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Dubai’s Best Restaurants: A Guide
- Dubai Restaurants, Eat, MENA 50 Best, Michelin Guide Dubai, World's 50 Best Restaurants
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Dubai’s Best Restaurants Guide
“Which is your favourite restaurant in Dubai?” everyone asks. Sometimes, the question is a test; sometimes it is small talk. If you are reading this, chances are you asked. This is Dubai's Best Restaurants Guide, and it just got better.
Dubai’s Best Restaurants: Structuring this Guide
There are 13,000+ restaurants in Dubai, so it is a monumental task to compile a guide. Here’s how I do it.
Eligibility
I only recommend the restaurants I actually visit, which is one reason some restaurants do not appear (unlike some lists that shall remain nameless). Consistency is key. Some restaurants are either inconsistent or nudged out by their more competitive peers, in my opinion.
Criteria
Food quality, skill, service, value for money within its price bracket, ambience and consistency.
Reif Japanese Kushiyaki in Dubai Hills slides in as one of Dubai's Best Restaurants
Updates
I periodically update this Guide about 1-2 times a year in addition to my other niche lists: Breakfast, JLT Restaurants and Dubai Hills. I do remove restaurants either on their merit or if, relative to others, they no longer stand out.
Categorisation.
There are four price-based sections based on an average main course and one non-alcoholic drink. A restaurant is as expensive as you want it to be, so we need to draw a line of fairness.
Budget and cheap (under 50 AED per person)
Mid-affordable (under 100 AED per person)
Mid-fancy (under 200 AED per person)
High-end and fine dining (over 200 AED per person)
NB. main courses seldom exist in high-end and fine dining due to tasting menus. Also, money is less of an object.
Order of Appearance and Tags.
Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order in each category. They are also tagged by cuisine and distinguishing features (ownership, homegrown, licensed, etc.)
Alici, an Italian seafood restaurant in Bluewaters, also makes the cut as one of Dubai's Best Restaurants
The Highs
The Lows
The Highs
The Lows
Budget and cheap eats (under AED50 per person)
Allo Beirut This all-day Lebanese diner stands out on Hessa Street (with other branches elsewhere). It is fast-paced, family-friendly and affordable. Why do I eat here? Their food is just super tasty. The variety of dishes makes it an easy one-stop shop for vegetarians or rabid meat eaters, where there are plenty of healthier options. What should you order? Fatteh eggplant, soujuk or chicken shawarmas, lamb tongue sandwiches with pickles and garlic cream, batata hara, fattoush, hummus and pine nuts — have I made my point?
Amritsr (North Indian | Chaat). Amritsr regularly satiates my fix for North Indian chaat dishes in a hurry! The enormous JLT restaurant caters for groups large and small with little street and pop culture nods throughout. Why do I eat here? The affordable price point and vast menu keep me interested as I learn and discover more. What should you order? Their chole bhatura is legendary, the papdi chaat is refreshing and well-spiced, and their vada pav is hearty and filling.
Bu Qtair (Seafood | Homegrown). This is an OG Dubai seafood restaurant tucked away in Jumeirah, where you must be prepared to line up and wait for a solid hour before eating. Heavily seasoned daily catches of fish and shrimp are always on offer. Why do I eat here? A slice of how Dubai used to be without the pretension of nearby restaurants. The heavily seasoned dishes and affordable price points. What should you order? When shared between two people, a whole fish will come comfortably under budget with rice, a small salad and curry sauce.
Bu Qtair is one of Dubai’s Best Restaurants at the budget end (also, one of Dubai’s most beloved restaurants).
Chaat Bazaar (Indian | Homegrown | Street Food). An Indian street food and snack bar dotted around Dubai, but the Karama branch holds a special place with me. Why do I eat here? An insatiable addiction to chaat dishes brings me to dine roadside, eating handfuls of chaat made fresh in front of you. What should you order? Pani Puri by the fistful, the Chaat Bazaar in a Box meal combo or the Punjabi Samosas.
Chaat Bazaar is one of Dubai’s Best Restaurants at the budget end also with some of the city’s best pain puri.
The Daily Restaurant (Pakistani | Homegrown). Legendary Pakistani restaurant not to be confused with a chain within Rove Hotels. It’s very casual and far removed from the modern pastiche of Dubai. The one on Damascus Road, Qusais, is my favourite (but six are dotted around Dubai). Why do I eat here? It’s been a minute since I last visited Pakistan, and there is a specific dish that I come to eat here. What should you order? Nihari with chapati.
Mashawi by Dukkan (Syrian | Homegrown). Within Neighbourhood Foodhall, you will find this small outlet by Salam serving flavour-packed grilled plates at a great price point. Why do I eat here? Each dish is done with finesse, thought and creativity, plus fresh juices pressed on site. What should you order? Come for tender kofta, a thumb knuckle deep in earthy tahini; planks of Syrian Toshka—a grilled flatbread pocket lysing with spiced minced meat (lamb, I believe), cheese and more; their staples like batata harra—spiced cubed potatoes in coriander and lemon juice, and the fattoush.
Patiala House (Indian | Homegrown). A Punjabi and Indian restaurant that combines street food with heartier, more filling dishes. Why do I eat here? Like Chaat Bazaar, the street food here excels, and the price point is super low. What should you order? Look out for the dish of the season: vegetarian thalis, pani puris, and biryanis.
Patiala House is an Indian street food restaurant in Karama and other locations. It is one of Dubai’s best low-cost restaurants.
Sri Krishna Bhavan Restaurant (Indian | Vegetarian). A quiet restaurant in Al Barsha whose modest exterior should be looked past as its cooking does all the talking. The southern Indian dishes are very affordable and decimates any doubts that vegetarian food is both exciting and flavourful. Eat the medu vada steeped in a crimson sambhar of lentils and vegetables. Follow this up with their signature Davanagere Benne Masala Dosa washed down with a fresh lime soda dressed with salt and pepper.
Sri Krishna Bhavan is a South Indian street food restaurant in Al Barsha and Karama. It is one of Dubai’s best low-cost and vegetarian restaurants.
Sultan Dubai Falafel (Arabic | Homegrown). Roadside falafel restaurant with quick service and ticks the street food box for people looking to do so on a budget. Why do I eat here? Controversial opinion – these are the best falafel in town. What should you order? Six green, stuffed, spicy falafel with a side of tahini sauce for dipping. Maybe order some pickles. Push the boat out with the Palestinian musakhan and stay within budget.
WOFL (All day | Homegrown | Scandinavian). A breakfast or lunch spot within Mudon’s community centre (read: family-friendly) that makes light sandwiches made of crisp waffles with various stuffings. Why do I eat here? The quiet branch in Mudon is an easy place to eat a fresh, handmade product, supports a smaller restaurant chain, and it’s a sensible alternative to a chain-restaurant sandwich alternative. What should you order? Wolf’Na with sweet roasted butternut squash, sharp creamy labneh zaatar, rocket and Arabian dressing.
Amritsr (North Indian | Chaat). Amritsr regularly satiates my fix for North Indian chaat dishes in a hurry! The enormous JLT restaurant caters for groups large and small with little street and pop culture nods throughout. Why do I eat here? The affordable price point and vast menu keep me interested as I learn and discover more. What should you order? Their chole bhatura is legendary, the papdi chaat is refreshing and well-spiced, and their vada pav is hearty and filling.
Bu Qtair (Seafood | Homegrown). This is an OG Dubai seafood restaurant tucked away in Jumeirah, where you must be prepared to line up and wait for a solid hour before eating. Heavily seasoned daily catches of fish and shrimp are always on offer. Why do I eat here? A slice of how Dubai used to be without the pretension of nearby restaurants. The heavily seasoned dishes and affordable price points. What should you order? When shared between two people, a whole fish will come comfortably under budget with rice, a small salad and curry sauce.
