When it comes to food, the United Arab Emirates is almost too exotic to imagine. Between them, the best restaurants in Dubai serve virtually every national cuisine from around the world. Including many specialising in Dubai’s own Arabic delights.
Dubai does not have its own Michelin guide instead, it imports chefs or restaurant chains that this prestigious publication has recognised elsewhere. Each restaurant featured in this article is not simply somewhere to eat but a destination for stunning décor, amazing views and unforgettable culinary experiences.
We’ve rounded up the best restaurants in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from Asian to Thai, with European, Italian, Latin American, Lebanese, and more in between.
La Petite Maison
Magnificently located in Dubai International Financial Centre, this restaurant’s cooking style belongs to old Genoese serving Mediterranean dishes. Local produce noticeably artichokes, courgettes, lemons, olives, tomatoes and peppers are used generously with seafood, meat and fresh pasta to produce a style that’s light and healthy.
Al Hadheerah
The signature restaurant of the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa is a 60-minute drive from Dubai airport. The resort is hidden among sand dunes, giving the image of an isolated oasis perfect for a fine dining experience under the stars.
Fourteen live cooking stations provide authentic cuisine from the middle east while guests enjoy live entertainment. The Heritage Museum is also located nearby for an extra dose of culture.
Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara
Nathan Outlaw brings his luxuriously laid-back approach to seafood to the city as one of the best places to eat in Dubai. The restaurant is not underwater, nor is the submarine that takes you there real. It is an extraordinary experience dining within the vast aquarium that sets the scene for Nathan Outlaw Al Mahara.
The Michelin-starred British chef’s dishes emphasise the power of simplicity, while the flavours of the finest ingredients speak for themselves. Guests can also enjoy signature cocktails at one of the open-air waterfront patio tables.
Visit this website to find out everything you need to know about the United Arab Emirates’ best restaurants and top chefs from around the world.
Zheng He’s
Award-winning chefs at Zheng He’s pride themselves on creating dishes that blend modern western presentation with old Chinese flavours. The setting adds to this fusion on the dockside of a canal that weaves itself into the Madinat Jumeirah resort.
It has an atmosphere of ancient simplicity whilst keeping views of the Burj al-Arab and the gulf beyond. Try the signature Fortune Beggar Chicken among the exquisite Chinese fare on offer.
Eauzone
The atmosphere at Eauzone is casual during the day, reflecting the slow pace of the one and only Royal Mirage and the lazy sea beyond. After sunset, however, this venue smartens up into a sleek, refined restaurant.
They beautifully positioned the design around the pool, giving the impression that it is floating on the translucent water. The winding walkway over the pool shows the way into the restaurant, where there is a stylish bar and a glamorous striped poolside marquee deck.
Nobu Dubai
Based on the Atlantis hotel, Nobu fuses innovative Japanese style with Arabian influences whilst keeping Nobu classics such as its legendary seared black cod served with sweet miso sauce and yellowtail topped with thin slices of jalapeno.
The menu is complemented by a sushi bar and stylish surroundings, including private areas for more intimate gatherings. Cooking classes are available allowing guests to learn the secrets behind this world-famous restaurant chain created by globally renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa to redefine Japanese cuisine.
Buddha-Bar Dubai
Widely considered to be one of the best venues in Dubai, the buddha-bar is in the Grosvenor House Hotel and is named after the giant buddha statue that watches over this lavish setting.
It includes a restaurant, bar and outdoor lounge opening into the Arabian sea. Buddha-bar is famed for its unique food, eclectic atmosphere and ambient music from an onsite DJ. The sumptuous restaurant serves a fusion of sushi, Chinese and Thai food with a bar that plays host to Dubai’s stylish crowds.
Pierchic
Set on a bedecked pier jutting out into the Arabian Gulf, Pierchic offers some of Dubai’s finest seafood and has previously been recognised as Time Out Dubai’s best seafood restaurant.
The pier is a romantic outpost far removed from the noise and bustle of Dubai and offers unspoiled views of the Azure Gulf. Enjoy an intimate dinner of modern European seafood dishes alfresco and take in views of the Arabian Gulf from your over-water dining table.
The restaurant is at the end of a pier at the illustrious Jumeirah Al Qasr hotel where guests will be transported via rickshaw. Before a fresh catch dinner, sip cocktails at the stylish Pierchic bar.
Thiptara
Thiptara offers diners exemplary Thai cuisine with a focus on Bangkok style seafood. Aptly named Thiptara meaning ‘magic of the water’, the elegant restaurant overlooks the Dubai fountain, making it one of the most romantic restaurants in Dubai.
Thiptara’s chef de cuisine has created a menu that pays tribute to Thai culinary traditions. Expect a range of fresh flavourful dishes that cover a spectrum of the nation’s signature recipes. Try traditional courses with Thai iced tea or a cognac from the restaurant spirit selection.
These are our top picks for restaurants in the United Arab Emirates. Don’t forget to check out our other restaurant guides for more information.
