Thanks to the UAE’s wonderfully diverse nature, you can find delicious food from around the world in just about every corner of the country.
When it comes to Turkish fare, diners are spoilt for choice. From fine-dining spots and world-famous chefs, to local eateries and global chains, there are plenty of spots to get your Turkish fix.
So, as Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan embarks upon his first official visit to the UAE in almost a decade, we pay homage to the cuisine.
Here are five of our favourite spots for Turkish food in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Kaftan
With branches in Jumeirah, La Mer and Smoky Beach, Kaftan Turkish Gourmet has won a legion of fans thanks to its authentic fare and traditional Turkish hospitality. From an extensive breakfast menu right through to dinner, the menu offers a contemporary twist on Turkish classics. Don’t leave without trying the Pasa Kadayif dessert.
Jumeirah 1, La Mer, 9am-midnight; Smoky Beach, 6pm-2am; @kaftanrestaurant on Instagram
Nusr-Et
Made famous by its social media sensation founder Nusret Gokce, better known as Salt Bae, this steakhouse, which started life in Istanbul, is more than just a gimmick. With restaurants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Nusr-Et’s meat-heavy menu is dotted with Turkish influence, with dishes such as the Ottoman salad and its theatrically served baklava as firm menu favourites.
You may also run into a celebrity at the restaurant, as you can see in the photo gallery above.
Restaurant Village Four Seasons, Dubai; noon-midnight; The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi; 12pm-12am; nusr-et.com.tr
Gunaydin
This spot overlooking the Dubai Fountain at Souk Al Bahar offers a huge range of authentic Turkish dishes. From lentil soup and meatballs, to traditional flatbreads and dozens of varieties of kebab, there is no shortage of choice on offer. Gunaydin was established in 1965 as a small artisanal butcher's shop in Istanbul’s historic Bostanci neighbourhood, and now boasts more than 40 restaurants around the world.
Souk Al Bahar, Dubai; Monday-Friday, 12pm-1am; Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-1am; gunaydindubai.com
Pasha
This small, fuss-free neighbourhood restaurant in Abu Dhabi has been a firm favourite for 30 years. Pasha sources all ingredients from Turkey and bakes fresh bread in-house every morning. Its marinated meats are an in-house special, as well as its salads and kebabs. The menu features changing daily specials, as well as a range of Turkish teas.
Behind Shining Towers, Mubarak bin Mohammed St, Al Khalidiyah; open daily, 8am-1am; pasha.ae
Zou Zou
Established in the UAE, Zou Zou, located at Dubai’s La Mer, fuses the flavours of Turkey and Lebanon to create a varied menu that has proven popular with diners. Known especially for its breakfast offering, the Arabic Special Sini Breakfast, which comes with several small dishes such as Turkish eggs, honey with cream, bread and fresh fruit, is a real winner.
La Mer, Dubai; daily, 9am-midnight; zouzoudubai.com
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
New schools in Dubai
More on Quran memorisation:
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
The five pillars of Islam
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Friday's schedule at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 qualifying, 10:15am
Formula 2, practice 11:30am
Formula 1, first practice, 1pm
GP3 qualifying session, 3.10pm
Formula 1 second practice, 5pm
Formula 2 qualifying, 7pm
Hamilton’s 2017
Australia - 2nd; China - 1st; Bahrain - 2nd; Russia - 4th; Spain - 1st; Monaco - 7th; Canada - 1st; Azerbaijan - 5th; Austria - 4th; Britain - 1st; Hungary - 4th; Belgium - 1st; Italy - 1st; Singapore - 1st; Malaysia - 2nd; Japan - 1st; United States - 1st; Mexico - 9th
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
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The years Ramadan fell in May
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Wednesday and the pair embraced but he failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900