Bu Qtair is one of Dubai’s Best Restaurants at the budget end (also, one of Dubai’s most beloved restaurants).
Chaat Bazaar (Indian | Homegrown | Street Food). An Indian street food and snack bar dotted around Dubai, but the Karama branch holds a special place with me. Why do I eat here? An insatiable addiction to chaat dishes brings me to dine roadside, eating handfuls of chaat made fresh in front of you. What should you order? Pani Puri by the fistful, the Chaat Bazaar in a Box meal combo or the Punjabi Samosas.
Chaat Bazaar is one of Dubai’s Best Restaurants at the budget end also with some of the city’s best pain puri.
The Daily Restaurant (Pakistani | Homegrown). Legendary Pakistani restaurant not to be confused with a chain within Rove Hotels. It’s very casual and far removed from the modern pastiche of Dubai. The one on Damascus Road, Qusais, is my favourite (but six are dotted around Dubai). Why do I eat here? It’s been a minute since I last visited Pakistan, and there is a specific dish that I come to eat here. What should you order? Nihari with chapati.
Mashawi by Dukkan (Syrian | Homegrown). Within Neighbourhood Foodhall, you will find this small outlet by Salam serving flavour-packed grilled plates at a great price point. Why do I eat here? Each dish is done with finesse, thought and creativity, plus fresh juices pressed on site. What should you order? Come for tender kofta, a thumb knuckle deep in earthy tahini; planks of Syrian Toshka—a grilled flatbread pocket lysing with spiced minced meat (lamb, I believe), cheese and more; their staples like batata harra—spiced cubed potatoes in coriander and lemon juice, and the fattoush.
Patiala House (Indian | Homegrown). A Punjabi and Indian restaurant that combines street food with heartier, more filling dishes. Why do I eat here? Like Chaat Bazaar, the street food here excels, and the price point is super low. What should you order? Look out for the dish of the season: vegetarian thalis, pani puris, and biryanis.
Patiala House is an Indian street food restaurant in Karama and other locations. It is one of Dubai’s best low-cost restaurants.
Sri Krishna Bhavan Restaurant (Indian | Vegetarian). A quiet restaurant in Al Barsha whose modest exterior should be looked past as its cooking does all the talking. The southern Indian dishes are very affordable and decimates any doubts that vegetarian food is both exciting and flavourful. Eat the medu vada steeped in a crimson sambhar of lentils and vegetables. Follow this up with their signature Davanagere Benne Masala Dosa washed down with a fresh lime soda dressed with salt and pepper.
Sri Krishna Bhavan is a South Indian street food restaurant in Al Barsha and Karama. It is one of Dubai’s best low-cost and vegetarian restaurants.
Sultan Dubai Falafel (Arabic | Homegrown). Roadside falafel restaurant with quick service and ticks the street food box for people looking to do so on a budget. Why do I eat here? Controversial opinion – these are the best falafel in town. What should you order? Six green, stuffed, spicy falafel with a side of tahini sauce for dipping. Maybe order some pickles. Push the boat out with the Palestinian musakhan and stay within budget.
WOFL (All day | Homegrown | Scandinavian). A breakfast or lunch spot within Mudon’s community centre (read: family-friendly) that makes light sandwiches made of crisp waffles with various stuffings. Why do I eat here? The quiet branch in Mudon is an easy place to eat a fresh, handmade product, supports a smaller restaurant chain, and it’s a sensible alternative to a chain-restaurant sandwich alternative. What should you order? Wolf’Na with sweet roasted butternut squash, sharp creamy labneh zaatar, rocket and Arabian dressing.
Mid-range affordable (under 100 dhs per person)
21grams (Balkan | All Day | Homegrown | Great Breakfast). Modern Balkan restaurant with warm, welcoming staff in the residential Umm Suqeim area is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Why do I eat here? In many ways, 21grams is the perfect restaurant in my eyes, with a different menu to the conventional Dubai offerings, and its offering is versatile enough for solo diners, couples, friends and family. The quality of service for a casual bistro is up there with the best in the city. What should you order? Honey, goat’s cheese, thyme phyllo pie, ricotta gnocchi, chicken thigh skewers, or grilled polenta with clove cherry juice. Read a full review here.
Sarma cabbage rolls with mashed potato from 21 grams, one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
BKK Station (Thai). This little restaurant in JLT turns out utterly delicious dishes that I routinely order. Why do I eat here? The portion sizes are enormous for the price point, and I’ve never had a dish I did not like or not want to order again. What do I eat here? The chicken tom yum is probably my favourite in Dubai.
Daikan (Japanese | Ramen). A month does not pass without a visit to Daikan. A small Japanese restaurant in the back of Cluster Y churns out some of Dubai’s silkiest, richest ramen dishes. The liquid gold of Daikan’s shoyu ramen or the spicy, crimson chef’s choice ramen are our staple go-to dishes. Other popular choices include their miso-laced fried aubergine, supple takoyaki and, of course, their gyozas. Come early and be prepared to wait (mercifully, takeout is available).
Fusion Ceviche (Peruvian | Homegrown | Female Chef). Matchbox-sized restaurant produces arguably the city’s best ceviche, especially at the price point. Reservations are highly recommended. Why do I eat here? I love Chef Penelope’s energy, which finds its way in her fiery ceviches, not shy on punch. What do I eat? Él Clasico sea bass ceviche, Nikkei Ceviche or the empanada de la abuela. Read a full review here.
Fusions Ceviche, a Peruvian restaurant in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Friend’s Avenue (All Day | Homegrown | Great Breakfast). A slice of Australian cafe culture that reliably turns out excellent bowls for breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes at reasonable prices. Why do I eat here? It glides past the commitment to one single cuisine with a shortlist of options served alongside diesel-strength cold brew. What do I eat? The filling Shakshouka with Turkish Sausage, a meaty Aussie Pulled Beef Benedict, Friends Avenue Burger or the light Ottoman Chicken Bowl.
Friends Avenue in Motor City and other locations serves excellent breakfasts, including this shakshuka. It is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Hashmi Barbecue Restaurant (Kenyan BBQ). Hashmi originally opened in Nairobi in 1978 and later expanded to Al Barsha in Dubai. The palatial restaurant is “Barsha opulent”, where you can watch chefs grilling everything from fish to paneer to lamb chops. Why do I eat here? Grilled well-seasoned food at an accessible price point and quick service, but make sure to come early because there is a no-reservations policy and it fills up quick quick. What should you eat? The mutton samosas are superb, the grilled lamb chops, barbecue prawns, pillipilli chips and save room for the kulfi.
The grilled lamb chops, chicken tikka with pillipilli chips and a side of masala chips.
KIMA Izakaya (Japanese | Homegrown). A new addition to Jumeirah Lakes Towers, KIMA is a ‘no frills Japanese’ that feels like you are walking into a Japanese izakaya. Why do I eat here? The food quality for the price point is hard to turn down, with excellent lunch specials on offer. What do I eat? The lunch special includes a rice bowl with your choice of toppings, green tea, pickles, and miso soup for about AED 80. Keep an eye on the specials board, or order the Hokkaido scallops, salmon carpaccio or the California maki.
Kooya Filipino Eatery (Filipino | Homegrown). With Dubai’s vast Filipino diaspora, Chef JP emerged as a champion and moderniser of Filipino food for a new audience. Now in Market Island, Kooya’s menu remains progressive and one of the more interesting spots within this vast food hall. Why do I eat here? I keep discovering new things, and Chef JP’s cooking is clean, focused and utterly delicious. What do I eat? Kooya may make the best chicken wings in Dubai, garlic rice and their lumpia rolls.
Lila Molino (Mexican | Homegrown | Female Chef). From the makers of Lila Woodfired Taqueria (below), comes another casual concept that offers one of Dubai’s Best breakfast options. Why do I eat here? The mezzanine dining, quiet open space, plenty of plug points and fast WiFi also makes it an excellent place to work. What do I eat? Order the tamale with red chile, the enormous crispy chicken torta, Mexican breakfast bowl or their agua frescas.
