Arabian Tea House (Al Fahidi)

A leafy courtyard cafe in the Al Fahidi heritage quarter serving proper Emirati food — machboos, balaleet, regag bread — plus a huge tea list, since 1997. Open daily 7am-11pm. It's the single best first-morning stop in old Dubai. Caveat: it's firmly on the tourist trail now, so expect a wait at brunch hours.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What are Arabian Tea House's opening hours?

Daily from 7am to 11pm at the Al Fahidi branch. Early morning is genuinely the best window — cooler air, empty courtyard, fresh bread.

What should I order at Arabian Tea House?

For breakfast, the Emirati breakfast tray — balaleet (sweet saffron vermicelli with egg), chebab pancakes and regag bread — is the move. Later in the day go for chicken or lamb machboos, and order karak or one of their dozens of teas regardless.

Is Arabian Tea House good for vegetarians?

Yes — there's a solid spread of vegetarian mezze, salads, breads and egg dishes, plus the whole tea list. It's one of the easier Emirati menus for non-meat-eaters.

How do I get to Arabian Tea House by metro?

Take the Green Line to Al Fahidi station and walk about ten minutes toward the heritage quarter. Even better: take the metro to Deira, ride an abra across the Creek for AED 1, and walk over.

Is this actually authentic Emirati food or a tourist version?

It's the real deal — the menu is genuine Emirati home cooking you'll struggle to find elsewhere in the city, and it's been running since 1997. Yes, tourists fill the courtyard, but Emirati families eat here too.

Does Arabian Tea House serve alcohol?

No — it's a traditional tea house, so it's teas, fresh juices and coffee only. That's part of the charm; try the saffron tea or a proper karak instead.

Is Arabian Tea House expensive?

Mid-range by Dubai standards — expect roughly AED 60-100 per person for a proper meal with tea, less for breakfast. For the setting and the cooking, that's fair.

Do I need a reservation at Arabian Tea House?

Not usually, but weekend brunch time (roughly 10am-1pm) can mean a wait since tour groups pass through Al Fahidi. Walk-ins at breakfast or late afternoon are painless.

Nearby in Ask Dubai

• Al Fahidi Historical NeighbourhoodNeighborhood0.05 km · 1 min walk
• Coffee MuseumMuseum0.08 km · 1 min walk
• Coins MuseumMuseum0.11 km · 1 min walk
• Al Khayma Heritage RestaurantRestaurant0.15 km · 2 min walk
• Textile Souk (Old Souk)Market0.28 km · 3 min walk