If you’re looking for a classic Yemeni experience with a Dubai touch, Maraheb should top your list. The interiors resemble a traditional diwan with floor seating and cushions. Lamb mandi arrives steaming in large copper trays, garnished with cloves and cardamom. Fahsa comes sizzling in clay bowls, crowned with hilbeh foam. Maraheb’s Al Safa branch is the most popular, but its Sheikh Zayed Road location offers easier parking and quieter evenings. Families, businesspeople, and even tourists frequent this spot for authentic flavors and a comforting atmosphere. Despite its simplicity, service is fast, and the rice is always fragrant.
Raidan Mandi keeps its roots in the slow-cooked madfoon style
Nestled in Al Nahda, Raidan is less showy but deeply respected among Yemeni cuisine lovers. The madfoon here is cooked underground, which adds a smoky, earthy depth you won’t find in many city kitchens. Seating includes both majlis-style floor areas and Western-style tables, making it flexible for different groups. Their lamb hanith, seasoned with dry lemon and garlic, falls off the bone with a touch of the spoon. It’s the kind of place where a weekday lunch can feel like a family feast, especially when paired with fresh mulawah bread and a pot of red tea.
Madfoon Al Sadda blends Gulf and Yemeni comfort on one menu
Located in Jumeirah, this spot fuses Emirati and Yemeni classics on one extensive menu. You’ll find lamb majboos, kabsa, and madfoon side-by-side. It’s known for generous sharing platters, especially among large groups celebrating special occasions. The décor is minimal, but the flavors are bold. For many residents, this is their go-to for takeout during Ramadan or weekend gatherings. We recommend trying their chicken zurbian—a layered dish of marinated meat and saffron rice that carries a subtle tang from dried yogurt and tomato.
Al Marhabani Restaurant welcomes you with warm spices and local style
Al Marhabani in Umm Suqeim is as well known for its warm ambiance as for its food. The chefs come from different parts of Yemen, which reflects in the subtle variations in their mandi and fahsa. Spices are toasted daily, and the bread is baked in a clay oven behind the dining area. There’s a window into the kitchen where kids often stop to watch the cooks at work. With Emirati families and Gulf tourists dining here, the conversations at nearby tables often switch between Arabic and English. It’s casual, but never careless.
Al Yemen Mandi brings Deira’s working crowd together
In the heart of old Dubai, near the Gold Souk, Al Yemen Mandi remains a favorite among office workers and tradesmen. Their menu sticks to the basics—meat, rice, and sauces—but does them perfectly. You’ll often find a line out the door during weekday lunch hours. Prices are fair, portions are huge, and service is brisk. It’s not uncommon to see tables shared between strangers who strike up conversations about where the best haneeth is found in Abu Dhabi or which branch does a better fahsa. Here, food connects people.
Tibba Restaurant serves smoky lamb ribs just off Deira City Centre
Tibba is quieter, tucked into a side street not far from the bustling Deira City Centre. But don’t let its humble storefront fool you. Their specialty is haneeth ribs—slow-roasted in a sealed metal drum until the meat is tender and infused with smoky spice. Customers say it’s the closest thing to what they’d eat back in Taiz or Hadhramaut. The restaurant’s owner insists on importing specific spice blends from Yemen, including a black cumin used only in coastal regions. This attention to origin makes a difference you can taste.
Zam Zam Mandi adds a touch of elegance to traditional mandi
Zam Zam Mandi is a chain, but don’t let that deter you. The flagship branch near Karama is particularly polished, with brass lanterns, polished wood walls, and private cabins for families. The mandi is steamed rather than oven-roasted, giving it a delicate texture. Fahsa is served in thick stone bowls that retain heat for longer. While they also serve kabsa and biryani, the Yemeni selections are clearly their pride. Weekends here fill up quickly, especially with expat families and long-time residents craving home-style flavors.
Wadi Doan Restaurant mixes Hadhrami cuisine with Dubai charm
This Al Garhoud gem is a tribute to Yemen’s southern coast. Wadi Doan’s chef hails from Mukalla, and the menu includes seafood-heavy items rare elsewhere in the city. Try the grilled kingfish or the shrimp madfoon, each marinated in a citrusy, garlicky spice mix unique to the Hadhramaut region. There’s also salta and bint al sahn, the latter being a flaky honeyed bread that pairs beautifully with black tea. The restaurant’s interior is understated but clean, with framed photos of Yemen’s mountains and coastline along the walls.
Bait Al Mandi feeds everyone from shoppers to students in Deira
Murraqabat Road in Deira is packed with casual eateries, but Bait Al Mandi stands out for its reliability. It’s popular with students, expats, and taxi drivers alike. Meals are affordable, and many regulars know the staff by name. The menu covers every Yemeni staple and even ventures into Gulf and Levantine fare. But it’s the meat quality that keeps people coming back—the lamb is always tender, never dry, and the rice is well-seasoned without being greasy. Don’t skip the sahawiq, a Yemeni salsa made with chili, coriander, and garlic.
Azal Mandi Restaurant finishes the list with a strong sense of place
Azal in Bur Dubai blends traditional architecture with straightforward food. Carved wooden doors, mosaic tiles, and incense at the entrance give it a rustic charm. The menu is short but focused: haneeth, fahsa, and zurbian are the stars. The staff are warm and often offer tea with your meal, whether you order it or not. It’s the kind of place that reminds older guests of home and introduces younger visitors to a cuisine worth preserving.
This article was prepared by the www.few.ae team, based on verified local sources and firsthand tastings across the city.
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