LILA Wood-fired Taqueria (Mexican | Homegrown | Female Chef). Arguably, Dubai’s best Mexican restaurant has an artisanal, seasonal, and local sourcing approach to its menu. Reservations are almost essential to guarantee a spot in this matchbox-sized restaurant. Why do I eat here? The soft corn tortillas stand out with a short but excellent large dishes section. What do I eat? Whatever is on the seasonal front page menu, crispy duck quesadillas, lamb pastor tacos and the wood-roasted vegetable salad. Read a full review here.
LILA Wood-fired Taqueria’s blue corn masa quesadilla with confit duck carnitas, fresh herbs and green tomatillo. LILA Taqueria is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Mamak (Malaysian | Indonesian | Great Breakfast). Mamak faces Al Safa park inside a tiny restaurant where you’d better come early, especially for breakfast. I often need to wait. Why do I eat here? There are not many Malaysian restaurants in Dubai, and the flavour-packed dishes at this price point are a real treat. What do I eat here? Slabs of kaya paratha, beef Rendang, Malaysian chicken curry or the fluffy roti canai.
Maru Udon (Japanese). From quick, affordable bowls of handmade udon noodles to donburi rice bowls and croquettes, Maru Udon plates tasty dishes, especially in their Gourmet bowls. Why do I eat here? Clean flavours and the slurping bounce of those udon noodles. What do I eat here? Yume Tantan ramen, the veg tempura don and the nutty Goma Dipping udon.
Mohalla Restaurant (Indian | Street Food | Homegrown). A place that I wish was closed than just Design District as I would go more often. Smart Indian street food plus more heart dishes are all gentrified through a contemporary lens. Why do I eat here? The airy ceilings and certain dishes bring me back here time and time again. What do I eat? Avocado Papdi Chaat, Chicken Tikka Biryani, Lamb Chops and Mohalla Dal. Read a full review here.
Mohalla Restaurant is an Indian casual dining / street food restaurant including mughlai parotha and buttery prawns. It is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Mythos. (Greek | Homegrown | Licensed | Pork). A smart casual restaurant that excels at lunchtime in a city where reliable lunch spots are in short supply, IMHO. Dinner is also worth a visit. The bill can quickly creep into the next category, fast. Why do I eat here? Did you read what I said about lunch? Also, it is licensed and has a pork menu. Praise be. What do I eat here? Pork souvlaki with Greek fries and beetroot with wild greens.
NALA. (Grab and Go | Coffee | Sweet Treats). Rarely do I leave Alserkal without dipping into NALA for cookies or treats to bring home and a cold brew for the drive home. Why do I eat here? Candidly, I have never sat inside the small dining space. This is more of a grab-and-go spot for me. What do I eat here? Oat, raisin and cherry or chocolate and walnut cookies, or the lemon tart.
Piehaus (Modern Balkan | Homegrown | Casual). The 21grams team expanded into this quick bites cafe in the ever-trendy Alserkal Avenue, serving their famous phyllo pies with new toppings as well as dips, hot and cold drinks, including novel matcha options. Why do I eat here? Another new concept in Dubai with a focused menu that works for the in-and-out crowd or those working at a laptop. What do I eat here? Beetroot tzatziki spiked with nuts and dill, a suave aubergine dip, the chicken gyros and their cold brew.
The chicken gyro phyllo pie at Piehaus, one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Pitfire Pizza. (Pizza | Homegrown | Licensed). Dubai’s best pizza spot, IMHO, has a plethora of outlets across the city, including a reliably good delivery service. Why do I eat here? The charred pizza crusts and the garlic knots have their own religious following, and my wife is two-parts carbonara pasta at any time. What do I eat here? The Palm pizza with sticky dates, creamy gorgonzola, balsamic reduction and crisp rosemary OR the Plain Jane pizza the sings with oregano. Also, garlic knots with the truffle cream and boneless chicken wings with barbecue sauce.
Pitfire Pizza serves freshly-baked pizzas in various shapes and flavours including half and half pizzas over 15 inches. These are the pepperoni primo and veggie primo. This is one of Dubai’s best mid-range restaurants.
Sticky Rice. (Thai | Homegrown). It is one of Dubai’s best Thai restaurants without the fancy trappings and overblown costs. There’s humility and creativity in their dishes, which stem from their late mother’s approachable vision of the menu. Why do I eat here? I am a long-time devotee of Sticky Rice, tamarind chicken tenders and their approachable price points. What do I eat here? See tamarind chicken tenders, shrimp pad thai, Hoi Pad Prik Pow (stir-fried local clams), Kai Tohd Boi (Crispy Golden Fried Garlic Chicken Served with a Side of Sticky Rice), sticky tamarind tenders and, of course, the sticky rice.
Sticky Rice is a perennial favourite in our household. With hearty Thai dishes and reasonable pricing like this Thai Green Curry, it is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Three by Eva (Levantine | Female-Owned | Palestinian-Owned). A homely, bright, family-friendly restaurant meets delicatessen, serving contemporary, refined Levantine dishes in leafy Jumeirah. Why do I eat here? The friendly, family-led warmth comes through the food and among the patrons, plus I love their fattoush and warak enab. What do I eat here? Tahini cauliflower, pine nuts, warak enab, fatteh eggplant, Jordanian mansaf, and chicken freekeh. Read a full review here.
Three by Eva is a heart-warming family restaurant in leafy Jumeirah. Reasonably priced, it is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Time Out Market Dubai (Various | Licensed). The observant among you will note that this is not only not a single restaurant but a clutch of restaurants and – if you squint even further – an assembly of some other restaurants that are featured in this list. That’s the beauty of “TOM”: all under one roof in Downtown Dubai and facing the Dubai Fountains and the iconic Burj Khalifa. Leave a comment to claim your prize. Why do I eat here? The second-to-none selection, the cheapest champagne in Dubai on the weekends and a regular haunt for out-of-town visitors. What do I eat here? Mattar Farm Reuben, Cold Brew from Boon Coffee, Ramen from Reif Kushiyaki, Garlic Knots from Pitfire Pizza.
Vietnamese Foodies (Vietnamese | Homegrown | Female Chef-Owner). An underestimated restaurant group quietly sprouting up around Dubai, offering healthy and tasty Vietnamese dishes. Why do I eat here? It is very consistent between the three branches I regularly visit and the approachable price point. What do I eat here? Two-course daily meal deals, chicken pho, chicken and cabbage salad, Shrimp Rolls with Nuoc Cham Sauce, Duck Sausages in Betel Leaves with Plum Sauce and the Banh Mi Vit Nuong Sauce Hoisin.
YAVA (Levantine | Homegrown | Palestinian-Owned). People sleep on YAVA, but the approachable menu, soft, homely interiors, and familiar, comforting food stand out. Why do I eat here? What do I eat here? The soft onion, sumac-tinted Musakhan Pretzel, crispy baked honey feta, and the lemon chicken meatball orzo. Save room for the YAVA orange.
YAVA’s chocolate dessert with an intricate mould design. As a reasonably priced, it is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Sarma cabbage rolls with mashed potato from 21 grams, one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
BKK Station (Thai). This little restaurant in JLT turns out utterly delicious dishes that I routinely order. Why do I eat here? The portion sizes are enormous for the price point, and I’ve never had a dish I did not like or not want to order again. What do I eat here? The chicken tom yum is probably my favourite in Dubai.
Daikan (Japanese | Ramen). A month does not pass without a visit to Daikan. A small Japanese restaurant in the back of Cluster Y churns out some of Dubai’s silkiest, richest ramen dishes. The liquid gold of Daikan’s shoyu ramen or the spicy, crimson chef’s choice ramen are our staple go-to dishes. Other popular choices include their miso-laced fried aubergine, supple takoyaki and, of course, their gyozas. Come early and be prepared to wait (mercifully, takeout is available).
