Dubai is in my travel bucket list not only because it is a gorgeous Middle Eastern country with palm trees, desert, tall shiny buildings, and *cough* handsome sheikhs *cough*… but also because it is the place for Muslim foodies to be.
As one of the seven emirates in the federation known as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai imposes a strict halal import policy, which means all the meat and chicken in Dubai are halal.
According to Ask Ali, meat from foreign fast-food chains that comes into the UAE is expected to be halal and these chains are required to provide authentic certificates in proving their halal status.
Here’s the best part. Dubai has TONS of American food chains operating in the city.
So instead of just ordering the usual seafood or vegan option, we get to try meat-based food from American chains in Dubai!
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1. The Cheesecake Factory
The name might sound like it’s a dedicated cake shop but apart from the amazing cheesecakes, The Cheesecake Factory also serves hot food from its kitchen. Back in 1940s, the business started off with only cheesecakes but it was 1978 when the first Cheesecake Factory restaurant opened, with lunch and dinner menu to go along with its extensive dessert selection.
Imagine how excited I was being able to try The Cheesecake Factory when I was in the United States but being there, I had to stick to the usual halal-friendly option and I chose salmon.
How do you choose only one from all of this??
With halal food not being an issue, just imagine what we could try at The Cheesecake Factory in Dubai!
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Seared Tuna Tataki Salad
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There are more than 200 options in the menu to choose from including pizzas, pastas, salads and burgers. I bet I would have a tough time deciding what to eat.
Address: Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, 4th Interchange, Al Barsha, Dubai.
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm (Saturday – Wednesday) and 10am – 12am (Thursday and Friday).
Website
2. Shake Shack
When this hugely popular burger chain decided to venture out of America, it decided that it should set base in Dubai (I wish it was Malaysia instead).
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Shake Shack is a burger joint with a humble beginning. 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 Shack is a global brand.
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I strive to eat almost all natural, organic and antibiotics-free meat because of health reasons so reading these on the menu makes me cry tears of joy…
“100% all-natural Angus beef. Our proprietary shack blend. No hormones and free from antibiotics.”
“Our vanilla and chocolate recipes use only real sugar, no corn syrup and milk from dairy farmers who pledge to not use artificial growth hormones.”
“Chicken – No hormones ever and free from antibiotics.” 
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A fast food joint that has burgers and milkshakes AND uses only meat and dairy that are free from antibiotics and hormones…
…. can we have Shake Shack in Malaysia already?!
Address: Mall Of The Emirates, Al Barsha 1 (First Floor, Next to West Food Court), Dubai
Opening hours: Open daily from 10am – 12am
Website
3. Texas Roadhouse
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A meat lover’s heaven in Dubai would probably be Texas Roadhouse, a Texan-themed restaurant that boasts of legendary food with reasonable prices.
New York Strip
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Diners will receive fresh baked bread and nuts to munch on while waiting for the orders to arrive. A winning point to this place is that the steaks are hand cut in-house and the side dishes are made from scratch.
Baked potato (right) and buttered corn (left).
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The selection for side dishes is aplenty and you can choose from baked or mashed potatoes, steak fries, seasoned rice, house or Caesar salad, buttered corn, coleslaw, among others.
Texas Roadhouse slow cooks its ribs, guaranteeing you a fall-off-the-bones experience as you devour your meat. The ribs and its homemade Texas Red Chilli have won awards in the USA.
Address: LG112-2, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
Opening hours: 11am-11pm on Saturday – Wednesday; Thu-Fri 11am -12am
Website
4. P.F. Chang’s
The name is Chinese, but make no mistake, this is an American chain alright. It began when co-founder Philip Chiang met restaurateur Paul Fleming and from that venture, the Asian-themed casual dining restaurant is born.
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There are seven P. F. Chang’s outlets in Dubai, mainly at the malls such as Mall of the Emirates, The Dubai Mall and Al Ain Mall.
My choice at any halal Chinese restaurants would definitely be duck, and P. F. Chang’s has it.
VIP Duck
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Expect dim sum, hot dishes from the wok such as fried rice and noodles, and satisfy your Chinese food cravings here.
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Address: Lower level, Waterfall Promenade, The Dubai Mall, Dubai. There are six other locations in Dubai that you can check on the official website.
Opening hours: 11am – 11pm daily
Website
5. IHOP
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Pancakes. That soft, pillowy, fluffy round thing placed on a plate, one stack after another, typically served with butter and honey. What better place to have your fix of pancakes than at the International House of Pancakes, or better known as IHOP.
