Dubai in the 1980s was a very different dining destination, with neighbourhood cafeterias, family-run restaurants and modest eateries serving flavours from across the world. Some of the names that opened their doors during that era and even earlier became familiar fixtures of the city’s food scene. Take a trip down memory lane with these 10 restaurants that offer a taste of Dubai’s dining scene through the decades.
Dubai Restaurants In The 80’s
1. Ravi Restaurant
Ravi Restaurant has been part of Dubai’s dining landscape since 1978, making it a familiar name well before the city’s modern restaurant scene took shape. Its no-frills setting and affordable Pakistani favourites- biryanis, curries and grilled meats- made it a popular spot for residents looking for a hearty meal without the fuss. The Satwa institution remains closely associated with the old Dubai food scene, giving it plenty of nostalgic appeal for an 80s throwback.
Where: 7HQQ67MH+CJ – 8 9th St – Al Satwa – Dubai
When: 5 am to 2 am daily
2. Al Ustad Special Kabab
Al Ustad Special Kabab has been serving its famous Iranian-style fare in Dubai since 1978, giving it a strong connection to the city’s old-school dining scene. The cosy Bur Dubai restaurant became known for its juicy kebabs, grilled meats, rice and traditional Persian flavours, attracting generations of diners over the decades. Its distinctive interiors, filled with photographs and memorabilia, add to the nostalgic charm that makes it a natural fit for an 80s Dubai dining throwback.
Where: Metro Station – Al Mussallah Rd – near Al Fahidi – Al Hamriya – Dubai
When: Saturday to Thursday from 11 am to 1 am and Friday from 5:30 pm to 1 am
3. Sind Punjab Restaurant
Long before Dubai’s dining scene was filled with trendy restaurants and international concepts, Sind Punjab Restaurant was already serving up Punjabi favourites. Established in 1977, the Karama institution became a familiar name for tandoori dishes, biryanis, curries and other hearty Punjabi classics. Its old-school flavours and no-fuss approach continue to give diners a taste of the kind of Indian restaurant that was popular in Dubai decades ago.
Where: 29A St – Al Souq Al Kabeer – Al Fahidi – Dubai
When: 8 am to 1:30 am daily
4. Golden Dragon Restaurant
Chinese food was already finding its place on Dubai’s dining map when Golden Dragon Restaurant opened in 1976. Located in Oud Metha, the restaurant served Chinese favourites, noodles, stir-fries and seafood, giving residents another cuisine to explore during the city’s early years of international dining. Decades later, Golden Dragon’s enduring presence stands as a testament to its lasting legacy in Dubai’s dining scene.
Where: Building – Shop No. 3 – 4 13th St – off Umm Hurair Road – Oud Metha – Dubai
When: 12 pm to 11:30 pm daily
5. Bu Qtair
Picture a time when Dubai’s coastline was quieter, the skyline was still taking shape, and a simple seafood meal could become the highlight of the evening. Bu Qtair Restaurant emerged during the 1980s, drawing diners with its fresh catch, bold spices and wonderfully unfussy approach to food. Plates of fried fish, prawns, paratha and spicy curry became part of its signature, giving Bu Qtair a place in the story of Dubai’s early dining culture.
Where: Fishing Harbour 2 – Old 32B Street – Umm Suqeim Second – Umm Suqeim 2 – Dubai
When: Saturday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 11:30 pm and Friday from 1 pm to 11:30 pm
6. Joshi Restaurant
Step into the old-world charm of Meena Bazaar, and Joshi Restaurant is one of the names that has been part of the neighbourhood’s story for decades. Established in 1968, it built a loyal following with Indian curries, vegetarian dishes, snacks and traditional favourites served in a straightforward setting. The restaurant’s long-standing presence offers a taste of the Dubai that existed well before the city’s modern dining boom.
Where: 776X+PGP – 74th St – Al Souq Al Kabeer – Al Fahidi – Dubai
When: 7 am to 11 pm daily
7. Miyako
When Miyako opened its doors at the Hyatt Regency Dubai in 1987, Japanese cuisine was still a novelty for many diners in the city. The restaurant introduced guests to sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki and other Japanese specialities, adding a distinctly international touch to Dubai’s growing restaurant scene. Set within one of the city’s landmark hotels, Miyako became part of an era when discovering a new cuisine could itself feel like a special dining experience.
Where: Hyatt Regency Dubai, Al Khaleej St – Al Corniche – Deira – Dubai
When: Tuesday to Thursday from 6 pm to 11:30 and Friday to Sunday from 12:30 pm to 3 pm & 6 pm to 11:30
8. Al Rageef Al Lebnani (formerly known as Al Reef Lebanese Bakery)
The aroma of freshly baked manakish and Arabic bread has long been part of Dubai’s neighbourhood food culture, and Al Rageef Al Lebnani traces its roots to the Al Reef Lebanese Bakery lineage on Zabeel Road. Dating back to 1986, the bakery became known for its freshly baked breads, manakish, falafel and Lebanese favourites, offering simple, satisfying food to the city’s residents. Its story reflects the small bakeries and eateries that shaped Dubai’s everyday food culture in the 1980s.
Where: Zabeel Road – Al Karama – Dubai
When: 24 hours
9. Al Mallah
A late-night craving for shawarma, grilled meats or a cold fresh juice could easily lead Dubai diners to Al Mallah, one of the city’s enduring Lebanese cafeterias. Established in 1979, the eatery became known for its generous portions, bustling atmosphere and no-frills approach to shawarmas, grills, falafel and juices. Its longstanding presence captures the casual, street-side dining culture that was already becoming part of everyday Dubai life in the 1980s.
Where: Al Dhiyafa Rd – near Satwa Roundabout – Al Satwa – Dubai
When: 24 hours
10. Woodlands
The aroma of dosas, idlis, and South Indian filter coffee already drew Dubai diners to Woodlands when the restaurant opened in 1981. Its vegetarian menu brought familiar South Indian flavours to the city, with crispy dosas, fluffy idlis, vadas and hearty curries becoming staples for generations of diners. When Dubai’s restaurant scene was still expanding, Woodlands offered a comforting taste of home in the heart of the city.
Where: Al Karama – Dubai
When: 7 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm daily
These restaurants offer a delicious glimpse into Dubai in the 80s, when simple food and neighbourhood favourites defined dining out.
Cover Image Courtesy: Al Ustad Special Kabab/Instagram and Golden Dragon Restaurant/Instagram
FAQs
Which restaurants were popular in Dubai in the 80s?
Ravi Restaurant, Al Ustad Special Kabab, Sind Punjab and Al Mallah are among the long-standing names associated with Dubai's 80s dining scene.
Which is one of Dubai's oldest restaurants?
Joshi Restaurant, established in 1968, is one of Dubai's oldest restaurants.