Fusion Ceviche (Peruvian | Homegrown | Female Chef). Matchbox-sized restaurant produces arguably the city’s best ceviche, especially at the price point. Reservations are highly recommended. Why do I eat here? I love Chef Penelope’s energy, which finds its way in her fiery ceviches, not shy on punch. What do I eat? Él Clasico sea bass ceviche, Nikkei Ceviche or the empanada de la abuela. Read a full review here.
Fusions Ceviche, a Peruvian restaurant in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Friend’s Avenue (All Day | Homegrown | Great Breakfast). A slice of Australian cafe culture that reliably turns out excellent bowls for breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes at reasonable prices. Why do I eat here? It glides past the commitment to one single cuisine with a shortlist of options served alongside diesel-strength cold brew. What do I eat? The filling Shakshouka with Turkish Sausage, a meaty Aussie Pulled Beef Benedict, Friends Avenue Burger or the light Ottoman Chicken Bowl.
Friends Avenue in Motor City and other locations serves excellent breakfasts, including this shakshuka. It is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Hashmi Barbecue Restaurant (Kenyan BBQ). Hashmi originally opened in Nairobi in 1978 and later expanded to Al Barsha in Dubai. The palatial restaurant is “Barsha opulent”, where you can watch chefs grilling everything from fish to paneer to lamb chops. Why do I eat here? Grilled well-seasoned food at an accessible price point and quick service, but make sure to come early because there is a no-reservations policy and it fills up quick quick. What should you eat? The mutton samosas are superb, the grilled lamb chops, barbecue prawns, pillipilli chips and save room for the kulfi.
The grilled lamb chops, chicken tikka with pillipilli chips and a side of masala chips.
KIMA Izakaya (Japanese | Homegrown). A new addition to Jumeirah Lakes Towers, KIMA is a ‘no frills Japanese’ that feels like you are walking into a Japanese izakaya. Why do I eat here? The food quality for the price point is hard to turn down, with excellent lunch specials on offer. What do I eat? The lunch special includes a rice bowl with your choice of toppings, green tea, pickles, and miso soup for about AED 80. Keep an eye on the specials board, or order the Hokkaido scallops, salmon carpaccio or the California maki.
Kooya Filipino Eatery (Filipino | Homegrown). With Dubai’s vast Filipino diaspora, Chef JP emerged as a champion and moderniser of Filipino food for a new audience. Now in Market Island, Kooya’s menu remains progressive and one of the more interesting spots within this vast food hall. Why do I eat here? I keep discovering new things, and Chef JP’s cooking is clean, focused and utterly delicious. What do I eat? Kooya may make the best chicken wings in Dubai, garlic rice and their lumpia rolls.
Lila Molino (Mexican | Homegrown | Female Chef). From the makers of Lila Woodfired Taqueria (below), comes another casual concept that offers one of Dubai’s Best breakfast options. Why do I eat here? The mezzanine dining, quiet open space, plenty of plug points and fast WiFi also makes it an excellent place to work. What do I eat? Order the tamale with red chile, the enormous crispy chicken torta, Mexican breakfast bowl or their agua frescas.
LILA Wood-fired Taqueria (Mexican | Homegrown | Female Chef). Arguably, Dubai’s best Mexican restaurant has an artisanal, seasonal, and local sourcing approach to its menu. Reservations are almost essential to guarantee a spot in this matchbox-sized restaurant. Why do I eat here? The soft corn tortillas stand out with a short but excellent large dishes section. What do I eat? Whatever is on the seasonal front page menu, crispy duck quesadillas, lamb pastor tacos and the wood-roasted vegetable salad. Read a full review here.
LILA Wood-fired Taqueria’s blue corn masa quesadilla with confit duck carnitas, fresh herbs and green tomatillo. LILA Taqueria is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Mamak (Malaysian | Indonesian | Great Breakfast). Mamak faces Al Safa park inside a tiny restaurant where you’d better come early, especially for breakfast. I often need to wait. Why do I eat here? There are not many Malaysian restaurants in Dubai, and the flavour-packed dishes at this price point are a real treat. What do I eat here? Slabs of kaya paratha, beef Rendang, Malaysian chicken curry or the fluffy roti canai.
Maru Udon (Japanese). From quick, affordable bowls of handmade udon noodles to donburi rice bowls and croquettes, Maru Udon plates tasty dishes, especially in their Gourmet bowls. Why do I eat here? Clean flavours and the slurping bounce of those udon noodles. What do I eat here? Yume Tantan ramen, the veg tempura don and the nutty Goma Dipping udon.
Mohalla Restaurant (Indian | Street Food | Homegrown). A place that I wish was closed than just Design District as I would go more often. Smart Indian street food plus more heart dishes are all gentrified through a contemporary lens. Why do I eat here? The airy ceilings and certain dishes bring me back here time and time again. What do I eat? Avocado Papdi Chaat, Chicken Tikka Biryani, Lamb Chops and Mohalla Dal. Read a full review here.
Mohalla Restaurant is an Indian casual dining / street food restaurant including mughlai parotha and buttery prawns. It is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Mythos. (Greek | Homegrown | Licensed | Pork). A smart casual restaurant that excels at lunchtime in a city where reliable lunch spots are in short supply, IMHO. Dinner is also worth a visit. The bill can quickly creep into the next category, fast. Why do I eat here? Did you read what I said about lunch? Also, it is licensed and has a pork menu. Praise be. What do I eat here? Pork souvlaki with Greek fries and beetroot with wild greens.
NALA. (Grab and Go | Coffee | Sweet Treats). Rarely do I leave Alserkal without dipping into NALA for cookies or treats to bring home and a cold brew for the drive home. Why do I eat here? Candidly, I have never sat inside the small dining space. This is more of a grab-and-go spot for me. What do I eat here? Oat, raisin and cherry or chocolate and walnut cookies, or the lemon tart.
Piehaus (Modern Balkan | Homegrown | Casual). The 21grams team expanded into this quick bites cafe in the ever-trendy Alserkal Avenue, serving their famous phyllo pies with new toppings as well as dips, hot and cold drinks, including novel matcha options. Why do I eat here? Another new concept in Dubai with a focused menu that works for the in-and-out crowd or those working at a laptop. What do I eat here? Beetroot tzatziki spiked with nuts and dill, a suave aubergine dip, the chicken gyros and their cold brew.
The chicken gyro phyllo pie at Piehaus, one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Pitfire Pizza. (Pizza | Homegrown | Licensed). Dubai’s best pizza spot, IMHO, has a plethora of outlets across the city, including a reliably good delivery service. Why do I eat here? The charred pizza crusts and the garlic knots have their own religious following, and my wife is two-parts carbonara pasta at any time. What do I eat here? The Palm pizza with sticky dates, creamy gorgonzola, balsamic reduction and crisp rosemary OR the Plain Jane pizza the sings with oregano. Also, garlic knots with the truffle cream and boneless chicken wings with barbecue sauce.
Pitfire Pizza serves freshly-baked pizzas in various shapes and flavours including half and half pizzas over 15 inches. These are the pepperoni primo and veggie primo. This is one of Dubai’s best mid-range restaurants.
Sticky Rice. (Thai | Homegrown). It is one of Dubai’s best Thai restaurants without the fancy trappings and overblown costs. There’s humility and creativity in their dishes, which stem from their late mother’s approachable vision of the menu. Why do I eat here? I am a long-time devotee of Sticky Rice, tamarind chicken tenders and their approachable price points. What do I eat here? See tamarind chicken tenders, shrimp pad thai, Hoi Pad Prik Pow (stir-fried local clams), Kai Tohd Boi (Crispy Golden Fried Garlic Chicken Served with a Side of Sticky Rice), sticky tamarind tenders and, of course, the sticky rice.
