Question 1

What is this site?

Accepted Answer

A directory of vegan and gluten-free-friendly restaurants across Dubai. Every listing is independently researched and sourced from Google, Zomato, Tripadvisor, and HappyCow — not paid placements or restaurant self-reporting.

Question 2

How do you choose which restaurants to list?

Accepted Answer

We look for restaurants that are either 100% vegan/gluten-free, have a dedicated vegan or GF menu section, or are well-documented (across review platforms) as strongly accommodating one or both diets. We don't list every restaurant that happens to have one vegan dish.

Question 3

What does the "diet-safety score" mean?

Accepted Answer

It's a 1-5 scale reflecting how seriously a kitchen manages cross-contact risk for vegan and gluten-free diners — from a fully dedicated facility (5) down to unverified (1). It is not a certification or accreditation — no external body audits these restaurants. It reflects what we could verify from public information. Full methodology is on our About page.

Question 4

Why do some restaurants show "—" instead of a score?

Accepted Answer

We only assign a score once we've done a detailed review of a restaurant's actual menu and stated kitchen practices. New listings show "—" until that deeper review is complete — we'd rather show "not yet scored" than guess.

Question 5

How often is this updated?

Accepted Answer

Every listing carries a "last verified" date shown on the site. Restaurants and diners can flag anything outdated via the Submit page.

Question 6

Is this medical advice?

Accepted Answer

No. This guide is not medical advice. If you have coeliac disease, a severe allergy, or any other medical dietary restriction, always confirm ingredients and preparation directly with restaurant staff before ordering — don't rely on this site alone.

Question 7

I run a restaurant — how do I get listed, or fix something that's wrong?

Accepted Answer

Use the "Submit a Restaurant" page. You can suggest a new listing or flag a correction to an existing one.

Question 8

What sources do you use to verify restaurants?

Accepted Answer

Every listing is independently researched from multiple sources: Google Reviews, Zomato, Tripadvisor, HappyCow, Talabat, Deliveroo, Careem NOW, official restaurant websites, Michelin Guide, Time Out Dubai, Khaleej Times, BBC Good Food ME, 2GIS, Dubai food-media guides, and platform-specific gluten-free directories like Find Me Gluten Free. We never rely on a single source or restaurant self-reporting — each listing's detail page shows the specific sources used to verify it.

Question 9

Do restaurants pay to be listed?

Accepted Answer

No restaurant pays for basic inclusion. Featured placement is a separate paid option, but it does not affect a restaurant's safety score or listing accuracy. Our editorial independence is core to the guide's credibility.

Question 10

Is Dubai a good city for vegan or gluten-free diners?

Accepted Answer

Yes, increasingly so — Dubai has a fast-growing scene of dedicated vegan cafes and gluten-free bakeries, plus a large base of Indian vegetarian restaurants (naturally vegan-adaptable) and international restaurants adding dedicated vegan/GF menus. It's strongest in areas like Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Al Quoz, with pure-vegetarian Indian dining concentrated in Karama and Deira.

Question 11

What ingredients should vegans watch out for in Middle Eastern food?

Accepted Answer

Ghee (clarified butter, common in Emirati and South Asian cooking), honey (used in many desserts and dressings), and dairy in dishes that look "vegetarian" (labneh, some hummus preparations). Always ask specifically — "vegetarian" in this region does not automatically mean vegan.

Question 12

What ingredients should gluten-free diners watch out for?

Accepted Answer

Wheat-based thickeners in sauces, bulgur/freekeh in some grain salads, soy sauce in Asian-influenced dishes (most soy sauce contains wheat unless labelled gluten-free/tamari), and shared fryers for items like falafel or fries. Cross-contact risk is highest at restaurants without a dedicated GF prep area — check each listing's safety score and notes.

Question 13

Is halal food automatically vegan or gluten-free?

Accepted Answer

No — halal refers to how meat is prepared under Islamic dietary law and is unrelated to whether a dish contains dairy, honey, or gluten. A dish can be halal and still contain any of those.

Question 14

Can I get vegan/gluten-free food delivered in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

Many listed restaurants are available on Talabat, Deliveroo, and Careem NOW — check each restaurant's detail page for delivery links where available.

Question 15

Which areas of Dubai have the most vegan/GF options?

Accepted Answer

Based on our research: Jumeirah has the city's oldest dedicated plant-based cafe scene; Al Quoz and JLT have strong 100%-vegan venues; Karama and Deira are the go-to areas for pure-vegetarian Indian dining; Dubai Marina has the strongest concentration of dedicated gluten-free kitchens.

Question 16

Does this guide cover Jain dietary requirements too?

Accepted Answer

Not systematically yet, but several listed Indian vegetarian restaurants do accommodate Jain requests (no onion/garlic/root vegetables) — check individual restaurant notes, and always confirm directly with the restaurant.

Frequently asked questions

About this site

Eating vegan & gluten-free in Dubai