Your ultimate Expo Village dining guide

• What is Expo Village
• Best Restaurants in Expo Village
• Fast Food in Expo Village
• Frequently Asked Questions

Expo 2020 is an event in Dubai that has left fond memories in everyone’s minds. It was a spectacular iteration of the world fair that grabbed everyone’s attention for its innovation, creativity and storytelling, along with the futuristic infrastructure developed for the event. And it has left behind an eclectic range of dining options courtesy of the restaurants in Expo Village.

After Expo 2020 concluded in 2022, it was announced that the accommodations built originally for the event’s international delegates would be transformed into a proper residential area. Called the ‘Expo Village’, this sprawling four-cluster development in Dubai South is all set to attract residents from far and wide as a place to call home.

Although Expo Village is a 30-minute drive from Downtown Dubai, being at the Expo site means there are quite a few retail and F&B options (along with necessities such as medical facilities, education, etc). We’ve created this comprehensive dining guide by checking out the best restaurants in the area to help you explore Expo Village’s food scene. Time to unleash the gluttony!

About Expo Village

Before we get into the dining guide, let’s look at some quick facts about Expo Village.

It is a four-cluster, 2,273-unit development located in Dubai South – near where the Expo 2020 event took place. Spanning 145 square kilometres, it is Dubai’s largest single urban master development.

Expo Village was developed by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) for the Expo 2020 delegates and had thousands of people living in these residences. There are several plus points to this area, such as the buildings’ robust infrastructure (they are all soundproof) and accessibility via the metro (there’s a metro station called Expo 2020 at walking distance). Expo 2020 itself had quite a few restaurants on the site, so this area has quite the potential to attract people.

There are also walking spaces and green areas – and the neighbourhood is way quieter and bustle-free in comparison to other popular neighbourhoods in the city. To summarise, it’s definitely an area of great interest amongst residents of Dubai.

Top Restaurants In Expo Village

Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe 

Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe offers authentic Emirati cuisine from the 1960s – food from the country itself. Emirati cuisine shares a few similarities with Indian and Persian cooking, probably owing to the geographical proximity and how traders in the old days moved primarily across these places.

Al Fanar is excellent for breakfast, too, where you can try the Emirati breakfast spread – definitely a winner for the flavours and spices that hit the spot perfectly. Try the chebab, an Emirati pancake, or other favourites such as the Laham Nashef (boneless lamb in gravy), Jawaney Deyah (oven-baked chicken with spices), and more. We’d also recommend trying the seafood here – something Emirati cuisine does well, with unique dishes like the Salmon Biriyani or the Spicy Jesheed (a baby shark dish).

• Location: Expo Village Residences 2, Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020
• Cuisine: Emirati
• Timings:
• Contact: +971-42-341-258

The Daily at Rove Expo City

The Daily is a cosy cafe inside Rove Expo City, a hotel in the Expo 2020 site that’s become a popular, affordable staycation option. It offers a plethora of cuisine options, surrounded by the fun, energetic vibes of the Rove Hotel brand.

Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, their menu serves delicacies that’ll have you all happy. Tasty dishes on The Daily’s menu include the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos, Pepperoni & Pepperoni Flatbread Pizza, The Angry Chicken Burger and the Potato Gnocchi. They’ve also got a special vegan menu, if that’s your jam. Try their coffee, known for being well brewed; they’ve also got a working-friendly space if you’re a remote worker looking for a nice spot to spend your morning.

• Location: Corner of Al Wasl and Horizon Avenue, Rove Expo City
• Cuisine: International
• Timings: ‎06:30 am to 11:30 pm
• Contact: +971-48-792-020

Grand Beirut

Who doesn’t love Lebanese food – the lip-smacking flavours of this cuisine have fans from all around the world, for it is so delicious and yet way healthier than you’d expect.

Grand Beirut pays tribute to the capital of this beautiful country’s food, with art and culture splashed on the walls and the decor of this restaurant. You’ll see colour, music and design everywhere, even in the plating and food. Go ahead and try dishes such as the shawarma, msahhab bl markouk (oven baked chicken wrapped in bread), Rass Assfour (garlic sauteed beef cubes) and more. If you’re unfamiliar with Arabic cuisines, we’d suggest asking the staff about the food, they’re quite helpful.

