The best restaurants in Dubai

Fancy being, well, fancy? Marina Social is the ultimate trump card. The menu is British leaning with the kitchen’s Wellington a perennial favourite of ex-pats hungry for a taste of home, while the service is top notch.

While glitzy restaurants are archetypal of the area, Café Isan plays to its own tune. Beautiful Thai street food is delivered without a hint of pretention, in cool, pared back surrounds. It’s affordable too – with many dishes around AED25-30.

For something altogether novel, head to Pierchic to dine out over the ocean. The spectacular setting is home to a kitchen run by chef Beatrice Segoni who believes food should look as good as it tastes.

Tasca (Portuguese for ‘tavern) is one of Dubai’s finest with views of both the skyline and the sea, along with a luxurious infinity pool. The menu is typical of chef Jose Avillez’s style, taking traditional Portuguese dishes and adding contemporary twists.

Il Ristorante by Niko Romito is the definition of luxury dining. The Italian-inspired menu pays homage to the culinary traditions of the country, and the sleek, modern interior adds an extra element of elegance to the dining experience.

Flying the flag for good old fashioned fast food, Pickl deals in some of the best burgers found anywhere in the UAE. Beef, chicken and plant-based patties are topped with all kinds of delicious things, while the loaded fries prove the perfect side.

The flair of Latin American culture is alive and well here. With its poolside setting, the focus is as much on the drinks as the food - so if the mood takes you, an evening of tequila cocktails awaits.

Zheng He’s is all about contemporary takes on Chinese classics and the results are outstanding. Here you’ll find water views as well as a beautiful dining room that marries intricate wallpaper with stylised Chinese lanterns.

Impossibly glamorous, The MAINE is the kind of place people go to see and to be seen. Sure, the New England menu is tasty enough, but really you’re here for the interiors and the people watching.

This Japanese eatery is one of Dubai’s true gems (literally - Hoseki is Japanese for ‘gemstone’). The intimate nine-seat setting allow the culinary team to tailor meals to guests' tastes, providing a truly unique omakase experience.

Found within the five-star Jumeirah Zabeel Saray hotel, here you’ll find an ornate dining room filled with carved wood and heavy curtains. Perfect for groups, the menu centres around mezze and grills served to the background hum of Arabic music.

Nobu is a classic for a reason, and here you can expect the kitchen’s signature plates as well as location-specific specials. It might be the obvious choice, but the black cod remains a must-order.

True to the nature of the famous Italian fashion house, Armani Ristorante provides nothing but style and luxury at its marble and velvet adorned restaurant. The menu offers the finest Italian cuisine, including shrimp risotto, saffron sea bream, and braised veal cheek. 

Dealing in southern Thai flavours, expect classic flavour profiles of hot, sour, sweet and salty here. If you’re willing to trust the team, the set family-style menus are a fantastic introduction to the kitchen’s culinary skill.

Farm-to-table dining is still an emerging concept in the UAE, but Orfali Bros Bistro was a frontrunner of the movement, embracing seasonality and heroing beautiful, local produce. The results are clean, crisp plates that span Emirati fare through to European favourites.

This chic, elegant dining experience - created by world-famous Italian chef Massimo Bottura - pays homage to the Italian Riviera of the 1960s with elevated classic Italian dishes and an enviable beachside location. The menu also includes vegetarian options and range of signature cocktails.

There’s some security in knowing a brand is a sibling site to an already established restaurant name. Here you’ll find the brand’s signature blend of Japanese and Southern American plates for a fun, fusion vibe.

With a sibling site in Monte Carlo, Gaia’s pedigree is undeniable (so expect a price tag to match). Sure, it’s expensive, but you’ll be treated to world class service and a Greek menu stuffed with ingredient-led dishes.

Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Italian… all under one roof? It’s like the group dining gods were listening and came up with a restaurant that couldn’t possibly disappoint even the most disparate of dinner companions.

Eclectic and exciting, the menu at Mimi Kakushi gives Japanese staples a twist. Think black cod gyoza with citrus miso or truffle miso with shiitake and wakame. There’s a good weekend brunch too, if that’s your thing.

