Girl power takes its true form in Dubai’s exciting culinary scene. From making healthy and nutritious meals *actually* taste good, to crafting up some really cool and quirky burgers, here are some incredible female-run restaurants in Dubai with some truly mouth-watering menus to try!
Here are the best female-run restaurants to tuck into.
UCHI
Via @uchi.uae on Instagram
Lead by Carole Moawad, UCHI combines the calm fine dining experience with the liveliness of a bar. With a Japanese-inspired menu, this is one of the female-run restaurants that lets you experience your favourite Japanese delicacies with an edgy twist to. Located in the heart of DIFC, UCHI is the perfect place for a cosy yet vibrant, one-of-a-kind culinary experience
Location: Gate Village, Bldg. 03, DIFC
She Burger
Via @she_burger on Instagram
Emirati entrepreneur Shaikha Eissa might just hold the secret to the best burger in town. What once started as an experiment in her kitchen is now a household name and a popular burger joint in Dar Wasl Mall in Dubai. From classic to more experimental burgers, this is one of the female-run restaurants that’s the perfect place to get your hands on some truly mouth-watering food. 🏆🔥
Location: Dar Wasl Mall, Al Wasl, Dubai
Wild & The Moon
Via @wildandmoonuae on Instagram
Wild & The Moon is the ultimate spot for plant-based foodies in Dubai! It’s a 100% plant-powered restaurant that’s all about quality ingredients. The restaurant is the brainchild of Emma Sawko, who turned her passion for wholesome eats into a mouth-watering sustainable menu, making eco-friendly living super accessible (and tasty) for everyone! 🌱🌟
Location: Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai
LOWE
Via @lowedxb on Instagram
Popular breakfast spot, LOWE, is run by Australian journalist-turned-chef and restaurateur, Kate Christou! You won’t be disappointed by the temptations of the breakfast menu – think crumpets, almond milk waffles, and a bunch of other quality picks. And if you’re waking up with a mega appetite, the aged ribeye steak and fried eggs are total winners.
The restaurant has a cool, minimalist look, and you can even see the magic happening in the open kitchen with a wood oven, grill, and rotisserie, cooking up some of the best food in the region.
Location: Wadi Al Safa 3, Dubai
Maiz Tacos
Via @maiztacos on Instagram
With a mantra like “Making tacos great again!”, it’s hard to resist trying Maiz Tacos. Founded by Luma Makhouf, Maiz Tacos is on a mission to make sure everyone in the emirate knows just how epic Latin flavors can be. What started off as a cool food truck back in 2018, cruising the streets of Dubai, is now a hugely popular spot in JLT, with another spot just opened up in Dubai Hills. This female-run restaurant is a great spot for some mouth-watering and affordable food. 🌮🏆🔥
Location: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Cluster Y, Lakeshore Tower
Pitfire Pizza Dubai
Via @pitfirepizzabakers on Instagram
Pitfire Dubai is THE go-to spot for pizza in the city. The acclaimed ‘Queen of Pizza’, Michele Johnson, co-founded Pitfire Pizza in Dubai with her husband Bill, walking away from a 20-year career in HR to take the reins of running the business with no experience. Now, this UAE-born joint is making waves worldwide and is even ranked as one of the top pizza chains on the planet. Their pizzas are this epic fusion of New York and Neapolitan styles and is one of the most talked about pizza restaurants in Dubai.
Location: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Cluster D, Lakeshore Tower
SALT
Via @findsalt on Instagram
SALT is one of the UAE’s most infamous female-run restaurants. This food truck turned beachfront restaurant on Kite Beach is co-founded by Deem Albassam and the designer extraordinaire Amal Al Marri, and is all about celebrating the awesome power of food. They’re not just your regular burger joint – they’re bringing you the full-on “urban food experience”. Picture mouthwatering chicken paired with Cheetos, succulent truffle burgers, and even lettuce wraps, all centered around the most crucial ingredient- SALT! 🍔🏖️🥤
Location: Street 2, Kite Beach, Umm Suqeim
Mitts & Trays
Via @mittsandtraysuae on Instagram
Mitts & Trays began as an experimental home bakery by Patron Chef Amna, who always had a passion and desire for the culinary arts. Amna’s all about that fresh, wholesome, and real-deal ingredient game. This fun female-run restaurant has a cozy, homey vibe and a mix of old-school and cutting-edge styles. Think classics with a totally fresh twist, plus a bunch of sweet treats and pastries that’ll blow your mind. She’s all about making sure when you chow down, it’s not just a meal, it’s a whole experience! 🍞👩🍳🎉
Location: Mitts & Trays has two locations, Bluewater Island and Dubai Hills Mall.
Bait Maryam
Via @bait.maryam on Instagram
Chef and founder Salam Dakkak is behind this warm and homey restaurant in JLT, inspired by her own awesome mom, Maryam. You’ll catch Dakkak in the kitchen or hanging out with guests in the cozy dining room – dishing out mouthwatering home-cooked meals.
Dakkak’s been all about that food life – she used to own a school and teach cooking in Saudi Arabia. Now, she’s on a mission to bring those killer Arabian flavors to Dubai, keeping it fresh and sticking to her mom’s beloved recipes from back in the day in Jordan. 🍲💥🏡
Location: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Cluster D, Lakeshore Tower
Kinoya
Via @kinoya.ae on Instagram
Chef Neha Misra fell in love with Japanese grub, and that passion turned into an epic supper club called A Story of Food at her place in Dubai, which always sold out! People were practically fighting for a spot – some even jetted in from other countries. It got to a point where her table just couldn’t handle it anymore.
In April 2021, she opened up her very own restaurant in Dubai, Kinoya! This spot is all about ramen and izakaya, and you have to try the shio paintan ramen – it’s the very first bowl she ever made, and it’s her true signature dish. Kinoya’s been a hit in the Middle East, and Misra’s not slowing down. Next on the agenda? Taking this flavor train to London’s Harrods. Get ready, world! 🍜🌟🌍
Location: The Onyx Tower, The Greens, Dubai