• Location: Sustainability District, Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020
• Cuisine: Lebanese
• Timings: 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
• Contact: +971-562-162-216

ECCO Pizza & Pasta

ECCO Pizza and Pasta is a fast-dining restaurant in Expo City known for its excellent (and healthy) Italian food options in a contemporary space. It kicked off at Expo Milan 2015, and has captured hearts since then. They aim to showcase the best of Italian cuisine to the world and seem to be doing it quite successfully.

ECCO in Italian means, ‘here you are, et voila’, and represents the energy of this restaurant. The menu offers excellent pizzas and pasta, such as the Scarpariello Forte, Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, Parmigiana Di Melanzane and more. They also have a range of risottos, lasagnas, grilled meats and fish.

• Location: Opportunity District, Expo City
• Cuisine: Italian
• Timings: 11:00 am to 09:00 pm (Closed on Sundays)
• Contact: +971-4-345-7810

WOFL

WOFL (pronounced Waffle) is a UAE homegrown brand offering waffles in so many exciting ways! Making their own WOFL batter, they innovate with this simple dish, bringing savoury happiness to one and all. They also create their own toppings, including dressings, spreads, and sauces, using fresh ingredients, which you can sense when you taste their dishes.

Choose between sweet or savoury menu options, which include dishes such as the Mediterranean Tuna Waffle, the New York Deli (roasted chicken) and Old Faithful (Nutella, hazelnut praline, strawberries) and many more.

• Location: Expo City
• Cuisine: International
• Timings: 09:00 am to 08:00 pm
• Contact: +971-52-508-4368

Talhan Restaurant

Here’s something a bit different – a restaurant offering Turkmenistan cuisine. This niche cuisine is offered by Talhan Restaurant, where you get to experience not only the taste of this underrated cooking but also the various facets of their culture.

You can check out the various flour-based dishes, stews and soups, and rice dishes available here. Right from when you step in, you’ll see that the walls display mats that highlight the country’s artisanal work – and the interiors use earthy tones primarily used in Turkmenistan’s art and crafts. Lamb ribs, manti, Chicken Batryma, kakmach and more – there’s a lot of exciting stuff on this menu to try.

• Location: Expo City (Turkmenistan pavilion)
• Cuisine: Turkmenistan
• Timings: 09:00 am to 11:00 pm
• Contact: +971-52-771-3922

Giardini Naxos

Offering high-quality Italian and Sicilian cuisine, Giardini Naxos is considered one of the finest restaurants in Expo Village.

Although one may be familiar with Sicily for being associated with mafia movies like The Godfather, Sicily also has a fantastic array of dishes and. cuisine of its own. This island has been influenced by so many cultures, including the Arab, Greek, French and Spanish – which has shaped how the food tastes. At Giardini Naxos, you can try dishes such as the Pappardelle al Ragù d’Agnello e Pecorino Romano, Agnolotti di Ricotta di bufala con Fonduta di Parmigiano, and many more (again, you’ll probably have to consult with the staff to figure of what the dishes are if you’re unfamiliar with Italian food).

A total plus is that this restaurant is located right in Expo Village, so you could go there in your PJs and have mind-blowing Italian cuisine without having to prep at all. Now THAT is a plus according to us.

• Location: Residence 3E – Expo Village Boulevard 
• Cuisine: Italian
• Timings: 12:00 pm to 02:00 am
• Contact: +971-4-564-0805

Fast Food Near Expo Village

A dining guide is incomplete without sharing the places that offer cheaper options for those looking to save a few bucks – and Expo Village does have a few notable fast food options available. They are:

• ChicKing
• Al Baik
• Vietnamese Foodies

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the types of residences at Expo Village?

There are one, two and three-bedroom residences at Expo Village. In addition, there are to be short-term rental options available at Expo Village, a building offering six-month options upon request.

How can I rent an apartment at Expo Village?

You can browse through Bayut; there are quite a few apartments for rent in Expo Village listed on the portal. You can also use dubizzle to browse for properties listed on the site. Feel free to use our Market Intelligence tools to view the rental transactions for properties in Expo Village and understand the rents in the area.

And that brings us to the end of the list of restaurants in Expo village. The area closest to Expo Village is Dubai Investment Park, so you can check out the restaurants there, such as Kcal Healthy Fast Food, Mr .Toad’s, and Royal Grill.

Follow MyBayut, the region’s favourite property blog, to discover more cool places for dining and recreation in the UAE.

Cover image credits: KEO International Consultants Facebook posts (contractors for DWTC)