Dubai is on my travel bucket list not only because it's a beautiful Middle Eastern country with palm trees, desert, tall shiny buildings and *coughs* handsome sheikhs *coughs*…za place for Muslim gourmets.
As one of seven emirates in a federation known as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai has a strict halal import policy, meaning all meat and chicken in Dubai is halal.
This is the best part. Dubai has MANY American food chains in the city (and they are all halal?).
So, instead of ordering the usual fish or vegan option, we can finally try meat dishes from American chain stores in Dubai!
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1. Cheesecake Factory
The name may sound like a specialty patisserie, but in addition to amazing cheesecakes, The Cheesecake Factory also serves hot dishes from the kitchen. The company started selling cheesecakes alone in the 1940s when it was just starting out. However, in 1978, the first Cheesecake Factory restaurant opened its doors, serving hot meals accompanied by a wide selection of desserts.
With all the appetizing food photos circulating on the internet, imagine how excited I was to try The Cheesecake Factory when I was in the States! However, since they didn't have halal options in the states, I could only choose their seafood selection.
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How to choose just one from such a wide range of cakes?
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There are over 200 choices on the menu, including pizzas, pastas, salads and burgers. I bet I would have a hard time deciding what to eat.
Address:Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, 4th Interchange, Al Barsha, Dubaj.
Opening hours:11:00 - 23:00 (Sunday - Wednesday) and 10:00 - 12:00 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday).
2. Shake the hut
Shake Shack is a burger place with humble beginnings. In 2001, it was a hot dog cart stationed in Madison Square Park in Manhattan. Three years later it became a permanent kiosk in the park, and now Shake Shahackhas has grown into a global brand.
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For health reasons, I try to eat almost all natural, organic and antibiotic-free meats. Read it onmenushed tears of joy...
“100% All Natural Angus Beef. Our original chalet mix. No hormones and no antibiotics."
"Our vanilla and chocolate recipes use only real sugar, no corn syrup, and milk from dairy farmers who promise not to use artificial growth hormones."
"Chicken - Never hormone-free and antibiotic-free."
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A fast food restaurant with burgers, milkshakes AND using only meat and dairy free of antibiotics and hormones...
…. can we already have shack shack in malaysia?!
Address:Mall Of The Emirates, Al Barsha 1 (first floor, next to the West Food Court), Dubai
Opening hours:Open daily from 10:00 to 12:00
3. Inn in Texas
A meat lover's paradise in Dubai should be Texas Roadhouse, a Texas-style restaurant that showcases legendary food at reasonable prices. Guests are treated to freshly baked bread and nuts, which they can enjoy while waiting for the main course. The best thing about this restaurant is that the steaks are hand cut on site and the side dishes are made from scratch!
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There is a huge choice of side dishes for main dishes - from baked or mashed potatoes to steak fries, seasoned rice, homemade salad or Caesar salad, buttered corn, coleslaw and much more. Texas Roadhouse slowly cooks the ribs, giving you the feeling of falling off the bone as you devour the meat. Be sure to try their award-winning ribs and homemade Texas Red Chilli in the US!
Address:LG112-2, Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
Opening hours:11:00-23:00 Saturday - Wednesday; Thu-Fri 11:00 - 12:00
4. PF Changa
Don't let the Chinese name fool you! It's definitely an American chain here. It all started when co-founder Philip Chiang met restaurateur Paul Fleming and this Asian themed casual restaurant was born. There are seven PF Chang stores in Dubai, mainly located in shopping malls such as Mall of the Emirates, The Dubai Mall and Al Ain Mall.
My choice in halal Chinese restaurants would definitely be duck, and P.F. Chang's has it. ?
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Other dishes you can get there are dim sum, hot wok dishes like nasi and bami. Here you will surely satisfy your cravings for Chinese food!
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Address:Lower Level, Waterfall Promenade, The Dubai Mall, Dubai. There are six other locations in Dubai you can check out on the official website.
Opening hours:11:00 - 12:00 (Sunday to Wednesday), 11:00 - 1:00 (Thursday to Saturday)
5. IHOP
Pancakes. Where better to eat pancakes than at the International House of Pancakes, better known as IHOP. Imagine that soft, fluffy, round thing stacked one after the other right in front of you. I will never be able to resist a plate of hot, fluffy pancake! ?
In the States I would order something safe like banana pancakes, but here in Dubai we can eat bacon with our pancakes, yo!
