Dubai has long set the standard when it comes to restaurants with the wow factor, be that luxurious settings, stunning rooftop vistas or gold-level customer service, fuelled by the city’s ever-present appetite for Instagram appeal.
However, the arrival of the Michelin Guide in the UAE in 2022 raised the stakes even higher, cementing Dubai as one of the world’s most vibrant dining destinations: this is a place where you can eat your way around the world thanks to its many global connections and influx of talented culinary expats. Today, the Emirate’s food scene spans Michelin-starred tasting menus, vibrant brunches, beachfront dining and homegrown talent making waves on the international stage.
From intimate 20-seat rooftops to power-lunch institutions, here are some spots to bookmark for your next trip. We recommend you book ahead, and allow time for traffic.
Trèsind Studio
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Ranked No.27 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 and number two on the Middle East North Africa’s 50 Best list, Trèsind Studio is a must-book for anyone interested in modern Indian cuisine. Holding three Michelin stars, this rooftop restaurant serves a multi-course tasting menu that journeys across India, with presentation that is as theatrical as it is flavourful. Expect dishes like pani puri served tableside, deconstructed butter chicken, and biryani revealed under a smoke-filled dome. With just 20-seats and an open kitchen, the experience feels both intimate and immersive. Arrive early to enjoy some inventive cocktails at the adjoining Papadom Botanic Bar. If a booking alludes you on your visit, you can try some of their equally fabulous venues dotted across the city, including the brilliant and flamboyant Carnival By Trèsind.
Sushisamba
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The Dubai outpost of this global brand may be its most spectacular. Perched on the 51st floor of The Palm Tower, the dining room offers spectacular Palm Jumeirah views, or on a misty day you’ll get the chance to experience what it’s like to float above the clouds. The weekday business brunch is one of the city’s best-value ways to sample the popular Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian menu, from sushi rolls to robata-grilled skewers and ceviche. Interiors are bold, the cocktails creative, and the panoramic views are stunning. Whether for a client lunch or a personal celebration, this is Dubai dining at its most fabulous.
Iliana
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Part of the new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab resort, this beach-side Greek spot offers up one of Dubai’s most iconic backdrops: uninterrupted views of the Burj Al Arab. The menu leans into simplicity done well: mezze platters to share, and classic Greek flavours such as grilled octopus and sea bass with lemon and herbs. The setting balances beachside ease with fine-dining polish, making it a strong choice for long lunches that slide into sundowners. For anyone craving Greek island flavours without leaving Dubai, Iliana is a strong contender.
La Niña
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Helmed by group executive chef Tim Newton (also behind trendy Dubai spots OPA and Myrra), La Niña has fast gained a reputation as one of DIFC’s most glamorous dining rooms. The menu features a wide selection of high-end dishes with Iberian and Latin flair – from jamón Ibérico to Wagyu tacos and ceviche. Interiors are as striking as the food: soaring ceilings, brass chandeliers, and walls lined with traditional Portuguese azulejo tiles, creating a space that feels both historic and opulent. A strong choice for both business lunches and celebratory weekend brunches, La Niña epitomises Dubai glamour through and through.
Lana Lusa
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Another Portuguese inspired restaurant is Lana Lusa, but this spot comes with a much more relaxed offering. Having recently grown from a Wasl 51 favourite into two sought-after venues, the menu celebrates Lisbon-style comfort food like grilled sardines, bacalhau fritters, piri piri chicken and what many consider Dubai’s most authentic pastel de nata – no wonder it’s become a hub for the city’s Portuguese community. Interiors are light and welcoming, with breezy terraces made for lingering over lunch. In a city built on spectacle, Lana Lusa offers a charming neighbourhood venue with a real sense of soul.
La Cantine du Faubourg
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A long-standing favourite in Emirates Towers, La Cantine du Faubourg blends French chic with a social atmosphere that grows livelier as the night unfolds. The menu balances classic dishes with seasonal specials, all served in a setting that’s polished yet playful. A major draw is Brunch 105, held every Saturday and Sunday from 1pm–6pm, which elevates the traditional weekend brunch with a mix of signature dishes, breakfast favourites, DJs and live performances. Its seaside sibling, La Cantine Beach, located on Bluewaters, carries the same DNA oceanside with lighter Mediterranean plates and cocktails by the water. Both venues are part of the group behind Twiggy, a chic beach club that’s an excellent choice for an elevated Sunday in the sun.