I ordered something safe like pancakes with banana when I tried IHOP back in the States, but with Dubai’s IHOP, we can have bacon with our pancakes, yo!
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Beyond pancakes, IHOP has waffles, French toasts and crepes among others. For those who prefer savoury over sweet, options such as omelettes, breakfast steaks, and even Philly cheese steak would surely satisfy your palate.
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Address: 1st Level, Unit K01C, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Opening hours: 8am – 1am daily
Website: International website | IHOP Dubai
6. Applebee’s
Applebee’s is an American brand from Kansas that serves good ‘ole American dishes like shrimp, chicken, pasta, ribs, steaks and salads.
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In 2013, Applebee’s former president Mike Archer said in an interview that the food they serve in the UAE and the USA is consistent so you can be assured that if you order a quesadilla burger, it would taste the same anywhere in the world.
Applebee’s in the US has pork in the menu but don’t fret, Dubai’s Applebee’s is 100% halal and the sauce does not contain any alcohol.
Jumbo Shrimp
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Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Opening hours: Sat: 10am – 2am, Sun – Wed: 10am – 1am, Thu – Fri: 10am -2am
Website
7. Din Tai Fung
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The only Asian chain in our list, Din Tai Fung specialises in steamed dumplings and noodles. Its Hong Kong branch was awarded a Michelin star in 2010, cementing its status as one of the premier Chinese cuisine restaurant.
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Din Tai Fung has presence all over the world but the halal ones are few and far in between.
Even the Kuala Lumpur branch is off limits because of they use non-halal ingredients, but thanks to Dubai’s halal import policy, Din Tai Fung in Dubai is halal!
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If you’re ever in Dubai, do try out this place especially if you’re a dim sum lover like me. One of the house specialties is the xiao long bao (soup dumplings) so be sure to try that one.
Address: Level 2 Expansion, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily
Website
8. Uno Chicago Grill
While pizza is an entirely Italian invention, American chain Uno have reinvented pizza with its signature deep dish pizza.
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What is a deep dish pizza? It’s basically pizza but with a tall-edged crust, like a fruit pie! Deep dish pizza reminds me of quiche, only without the eggs.
Deep dish pizza is the highlight of this restaurant but like any other American restaurants, they also serve steaks and seafood among others.
Address: Ground Floor, Dubai Mall, Financial Centre Road, Dubai
Opening hours: 11am – 11pm daily except for Thurs and Friday (11am – 1am)
Website
9. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Americans do love their hamburgers like Malaysians love their nasi lemak. There is another burger joint that you should try while in Dubai and it’s called Five Guys.
President Obama trying to figure out what to order at Five Guys in Washington, DC, in 2009.
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I’d go for any type of beef burger any day, Mr President. Just like this beautiful mess below.
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Burgers at Five Guys are hand-formed and cooked to its juicy perfection on a grill. Its fresh-cut fries are cooked in pure peanut oil (heads up to those with peanut allergy, you can avoid this place). They have burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, fries and milkshakes.
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I saw Five Guys in the States but had to pass it up because I’m not a fan of fish in my burgers, so thank you Dubai for this halal option!
Address: Lower Ground Level, Dubai Mall, Dubai
Opening hours: 10am – 12 am daily
Website
10. Pots, Pans & Boards
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Technically, Pots, Pans & Boards isn’t a restaurant chain. It’s the brainchild of celebrated British chef Tom Aikens. The restaurant presents a mixture of casual English, Mediterranean and French dishes, with starters, main courses, all-day breakfast, soups, salads, among others.
The restaurant name denotes the exact way you’ll be getting your food – in pots, pans or on boards.
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The décor of the restaurant looks bright and airy, and totally Instagrammable.
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The good people of the Internet have recommended the malt glazed short rib with crisp onions at this place.
Yes, one malt glazed short ribs, please, thank you.
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Address: Beach Mall, Jumeirah Beach Residence Walk, Dubai
Opening hours: Sun – Wed (9am – 12am), Thurs – Sat (9am – 1am)
Website
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So there you have it, all 10 foreign restaurants that Muslim foodies wouldn’t be able to explore elsewhere if not in Dubai.
Looking at the food photos, I would say that Dubai is worth the plane ticket. Like I mentioned in my bio, I travel far and wide for good food… Be right back guys. Checking my bank balance now.