Culinary delights

Best places to eat out

Al Rawi Bookstore & Café

This lagoon-side bookstore and café, designed by Pallavi Dean Interiors, is a popular choice of Sharjah’s creative community. There’s a gorgeous outdoor seating area, with a children’s play area and creative zone. Light meals, zingy salads and fusion cuisine.

Where: Al Majaz Waterfront | Phone: +971 6 564 1806 | Website

Arabian Tea House

This charming tea house serves traditional Emirati and Arabic cuisine in an historical setting. Visitors can indulge in delicious Emirati breakfast trays, light lunches, grills as well as gahwa (traditional Arabic coffee) and a wide variety of teas from around the world. Expect old photographs, white rattan chairs, lace curtains and beautiful flowers.

Where: Souq Al Shanasiyah, Corniche Street, Al Merijah | Phone: +971 6 561 2686 | Website

Arabic Restaurant

Emirati elegance reigns at the Arabic Restaurant, Al Bait Sharjah. With interiors to drool over, the food offers contemporary takes on traditional Arabic staples such as the biriyani-style machbous and harees, a cracked-wheat dish eaten at important family gatherings.

Where: At the Bait Abdullah Al Mahmoud heritage house, next to Al Fikker Square | Phone: +971 6 502 5555 | Website

Arjwan Restaurant

Named after a delicate local desert flower, the signature restaurant at Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa nods to local flavours, showcasing Emirati dishes in addition to Indian and Lebanese favourites. There is a dedicated camel menu, featuring Bedouin-spiced camel risotto, slow-braised camel strip-loin and even camel spring rolls.

Where: Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa, Al Muntazah Street | Phone: +971 6 599 0088 | Website

The Ice Cream Shop

Why not sample camel-milk ice cream at Al Bait Sharjah’s petite ice creamery? There are seven flavours including pistachio, date and peanut to choose from, along with a deliciously sticky Arabic mastic-style ice cream.

Where: At the Bait Eissa Al Midfa heritage house | Phone: +971 6 502 5555 | Website

Marasea

Highly rated modern fish and seafood restaurant located at the Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa. Middle Eastern, Portuguese, Mediterranean, Lebanese and Asian flavours. The spacious terrace overlooks the Arabian Gulf.

Where: Al Muntazah Street, Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa | Phone: 971 6 599 0088 | Website

Milas

Milas offers traditional Emirati dishes with a Middle Eastern twist. Located in the Denim District of the city, the restaurant offers an authentic Emirati experience, from the home-cooked style food and karak spiced tea to the perfumes and ouds served at the end of the meal.

Where: Sharjah Mega Mall, Al Estiqlal Street, Bu Danig | Phone: +971 6 550 3190

Mushmaool Arabic Grill Restaurant

Authentic and hearty Arabic cuisine, Mushmaool is widely regarded as the best grill in town. Experience the flavours of the region – from grilled lamb chops to succulent shish tawook to buttery rice. The waffle fries are not to be missed.

Where: 1 Al Miraj Building – just 50m from the Mega Mall | Phone: +97165754244

Shababeek

Fresh, chic interiors make this modern Mediterranean-Lebanese restaurant along Al Qasba canal an ideal spot for long lunches. The cuisine is just as dazzling, with fresh salads, halloumi and assorted manakeesh all ideal for sharing.

Where: Qanat al Qasba, Al Taawun St | Phone: +971 6 554 0444 | Website

Zaroob

A modern fast food take on traditional street food vendors from the Levant region, Zaroob is one of the Emirate’s most recognisable food chains. Consistently good takes on all the classics – including a wide range of manakeesh and tasty shawarma dishes. The Sharjah branch boasts a lovely setting by the lake.

Where: Al Buhairah Corniche, Al Majaz Waterfront | Phone: +971 52 196 5642 | Website

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