Sticky Rice is a perennial favourite in our household. With hearty Thai dishes and reasonable pricing like this Thai Green Curry, it is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Three by Eva (Levantine | Female-Owned | Palestinian-Owned). A homely, bright, family-friendly restaurant meets delicatessen, serving contemporary, refined Levantine dishes in leafy Jumeirah. Why do I eat here? The friendly, family-led warmth comes through the food and among the patrons, plus I love their fattoush and warak enab. What do I eat here? Tahini cauliflower, pine nuts, warak enab, fatteh eggplant, Jordanian mansaf, and chicken freekeh. Read a full review here.
Three by Eva is a heart-warming family restaurant in leafy Jumeirah. Reasonably priced, it is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Time Out Market Dubai (Various | Licensed). The observant among you will note that this is not only not a single restaurant but a clutch of restaurants and – if you squint even further – an assembly of some other restaurants that are featured in this list. That’s the beauty of “TOM”: all under one roof in Downtown Dubai and facing the Dubai Fountains and the iconic Burj Khalifa. Leave a comment to claim your prize. Why do I eat here? The second-to-none selection, the cheapest champagne in Dubai on the weekends and a regular haunt for out-of-town visitors. What do I eat here? Mattar Farm Reuben, Cold Brew from Boon Coffee, Ramen from Reif Kushiyaki, Garlic Knots from Pitfire Pizza.
Vietnamese Foodies (Vietnamese | Homegrown | Female Chef-Owner). An underestimated restaurant group quietly sprouting up around Dubai, offering healthy and tasty Vietnamese dishes. Why do I eat here? It is very consistent between the three branches I regularly visit and the approachable price point. What do I eat here? Two-course daily meal deals, chicken pho, chicken and cabbage salad, Shrimp Rolls with Nuoc Cham Sauce, Duck Sausages in Betel Leaves with Plum Sauce and the Banh Mi Vit Nuong Sauce Hoisin.
YAVA (Levantine | Homegrown | Palestinian-Owned). People sleep on YAVA, but the approachable menu, soft, homely interiors, and familiar, comforting food stand out. Why do I eat here? What do I eat here? The soft onion, sumac-tinted Musakhan Pretzel, crispy baked honey feta, and the lemon chicken meatball orzo. Save room for the YAVA orange.
YAVA’s chocolate dessert with an intricate mould design. As a reasonably priced, it is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
It is a lively, sexy restaurant where beautiful go to be seen, but the food and drinks live up to the hype. Be prepared to drop a lot of cash before you leave the starters. (Mimi Kakushi)
Mid-fancy (under 200 dhs per person)
Alici (Italian | Seafood | Licensed). A Southern Italian restaurant where the highs are found among the seafood dishes. Why do I eat here? The sweeping views across the Arabian Gulf and back onto the Dubai Marina from a terrace that is perfect during the cooler months. It’s an elegant lunch or dinner spot and one of Dubai’s best brunches. What do I eat here? Grilled octopus with lentils and romesco, crispy fritto misto, Dibba Bay oysters, parmigiana di melanzane, spaghetti with uni or spaghetti with anchovies, capers and toasted breadcrumbs. Read a full brunch review here.
Alici, an Italian restaurant in Bluewaters, is one of Dubai’s Best Restaurants and one of its best Italian and Seafood restaurants.
BOCA (Spanish & Mediterranean | Eco-conscious | Licensed). A DIFC stalwart favourite that threads smart casual and easy-going with competent cooking and one of Dubai’s best wine lists. Why do I eat here? Chef Patricia Roig has elevated BOCA’s dining proposition and leans headlong into the sustainability ethos while keeping delicious at its core. Shiv, BOCA’s head sommelier, experiments with wine pairings and constantly shapes BOCA’s wine list. What do I eat here? The bread with burnt aubergine aioli, smoked tuna and pistachio ajoblanco, tortillitas de camarones, 12-hour braised lamb with sunchokes and the Idizabal smoked cheese custard.
BOCA, eco-conscious Spanish Mediterranean restaurant, champions local produce with an excellent wine list. BOCA is one of Dubai’s Best Restaurants.
Chez Wam (Modern European-Asian | Licensed). Loosely translating as “at mine” Chez Wam exudes cool in spades with its bouncing music, intimate but sprawling dining room and the ever-fun chef Hadrien Villedieu at the pass. Why do I eat here? Chez Wam pulls off the trick of feeling special without being pretentious or inaccessible. Come with friends or work colleagues and don’t worry about getting too loud. What do I eat here? It’s an eclectic menu unconstrained by cuisine and loyal to flavour. Eat the Chez Warma robata flatbread, charred tomatoes and nectarine salad, smoked ginger and honey haddock, and save room for the spectacular Paris-Tokyo dessert.
The grilled chicken adobo with cous cous at Chez Wam.
Dibba Bay Oysters (Seafood | Licensed). Oyster farmers open dedicated restaurant spaces, but the JBR location stands out positively, although the Jumeirah Fishing Village branch possesses a rustic happy-go-lucky charm that Dubai seldom sees. Why do I eat here? Simple: the opportunity to support a local business single-handedly restoring the UAE oyster industry. What do I eat here? Oysters, half a dozen no. 4s, and brisk white wine.
Duo Gastrobar (European | Licensed). A sensible brasserie in the back of Dubai Hill Business Park elevates this neighbourhood’s casual dining with a notable wine-by-the-glass menu and a modern, bright dining room. Why do I eat here? The seasonal menu rotates with simple dishes that are very flavour forward and some vegetables used in unusual but mouth-watering ways. What do I eat here? Oxtail taleggio pie, yellow courgettes with Parmesan cream, orzo with beef cheeks and seared cabbage with truffle cream.
Duo Gastrobar is a restaurant inside the Dubai Hills Business Park. This is Duo Gastrobar’s oxtail pie with taleggio cheese.
Ibn Al Bahr (Seafood | Licensed | Beachside). A beachside seafood restaurant that does not cost the Earth built on Palm Jumeirah no less. The shisha is not included in my price calculation, but now you’re considering it. Why do I eat here? The seafood selection, affordable wine selection, prime location, and beachside seating make Ibn Al Bahr hard to beat in Dubai at this price point. What do I eat here? Black pepper clams, grilled provencal prawns or squid, fattoush, batata hara, small fried sardines with tahini sauce, or a whole grilled fish.
Ibn Al Bahr’s black pepper clams.
Girl and the Goose (Meso-American | Licensed | Female Chef). Grown from a supperclub, Chef Gabriela “Gigi” Chamorro elevates Meso-American cooking with a modern voice. Why do I come here? Warm service and storytelling, especially from Gigi, combined with a unique menu with both light and heart dishes. What do I eat here? Omani Coastal Fish in Meso-American sauce is finger-licking good, as is seabass aguachile with jalapeño sorbet, duck confit flautas, maduros fritos, and the spiced, sugary churros.
Omani Coastal Fish in Mesoamerican Sauce and corn espuma at Girl and the Goose, Dubai.
Jun’s (Third Culture Cuisine | Licensed | Great Cocktails). Jun’s quickly left its mark on the Downtown dining scene with a talented, gregarious chef in Kelvin Cheung and both a versatile menu and atmosphere that suits casual lunches and fun date nights out. Why do I come here? Kelvin’s worldly career leaves fingerprints across the menu. Still, Kelvin assembles a coherent, exciting menu largely realised by executing the single vision of one chef instead of a “menu by committee”. What do I eat here? Smoked carrots in labneh, tempura za’atar chaat, seared scallops in corn puree and salmon carpaccio. Read a full review here.
Jun’s famous rainbow heirloom carrots with smoke labneh.
