Where should you eat tonight? We know. We’ve done the legwork. The Esquire Middle East team has put in countless miles (and put on countless kilos) over the past 12 months, crisscrossing the region looking for the best eats, the best chefs, the best backstories and the best vibes. Behold the list of our favourite restaurants across the GCC—one that celebrates what it means to eat well right now in a region filled with diversity and dynamism. We hope you’re hungry.
50 Best Restaurants in the Gulf 2020
50 Best Restaurants in the Gulf 2021

American Restaurants
Arabic Restaurants
Suhail #50

Amid a whirlwind of international openings, celebrity chefs and haute cuisine in Riyadh, Suhail shows that Saudi Arabia’s national food still has plenty to offer. Combining traditional dishes with a refined, elegant aesthetic the growing popularity of this restaurant is no surprise—it is the embodiment of the exciting new self-esteem that Saudi is currently imbued with.
An Nakheel, Riyadh
Tel: +966 92 000 2690
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Orfali Bros. Bistro #49

Contemporary spins on classic Levantine cuisine have not always been met (at least by the domestic dining public) with the enthusiasm they deserve. So leave it to Syrian chef and Fatafeat favourite Mohammad Orfali (and siblings) to categorically buck the trend. Crammed into Wasl 51’s dining strip, Orfali Bros. delivers round after round of creative fusion plates—often accompanied by an interaction with the man himself, whose passion for the flavours of his native Aleppo is evident in every bite. Try the ‘eat H’, a tangy banger of a riff on tabbouleh, and don’t leave without piling into the bestselling shish barak a la gyoza.
Wasl 51, Al Wasl Road, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 259 2477
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Roka Riyadh #47
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Internationally, Roka is often—if not entirely accurately—referred to as “Zuma’s younger cousin”. While this is not a bad thing, it also downplays a restaurant that more than holds its own. Choosing to hero the use of the Japanese robata grill, the open kitchen theatre is as enticing as the creative and miso-heavy menu. While the Dubai branch has been a success since it opened, the recent expansion into a spectacular two-storey venue in Riyadh’s trendy Sulimaniyah district has laid out a strong indicator of what is to come in
the KSA capital.
As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh
Tel: +966 920012327
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#48 Mythos Kouzina & Grill

Mythos by name, and by nature. This fantastically low-key Greek taverna has rightly earned its place on this list for its traditional Hellenic cuisine, served in simple, white-washed surroundings. On a dining scene routinely bursting with lavish interiors and tweezered cuisine, this homely neighbourhood restaurant is a comfortable escape, a beacon of accessible pricing and—most importantly—the top seed for gosh-darn brilliant gyros.
JLT, Dubai Tel: +971 4 399 8166
#46 Ce La Vi

Ce La Vi is a confidence venue. It’s a place you go to make a good impression.
The restaurant uses its learnings from its other global locations—Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo—including jaw-dropping views, opulent interiors, Insta-ready hero shots and, most importantly, a well-drilled kitchen offering a playful interpretation
of contemporary Asian cuisine. If you want to make a statement, this is your place.
Address Sky View Hotel, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 852 6111
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#45 Myazu

Such is the popularity of contemporary Japanese food in Riyadh, that this homegrown concept is rarely ever not busy. The sleek interior was dreamed up by Japanese design legend Noriyoshi Muramatsu (founder of Studio Glitt) and it has the cooking to match. Grab some gyoza and yuzu-infused red snapper granite—because this place isn’t the ‘Riyadh Zuma’ it is very much its own thing. It is Myazu.
As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh
Tel: +966 92 000 9686
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#44 Sal

When you have something that no one else does, you lean into it. That’s what Jumeirah decided to do after opening The Terrace—the awe-inspiring 100m-long deck jutting out into the Gulf. Building from the recent success of pop-up-turned-permanent restaurant, Kayto, it introduced SAL as a casual-luxury, pop-up serving Mediterranean coastal cuisine giving ‘beach goers’ not keen on a full beach club experience a taste of the good life. And the good life it very much is.
The Terrace, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 432 3232
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#43 Scalini

Known for its seafood, the branzino and gamberoni are served simply (and deliciously)—while those looking to push the boat out should not ignore the restaurant’s signature lobster linguine, served with anentire crustacean on top. That the food is served in one of the city’s most inventive dining rooms, that somehow manages to be open air far into the summer months thanks to some clever cooling trickery, is a bonus.
Four Seasons Dubai
Tel: +971 4 349 0068
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#42 Kinoya

