Top mall food

We check out the food at Dubai's mall food courts to see which is best for families Discuss this article

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Let’s face it, if you’re in Dubai over the summer, chances are you and the kids are going to end up in a mall at some point, quite possibly around mealtimes.

Unless you know where to eat – and fast – tears and tantrums could ensue (the young ’uns could get a bit restless, too). Never fear, though, forewarned is forearmed thanks to these reader tips for foolproof fodder.

American

New York Fries: On the surface, a carton of fries smothered in devilishly delicious toppings doesn’t strike us as the healthiest option for family eating, and this is certainly no place to head if you’re watching your waistline. That said, this global chain leaves its ’tatties chunky and with the skin on, and cooks them in non-hydrogenated sunflower oil, so it is possible to convince yourself you’re eating healthily – kind of. Anyway, show us a kid who says, ‘No thank you, mummy,’ to New York Fries and we’ll show you an alien.

Dani, Umm Sequim: ‘NY Fries is the best because they put this amazing cheese sauce on. Plus there are tons of options. And the name has “New York” in it, which reminds us of home.’
Arabian Centre, Deira City Centre, Dubai Festival Centre, Dubai Outlet Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Lamcy Plaza.

Arabic

Al Hallab: Not your typical fast-food joint, this is in fact an offshoot of the family-owned Al Hallab restaurant in Garhoud (a Time Out Kids lunchtime favourite). Specialising in traditional Lebanese cuisine, its houmous and falafel are definitely worth a punt if you’re craving a tasty – and reasonably healthy – bite.

Caroline, Garhoud: ‘I wanted our little ones to get a taste of Arabic cuisine while we’re living out here – and it sure tastes yummy!’
Mall of the Emirates.

British

Fish Supper: So amazing, Time Out staff trotted back three times in two days. The lightly battered John Dory with homemade chunky chips is the real deal, although the rug rats may balk at the jars of pickled gherkins and onions.

Bonnie, Mirdif: ‘The whole family loves Fish Supper. It’s as close to a British chip shop as you’ll get.’
Arabian Centre.

Chinese

Magic Wok: Packed to the rafters around noon and early evening – often, tellingly, with Asian expats – this Chinese eatery serves the usual suspects in all sorts of combinations
and sizes.

Lesley, Al Safa: ‘Magic Wok is wonderful. The food is always fresh – not from a microwave – and piping hot. The girls love the chicken and rice.’
Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates.

Crêperie

La CrêParis: The most delicious crêpes we’ve tasted in Dubai, freshly made to order and custom-made for even the fussiest of palates. La CrêParis is conveniently located near Magic Planet, so if your brood has worked up a healthy appetite, it’s just one more hop, skip and jump before munchies.

Patricia, Al Barsha: ‘We love the fact we can choose our own fillings and the crêpes are made before our eyes. Our toddler wolfs down the crêpe with cheese and, believe it or not, spinach.’
Mall of the Emirates.

Indian

Indian Pavillion: Perhaps not the most bona fide Indian grub in town, but it certainly suits young palates just getting to grips with spicy flavours, and there are plenty of mild, kid-style options such as stuffed potato patties and masala fish fingers.

Helen, Springs: ‘Our kids love the dosas or “potato pyramids” as they call them, particularly after they’ve been skiing.’
Mall of the Emirates, Spinneys Centre.