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Dubai: JLT Restaurant Guide 2021 – Where to eat in JLT?

Cafeé Isan, Where to eat in JLT, JLT dining, Dubai

When we moved to Dubai many years ago, JLT was mostly known for the strange orbital road and for being on the wrong side of Sheikh Zayed Road. Though a lot of things have happened since then, and today, JLT is one of the hottest neighborhoods for foodies looking for cheap and tasty meals in Dubai.

Around lunch, office workers from the nearby skyscrapers keep the restaurants busy, but at dinner time, it is the JLT residents that flock to the tables. You do not see a lot of tourists in JLT, so the price level is significantly lower than in Dubai Marina and JBR. Furthermore, the standard is generally a lot higher as the restaurants seek to attract a loyal base of local customers as opposed to the transient tourist crowd. Here are some of the places that I really like, sorted alphabetically.

Betawi

I first tried the branch of this cute Indonesian restaurant in Karama. I really liked the place, so I was happy when they opened a branch in JLT. They just launched a hot pot offer that let you choose a soup base and pay by weight for the ingredients, but I think that their a la carte menu is much better. I’ve also become a big fan of the Es Teler, which is a milk dessert with avocado and mango.

Betawi, Lake Terrace Tower (lake level), Cluster D, JLT, Dubai

Cafe Isan

My favorite Thai restaurant in Dubai. Cafe Isaan specializes in the food from Isaan (the northeastern province in Thailand). This is where some of the spiciest Thai food comes from, so make sure that you order a milder version. The Thai Milk Iced Tea is also a must-order. It is very sweet so I usually have it for dessert.  

My blog post about Cafe Isan >>

Cafe Isan, waterfront Cluster B, Lake View Tower, JLT, Dubai

Friends Avenue

Really cozy cafe with lots of nice stuff on the menu. They also serve breakfast until 3pm which is great for people like me, who can eat French Toast and Eggs Benedict around the clock. There are also a range of healthy salads and smoothies to choose among, and, most importantly some might say, their coffee is legit.

Friends Avenue, Fortune Executive Tower (ground floor), Cluster T, JLT, Dubai

Little Erth by Nabz&G

Wonderful restaurant with a great selection of international vegan dishes and a smaller selection of seafood dishes. I used to order home delivery from Little Erth, but I was surprised to see how nice the restaurant is. A great spot for a vegan date night.

Don’t miss their Spring Wraps with papaya, which are really nice and one of their signature dishes. The selection of cake and sweet treats is also good.  

My blog post about Little Erth >>

Little Erth by Nabz&G, Shop 34, Building J2, Cluster J, JLT Dubai If you are walking from the Marina, Little Erth is to the right, around the corner from Wokyo.

McGettigan’s

The big Irish pub is probably more known for beer than for food, but if you are looking for both beer and food, then McGettigan is probably the best option in JLT. The food menu is decent and the atmosphere is always nice and friendly, so I usually end up staying much longer than intended. Ask for a table outside, they are the best.  There is also a McGettigan’s on JBR, but it is more touristy, whereas McGettigan’s in JLT is where those of us living here prefer to go.

Read my blog post about McGettigans>>

McGettigan’s, Bonnington, Cluster J, JLT, Dubai

Mythos

Hands down, my favorite Greek restaurant in Dubai. I always go for the grilled octopus and then of course the taramosalata and the tzatziki with warm pita bread on the side. The warm pita comes at an extra charge, but it is so worth it, so this is not where you want to save. The gyros menus are great value for money, but if you are very hungry, you might want to order a meze or two on top of that. Mythos is licensed (=serves alcohol) and on weekends, it can be difficult to get a table, especially if you are looking for one of the tables on the patio. A reservation, weeks in advance is strongly recommended.

My blog post about Mythos >>

Mythos, B1 Armada BlueBay Hotel, Cluster P, JLT, Dubai

Nara Pan Asian

Nara is not a vegetarian restaurant, but the Asian restaurant has a great selection of vegetarian dishes. On the menu, you’ll find vegetarian dim sum and sushi, as well as several meatless mains. The Friday brunch is popular among people in the neighborhood, but Nara runs several special deals throughout the week, which makes the restaurant a budget friendly option if you are looking for a licensed (allowed to serve alcohol) Asian restaurant in this part of the city.    

My blog post about Nara >>

Nara Pan Asian (next to Mövenpick Hotel), Cluster A, JLT, Dubai

NOLA

Just like Mythos, NOLA also offers outdoor seating, and the opportunity to have your cocktails under open sky is a real order-winner in Dubai. The food is good, but it is the nice bar that is the main attraction. It can get loud, especially on weekends, so NOLA is a great place to start a night out, but not so great if you are looking to have a quiet dinner.

NOLA, Armada BlueBay Hotel, Cluster P, JLT, Dubai

Raju Omlet

This Indian restaurant chain makes the most delicious omelets and egg curries. My favorite is the curry with onions, eggs and cheese with a stack of butter naan on the side. After the meal, have a cup of karak and maybe some kulfi (Indian ice cream) for dessert? It’s so cheap, that you can have both without breaking your wallet.

Raju Omlet, BS-06 1 Lake Plaza, Cluster T, JLT Dubai (for some reason this location isn’t mentioned on their website)

Sarap Nation

Budget friendly Filipino restaurant with a big selection of authentic Filipino dishes. Impeccably clean, but casual settings and friendly, very helpful staff, who will help you navigate the menu, if you are unfamiliar with Filipino food. The early birds also have the opportunity to try Silog, Flipino breakfast, with fried rice, fried egg and meat. The Ube Dalgona makes a nice dessert.

My blog post about Sarap Nation >>

Sarap Nation, Shop 6, Ground Level (one stair up from the promenade), Fortune Tower, Cluster C, Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), Dubai

Vietnamese Foodies

This is one of the best and most authentic Vietnamese restaurants in Dubai, and I gladly take the hike across Sheikh Zayed Road for the pho. The tiny restaurant is permanently crowded, both for lunch and for dinner, but people eat quickly so the wait is usually not too long. I always end up ordering the pho with beef brisket and some fresh spring rolls on the side, but their salads are also excellent.

Vietnamese Foodies, PL-04 Lake Terrace Tower, Cluster D, JLT, Dubai

Wokyo

Wokyo was first known for customized wok-dishes, but the place really stepped up its ramen game, and if you ask me, Wokyo is now one of the best ramen places in Dubai. The miso ramen has this deep, intense flavor, which is difficult to accomplish without a pork-based broth, and even the vegan version has a full-bodied, delicious flavor. The dining area in front of the restaurant is really cozy with paper lanterns and small cozy tables, and the restaurant is always busy.

Wokyo, JLT Cluster J, Dubai

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