Born of a home supperclub, Kinoya joined Dubai’s uber-competitive Japanese dining set in 2021, arriving to serious fanfare and major congestion on the reservations line. By the time we all managed to get in, founder Neha Mishra’s ramen was deservedly picking up rave reviews. Bamboo finishing, sunken dining rooms and a ramen counter, alongside much of the menu, lean steadily towards tradition – but the kicker is in Kinoya’s contemporary twists, including burnt butter scallops and burnt salmon spicy mayo, which really tip the scale.
The Onyx, The Greens, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 548 6776
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#41 Hunter & Barrel

It may be Aussie-born, but this steakhouse has well and truly found a home away from home in the UAE. Hot on the heels of a successful first drop at Dubai’s VIDA Emirates Hills in 2021, H&B quickly followed up with digs at Abu Dhabi’s new Yas Bay. Seared steaks scent dining rooms buzzing with patrons, drawn in by a fun, no-bull menu. Starters range from fire-grilled prawns and chicken wings to a literal pan of melted cheese (gouda, gruyere, edam), while the steak list pitches genuine quality cuts at some of the most modest prices around.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai
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#40 Tamba

Abu Dhabi’s leading upmarket contemporary Indian restaurant has a very clear vision of what it is, even if its guests do not. Expect the unexpected as the kitchen provides clever interpretations of subcontinent flavours with very modern twists. The stunning, loft-style interior creates an exciting social vibe that sets up a culinary discovery.
World Trade Centre, Abu Dhabi
Tel: +971 2 672 8888
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#39 Beefbar

A fun, energetic and modern twist on the traditional upmarket steakhouse, Beefbar has re-opened in Dubai after a previous misfire. But what will make restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi’s second attempt at establishing this global brand in Dubai a success? The location. Now occupying the former lodgings of Black Tap at Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel, Beefbar is a significant upgrade and the perfect puzzle piece to slot into the clutch of upmarket, seen-to-be-seen restaurants that are thriving at the property.
Jumeirah Al Naseem, Dubai
Tel: +971 581050099
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#38 Hakkasan

The Michelin-approved chain is a stickler for (very high) standards, and while ‘The Guide’
has yet to open its doors here in the Middle East, even they would be hard-pressed to spot the difference between Hakkasan’s multiple regional locations, and its flagship eatery in London. Proof of its success is in the fact that a new location in Muscat is slated to be opening in 2022, to accompany the busy existing branches.
Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai.
hakkasan.com
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#37 Lucky Fish

If you only have one meal to impress visitors to Dubai then Lucky Fish is a major contender for your custom. Palm Jumeirah beachside location? Tick. Comforting Mediterranean menu? Tick. Cosy, upmarket-rustic, semi-outdoor interiors. Tick. Showpiece daily fish dish caught by local fishermen? Tick. Licensed restaurant with a reasonable price point? Tick. It all comes together nicely to make non-residents wish they had the life you live.
Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.
Tel: +971 4 569 34 47
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#36 Masti

For those not fluent in ancient languages, ‘masti’ roughly translates to the word ‘fun’ in Sanskrit. And fun is exactly what La Mer’s leading Indian restaurant brings to the table. The hard work of award-winning chef Prashant Chipkar, the menu is a modern interpretation of some of India’s better-known dishes—but shrunk down to (fun-sized?) sharing plates. But don’t let that concept scare you away, the food here packs big flavours, despite the diminutive size.
La Mer, Dubai
Tel: +971 800 62784
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#35 11 Woodfire

Chef Akmal Anuar is a man of few words and little fuss. The trouble for him is that the restaurants he opens tend to generate a lot of buzz. His solution? Create an open-plan restaurant in a leafy Jumeirah suburb and place a big open fire at the heart of it to attract all the attention. Smoke and fire really does play centre stage with this unlicensed restaurant, with the dishes prepared using various grill techniques and different
wood types to add and enhance flavours.
Jumeirah 1, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 491 9000
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#34 Carine

Chef Izu’s love letter to the humble French brasserie. Carine is both charming and unpretentious, with a no-frills dining room boasting a lovely terrace overlooking one of Dubai’s best golf clubs. The food is—as to be expected—top notch, but don’t immediately discount the bread basket. Like any true brasserie, the bread (notably, the homemade pain de campagne) is a worthy course on its own.
Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 417 9885
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#33 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant

