Dubai is a city of speed, constant motion, and nonstop activity. If you don’t have a car, you should consider renting one. Many people spend significant time in their vehicles, even during meals. Finding an available table at a restaurant or cafe can be challenging, so it’s usual for people to eat right in their vehicles.
Additionally, to avoid wasting time in traffic, stock up on food and enjoy a tasty meal in the car while others are stressing out in heavy traffic.
Best Restaurants in Dubai With Fast Food
Fast food is a guilty pleasure for many people. It’s quick, tasty, filling, and made so you can easily eat it in the car without making a mess. Here’s a list of Dubai’s most popular and reliable fast food chains:
- Texas Chicken: You must visit this place if you appreciate crispy fried chicken and soft honey-butter biscuits.
- BurgerFuel: This burger chain is from New Zealand and is popular for gourmet burgers and fresh ingredients.
- Jollibee: If you’re looking for fried chicken or tasty burgers, you’ll find them here, and fast and friendly service will be provided.
- Popeyes: One more spot for chicken fans. This place serves Louisiana-style chicken. Order a combo meal and savor it in the comfort of your car.
- Hardee’s: Great for a classic burger-and-fries fix, with locations across the city.
- Raising Cane’s: Make sure to try their chicken fingers and signature sauce.
- Five Guys: Handcrafted burgers and crispy, freshly cut fries that live up to the hype.
- Wingstop: You can find many options here if you like chicken wings.
- Blaze Pizza: You can create your own pizza by selecting from a variety of ingredients.
- Subway: If you want something lighter and customizable, pick up a sandwich and get back on the road.
- Papa John’s: Here you can find pizza and desserts.
Fine Dining Drive-Thru Points
The most famous fast-food restaurants in the world offer the option to order from your car and pick up your meal right at the service window:
- McDonald’s: The Most demanded and popular fast-food chain. You can find burgers, French fries, desserts, and chicken nuggets here.
- Wendy’s: Working 24/7, this place offers fresh, juicy burgers.
- KFC: You can get some crispy chicken, wraps, and wings.
- Burger King: A large choice of whoppers is available here, and the service is fast and friendly.
- Taco Bell: A perfect option for spicy food fans.
- Tim Hortons: Just drive your car to the window and order donuts, coffee, and delicious sandwiches.
- Doner & Gyros: For a quick and satisfying meal on the go, try this spot’s blend of Greek gyros and German doner kebabs. Their wraps and platters are perfect for eating in the car, with bold flavors that’ll keep you coming back. With multiple locations across Dubai, including Dubai Marina and Al Barsha, it’s a convenient choice for a car dining experience.
- Costa Coffee: Some places provide drive-thru service for coffee enthusiasts.
- Starbucks: Yes, you can even order your favorite iced latte without ever having to leave the car.
- Chicking: Juicy fried chicken with an Arabic twist. High customer turnover guarantees always fresh ingredients.
Late Night Dining Options in Your Car
Dubai never sleeps, and neither do its food options. You can grab burgers from Wendy’s at ENOC stations like Al Jadaf or Meadows, or Hardee’s drive-thru locations open 24/7 across the city. Al Mallah on Al Dhiyafa Road stays open until 3 AM for authentic shawarma late at night. Lebanese wraps and manakeesh from Zaatar w Zeit are available 24/7 in places like Jumeirah and Al Barsha. If you want sweet treats, Krispy Kreme at Mall of the Emirates or Tim Hortons in Dubai Marina offer late-night hours. McDonald’s also has several 24-hour drive-thru locations, including Dubai Festival City and Motor City. So if you love a good late-night meal, you won’t run out of options in Dubai.
Emirati Food to Go: Restaurants Guide
If you want to immerse yourself in UAE culture and taste authentic dishes fully, these restaurants will impress you with their wide variety of food and drink options:
- Al Fanar Restaurant: Classic arabian dishes in comfortable packaging, locations in Dubai Festival City and Dubai Mall.
- Ravi Restaurant: This casual restaurant has multiple branches across the city and is famous for flavorful Middle Eastern dishes.
- Logma: A modern twist on traditional Emirati cuisine, featuring fast service and takeout options, located in Boxpark and City Walk.
- Karachi Darbar: Popular for meat dishes and pilafs. Offers takeaway options and delivery.
- Maqam Al Sultan: Authentic Emirati value-for-money dishes in convenient take-out packaging are available in areas like Deira.
- Sultan Baba Iskender: This Turkish restaurant is a go-to spot for fans of juicy doner kebabs and traditional Iskender dishes. Located in Jumeirah, it offers both dine-in and takeaway options, making it perfect for a quick yet authentic Turkish meal on the move.
- Ravi Restaurant: A legendary name among Pakistani food lovers in Dubai, Ravi Restaurant is known for its flavorful curries, masala, biryani, and grilled meats.