Long Teng Seafood (Chinese | Seafood | Dim Sum). A directionally boujis Cantonese restaurant with fresh shellfish bobbing in tanks until you come along. Why do I come here? It’s the best dim sum that I have enjoyed in Dubai so far and the one I recommend the most to people (although I am very open to being shown alternatives). What do I eat here? Red rice and prawn cheung fun, steamed prawn dumplings, chicken xiao long bao, crispy radish pastry (shaped like swans), and creamy egg custard buns for dessert!
Lowe (Woodfire cooking | Eco-conscious | Licensed). The problem with Lowe is the location; otherwise, I would be here a few times a month for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Why do I come here? There is thoughtfulness in how they cook, focusing on drawing the best flavour out of ingredients without being loyal to any cuisine. The menu also changes seasonally with a focus on sustainability. What do I eat here? For lunch, the woodfired sesame bread with burnt za’atar dip is essential eating, as are the Hokkaido scallops on brioche, beef carpaccio with Espelette pepper, and the whole Dover sole with curry leaves when it is in season. Parmesan truffled eggs with spiced chutney, sweetcorn hotcake with bacon, or baked broken eggs with curried onion gravy for breakfast. Read a full review here.
Lowe’s ever popular sesame woodfire bread with crab and romesco sauce.
Reif Japanese Kushiyaki (Japanese | Licensed | Inventive). REIF Japanese Kushiyaki is informed by Japanese ingredients and techniques but not shackled to them. This is not a Japanese restaurant for devotees who are fond of tradition. It remains one of my most visited and recommended restaurants every year. Why do I eat here? A versatile restaurant that retains a sense of specialness while remaining casual and accessible, whether it is day or not. Reif’s food is always delicious and delightful. The Dubai Hills branch is my preferred location (it’s licensed). What do I eat here? Kimchi melon, chicken katsu sando, wagyu sando, mushroom clay pot rice, duck ramen, prawn toast, chicken gyoza and the banana passion fruit dessert. Read a full review here.
REIF’s superb prawn toast at Dubai Hills, one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Teible (Fiercly local | Seasonal | Eco-conscious). Teible quietly arrived on Dubai’s food scene showing that sourcing local ingredients and focusing on seasonality and cooking techniques can yield fabulous results, even in the desert. Why do I eat here? Beautiful plating that leans towards plant-based eating here that makes for lighter meals. What do I eat here? The menu changes regularly, but the “In Season” Zucchini, Shio Koji Emulsion, Preserved Pumpkin Ravioli, the outstanding Garum Burger, and prawns al ajillo were recent favourites. Read a full review here.
Teible is one of Dubai’s best restaurants serving one of the city’s best burgers, but the restaurant also showcases excellent plant-based dishes.
Alici, an Italian restaurant in Bluewaters, is one of Dubai’s Best Restaurants and one of its best Italian and Seafood restaurants.
BOCA (Spanish & Mediterranean | Eco-conscious | Licensed). A DIFC stalwart favourite that threads smart casual and easy-going with competent cooking and one of Dubai’s best wine lists. Why do I eat here? Chef Patricia Roig has elevated BOCA’s dining proposition and leans headlong into the sustainability ethos while keeping delicious at its core. Shiv, BOCA’s head sommelier, experiments with wine pairings and constantly shapes BOCA’s wine list. What do I eat here? The bread with burnt aubergine aioli, smoked tuna and pistachio ajoblanco, tortillitas de camarones, 12-hour braised lamb with sunchokes and the Idizabal smoked cheese custard.
BOCA, eco-conscious Spanish Mediterranean restaurant, champions local produce with an excellent wine list. BOCA is one of Dubai’s Best Restaurants.
Chez Wam (Modern European-Asian | Licensed). Loosely translating as “at mine” Chez Wam exudes cool in spades with its bouncing music, intimate but sprawling dining room and the ever-fun chef Hadrien Villedieu at the pass. Why do I eat here? Chez Wam pulls off the trick of feeling special without being pretentious or inaccessible. Come with friends or work colleagues and don’t worry about getting too loud. What do I eat here? It’s an eclectic menu unconstrained by cuisine and loyal to flavour. Eat the Chez Warma robata flatbread, charred tomatoes and nectarine salad, smoked ginger and honey haddock, and save room for the spectacular Paris-Tokyo dessert.
The grilled chicken adobo with cous cous at Chez Wam.
Dibba Bay Oysters (Seafood | Licensed). Oyster farmers open dedicated restaurant spaces, but the JBR location stands out positively, although the Jumeirah Fishing Village branch possesses a rustic happy-go-lucky charm that Dubai seldom sees. Why do I eat here? Simple: the opportunity to support a local business single-handedly restoring the UAE oyster industry. What do I eat here? Oysters, half a dozen no. 4s, and brisk white wine.
Duo Gastrobar (European | Licensed). A sensible brasserie in the back of Dubai Hill Business Park elevates this neighbourhood’s casual dining with a notable wine-by-the-glass menu and a modern, bright dining room. Why do I eat here? The seasonal menu rotates with simple dishes that are very flavour forward and some vegetables used in unusual but mouth-watering ways. What do I eat here? Oxtail taleggio pie, yellow courgettes with Parmesan cream, orzo with beef cheeks and seared cabbage with truffle cream.
Duo Gastrobar is a restaurant inside the Dubai Hills Business Park. This is Duo Gastrobar’s oxtail pie with taleggio cheese.
Ibn Al Bahr (Seafood | Licensed | Beachside). A beachside seafood restaurant that does not cost the Earth built on Palm Jumeirah no less. The shisha is not included in my price calculation, but now you’re considering it. Why do I eat here? The seafood selection, affordable wine selection, prime location, and beachside seating make Ibn Al Bahr hard to beat in Dubai at this price point. What do I eat here? Black pepper clams, grilled provencal prawns or squid, fattoush, batata hara, small fried sardines with tahini sauce, or a whole grilled fish.
Ibn Al Bahr’s black pepper clams.
Girl and the Goose (Meso-American | Licensed | Female Chef). Grown from a supperclub, Chef Gabriela “Gigi” Chamorro elevates Meso-American cooking with a modern voice. Why do I come here? Warm service and storytelling, especially from Gigi, combined with a unique menu with both light and heart dishes. What do I eat here? Omani Coastal Fish in Meso-American sauce is finger-licking good, as is seabass aguachile with jalapeño sorbet, duck confit flautas, maduros fritos, and the spiced, sugary churros.
Omani Coastal Fish in Mesoamerican Sauce and corn espuma at Girl and the Goose, Dubai.
Jun’s (Third Culture Cuisine | Licensed | Great Cocktails). Jun’s quickly left its mark on the Downtown dining scene with a talented, gregarious chef in Kelvin Cheung and both a versatile menu and atmosphere that suits casual lunches and fun date nights out. Why do I come here? Kelvin’s worldly career leaves fingerprints across the menu. Still, Kelvin assembles a coherent, exciting menu largely realised by executing the single vision of one chef instead of a “menu by committee”. What do I eat here? Smoked carrots in labneh, tempura za’atar chaat, seared scallops in corn puree and salmon carpaccio. Read a full review here.
Jun’s famous rainbow heirloom carrots with smoke labneh.
Long Teng Seafood (Chinese | Seafood | Dim Sum). A directionally boujis Cantonese restaurant with fresh shellfish bobbing in tanks until you come along. Why do I come here? It’s the best dim sum that I have enjoyed in Dubai so far and the one I recommend the most to people (although I am very open to being shown alternatives). What do I eat here? Red rice and prawn cheung fun, steamed prawn dumplings, chicken xiao long bao, crispy radish pastry (shaped like swans), and creamy egg custard buns for dessert!
