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Best UAE Restaurants 2007

Here is my very own idiosyncratic list of the BEST UAE restaurants for 2007. I always am amazed by the idiotic offerings offered by What’s On and Time Out Dubai every year.

My list is based on the following criteria. First, I love food. Regardless of atmosphere, if the food isn’t good I am not buying. Secondly, with countless practice/failures over time I have found that you should almost never eat in UAE hotels. There are two things that can go wrong with restaurants: they are usually overpriced and/or mediocre.

So, without further interruption, here are the BEST of 2007:

1. Sanobar: Located in Sharjah on the Khalid Lagoon, this Lebanese seafood restaurant offers the best live catch that the UAE has to offer. While the decor is low-key, the grilled cigalis (local sand lobsters) will blow your mind.

“Sanobar is family owned and operated , that’s why it is a great restaurant. It is a Lebanese restaurant , but Sea Food is there specialty. Try the daily fresh fish , you will love it. The prices are very reasonable. You can not find a restaurant like this one anywhere in the GCC countries. It is clean and the food is fresh and the cooking is great! What else you need. No reservation required , unless you have a banquet which they can also accommodate.

This is a very clean and very good restaurant , although it location is not a prime location. Atmosphere is not elegant. It is a casual place with good food and low prices.”

2. Johnny Carino’s: Dubai, Several Locations. The best Italian eats in the UAE. Eat anything with sun-dried tomatoes and have the tiramisu for desert. Click here to view our past review of the restaurant.

3. Danial: Dubai, Deira and Sharjah (Crystal Plaza). Danial is an excellent Iranian buffet for the right price. The saffron fried fish alone is worth the price of admission. This is a true bargain.

4. Bangkok Town: Sharjah (near Al Massa Cinema). This small Thai restaurant boasts the BEST Thai food in the UAE. Considering it is half the price of the Dubai competitors, it comes out on top. Don’t miss the Phad Tai and the Durian with coconut milk and rice for dessert.

5. Shiraz: Sharjah, Millenium Hotel. I break my rule for hotel restaurants withthis one. Featuring traditional Iranian food, Shiraz is elegant, has a gorgeous view of Sharjah lagoon, and has great food. Give the grilled lobster ago. While on the higher-end, it is still relatively reasonable given the quality food and atmosphere.

6. India Palace: Dubai, opposite City Centre Deira. In a city full of great Indian food, India Palace is the stand out. Go for the Reshmi Kebabs and the traditional Indian juices and beverages. They also boast great tabla and sitar music.

7. Maria Bonita’s: Jumeirah. It’s all about the Mole! By far, this is the best Mexican food in the UAE. The rest of the menu is adequate, but the Mole excells. I have to say they dropped a few notches this year due to price increases.

8. Farhat: Sharjah, Abu Shagra (near Megamall). Fantastic Egyptian/Arabic grill, breads, and vegetable dishes. Why is it on the list? The lamb ribs! The lamb ribs!

9. Karachi Darbar: Numerous locations. Pakistani food on the cheap. Hearty, spicy and good. My personal favorite is the Chicken Tikka Masala.

10. Uttam: Sharjah, Rolla. South Indian vegetarian. Excellent dokla and other dishes. This no frills restaurant has the best Masala Chai in the UAE. Dead cheap! Feed the whole family for under 30AED.

Honorable Mention: Blue Elephant, Hardees, Chili’s, Fudruckers, Bukhara (Ajman Kempinski), Little Hut, Noodle House

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