12 of the best restaurants in Dubai

Annabelle Schweineberg

As Assist. Marketing & Communications Manager Annabelle knows the concept of Le Petit Chef like no other. If you have any questions, she is the right person to contact.

Dubai is a thriving metropolis in the heart of the desert. The city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates is a luxury getaway, a shopping destination, known for endless white sand beaches, fancy hotels and one more important thing: Food. It’s not easy to choose the best restaurants and places to eat in Dubai, because there are so many. We help you with the decision making, finding the best food, coolest restaurants and most unique dining options in one of the Middle East’s most luxurious cities.

Tip #1: Seven Paintings

Have you ever eaten a Picasso before? Paint your salad and cut through a tomato can to find a steak, as you experience Seven Paintings, an avant-garde food experience that merges food theatrics, technology and multimedia art to offer a one-of-a-kind dining experience like you’ve never seen before.

Embark on a journey with the trio Leonardo da Vinci, the Mona Lisa and the animation of chef Omar Sartawi, as they take you through the works of the great masters of art to experience the work of: Michelangelo, Banksy, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí and Vincent van Gogh.

5 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Le Petit Chef

Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #2: Ossiano

If you are eager to dine in the underwater world, Ossiano might be the restaurant you are looking for. The one Michelin star awarded seafood restaurant is located in the famous Atlantis the Palm resort amidst an aquarium. Chef Grégoire Berger serves a tasting menu in waves (courses) and if you wanna get some romantic moments in, you can rent divers for underwater love messages or even proposals.

Local suppliers are important to Ossiano, for its very modern presented cuisine, prepared in a traditional way. Chef Berger makes sure every food item in the restaurant gets used and if not, it will get turned into stock. The no waste food preparation and the seafood sourcing from trustworthy suppliers is part of the sustainability program of the restaurant.

Tip #3: Arabian Tea House – Al Fahidi

You might not wanna eat Italian, European or Indian, when you visit Dubai. But you might wanna eat authentic food. The Arabian Tea House Restaurant is a journey into Dubai’s past. It’s the first authentic Arabic restaurant since 1997, located in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. The Emirati inspired food and the wide selection of teas, can be enjoyed in a charming outdoor garden area.

Tourists meet here as well as locals, enjoying colorful trays for breakfast and authentic mains like Saloona Laham (fresh lamb cooked in a traditional way), but also vegetable dishes and traditional sweets. Ferni, date cakes, and a cup of gahwa (traditional Arabic coffee) can be indulged in a cozy atmosphere. Kids love the Kids menu with animal shaped foods.

Tip #4: Sonara Camp

Sonara Camp Restaurant offers a unique dining experience in the heart of the Arabian desert. The eco-friendly camp with zero waste policy, using ethical products, material and solar power, invites not only to quad biking, dune driving or sand boarding, but also to a fine dining experience.

French chef Frank Sanna has created a 3 course fusion Mediterranean sharing menu with locally sourced, fresh ingredients. He also caters to vegetarians, vegans and Kids with special menus. A private chauffeur and a shuttle service, kids activities, overnight stays and entertainment making this dining experience remarkable.

Tip #5: Boardwalk Restaurant

The iconic creek-side restaurant, part of the Dubai Creek Resort, has been operating for over 27 years, serving Mediterranean food as an inside and outside dining experience. For breakfast, lunch and dinner you can enjoy the wooden deck with breathtaking water view and the famous Boardwalk fish & chips.

The Creek Resort restaurant offers Pizza Making for Kids, as an after school activity. Kids will be given a homemade pizza base and make their own creation, cooked by the chefs at Boardwalk in their wood fired oven. For an adult Italian experience, there is Aperitivo hour at the Boardwalk, Monday to Friday from 4 – 7pm. The Boardwalk is also famous for their Oysters and Bubbles.

5 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Le Petit Chef

Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #6: At.Mosphere

They call it “The peak of fine dining”. For a reason! Enjoying meals 442 meters above the ground, on Level 122 of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, is definitely hard to top. At.Mosphere is the world’s highest restaurant from ground level and is overlooking Downtown Dubai and offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf.

One of the best restaurants in Dubai serves finest European cuisine in a newly renovated Art Deco elegance with fancy wallpapers and mosaic flooring. For more privacy for larger table seatings, there are curtains which can be closed off. Breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner are available high above, with stunning views, beautiful sunsets and night lights.