Lowe (Woodfire cooking | Eco-conscious | Licensed). The problem with Lowe is the location; otherwise, I would be here a few times a month for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Why do I come here? There is thoughtfulness in how they cook, focusing on drawing the best flavour out of ingredients without being loyal to any cuisine. The menu also changes seasonally with a focus on sustainability. What do I eat here? For lunch, the woodfired sesame bread with burnt za’atar dip is essential eating, as are the Hokkaido scallops on brioche, beef carpaccio with Espelette pepper, and the whole Dover sole with curry leaves when it is in season. Parmesan truffled eggs with spiced chutney, sweetcorn hotcake with bacon, or baked broken eggs with curried onion gravy for breakfast. Read a full review here.
Lowe’s ever popular sesame woodfire bread with crab and romesco sauce.
Reif Japanese Kushiyaki (Japanese | Licensed | Inventive). REIF Japanese Kushiyaki is informed by Japanese ingredients and techniques but not shackled to them. This is not a Japanese restaurant for devotees who are fond of tradition. It remains one of my most visited and recommended restaurants every year. Why do I eat here? A versatile restaurant that retains a sense of specialness while remaining casual and accessible, whether it is day or not. Reif’s food is always delicious and delightful. The Dubai Hills branch is my preferred location (it’s licensed). What do I eat here? Kimchi melon, chicken katsu sando, wagyu sando, mushroom clay pot rice, duck ramen, prawn toast, chicken gyoza and the banana passion fruit dessert. Read a full review here.
REIF’s superb prawn toast at Dubai Hills, one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Teible (Fiercly local | Seasonal | Eco-conscious). Teible quietly arrived on Dubai’s food scene showing that sourcing local ingredients and focusing on seasonality and cooking techniques can yield fabulous results, even in the desert. Why do I eat here? Beautiful plating that leans towards plant-based eating here that makes for lighter meals. What do I eat here? The menu changes regularly, but the “In Season” Zucchini, Shio Koji Emulsion, Preserved Pumpkin Ravioli, the outstanding Garum Burger, and prawns al ajillo were recent favourites. Read a full review here.
Teible is one of Dubai’s best restaurants serving one of the city’s best burgers, but the restaurant also showcases excellent plant-based dishes.
High-end and fine dining (over 200 dhs per person)
Al Muntaha (Italian | Iconic location | Wine | Seaviews). A signature restaurant inside an iconic Dubai landmark could be tourist-trap catnip, but Al Muntaha is anything but. Why do I eat here? The lunchtime and coastline views, together with a superb tasting menu and excellent wine pairing, make this one of Dubai’s strongest one-Michelin-starred restaurants for special occasions. What do I eat here? The menu changes regularly, but Jerusalem artichoke and white truffle, spaghettoni with tuna crudo and mustard, among others, were some of my favourite dishes in 2025.Read a full review here.
Blue lobster cooked over robata with lentils at Al Muntaha.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal Dubai (British | Licensed | Unique Menu). Legendary British chef ostensibly serves his signature menu inspired by historical British dishes inside Atlantis the Royal. She’s a pricey affair for special occasions. Why do I eat here? The service is second to none in Dubai; the wine menu is one of Dubai’s largest and most impressive, with some seriously impressive cooking. What do I eat here? The meat fruit, tipsy cake, triple-cooked chips, and goat’s milk sambocade. Read a full review here (and the Sunday Roast review here.)
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal Dubai’s menu box details a journey through historical British cuisine dragged into the 21st century. It’s one of Dubai’s best restaurants in Atlantis the Royal.
FZN by Björn Frantzén (Tasting Menu | Excellent Wine List | Superb Service). Fighting for the crown of one of Dubai’s most expensive restaurants, FZN delivers with aplomb through its Nordic meets Japanese menu that is predominantly seafood-based. Why do I eat here? It feels special in all the right ways and without the trappings and restrictions of fine dining. What do I eat here? It is a tasting menu, but the chawanmushi, tart tatin and langoustine ‘tender’ stand out positively with the wine pairing. Read a full review here.
Japanese Radish and Chutoro starter with strawberries at FZN by Björn Frantzén.
Hoseki (Japanese | Omakase | Licensed | Tasting Menu). “It’s cheaper than flying to Japan”, as a friend says. A stoic omakase menu in library-like silence where ingredients are flown in frequently from Japan. Why do I eat here? Impeccable service and the near-meditative craft of the master sushi chefs making sushi before your eyes. What do I eat here? It is an omakase-tasting menu that changes almost daily; therefore, I eat what I am given, but the sushi courses always stand out.
One of Hoseki’s sushi nigiri courses; it’s one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
MANAO (Modern Thai | Homegrown). MANAO landed with instant acclaim thanks to an innovative, short tasting menu that is Thai-inspired but not overly authentic. Why do I eat here? An unlicensed short tasting menu with early dining options means I am in and out within 2 hours, can drive home, and most dishes are truly outstanding mouth bombs. What do I eat here? The menu changes periodically.
Mimi Kakushi (Modern Japanese | Licensed | Beautiful Decor | Great Cocktails). It is a lively, sexy restaurant where beautiful go to be seen, but the food and drinks live up to the hype. Be prepared to drop a lot of cash before you leave the starters. Why do I eat here? It’s an excellent spot for special occasions, corporate entertaining or showing out-of-towners all they have heard about luxurious Dubai and its symptoms. What do I eat here? Wagyu gyozas with foie gras, Kagoshima wagyu maki rolls, king crab cold salad with fresh mizuna, braised short ribs with sweet garlic soy, ginger wasabi relish and pistachio miso and grilled toro with crispy leeks and spicy wafu. Read a full review here.
Mimi Kakushi’s toro sushi courses. Mimi Kakushi is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Ninive (Pan-Arabic | Licensed | Beautiful Decor). Rare are there licensed Middle Eastern restaurants in Dubai, and even rarer are there restaurants this striking. To dine at Ninive is truly an immersive experience. Why do I eat here? Ninive is one of my top five go-to restaurants for friends or business colleagues visiting Dubai where they want a drink and I want them to eat food from the broad region. What do I eat here? Roasted pumpkin with spiced tomato jam and raisins, tamarind chicken with yoghurt, pomegranate and parsley, the cous cous royale and any of the Tagines. Read a full review here.
Ninive’s outstanding ambience is one of the leading reasons why it is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Ossiano (French | Seafood | Licensed | Fine Dining | Tasting Menu). I always say that Ossiano could be a complete disaster in the wrong hands, leaning violently on its soaring ceilings and towering aquarium. Instead, it is one of Dubai’s most complete restaurant experiences. Why do I eat here? The incredible wine pairings, the attentive, the hypnotizing aquarium and the modern progressive menu. The collaborations are also groundbreaking. What do I eat here? Again, this tasting menu changes repeatedly, but you can expect luxurious ingredients like caviar, lobster or turbot quite regularly. Also, give me Alsacean Riesling or give me death.Read a full review here.
Ossiano is without question one of Dubai’s best restaurants inside Atlantis Dubai.
TakaHisa Japanese Restaurant (Japanese | Omakase | Licensed | Fine Dining). TakaHisa runs from strength to strength with a more lively atmosphere than Hoseki (above), but retains a myopic focus on its food and beverage’ quality. It is arm-bendingly expensive but utterly memorable. Why do I eat here? The simple, restrained approach showcases the quality of ingredients coupled with an eye-widening selection of wine and sake — the only restaurant ever to serve me enjoyable sake. What do I eat here? This is another omakase tasting menu that changes frequently; however, the steamed abalone with uni liver sauce and soy is a house staple. It is so delicious that it might be my death row bowl. Read a full review here.
Chef Taka with a chilled box of Hokkaido uni. Ingredient quality is one of the reasons why TakaHisa is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
The Experience by Reif Othman (Japanese | Omakase | Licensed | Fine Dining). Buried within REIF Japanese Kushiyaki lies “TERO”, Reif Othman’s fine dining omakase that retains its creative heart and the chef’s philosophy of less is more and let the ingredients do the talking. Why do I eat here? TERO is not as formal as the other Omakase restaurants on this list, which I welcome. The price point is also slightly more accessible but still pricey. It is also private and out of eye-sight of the REIF Kushiyaki diners, making for intimate date nights or occasions where private conversations are key. What do I eat here? You’ve gathered by now that omakase menus change but TERO features a new menu each month behind a theme, like wagyu, sushi or whatever strikes Reif at the relevant time. Read a full review here.