One brand, two iconic locations in the UAE. In Abu Dhabi, 99 Sushi is one of the city’s sultriest dining destinations—its distinct scarlet banquettes and long, angled mirrors set against the waters surrounding Al Maryah Island. In Dubai, it lounges in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa. Regardless of which emirate you find yourself in, 99’s namesake dishes are never less than 100 percent luxury. It’s not just about premium seafood—these guys know the profile, and weave a trail of truffle and caviar through the menu. Looking for a peak UAE dish? Umami crystal toast will do the trick.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai
99sushibar.com
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#32 Cipriani Dubai

It’s easy to overdo restaurant concepts. Fortunately, Cipriani treads this line with the same grace as some of its most famous clientele (everyone from the likes of Charlie Chaplin and George Clooney have graced Cipriani’s original Venice location over the years). The results are top notch food, more traditional than flouncy, and with a dining room seemingly straight out of Frank Sinatra’s NYC penthouse.
Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh
cipriani.com
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#31 Twiggy By La Cantine

Twiggy’s is known first-and-foremost as a beach club—and one of the best in Dubai, at that—but that should not overshadow its reputation as an out-and-out restaurant (imported sand and fantastic pool aside). Such is the distinction that the restaurant and the ‘Lagoon’ have different menus, with the former offering a significantly elevated version of its Mediterranean inspired dishes and as well as some creative sushi offerings. From the same people who inserted La Cantine, Mimi Kakushi and Ninive into our dining lexicon, the kitchen at Twiggy delivers, big time.
Park Hyatt Dubai, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 602 1105
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#30 Shanghai Me

This restaurant features one of the best-looking dining rooms this side of the orient (which pays tribute to China’s 1930s art deco movement) complete with an outdoor terrace and cocktail bar. Despite its name, food here spans all of East Asia—but what differentiates it from the swathes of other Asian restaurants in the city is the sheer high quality of it all.
DIFC Gate Village, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 4 564 0505
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#29 Nozomi

One of the guiding lights of the Qatari capital’s food scene, this slick contemporary Japanese restaurant is one that you both need to try and need to be seen trying. Push for a table on the terrace so you can soak in some rather special views of the Marsa Malaz Kempinski and the sea, and lean hard into the selection of precise Japanese favourites.
Marsa Malaz Kempinski, Doha
Tel: +974 4 035 5089
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#28 Gohan

Tucked away inside one of Dubai’s vibiest French restaurants, one of the city’s favourite new haunts of 2021 is serving up something totally different. Step behind a mirrored wall to find a 30-ish-seater speakeasy, flanked by a lively open kitchen firing out an elegant, occasionally-French-influenced Japanese menu devised by acclaimed Dubai chef Gilles Bosquet. Think otoro foie gras nigiri, lobster-stuffed shiso leaves and an almost unconscionably moreish yuzu crème brûlée. And then stop thinking—get booking.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 352 7105
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#27 La Mar by Gaston Acurio

Featuring the acclaimed Peruvian cuisine of chef Gastón Acurio, the upmarket and slick restaurant is easily one of the most coveted seats in the Qatari capital. Look for authentic ceviches, fresh seafood, and charcoal-grilled meats paired with signature hand-crafted cocktails. The beachfront setting also has panoramic views of the Doha skyline. Nice.
InterContinental, Doha
Tel: +974 4 484 4919
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#26 Netsu

The size of this hulking Japanese restaurant belies the intricate detail that has been put into it. Devised by chef Ross Shonhan of ex-Nobu, ex-Zuma and Bone Daddies fame, the cuisine showcases the unique Japanese technique of Warayaki (straw fire cooking) to sensational effect—both to look at and to taste. While the interior is inspired by kabuki theatre, the open kitchen remains the centre stage.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 777 2232
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#25 Fouquets

Telling the Careem driver to take you to the Louvre comes with a certain amount of satisfaction, but not as much as the experience of dining at its standout restaurant, Fouquets. Much like its Champs-Elysées namesake, the menu is designed in collaboration with star-juggling chef Pierre Gagnaire, and its crimson red seating contrasts magnificently with the white-washed setting. Elegance, perfected.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Tel: +971 2 205 4200
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#24 The Artisan Il Ristorante

