List of the most appetizing culinary spots in the city
- Hidden Gems returns to Dubai Food Festival 2019, shining a light on 40 of the city’s undiscovered culinary treasures
- Residents can vote for their favourite restaurants through the Zomato app until 25 February with the Top 10 Hidden Gems to be announced on 2 March
- Special menu promotion at all Hidden Gems restaurants just AED35 throughout DFF
Dubai, UAE - Dubai Food Festival (DFF) is set to bring back Hidden Gems, its annual list of the most appetizing culinary spots in the city – chosen by the city’s residents. Through a partnership with food app Zomato, DFF gives Dubai residents and visitors the power to vote for their favourites from 40 shortlisted restaurants and cafes. Ten lucky voters will stand a chance to win big with Zomato, with each taking home AED1,000 and a year-long Zomato Gold membership (terms and conditions apply).
Offering incredible flavours, the Hidden Gems are a pocket-friendly option to enjoy delicious meals every day of the week. To help the public try out food at multiple Hidden Gems before casting their votes, all 40 restaurants are offering a special DFF meal priced at AED35 per person from today until 2 March, with the 10 winners extending their menu until the festival ends on 9 March. All set menus can be viewed on individual restaurant pages on Zomato’s website and their app, with an option for delivery.
This year’s shortlist reflects the diverse dining options across Dubai, from little eateries tucked into the streets of Al Muraqqabat, Al Rigga and Karama in Old Dubai, to lesser-known food havens in Downtown Dubai and JLT. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from including unique cuisine combinations like Mexican and Filipino as well as various vegan-friendly and gluten-free options. The list is also a must-try for those looking to taste Emirati flavours and recipes within the city. The Chicken Madfoon from Bait Al Mandi is a sight (and taste) to behold while the Balaleet and Khoboz Khameer from LocalAwi puts a modern twist on classic Emirati breakfast dishes.
Voting is now open to the public until 25 February on www.dubaihiddengems.com through the Zomato website and app. Users can register on Zomato or log in with an existing account to cast their votes. While only one vote can be submitted once per restaurant, voters can revisit the Hidden Gems page multiple times during the voting period to vote for other shortlisted restaurants. The list of top 10 Hidden Gems will be announced on 2 March.
The complete Hidden Gems shortlist is below:
Restaurant name | Cuisine | Location |
Bait Al Mandi Restaurant | Emirati | Al Barsha |
LocalAwi | Emirati | Al Barsha |
Socialicious | Thai, Vegetarian | Jumeirah Village |
Eat Artisanal | Mediterranean | Business Bay |
Asian5 | Asian | Downtown Dubai |
Spicy & Ginger | Thai | Za'abeel |
Shanghai Kitchen | Chinese | Al Satwa |
Indulgence Cafe | Indian, Pakistani | International City |
All Fresh | Fast Food | Za'abeel |
Sai Dham Vegetarian Restaurant | Indian, Chinese | Oud Metha |
House of Pizza | Pizza | Palm Jumeirah |
Two Seasons Restaurant | Indian, Chinese | Al Karama |
MTR - 1924 | Indian | Al Karama |
Sticky Rice | Thai | Jumeirah Village |
Golden Myanmar Restaurant (Chang Cheng) | Chinese, Indonesian, Thai | Al Quoz |
312 Cafe | Cafe, Fast Food | Al Sufouh |
Qiso Cafe | Fast Food Cafe | Dubai Silicon Oasis |
Ketli Café | Indian | Al Karama |
Chalet Grill Plus | Middle Eastern, Indian, Chinese | Al Barsha |
Cancios Restaurant | Mexican, Filipino | Al Muraqqabat |
El Greco | Greek | Jumeirah 1 |
Bangkok Town | Thai | Hor Al Anz |
New Asia Flavours | Indian, Chinese | Discovery Gardens |
Danial | Iranian, Indian, Seafood | Al Safa |
Cedar Tree | Lebanese | Motor City |
Samarkand Restaurant | Pakistani, Indian | Al Barsha |
New Marina Restaurant | Arabian, Chinese, Indian | Al Rigga |
Healthy Little Secrets | Healthy Food | Business Bay |
Thai Time | Thai | Al Safa |
Lakeside Spice | Indian | Business Bay |
Wok's Den | Asian Street Food | Jumeirah 1 |
Khana Khazana - Ibis Styles Hotel | Indian | Al Hudaiba |
Spice Hut | Pakistani, Chinese | Mirdif |
The Desi Circle | Street Food, Indian | Al Karama |
Baker Street Cafe | Cafe, Bakery | Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) |
Al Falamanki | Lebanese | Jumeirah 2 |
Catfish | Healthy Food, African | Business Bay |
Unforgettable Biryani | Pakistani, Filipino | Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) |
Sultan Dubai Falafel Restaurant | Arabian, Middle Eastern | Deira |
Dil Se Desi | Chinese, North Indian, Indian, Bengali | Bur Dubai |
About Dubai Food Festival
Dubai Food Festival is a citywide culinary celebration that showcases the Emirate’s emergence as the gastronomy capital of the region through a packed 17-day programme of food-related events, activities, promotions and appearances by food celebrities all across the city. The Festival promotes the diversity, creativity and multicultural nature of Dubai’s culinary offering – from its five-star gourmet dining to its unique Hidden Gems. Dubai Food Festival is organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism). In its 6th edition, Dubai Food Festival 2019, which runs from 21 February till 09 March, continues to position the emirate as a global tourism destination offering unique culinary experiences, giving residents and visitors a flavour of the very best of Dubai’s food scene.
Amit Singh
Mumbai, India
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