Updated: March 29, 2024

Bu Qtair’s simple fare has been attracting expats, tourists and Dubai residents for 30 years. Al Tayer opened his first fish shack overlooking Jumeirah beach in the 1980s to cater for the growing expat population flooding in from South Asia and the Middle East when oil boom money was starting to transform the UAE.

The no-frills restaurant is uber famous for two dishes- fried prawns and fried fish. Although the tiny shack has now transformed into a larger building, the taste and secret recipe still remains. The fish and prawns are both marinated in the same spice mixture and are sure to leave you asking for more. Foodies can pick from a varied option of fish (sheri, pomfret or hammour), and prawns which is then weighed and cooked to perfection. For a hearty meal, team it with a side of freshly prepared Kerala paratha, rice and coconut fish gravy.

What sets Bu Qtair aside from all other seafood restaurants is that it has no fixed menu. Foodies who come here need to stand in a queue, pick their fish and pay for the same depending on the weight. And, you can trust the guys because there is no listed pricing. Once you’ve done that, it could take up to 40 minutes for your dish to arrive. Watch out, the queue could be really long if you head here post 7 pm.