The strength of The Artisan is that it knows exactly what it is, and so it leans into it. Don’t let the white tablecloths, parquet flooring, elegant apron-clad waiting staff, tasteful interior colour tones and custom-made Italian crockery fool you, The Artisan is a casual dining spot—albeit one built for long elegant meals at the luxury end of the scale. The menu celebrates all that is best about Florentine cuisine with cured meats, truffle pizzas and, dare-we-say-it, perfect pasta.
Waldorf Astoria, DIFC, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 338 8133
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#23 L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

The name of the late, great French chef Joël Robuchon is attached to some 32 Michelin stars across the world, so it was only a matter of time that his legacy found its way to Dubai’s DIFC scene in late 2020. The L’Atelier brand brings a livelier vibe than you might expect from such a culinary hero. The fusion menu is playful with a selection of signature dishes and funky plates, and the expansive terrace really draws in crowds of grown-up dinners looking to unwind.
DIFC, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 297 7729
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#22 Clap Dubai

Perched on its rooftop location in Dubai’s DIFC, Clap stands apart from its competition both figuratively and literally. The seductive vibe of this contemporary Japanese restaurant is unquestionably more New York or Tokyo than it is DIFC, and that plays to its advantage. Distinctively split into three areas (dining room, terrace and bar) Clap wants to be everything to everyone but, crucially, not at the same time. Confident in its offering, the restaurant offers a ‘Omakase’ menu, which translates as “I will leave it up to you”, where the chef will happily send out dishes of his choosing that will no doubt surprise and delight you.
DIFC, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 569 3820
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#21 Nusr-et Steakhouse

What can we say about Salt Bae (and his food) that hasn’t already been written (Ed: tweeted) a couple of million times? Certainly, chef Nusret Gökçe’s internet fame has helped fill its reservation books, but it’s the food that has punters coming back for more each week. It’s still one of the best steak restaurants in the region and since opening in Dubai it has expanded to Abu Dhabi, Doha and, most recently, Riyadh. All hail Salt Bae.
Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai and Riyadh.
nusr-et.com.tr
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#20 LPM Restaurant & Bar

LPM has set the benchmark for slick, high-end dining in the GCC since it opened more than a decade ago. Such is its reputation that its expansion into both Abu Dhabi and Riyadh is seen as a sign of both cities respectively stepping up their restaurant game. Regardless of the telephone prefix, LPM’s offering of a bubbling atmosphere and high-quality (but not overly-elaborate) Nicoise food continue to make it a firm favourite.
Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh
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#19 La Cantine du Faubourg

If ever a restaurant were to double as a film set, ‘La Cantine’ in Dubai’s Emirates Towers would be it. And they wouldn’t be hard-pressed at finding extras, either. The Parisian-inspired restaurant is never want of a good-looking crowd, attracted to the Mediterranean flavours served with an exciting Asian twist. The white-washed walls are home to ever-changing art exhibitions, which only add to La Cantine’s joie de vivre.
Emirates Towers, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 352 7105
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#18 Alici

Alici—which means anchovies in Italian—is the charming cousin of Il Borro (the number four restaurant on this list) but instead focuses on specialisng in seafood. That should tell you everything you need to know about the quality of the food, and the service. But if you need know more, the restaurant spans two floors, specializes in sustainably caught fish and from its Bluewaters location, provides some of the best views of the Dubai Marina one could hope for.
Bluewaters Island, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 275 2577
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#17 Folly

A seismic shift in one of Dubai’s best-loved homegrown restaurants happened this year when one of Folly’s co-founders, Scott Price, repatriated back to the UK. With chef Nick Alvis now sole captain of the ship, the picturesque restaurant has continued on its steady course of creating innovative, modern European dishes that feed the soul and the tastebuds.
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 430 8535
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#16 Indego by Vineet

Still helmed by a chef who boasts two Michelin stars for his Indian cuisine, Indego by Vineet has seen a recent overhaul of the menu and the restaurant itself. The revamp puts emphasis on Indian street food, along with tawa (griddle), tandoor (clay oven), and handi (stews and curries) dishes. Interestingly, the inventive food tends to be better than its more traditional; with the street food and tandoor dishes far outweighing its curries in flavour.
Grosvenor House, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 317 6000
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#15 Amazonico

