Lebanese cuisine is widely acclaimed around the globe, and for good reason — offering palatable starters and mains that provide a glimpse into the vibrant Levant culture, each dish is bursting with flavour and a story.

If you’re a fan of the cuisine, Em Sherif Café is a must-visit. With two iconic locations, situated at the heart of the city in Dubai’s Downtown Boulevard and in the Capital at Abu Dhabi’s West Bay Corniche—both restaurants promise an immersive experience inspired by family traditions and flavours enmeshed with a modern flair. “Em Sherif is an epicentre for Lebanese culture,” states Mireille Hayek, the chef-owner of the establishment. 

Under the helm of Mireille Hayek and her daughter Yasmina Hayek, who acts as executive chef, the venture has garnered varying awards and accolades worldwide, including a spot on the highly anticipated “World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list. The duo’s unwavering commitment to showcasing Lebanon’s gastronomic heritage is artfully presented in each dish the restaurant serves. 

Regarding their philosophy, Mireille Hayek alludes, “Em Sherif is proudly a flagbearer for Lebanese culture, something you feel when you are dining at any Em Sherif location. Whether it is the service, the music, the food, the décor, the clientele- 'la vie Libanaise.” 

Since starting their journey in 2011, Em Sherif Café has only evolved and improved with their initial concept in mind: to present traditional Lebanese cuisine with a refined twist — one that invokes memories of home no matter where you are.

The menu at Em Sherif Café boasts a wide range of mouthwatering selections, from refreshing salads to hot and cold mezzes, including soujouk, batata harra, makanek sumac, etc. Along with scrumptious kebabs, keftas, shawarmas, and more for mains. The dessert menu features varying favourites like em Ali, knefeh, katayef, and ghazal el banet, among others, to curb your sweet tooth.

With homey, nostalgia-inducing dishes set against an opulent ambience with Arabic tunes wafting in the background, a meal at Em Sherif Café will transport your taste buds.

Currently, Em Sherif operates 27 branches in 15 countries across the region and beyond in cities like Riyadh, Cairo, Baghdad, Amman, Paris, etc., and it is just embarking on its journey to introduce Lebanese hospitality to the globe. Continuing the vision, Mireille Hayek and Yasmina Hayek are elated to extend Em Sherif Café’s hospitality over to the cultural hub that is Al Jada. 

Set to be inaugurated by the end of 2025, the new dining venue is a testament to the past glory of culinary traditions and innovation. Backed by Arada and Sheikh Suhail Al Maktoum's Investment Office, this opening marks a significant milestone in Al Jada's high-end dining experience. With a new menu curated by Chef Yasmina Hayek herself, guests can expect heritage-rich Lebanese cuisine reimagined for the next generation.