The third biggest city in the UAE, Sharjah can sometimes feel like it’s sitting in the shadow of its neighbours over in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, scratch the surface and you’ll find a whole host of exciting dining options and wonderful, authentic restaurants.
One of Sharjah’s best restaurants is Shababeek, a Lebanese spot headed up by celebrity chef Maroun Chedid (you might recognise him from MBC's Top Chef Middle East). Having been open since 2007, the restaurant has gained a reputation for serving vibrant, fresh food that fuses classic Lebanese flavours in new and exiting ways.
The restaurant’s location on Al Qasba Canal makes for a relaxing atmosphere, which is helped along by the contemporary interiors. Bright, white walls, floor-to-ceiling arched windows and a mix of cane furniture, light wood accents and green upholstery make the whole vibe feel very calming.
Kick your meal off with something from the cold mezza section which includes favourites such as hummus and baba ghanouj as well as slightly more unusual options like hindbe (dandelion leaves) in oil or goat’s labneh with marinated vegetables. Hot mezze comes next with crisp pastry rolls, spicy fried potato harra and mini kebabs served with two cheeses and walnuts. Mains then span beautiful grilled meats and platters stuffed with all kinds of skewers that are perfect for sharing. A favourite of many diners is the grilled jumbo shrimp with roasted chilli pepper emulsion. For dessert the warm maamoul cheese ensures an authentic taste of Lebanon, while a chocolate and date cake will appeal to anyone with a particularly sweet tooth. More straightforward options includes a selection of ice cream.
Washing everything down is a pleasant menu of drinks that runs from iced coffees and teas through to fruit spritzers that are perfect for keeping you feeling refreshed on hot days.