Everywhere Else

Eat Out Like A Local At The Best Restaurants In Dubai

By Jessica Pridmore
2nd Jul 2023

dubai-restaurants
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dubai-restaurants
dubai-restaurants
dubai-restaurants
dubai-restaurants
dubai-restaurants
dubai-restaurants
dubai-restaurants
dubai-restaurants
dubai-restaurants
dubai-restaurants

Think Dubai is all sleek shopping malls, skyscrapers and ancient souks? Guess again. Of course, Dubai has all of this in spades (and, FYI, does it really well), so when you've shopped, seen, and cultured out to your heart's content, food is (naturally) top of the agenda. But with so many restaurants, so many famous chefs, so many cuisines to try, deciding where to fill up in Dubai can be a bit like the city itself; a bit overwhelming.

So, whether you’re inbound for a stop-over or looking to extend your stay in the Emirates, Dubai is the perfect location to (quite literally) get stuck into all of the food. With a rich history, diverse culture and a flourishing food scene, eating out in this glittering city has never been more diverse!

Here are our picks of the best restaurants and food events in Dubai for the next time you're visiting the UAE. 

Last Exit

Various locations

Literally located on the edge of the city’s motorway exits, Last Exit is doing some pretty incredible things for the Dubai food scene. Open until 3am, each Last Exit has a unique theme (1950’s American diner, Mad Max apocalyptic… it’s wild) and is home to some of Dubai’s most iconic food trucks. But don’t for a second think that the OTT décor does the heavy lifting. Serving up some of the world’s most unique and progressive food trends—Last Exit is a foodie lover's Instagrammable paradise.

Il Ristorante – Niko Romito

Jumeira Bay Island, Bulgari Resort

Taking a design leaf from the original Bulgari Hotel Milano, Bulgari Resort Dubai’s Il Ristorante – Niko Romito is the pinnacle in fine Italian dining. Celebrated Michelin-starred chef Romito has created an exclusive menu of modern Italian classics—you can die happy once you’ve tried their tiramisu—that make carb-loading the new cool. Tucking into some fresh lobster linguine as you gaze out over the Arabian Gulf? We could get used to this.

Tom & Serg

Al Quoz

One of the best spots in Dubai for specialty coffee and a breakfast menu to rival even Australia’s famous café scene (we practically invented avo on toast), Tom & Serg feels like a little slice of home in the heart of the UAE. As well as a choice selection of vego and vegan options, Tom & Serg are champions for celebrating local produce in their dishes. From smoked salmon crumpets, to their famed Turkish eggs, this gorgeous Dubai cafe is always pumping—and for good reason!

Folly 

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Housed atop the iconic Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Folly is a non-negotiable on your Dubai foodie bucket list. The views alone from the alfresco balcony overlooking the lush Madinat waterways make for some serious Insta-worthy fodder, but it’s the food that’s the star of this show.  The modern dining is anything but stuffy.

Dubai Food Festival

Jumeriah Beach

One of the largest food festivals of its kind in the Middle East, the Dubai Food Festival showcases Dubai’s incredibly creative and celebrated food scene. Held every year on the beachfront at Jumeriah from late April through to early May, DFF is a huge month-long celebration of Dubai’s latest and greatest food trends. From celebrity chef demos (with the ocean as the back drop, no biggie), pop-ups and immersive installations alongside the highly anticipated day-to-night food truck festival, this is your chance to get a feel for the incredible food coming out of the UAE. 

Pierchic

Jumeriah Beach

An over-water restaurant situated at the end of a pier, Pierchic is predictably over the top with breathtaking views of the Persian Gulf and sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Tower. The seafood-heavy menu boasts fresh catches and sustainably sourced produce like the must-try plankton seafood risotto and wagyu beef tartare. All in all, it’s pure bliss. 

Arabian Tea House Cafe

Various Locations

For rich Arabian culture and hospitality, head to Arabian Tea House Cafe. The original cafe in the historic Al Fahidi district used to be the home of a pearl merchant and now serves over 150 types of tea and authentic Arabic cuisine in a leafy courtyard with blue and white wicker furniture and white canopies strung overhead. If you’re chasing a relaxed vibe, this is it. 

Buddha-Bar Dubai

Dubai Marina

Technically three venues spread over two storeys (a lavish restaurant, bar and outdoor lounge opening out to the Dubai Marina), Buddha-Bar Dubai will see you through from a sunset dinner to cocktails in the early hours of the morning. The restaurant menu features a fusion of sushi, Thai, and Chinese (Dubai boasts a huge variety of cuisines thanks to its high expat population) and the Buddah-Bar is known for its happening vibe with an on-site DJ delivering electric tunes all night long. 

Frying Pan Adventures Walking Tour

Various locations

Want to know where the locals go for coffee? Where they grab lunch? Or just where to get the best falafel in town? Sign up for a half day walking tour with the fabulous team at Frying Pan Adventures and you’ll experience Dubai just like a local. Drop into some of the oldest and most famous baklava shops, taste freshly made kanefeh, gorge on the city’s famed falafel and get to experience everyday Dubai life: sights, sounds, culture and ALL of the food. Come hungry!

The Sheikh Mohammed Centre For Cultural Understanding

Bur Dubai

A must-do on any trip to Dubai is a visit to The Sheikh Mohammed Centre For Cultural Understanding. Not just because it is situated in the beautiful old town Bur Dubai but because they put on one killer traditional breakfast. Take in some fascinating local knowledge, learn about the ancient cultures and traditions of local Emirati all while sampling some impeccable local coffee and breakfast dishes inside a traditional Emirati home setting.

Love a brekky buffet? Here are the best hotels in the world doing the best meal of the day right.

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