Gaia
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One of Dubai’s most celebrated chefs, Izu Ani co-founded GAIA in 2018 and has since turned it into a benchmark for modern Greek dining. The restaurant, which features at number 25 on the Middle East North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list, is one of DIFC’s most lauded spots that has also now expanded internationally with a popular London outpost. Highlights include dishes such as sea-bream carpaccio, baked feta with chilli, moussaka and a display of fresh seafood to choose from daily. Interiors are bright, whitewashed and elegant, equally suited to business lunches or celebratory dinners. Ani’s influence stretches across the city, from La Maison Ani to Time Out Market, and this September also saw the launch of a new Japanese inspired venue – KIGO at Four Seasons Hotel DIFC.
Honeycomb Hi-Fi
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More late-night vibes, the music is the draw here – Honeycomb Hi-Fi is Dubai’s first listening bar. Inspired by Tokyo’s vinyl lounges, it combines a state-of-the-art sound system with inventive cocktails and a Japanese-influenced small plates menu, think gyoza, karaage and fried chicken. The interiors are low-lit and intimate, designed for music-led evenings where the soundtrack matters as much as the drinks. A favourite with Dubai’s creative crowd, it’s one of the city’s coolest late-night spots.
The Guild
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Awarded Opening of the Year by the Michelin Guide Dubai in 2024, The Guild is a DIFC addition much loved by residents. Inspired by New York’s grand dining halls, it unfolds across multiple spaces, each with its own energy. The menu ranges from oysters and handmade pastas to charcoal-grilled meats, and is matched by an ambitious wine list. Lavish interiors make it a showstopper, but it’s versatile too; an ideal spot for lunch meetings, buzzy enough for catch-up cocktails, and a lively space for dinner. It’s also fast become a favourite for elevated Sunday roasts with Dubai’s expat crowd.
Rialto
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Another new restaurant in Marsa Al Arab worth checking out is Rialto, channelling classic Italian glamour with arched interiors, brass accents and cinematic lighting. Born in Pompeii near coastal Naples, executive chef Roberto Rispoli honed his craft under Alain Ducasse at La Trattoria Toscana in Milan – and his menu here reflects that pedigree. Luxurious without being ostentatious, Rialto is both an elegant aperitivo and a dinner stop; light Mediterranean bites pair perfectly with sundowners over sweeping Gulf views, and stay on for dinner to enjoy antipasti, risottos and hand-rolled pasta, alongside a section devoted entirely to Italy’s most celebrated fruit – tomatoes.
Sexy Fish
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A venue familiar with many Londoners, Sexy Fish made its Middle East debut in 2022 and quickly cemented itself as a hotspot. The interiors are even more extravagant than the London original, while the Asian-inspired menu features a range of sushi, as well as crowd-favourites like black cod with miso, and cocktails that are as vibrant as the artwork. Popular with both business diners and the late-night crowd, its business lunch is also one of DIFC’s most accessible ways to experience the brand.
Loren
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Loren channels all the glamour of the Italian Riviera. Located on the Palm, its glass-fronted dining room offers sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf, while the interiors lean coastal with terrazzo floors, curved banquettes and plenty of natural light. The menu spans handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and grilled seafood, all elevated with a refined Mediterranean touch. Cocktails are a highlight, their house martinis and spritzes are must-try’s, and the wine list is extensive and well-curated, with a strong focus on Italian producers. Dining at Loren is like being whisked away on a romantic evening to Italy.
Orfali Bros
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Run by Syrian brothers Mohammad, Omar and Wassim Orfali, this homegrown bistro earned its first Michelin star in 2023 and is number one on the Middle East North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The menu blends Middle Eastern roots with global techniques: think lamb kebabs layered with kimchi, Wagyu-filled shish barak dumplings, and delicate pistachio desserts. Located in Wasl 51, the space is casual but stylish, with an open kitchen so guests can enjoy seeing their food as it’s prepared and brought to tables. It’s unlicensed, but the inventive drinks list more than makes up for it, with fresh juices and creative non-alcoholic pairings. Orfali Bros is currently closed for refurbishment but, while you wait for the new reveal, pay a visit to their new 22-seater restaurant Three Bros, located right next door.
Lead image credit: Sushi Samba by KeyLimePhoto
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