Chef Reif Othman with his team assembling the menu of the day in The Experience by Reif Othman, one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Tresind Studio (Modern Indian | Innovative | Fine Dining | Licensed) is the restaurant that trips off my lips first when people ask for a fine-dining restaurant recommendation or other deserving occasion. The Rising India tasting menu’s sensorial assault sharply juxtaposes the sober dining space. It’s an education and a delight. Why do I eat here? Tresind Studio appeals to my desire for small, intense bites, my love of chaat, and my desire to learn something throughout. It is also one of the world’s best restaurants. The collaborations are some of the best in Dubai. What do I eat here? This tasting menu changes periodically, but the kebab scarpetta, pani puri, Onam sadhya, tender coconut kushiyaki, raw and ripe banana with miso and the honeymoon tea ‘flying to the moon’. Read a full review here.
Tresind Studio’s long-held tradition of pain puri, gentrified and upgraded each time. Tresind Studio is without question one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Blue lobster cooked over robata with lentils at Al Muntaha.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal Dubai (British | Licensed | Unique Menu). Legendary British chef ostensibly serves his signature menu inspired by historical British dishes inside Atlantis the Royal. She’s a pricey affair for special occasions. Why do I eat here? The service is second to none in Dubai; the wine menu is one of Dubai’s largest and most impressive, with some seriously impressive cooking. What do I eat here? The meat fruit, tipsy cake, triple-cooked chips, and goat’s milk sambocade. Read a full review here (and the Sunday Roast review here.)
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal Dubai’s menu box details a journey through historical British cuisine dragged into the 21st century. It’s one of Dubai’s best restaurants in Atlantis the Royal.
FZN by Björn Frantzén (Tasting Menu | Excellent Wine List | Superb Service). Fighting for the crown of one of Dubai’s most expensive restaurants, FZN delivers with aplomb through its Nordic meets Japanese menu that is predominantly seafood-based. Why do I eat here? It feels special in all the right ways and without the trappings and restrictions of fine dining. What do I eat here? It is a tasting menu, but the chawanmushi, tart tatin and langoustine ‘tender’ stand out positively with the wine pairing. Read a full review here.
Japanese Radish and Chutoro starter with strawberries at FZN by Björn Frantzén.
Hoseki (Japanese | Omakase | Licensed | Tasting Menu). “It’s cheaper than flying to Japan”, as a friend says. A stoic omakase menu in library-like silence where ingredients are flown in frequently from Japan. Why do I eat here? Impeccable service and the near-meditative craft of the master sushi chefs making sushi before your eyes. What do I eat here? It is an omakase-tasting menu that changes almost daily; therefore, I eat what I am given, but the sushi courses always stand out.
One of Hoseki’s sushi nigiri courses; it’s one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
MANAO (Modern Thai | Homegrown). MANAO landed with instant acclaim thanks to an innovative, short tasting menu that is Thai-inspired but not overly authentic. Why do I eat here? An unlicensed short tasting menu with early dining options means I am in and out within 2 hours, can drive home, and most dishes are truly outstanding mouth bombs. What do I eat here? The menu changes periodically.
Mimi Kakushi (Modern Japanese | Licensed | Beautiful Decor | Great Cocktails). It is a lively, sexy restaurant where beautiful go to be seen, but the food and drinks live up to the hype. Be prepared to drop a lot of cash before you leave the starters. Why do I eat here? It’s an excellent spot for special occasions, corporate entertaining or showing out-of-towners all they have heard about luxurious Dubai and its symptoms. What do I eat here? Wagyu gyozas with foie gras, Kagoshima wagyu maki rolls, king crab cold salad with fresh mizuna, braised short ribs with sweet garlic soy, ginger wasabi relish and pistachio miso and grilled toro with crispy leeks and spicy wafu. Read a full review here.
Mimi Kakushi’s toro sushi courses. Mimi Kakushi is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Ninive (Pan-Arabic | Licensed | Beautiful Decor). Rare are there licensed Middle Eastern restaurants in Dubai, and even rarer are there restaurants this striking. To dine at Ninive is truly an immersive experience. Why do I eat here? Ninive is one of my top five go-to restaurants for friends or business colleagues visiting Dubai where they want a drink and I want them to eat food from the broad region. What do I eat here? Roasted pumpkin with spiced tomato jam and raisins, tamarind chicken with yoghurt, pomegranate and parsley, the cous cous royale and any of the Tagines. Read a full review here.
Ninive’s outstanding ambience is one of the leading reasons why it is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Ossiano (French | Seafood | Licensed | Fine Dining | Tasting Menu). I always say that Ossiano could be a complete disaster in the wrong hands, leaning violently on its soaring ceilings and towering aquarium. Instead, it is one of Dubai’s most complete restaurant experiences. Why do I eat here? The incredible wine pairings, the attentive, the hypnotizing aquarium and the modern progressive menu. The collaborations are also groundbreaking. What do I eat here? Again, this tasting menu changes repeatedly, but you can expect luxurious ingredients like caviar, lobster or turbot quite regularly. Also, give me Alsacean Riesling or give me death.Read a full review here.
Ossiano is without question one of Dubai’s best restaurants inside Atlantis Dubai.
TakaHisa Japanese Restaurant (Japanese | Omakase | Licensed | Fine Dining). TakaHisa runs from strength to strength with a more lively atmosphere than Hoseki (above), but retains a myopic focus on its food and beverage’ quality. It is arm-bendingly expensive but utterly memorable. Why do I eat here? The simple, restrained approach showcases the quality of ingredients coupled with an eye-widening selection of wine and sake — the only restaurant ever to serve me enjoyable sake. What do I eat here? This is another omakase tasting menu that changes frequently; however, the steamed abalone with uni liver sauce and soy is a house staple. It is so delicious that it might be my death row bowl. Read a full review here.
Chef Taka with a chilled box of Hokkaido uni. Ingredient quality is one of the reasons why TakaHisa is one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
The Experience by Reif Othman (Japanese | Omakase | Licensed | Fine Dining). Buried within REIF Japanese Kushiyaki lies “TERO”, Reif Othman’s fine dining omakase that retains its creative heart and the chef’s philosophy of less is more and let the ingredients do the talking. Why do I eat here? TERO is not as formal as the other Omakase restaurants on this list, which I welcome. The price point is also slightly more accessible but still pricey. It is also private and out of eye-sight of the REIF Kushiyaki diners, making for intimate date nights or occasions where private conversations are key. What do I eat here? You’ve gathered by now that omakase menus change but TERO features a new menu each month behind a theme, like wagyu, sushi or whatever strikes Reif at the relevant time. Read a full review here.
Chef Reif Othman with his team assembling the menu of the day in The Experience by Reif Othman, one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
Tresind Studio (Modern Indian | Innovative | Fine Dining | Licensed) is the restaurant that trips off my lips first when people ask for a fine-dining restaurant recommendation or other deserving occasion. The Rising India tasting menu’s sensorial assault sharply juxtaposes the sober dining space. It’s an education and a delight. Why do I eat here? Tresind Studio appeals to my desire for small, intense bites, my love of chaat, and my desire to learn something throughout. It is also one of the world’s best restaurants. The collaborations are some of the best in Dubai. What do I eat here? This tasting menu changes periodically, but the kebab scarpetta, pani puri, Onam sadhya, tender coconut kushiyaki, raw and ripe banana with miso and the honeymoon tea ‘flying to the moon’. Read a full review here.
Tresind Studio’s long-held tradition of pain puri, gentrified and upgraded each time. Tresind Studio is without question one of Dubai’s best restaurants.
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