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In addition to pancakes, IHOP also serves waffles, French toast and pancakes. For those who prefer savory over sweet, options like omelettes, breakfast steaks, and even Philly Cheese Steak are sure to satisfy your taste buds.
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Address:1st Floor, Unit K01C, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Opening hours:08:00 - 01:00 (Friday and Saturday), 08:00 - 00:00 (Sunday - Thursday)
Website:International site|IHOP Dubai
6. Appelbee'go
Applebee's is an American brand from Kansas that serves good "ole American" food such as shrimp, chicken, pasta, ribs, steaks and salads.
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In 2013, former Applebee CEO Mike Archer said in an interview that the food they serve in the UAE and the US is consistent, so you can be sure that if you order a quesadilla burger, it will taste the same anywhere in the world.
Applebee's in the US has pork on the menu, but don't worry, Applebee's in Dubai is 100% halal and the sauce is alcohol-free.
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Address:Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubaj
Opening hours:10:00 - 1:00 (Sunday to Wednesday), 10:00 - 2:00 (Thursday to Saturday)
7. Z Tai Fungi
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Din Tai Fung, the only Asian chain on our list, specializes in steamed dumplings and noodles. The Hong Kong branch was awarded a Michelin star in 2010, solidifying its status as one of the best Chinese restaurants.
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Din Tai Fung is certainly well known in many parts of the world. However, few places have a halal version of it.
It's hard to find a halal version of Din Tai Fung on our shores, but thanks to Dubai's halal import policy, Din Tai Fung in Dubai is halal!
[PS Since this article was written, we note thisDrzwi DIN From Tai Fung, a pork-free version of Din Tai Fung operated by the same management, has opened 2 outlets in KL (in Suria KLCC and Nu Sentral) as well as one in Johor Bahru (Mid Valley Southkey). Based on our checks with management, DIN by Din Tai Fung uses ingredients from certified halal suppliers and alcohol is used in food preparation, but please note that they serve alcoholic beverages.]
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If you are ever in Dubai give this place a try especially if you are a dim sum lover like me. One of the specialties of the establishment is xiao long bao (soup noodles), so be sure to try them.
Address:Level 2 extension, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Opening hours:11:00 - 22:00 (Saturday to Thursday), 11:00 - 12:00 (Thursday and Friday)
8. Uno Chicago Grill
While pizza originated in Italy, the American chain Uno reinvented pizza with its signature deep dish pizza. So… What is a deep dish pizza? It's basically a pizza, but with a sharp edge, like a fruit pie! Deep dish pizza reminds me of quiche, but without the eggs.
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The main attraction of this restaurant is the deep dish pizza, but like all other American restaurants, they also serve steaks and seafood, among other things.
Address:Ground Floor, Dubai Mall, Financial Center Road, Dubai
Opening hours:Every day from 11:00 to 23:00 except Thursday and Friday (from 11:00 to 1:00)
9. Five Guests Burgers and Fries
Americans definitely love their burgers just like Malaysians love our lemak. If you like burgers you must try Five Guys when in Dubai.
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Five Guys burgers are hand-formed and grilled to perfection. Fresh cut fries are fried in pure peanut oil (note for peanut allergy sufferers, you can skip this place). They serve burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, fries and milkshakes. A place that burger fans should not miss!
Address:Parter, Dubai Mall, Dubai
Opening hours:Daily from 10:00 to 1:00
10. Pots, pans and plates
Strictly speaking, Pots, Pans & Boards is not a restaurant chain. This is the brainchild of the famous British chef Tom Aikens. The restaurant offers a casual mix of English, Mediterranean and French cuisine, including starters, mains, all day breakfasts, soups and salads.
The name of the restaurant indicates exactly how you get your food: in pots, pans or on shelves.
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Address:Strandwinkelcentrum, Jumeirah Beach Residence Walk, Dubaj
Opening hours:Sunday - Wednesday (8:00 - 12:00), Thu - Saturday (8:00 - 1:00)
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So there you have it, all 10 foreign restaurants that Muslim foodies wouldn't be able to discover anywhere else if they weren't in Dubai.
Looking at the pictures of the food, I'd say Dubai is worth the plane ticket. As I mentioned in my bio, I travel far and wide in search of good food... I'll be right back. I'm checking my bank balance now.
Labels:halal food guidedubai