Tip #7: Thiptara

Thiptara is a unique Thai and Bangkok style seafood dining experience by the riverside. The Thai restaurant in the five star Palace Downtown hotel, is considered as one of Dubai’s most iconic dining destinations. Thiptara means “Magic at the water” and exactly this is what the restaurant offers, with spectacular views of The Dubai Fountain.

The award winning Far Eastern culinary experience offers for example grilled prawns, roasted duck breast and different curry options. Traditional rice and noodle dishes like Pad Se Eiw or Pad Thai are on the menu as well.

Tip #8: La Farine

Some folks say it’s the best baguette in Dubai. The bakery and cafe “La Farine” is located in the lobby of the Marriott Marquis Hotel and treats you with homemade pastries, European style freshly baked bread and crafted barista coffee. Tarts, eclairs, croissants, but also a good sized menu for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Breakfast features fluffy Coconut Pancakes, Acai Bowls, or a fancy Crab Benedict. Lunch ranges from Gnocchi Primavera, Australian Beef Tenderloin, over Grilled harissa spiced Jumbo Prawns to Corn-Fed Chicken. A kids menu, vegetarian and vegan options are available as well. For afternoon tea you can savor freshly baked scones, pistachio apricot profiteroles or vanilla caramel mousse. The menu almost reads like an Arabian tale.

Tip #9: Jun’s

Jun’s, the award winning restaurant by chef Kelvin Cheung and owner Nehan Anand presents North American comfort food, combined with far Eastern and Indian flavors. Local and seasonal ingredients are an important player in Cheungs kitchen. The Canadian chef, raised in Chicago and based in Dubai, spent most of his lifetime traveling the world and finding inspiration for his creations.

Jun’s menu features a fusion kitchen, flavors and ideas Cheung picked up on his travels. Butter poached lobster, Hokkaido scallop with homemade yuzu kosho, rainbow heirloom carrots and wagyu beef potstickers, are part of the nine course tasting menu and chefs favorite dishes. Jun’s is also a good spot for people with a sweet tooth. This really nice restaurant in Dubai offers custom cakes, for vegan and gluten-free customers as well.

Tip #10: Twiggy

When you visit Twiggy, you will have fun eating and drinking, because Twiggy is not just a regular restaurant and bar, it’s a beach club. But still, elegant, relaxed and 60’s style. It includes a white sandy beach and a turquoise pool and don’t forget about the food on the Mediterranean inspired menu.

For absolute relaxation make sure you book your Lagoon ahead of time. Sipping Watermelon Splash and Tropical Vibe makes the Twiggy visit extraordinary. This cool restaurant in Dubai offers hot and cold dishes, Caviar, a sushi bar and fusion rolls. If you go to Twiggy as a family, there is a dedicated kids playing area, a kids menu and a zero booz drinks menu with milkshakes, slushies and smoothies.

Tip #11: Trèsind Studio

It’s the only Indian two Michelin star restaurant in the United Arab Emirates and currently ranked as number 11 in the world’s 50 best restaurants. Known for its progressive Indian cuisine, the Trèsind team and chef Himanshu Saini operate with a seating capacity of 20 people. Modern cooking elements, but also traditional Indian techniques reflect the restaurant’s menu.

“Rising India – The Great Continent” is the name of the menu, vegetarian and regular option. It reads like a long story of an Indian travel experience, from Coastal plains, over Deccan plateau, Northern plains and Himalayan mountain. The Papadom Botanic Bar holds signature cocktails, each with a story and lovely sounding names.

Tip #12: Bull & Bear

The award winning signature steakhouse of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel is inspired by the original New York concept. The NYC institution closed, whilst the Dubai location under manager Orsi Halasz and head chef Giovanni Pintore is blooming. The iron clad bull and bear sculpture greets the guests stepping in from the Financial District outside of the restaurant.

The fancy Bull & Bear with lots of gold interior is meant for business lunches, celebrating special occasions, but also for romantic dinners. It’s for sure a restaurant for meat eaters and guests with knowledge of a well done steak. Australian Tenderloin, Rib Eye and Wagyu Beef Striploin. But, believe it or not, in addition you can find a Vegan Eggplant Parmigiana and a Vegetarian Asparagus Risotto on the menu.

Our selection of restaurants is based, among other things, on the editorial team’s individual preferences and on reviews on the internet. Please contact the respective provider directly for information on reservations and prices. The pictures come from the restaurants listed. All Information is provided without guarantee!