Stunning interiors, a relaxed vibe and beautifully presented Asian plates seem like a magic formula given 3 Fils’ success. The key, it seems, is super fresh sushi, light salads and wagyu beef specials plus top-class cocktails.

It’s rarer than you might think to find top-quality restaurants outside of the five star hotels in Dubai, but Sucre bucks the trend. Live fire cooking and South American flavours collide in Chef Fernando Trocca’s kitchen for impactful, addictive plates.

Relaxed and lowkey, this Mediterranean joint refuses to conform to the cuisine of just one country. The results are a menu that rolls from a raw bar through to Robata grill specials like lobster fregola.

Found within the swanky Raffles hotel, this is a must-dine for any dutiful Dubai foodie. Here you’ll find yourself lounging al fresco with stunning sea views. Our advice? Don’t skip the dessert table.

From burgers through to sushi, Aprons & Hammers knows how to write a please-all menu. Here you’ll find colourful cocktails and a relaxed beachy vibe, perfect for long weekend lunches or sunset dinners.

A spectacular giant fish tank is the centrepiece of this Mediterranean seafood restaurant. From the impressive setting to the beautifully plated food, Ossiano has an incomparable aesthetic and stunning food to match.

11 Woodfire approaches open-fire cooking with flare – giving everything from steak and fish through to vegetables the kitchen’s signature lick of smokiness. For added bonus points, this spot is committed to zero waste so is a sustainable choice.

Italian and French cuisine - name a more iconic duo. Al Muntaha combines the flavours of these two nations, offering refined and elegant dishes with contemporary twists accompanied by stunning views of the Dubai skyline.

Indian sharing plates dreamt up by award winning chef Prashant Chipkar are the order of the day in this jewel-toned dining room. Vibrant dishes, creative cocktails and frequent live entertainment are all part of the package.

You may have to dust off the high school French to decipher the Gallic menu at Bagatelle, but your hard work will be well rewarded with please-all plates such as roast dry-age duck breast and beef en croute.

With a slew of awards to its name, Tomo is one of Dubai’s most in demand restaurants to bag a table at. With a rooftop terrace and an address within Raffles hotel, this Japanese spot is sure to impress.

Internationally recognised, Zuma brings modern Japanese food to the heart of the financial centre. We’d suggest skipping familiar sushi rolls in favour of the chef’s set Daikoku menu to give you a true taste of the skill here.

COYA, of international fame, feels like a natural addition to Dubai’s glitzy restaurant scene. Stunning views, jewel-toned interiors and a menu of Latin American flavours keep this place packed every night of the week.

Exclusivity is the name of the game at Tresind Studio. Seating only 20 guests, the restaurant serves the highest quality Indian cuisine made with ingredients locally sourced from organic and sustainable farmers.

Chef Yannick Alleno elevates classic French dishes with his modern techniques and creative flair. Indulge yourself with some caviar and lobster bisque, or embark on a culinary voyage with STAY’s eight course tasting menu.

A gorgeous waterside terrace at Il Borro Tuscan Bistro makes this the ideal destination for a long, lazy lunch al fresco. The Tuscan-inspired menu is far-reaching and includes a whole vegan billing, so there should be something to suit all.

For a fun, family meal you can’t beat Italian, and Fi’lia’s iteration of this much-loved cuisine is both hearty and high-end thanks to the traditional recipes made with top-quality ingredients. Think handmade pastas, creamy risottos, and veal Milanese.

Set inside the iconic five-star Atlantis hotel, Hakkasan marries traditional Cantonese recipes and contemporary techniques. Carved wooden screens, soft candles and rich jewel tones provide a stylish and glamourous atmosphere.

The open kitchen here allows diners a glimpse into the precision that goes into the Indian dishes the chefs turn out. The a la carte features mains like tender lamb raan while a three-course business lunch offers great value for money.

Undeniably impressive, the cool design of Tamoka make this a popular spot for sundown dinners, for those looking to pull out all the stops. Expect plates packed with the intense, colourful flavours of Latin America.

Hidden in the heart of the financial district, this Spanish leaning spot is anything other than corporate feeling. Hot and cold tapas classics are on the menu alongside a raw bar and a selection of topped flatbreads.