There are so many wonderful cuisines to taste in Dubai, ranging from super street food to gourmet dining. While you may have heard of gold-dusted burgers and the like, it's not all opulence here, but it is accessible if you're looking for a lavish dinner.
Restaurants ranging from low-key sushi places to high-end French landmarks serve top-notch cuisine from top chefs. Here are 12 of the greatest restaurants in Dubai to tickle your hunger, whether you're seeking to splurge or stick to a budget.
The only way to start a list of the best restaurants in Dubai is with some excellent mezze. This Lebanese fine dining restaurant has two locations in Dubai, one on the Palm and the other in DIFC, however we prefer the latter. A swarm of business professionals from the city's surrounding financial centre, couples, and families can be found on any given day. While you can have mezze for less elsewhere in the city, Al Nafoorah is one of the top restaurants in Dubai for superb Lebanese cuisine. There are set menus entitled Beirut, Tripoli, Byblos, and Sidon, as well as à la carte selections, so you'll never be bored. If you're a carnivore, the grills are very delicious.
If you just have time to order one thing, go for the classic hummus. This isn't your typical chickpea dip, but it's a lot more than that. You can't go wrong with this rich, creamy spread slathered on fresh, pillowy bread.
Sheikh Zayed Road, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, www.jumeirah.com (04 319 8760)
Bistrot Bagatelle is one of the top late-night restaurants in Dubai, with a lively ambiance, vivid décor, and a fun-loving, stylish audience. If you come here before 10 p.m., you might not understand what we're talking about, but as the night progresses, the atmosphere changes, with live music and an exciting party atmosphere. The food isn't bad either, with dishes like garlicky escargot, herb and sesame studded rack of lamb, and truffle roasted chicken among the standouts.
If you only had time to order one thing... Linguini au Homard Épicé, or roasted hot lobster with linguine if you don't know French. One of the finest pasta dishes in the city is this sharing amount of creamy, tomatoey linguine.
bagatelle, Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 354 5035).
This restaurant in the DIFC has a menu with elements from Spain, Italy, and France, all presented in a colourful and inventive manner. There's a focus on sustainability here as well as creativity, with whatever is fresh being kept simple. BOCA prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients whenever feasible - imagine local hydroponic farms and Dibba Bay oysters. There's also a substantial vegan menu and an intriguing wine list. While enjoying an aperitivo, nibble on ice-packed manzanilla olives, which are zingy and fresh, and then order whatever is recommended that day.
If you only had time to order one thing... For an upmarket variation on a classic Spanish dish, try black seafood paella with octopus, shrimp, and crispy calamari.
boca, Gate Village 6, DIFC (04 323 1833).
This Greek-Mediterranean restaurant is from one of Dubai's most well-known chefs, Izu Ani, has quickly become a go-to location in the region. The stylish dining area, which is frequently in the headlines due to its royal visits, uses neutral tones and gold-trimmed décor to give it a refined atmosphere. The rest of the menu focuses on Greek mezze sharing dishes, all with a modern twist and inventive flavours, and there's a fish market-style counter where you can pick your fresh catch and have it raw, grilled, baked with Greek herbs and spices, or salt-baked, while the rest of the menu focuses on Greek mezze sharing dishes, all with a modern twist and inventive flavours. At GAIA, you can anticipate outstanding meals from the chef who built his name at neighbouring star LPM.
If you only had time to order one thing... Moussaka. This light and fragrant Greek meal includes minced meat delicately layered atop sliced aubergine, so forget about a stodgy, heavy dish served at inauthentic tavernas. It's a smash hit.
gaia, Gate Village 4, DIFC (04 241 4242).
This swanky French eatery in the Jumeirah Emirates Towers got its origins on Paris' 105 avenue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Dubai has picked up on the elegant mood and entertaining atmosphere. For the winter months, the restaurant features a beautiful terrace with super-cool décor. The bar and lounge area of La Cantine, which is known for holding brunches, parties, art shows, and more, is also a popular destination for a post-work drink, while the restaurant is a hot spot for a late-night supper, attracting a lively, fun-loving audience. The honey-glazed wagyu short rib, which is wonderfully crisp on the exterior and tender on the inside, as well as the walnut crusted Chilean sea bass with pumpkin, quinoa, and parmesan sauce, are both fantastic.
