Sushi, shawarma, burgers, seafood and cheesecake – these are all tasty foods found in Dubai Festival City.
Known as a diverse business and entertainment hub, the place is a famous destination for both work and leisure. However, it is also known as a prime spot for socialising and great food.
Whether you rent an apartment in Marsa Plaza or go to work in one of the commercial spaces in the area, chances are you’ve tried one or more of these delicious dishes in Festival City. Of course, they only represent the tip of the iceberg that are the gastronomic wonders found in the city.
If you want to explore more on your next day out with family and friends, try some of the following mouth-watering cuisines available at Dubai Festival City.
1. Emirati Cuisine
One thing that is most definitely on top of many Dubai visitors’ lists is the local food.
Emirati cuisine can be found in many places in Dubai. In Festival City, you’ll want to head straight to Al Fanar Restaurant and Café on the ground floor of Dubai Festival City Mall.
Sporting a classic ambience inspired by the 1960s, the place transcends time and offers guests authentic Emirati meals, some of which were enjoyed by the old settlers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
They offer all-day breakfast and desserts, as well as the following traditional dishes you should definitely try:
- Harees
- Shorbat
- Machboos
- Madrooba Deyay
- Thereed
2. Italian Food
Italian cuisine is quite popular around the globe. If you crave some when visiting Dubai Festival City, there are restaurants at the mall offering several great selections to suit your taste.
A good example is Eataly, a highly regarded Italian restaurant offering plenty of selections, including vegetable, meat, fish, and pasta dishes.
The place is frequently packed with guests who want to take a bite of their delicious dishes. It is also well-known for its Neapolitan pizza – a traditional Italian dish made with hand-stretched dough topped with mozzarella cheese and tomatoes.
Some of the other dishes they offer include:
- Lasagna classica
- Ravioli ricotta
- Risotto caprese
- Ossobuco alla Milanese
- Spaghetti pomodoro
- Margherita classica
They also have mouth-watering desserts, such as cannolo, panna cotta, and tiramisu.
3. Turkish Cuisine
Many restaurants in Dubai also serve dishes from other Middle Eastern countries, like Turkey.
Turkish cuisine is one more thing that makes UAE trips much more fulfilling. With sweet and savoury dishes like shawarma, kebab, dolma, and kunefe, it’s natural for visitors to want to return to Sultan Baba Iskender and Turkish Village Restaurant and Café to get more of their favourite Arab dishes.
Both located in Dubai Festival City Mall, the food establishments combine traditional and contemporary Turkish food that is becoming a popular attraction among locals and tourists.
You’ll also find these scrumptious tummy-fillers there:
- Doner kebabs
- Baklava
- Koftas
4. Chinese Food
Like many places in the world, Dubai Festival City also has plenty of Chinese food going around.
Located in the mall is PF Chang’s—a world-famous Asian casual dining establishment that is always packed with guests enjoying delicious food.
The restaurant offers fusion-style meals prepared with the freshest, top-quality ingredients. They have dim sum, sushi, salads, desserts, and so much more.
Want kung pao chicken? Dine in or order takeout from their Dubai Festival City Mall branch. You can also grab a bite of the following meals and many more:
- Edamame
- Chang’s lettuce wraps
- Vegetable spring rolls
- Peking duck
- Handmade dumplings
PF Chang’s special Asian menu combined with the cosy ambience makes for a perfect destination for a taste of fusion Chinese cuisine.
5. American Food
A widely favoured group of dishes, American food is most definitely a major draw in Dubai Festival City Mall. This particular cuisine has a vast range of selections, from fried chicken and burger to barbecue, pizza, and even beef brisket. There are also candies like swizzels sweets.
Restaurants and cafés that fall under this category located at the mall include:
- Hard Rock Café
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Chili’s
- Five Guys
- TGI Fridays
And who can forget The Cheesecake Factory? Here, patrons can indulge in delectable sweets and pastries, as well as heavy portions of pizza, nachos, salads, and drinks, with a wide selection of American-style cheesecakes.
Looking for a quick fix of Kentucky-style fried chicken? There’s also a KFC on the second floor of Dubai Festival City Mall. They have both their world-famous original and extra-crispy fried chicken, as well as other popular American snacks.
The world of sweets is truly endless and there are so many incredible sweets to try. At wholesale kingsway sweets you can explore a part of this huge array of different sweets.
6. Indian Cuisine
Characterised by their creative and extensive use of herbs and spices, Indian cuisine is also quite popular in the Dubai Festival City dining scene.
When you visit, there’s no need to go out of the mall to enjoy this outstanding cuisine as one particular establishment already has a lot to offer: Peppermill.
From juicy and mouth-watering chicken dishes to finger-licking-good cakes and vegetarian selections, Peppermill Dubai has plenty on offer that even those still developing a taste for the cuisine will love.
Some of their most famous dishes are:
- Chaat platter
- Chicken biryani
- Lassi
- Mutton biryani
- Rasmalai cake
- Dal makhani
7. African Food
Although not quite as famous as American or Italian dishes, African food is also a favourite choice among guests who visit Dubai Festival City.
Proof of this is the constant flow of diners headed to Galito’s, a widely popular food franchise with over 149 stores worldwide.
Found at the food court and waterfront areas of Dubai Festival City Mall, this fast-casual dining establishment is popular for its flame-grilled chicken.
Immersed in herb-infused traditional marinade within 24 hours, Galito’s flame-grilled chicken is arguably the most scrumptious and healthiest chicken in the area.
Of course, the juicy South African chicken dish is just one of the many dishes they offer. You can also order peri peri fries, chicken combo tada, and many more.
Enjoy Great Food and Great Views
Besides a tasteful collection of gastronomic wonders, many Dubai Festival City restaurants mentioned here also offer wonderful views of the city. Some are even located along the waterfront, set up on the balcony of Dubai Festival City Mall.
Sample the dishes listed here from some of the best restaurants in town.
The best part is, these dining establishments are all located in one place.
Good food and a great place – what more can you ask for?