The flavors and dishes taste like an excellent home cooked meal. The ambiance and decor is also a wonderful setting.

Eirini Nikolaou

Google

Very tasty traditional emirati food. Very kid friendly too. If you want to experience how emirati eat you must visit Al Fanar.

Roger Fagg

Google

Had a great meal here. Very typical Emirati cuisine. The food was delicious and the service was so good friendly. My waiter Chandramani was so helpful in recommending which dishes to try. I will definitely come back here.