If you only had time to order one thing... Ceviche of yellowfin tuna with sesame, avocado, and sweet onion vinaigrette. Silky smooth tuna cubes are encased in a lip-smackingly zingy, fresh, and delectable sauce.
lacantine Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 352 7105).
Nobu should be on any traveller to Dubai's bucket list for a variety of reasons, including the innovation of miso black cod. The global brand is the result of a collaboration between Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Hollywood actor Robert DeNiro, and it is now a household name for foodies all over the world, with locations in California, New York, London, and, of course, Dubai. The Nobu Dubai restaurant is located at the Atlantis The Palm, directly across from the massive aquarium. Despite its location in one of Dubai's most popular tourist attractions, Nobu has a serene and mellow ambiance with elegant décor.
If you only had time to order one thing... Nobu claims to be the first to serve edamame hot, but his most famous recipe is the one you should try. To make the black cod sweet, rich, and decadent, it is marinated in miso for three days. The Middle Eastern recipe is slightly different from what you'll find elsewhere in the world, but it's just as wonderful.
Palm Jumeirah's Atlantis The Palm (04 426 2626).
If you know Japanese cuisine, you've heard of Zuma, and you won't find a list of the top restaurants in Dubai that doesn't include this world-famous name. The Dubai version, which opened more than a decade ago, is credited with kick-starting the gourmet area that is today. Whether it's for lunch, dinner, or breakfast, it's constantly packed, and the bar is frequently recognised as one of the best in the world. There's a lounge, dining room, and bar, and while the views aren't the nicest in town, you won't be looking at much other than your plate because the food is top-notch. Rainer Becker, the restaurant's founder, now has a second location in the city, Roka, and both should be on your list if you enjoy Japanese cuisine.
If you only had time to order one thing... The black cod wrapped in hoba leaf is a must-try signature dish.
Zuma, Gate Village, DIFC, zumarestaurant (04 425 5660)
This high-rise eatery is one of the city's coolest hangouts, and the views are spectacular. You've probably seen it on Instagram, and for good reason: the vantage position from Address Sky View is perfect. The restaurant, which is 220 metres above sea level and overlooks the skyline of Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa, is located on the bridge that connects the hotel's two towers. This is a playfully elegant restaurant to check out, with an infinity pool (ideal for those picture-perfect Insta pics) and a great roster of party nights and events. The food is fusion fun, with dishes like roasted cauliflower with katsuobushi bagna cauda, black truffle sushi rice risotto, and burrata with nectarines available in Singapore, Tokyo, Colombo, Taipei, and Shanghai.
If you only had time to order one thing... Shiitake mushroom doughnuts with beef bacon and an aerated raclette cheese dip are sweet and savoury.
celavi, address Sky View, Downtown Dubai (04 582 6111).
Freshly baked pizza, an Italian mixed drink, and views of the beach are among the best things in life. And when the pizza is made by one of the world's most well-known chefs, you know you're onto a winner. Torno Subito, which translates to "be right back," is Massimo Bottura's first restaurant outside of Italy. Torno Subito, best known for Osteria Francescana, a restaurant that has twice been named to The World's 50 Best Restaurants list, features a laid-back beach ambiance and spectacular vistas. The interiors are bright and colourful, paying homage to the Italian Riviera of the 1960s.
If you only had time to order one thing... Choose the Torno Subito - focaccia with stracciatella, beef bresaola, and apple mustard, of course.
tornosubitodubai, W Dubai the Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 245 5555).
We know your mouth is full of water by reading this. Well, if you want to try these eateries or many others like this then you must visit Dubai. For visa details and to get to know more about Dubai you can contact us at We can make your ordinary Dubai tour into a life-time memorable one!
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