- Man’oushe Street: Lebanese-style flatbreads with tahini and hummus wraps. Try incredible appetizers made from eggplant, chickpeas, and peppers.
- Al Ijaza Cafeteria: Another place for traditional food lovers that offers fast and convenient pickup service.
- 21Grams Balkan Bistro: Discover a hidden gem in Dubai, perfect for fans of hearty Balkan food.
- Bait Al Mandi: This place offers traditional Yemeni and Emirati dishes.
- Bait Maryam: Dishes from Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon.
Desserts Without Getting Out
The options are endless if you’re in the mood for something sweet on the go. Here are some popular chain spots where you can grab desserts, cold drinks, and hot beverages:
- Krispy Kreme: With several drive-thru locations in Dubai, it offers fantastic coffee and donuts.
- Cold Stone Creamery: Enjoy custom ice cream creations at drive-thru spots like Mall of the Emirates.
- Dunkin’: Coffee, donuts, and pastries. Everything is quickly accessible through drive-thru windows.
- Caribou Coffee: Offering sweet treats and specialty coffees at select drive-thru locations.
- McCafé (McDonald’s): Coffee and desserts are available at 24-hour drive-thru outlets.
- Baskin-Robbins: If you need to cool off in the heat, stop by for some fresh and delicious ice cream.
Healthy and Diet Food
If you’re on a diet, avoid meat, or don’t consume gluten or lactose, Dubai offers plenty of places to enjoy a delicious meal from your car. You can grab your food or eat it at the venue.
- Wild & The Moon: Offers 100% organic, plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free dishes and drinks. You can find it in Alserkal Avenue and Downtown.
- Comptoir 102: Top-rated wellness cafe serving up vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free options.
- Just Salad: Eco-friendly chain offering customizable salads, wraps, and bowls with reusable bowl programs in DIFC and Business Bay.
- Vibe Cafeteria: Healthy bowls, vegan pancakes, Al Wasl, and smoothies.
- Bounty Beets: A cozy cafe serving gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan dishes is located at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi.
- The Cycle Bistro: If you’re on a paleo or keto diet, this is a perfect spot, focusing on organic ingredients, which are available in Motor City.
- SEVA Table: A plant-based sanctuary offering mindful food choices and eco-friendly practices.
- Roots Bistro: An eco-friendly cafe with vegan and vegetarian meals, famous for using compostable packaging.
- Jumeirah Fishing Harbour Seafood Restaurant: Dining centre where you can enjoy fresh salmon, lobster, seafood cocktails, and a weekend brunch by the sea. Home to some of the best dining spots in Dubai, it’s a must-visit Dubai destination for food lovers and anyone chasing chef-curated coastal vibes.
- YUi Japanese Soul Food: YUi is an unpretentious spot with Japanese street food. The restaurant offers a to-go service. Don’t miss their miso dumpling plating and takoyaki (octopus balls).
- Salad Jar: For an on-the-go meal, healthy salads, wraps, and detox drinks in glass jars.
Family-Friendly Car Dining Places
If you’re traveling with family, Dubai has plenty of fast food restaurants offering kid-friendly menus:
- Eat & Drink Restaurant: A casual local chain with affordable prices and quick car service in Al Barsha and Karama.
- Operation Falafel: This modern food chain with tasty street food has branches in JBR, Dubai Marina, and Motor City.
- Doner & Gyros: Offers fusion wraps and platters that kids and adults enjoy. It is available for takeaway and drive-in eating.
- Broccoli Pizza & Pasta: This restaurant serves up customizable pizzas and pasta that are perfect for eating on the go and are kid-friendly too. You can find many locations across Dubai.
- Zaatar w Zeit: Lebanese comfort food, available in family-size portions. Try flatbreads with thyme, sesame, and spice mix.
- Al Ijaza Cafeteria: Offers a huge menu of sandwiches, juices, and snacks.
- Reem Al Bawadi: Middle Eastern restaurant with large portions perfect for sharing, offering takeaway across several Dubai locations.
- Kababji Grill: Lebanese grill spot with large platters you can share, ideal for group or family takeout meals.
Tips for Eating in Your Car
We’ve put together a list of tips and lifehacks:
- Use napkins: Keep a pack of tissues, wet wipes, or napkins in your car.
- Avoid messy food: Avoid overly saucy, crumbly, or drippy items. Choosing wraps, sandwiches, burgers, and finger foods is better.
- Use cup holders: They’re perfect for drinks, fries, nuggets, or sauce cups.
- Keep trash bags or containers: A small garbage bag or container helps keep your car clean after the meal.
- Avoid eating while driving: If you eat while driving, you might choke or get distracted and lose control of the vehicle.
- Stay hydrated: Keep a bottle of water in your car.
- Pack peppermint candies or chewing gum: For a quick refresh before your next stop or meeting.