Dubai is dotted with hidden culinary gems, and these resident-favourite budget eats have always been a special focus for Dubai Food Festival. As part of its drive to highlight these culinary destinations, DFF has released a list of 33 of the best hidden gems in the city.
Running until April 17, the eighth edition of the city-wide festival offers food lovers the opportunity to travel via their taste buds and experience whole new cultures through food right here in Dubai.
The 2021 Hidden Gems list includes a wide variety of cuisine just waiting to be discovered, covering every cuisine even the most experienced foodie could wish for. From Emirati and Indian, to American and Lebanese, Hidden Gems uncovers and showcases the incredible diversity of cuisine available at prices for every wallet in Dubai through unique, independent and homegrown concepts.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), says: “Our Hidden Gems list is always one of the most eagerly awaited announcements on the Dubai Food Festival Calendar and this year we have another superb line-up. Our food scene is world-renowned, and this year, we have selected a list that showcases the best Dubai has to offer from around the globe.
“Independent restaurants, café’s and bakeries are the lifeblood of any global city’s culinary scene and we’re proud to reveal the best-kept secrets that make Dubai Food Festival such a success year-on-year.”
The full list of Hidden Gems selected by Dubai Food Festival 2021 is:
| OUTLET NAME | CUISINE | LOCATION |
| Double Like Burger & Lobster | Burger & Lobster | Umm Suqeim 2 |
| % Gelato | Ice Cream | Jumeirah Beach Road |
| Third Wave | Cafe | Dubai Al Barari |
| 112 Main St. Bakery | Cafe | building 4, Emaar Business Park, The Greens, Dubai |
| Al Qbabh | Sea Food | Al Awir |
| Beit El Zaytoun | Arabian, Middle Eastern, Lebanese | Shop 7, Ground Floor, Alawazi Residence, The Villas, Dubai |
| Bisso’s Bakery | Middle Eastern, Bakery, Pizza | Shop 4, Ground Floor, Damac Maison Canal Views, Al Abraj Street, Business Bay, Dubai |
| Bread & Olives | Mediterranean, Arabian, Lebanese | Shop 7, Ground Floor, Two Towers, Barsha Heights, Dubai |
| Brisk | International, Salad | Ground Level, Tower B, Business Central Tower, Dubai Media City, Dubai |
| Casa Da Venice | Italian | Shop 7, Basement Level, Goldcrest Executive Tower, Cluster C, Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), Dubai |
| Charcoal Garden | Grill, International | Shatha Tower, Near Media One Hotel, Al Naseem Street, Dubai Media City, Dubai |
| Chiyang Chinese Restaurant | Chinese | Near Arcadia Hotel, Opposite Lamcy Plaza, Oud Metha, Dubai |
| Dapoer Kita Restaurant | Indonesian | Shop 3 & 4, Sheikh Mohammad Building 2, Street 43A, Behind Lulu Hypermarket, Al Karama, Dubai |
| Gangnam | Korean | Ground Floor, Al Mazrooie Building, Street 17 A, Oud Metha, Dubai |
| Gully Kitchen | Biryani, South Indian, Indian | Gate Village 3, Opposite Gate District 2, DIFC, Dubai |
| Kabab Rolls | Pakistani,Indian, Kebab | Opposite Remal Mall, Al Barari, Dubai |
| Mandena Mandi | Mandi | Ground Floor, Fox Hill Building 8 Uptown Motor City, Motor City, Dubai |
| Mango People | Indian, Pakistani, Biryani | The Blue Building, Dubai Land Residential Complex, The Villas, Dubai |
| Piezta Pizza | Italian | Barsha Valley Building, Behind Ramada Hotel, Street 14, Al Barsha, Dubai |
| The Cafe @ The Workshop | Café | Ground Floor, The Workshop Building, Street 23 B, Dubai, Jumeirah 2, Dubai |
| Tiramisu Cafe | Italian | Emaar Boulevard, Opposite Vida Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard Road, Downtown Dubai, Dubai |
| Waffee Street | Cafe, Desserts | Shop 2, Near Wadi Noor Grocery, Street 30, Al Satwa, Dubai |
| Emirates Sea | Indian, Chinese, Arabian, Middle Eastern, Seafood | Shop 2, Al Kamali Building, Al Doha Road, Hor Al Anz, Dubai |
| Greens N Grills | Healthy Food, Burger, Iranian, Kebab | Shop 5, Ground Floor, Nashwan Gym Building, Near Belhasa Driving Center, Nad Al Hamar, Ras Al Khor, Dubai |
| Mr. Biryani | Indian, Biryani, Chinese | Al Zafrana Building, Near Canadian Hospital, Hor Al Anz, Dubai |
| Papaya Salad Restaurant | Thai, Vietnamese | Shop 15, Ground Floor, Emirates 6 Building, ADCB Block, Qusais, Dubai |
| Sallora Restaurant & Sweets | Syrian | Beside Jumeirah Creekside, Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Garhoud, Dubai |
| Tent Jumeirah Restaurant | Emirati | Near Souq – 31A St – Umm SuqeimJumeirah 3 – Dubai |
| Al Forat Restaurant | Emirati | Omar Bin Al Khattab St – Deira – Dubai |
| Karak and Rigag | Cafe, Desserts, Emirati, Healthy Food, Juices | Al Khaleej Rd – Al Mamzar – Dubai |
| Karakna LUGMA W CHAI | Emirati, Cafe | Wasl, Emirates Bank 2 – Al Bada’a – Dubai |
| Qamha Restaurant | Emirati | Uptown – Dubai |
| Moreish | International | Shop 1, Behind Lamcy Plaza Parking – Oud Metha Rd – Dubai |
All dining experiences, events and activations during DFF will follow prevailing safety protocols and social distancing guidelines to ensure a safe experience for all.