The phrase ‘Amazonian cuisine’ is a bit of a catch-all term. Fortunately, Amazonico handles the daunting task of sorting through an incredible number of ingredients, dishes and cooking methods that hail from South America with gusto. The paired-back menu spans ceviches, strange tubers and meats grilled over an open flame. The flavours are all very tasty, in a ‘I never thought I would eat that’ kind of way.
DIFC Gate Village, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 571 3999
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#14 The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill

It’s been another good year for The Maine. Not only did it add a third location (Me by Melia, Business Bay) to its Dubai portfolio, but it successfully expanded internationally by opening in London’s fancy Mayfair area. It’s further evidence that UAE-based ‘gastropreneur’ Joey Ghazal and his excellent combination of fresh seafood mixed with a fun, vibrant atmosphere, is a homegrown success story.
The DoubleTree JBR Dubai
Tel: +971 4 457 6719
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#13 Bull & Bear

If ever a restaurant could transport you back to the hustle and bustle of New York in the 1980s, it would be Bull & Bear. Not only does it have roots from the Big Apple’s original Waldorf Astoria, but has been designed to look like something straight out of an Oliver Stone flick. It also serves up excellent and classy American dishes, with a dollop of modern flair.
Waldorf Astoria DIFC, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 515 9888
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#12 Marea

It feels strange to call Marea a ‘hidden gem’ when its New York namesake boasts a Michelin-star among its many (many) other accolades, but then again the Italian seafood restaurant is located in the highest concentration of high-end restaurants in the GCC, and competition is fierce. Rather than back down, Marea doubles down on what it knows it does better than anyone else: it’s pasta. The fusilli with braised octopus and bone marrow alone wont keep this place ‘hidden’ for much longer.
DIFC, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 583 6366
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#11 Reif Japanese Kushiyaki

Over his decade of dedication to the UAE’s food scene, chef Reif Othman’s insistence at being a first adopter has proven to be both a good and bad thing—but in the case of Kushiyaki it is very much the former. One of the first ‘home-grown’ chefs to stick his neck out and successfully take elite-quality dining out of the five-star hotels and to a suburban location, Kushiyaki is a demonstration of how his experience and skill has blossomed in a more intimate and less pretentious setting.
Dar Wasl Mall, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 345 0761
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#10 Tresind Studio

Innovation has been the name of the game at Tresind for years, but with its evolution into a more intimate ‘Studio’ concept, it has taken modern Indian gastronomy to new levels in Dubai. With a seasonal menu changed every three months by corporate chef Himanshu Saini and regular Michelin-starred chef collaborations, there’s always a reason to go back .
Voco Hotel, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 308 0440
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9. Coya

Since it first opened in the GCC, Coya quickly elevated what we expected from a fine-dining scene. Initially in Dubai, and then in Abu Dhabi and Doha—it has been one of the first to really champion Peruvian food in the region, and outlasted several pretenders thanks to a steadfast emphasis on fresh ingredients and delicious, unfussy food. Be warned, more is certainly merrier here, and Coya’s food is best enjoyed as part of a group.
Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai
coyarestaurant.com
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#8 Caviar Kaspia

Paris has an unparalleled reputation for good food, and yet, pretty much every time we visit the city, we end up booking a table at Caviar Kaspia. Our excitement when the classy, celeb-favourite opened in Dubai was palpable. True to form it brings with it everything we love about the upscale elegance of the original—the elbow-knocking intimacy of close tables; the dining room lined with turquoise velvet banquettes; and, of course, the menu with hallmark dishes liberally accompanied by the world’s finest caviar. The iconic Baked Potato with Caviar is one of our favourite dishes in Dubai. Period.
DIFC, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 243 5633
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#7 Indochine

“Sophisticated cool” is the phrase that best describes this French-Vietnamese restaurant. The Dubai branch of the famous New York hotspot has quickly built a reputation as the place where everyone (and we mean everyone) wants to be, by adding an element of ‘big city cool’ to the thriving DIFC dining scene. From its tropical décor and chic design, right down to the eclectic—but delicious—menu, all work together to make Indochine one of the most intriguing restaurants in the region.
DIFC, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 298 9333
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#6 SushiSamba

SushiSamba has been open a few months and yet it’s already one of the most sought after restaurants in the city of Dubai. Sitting on the 51st floor of Palm Tower on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah, it offers unparalleled reviews of the surrounding ocean, the skyscrapers of the Marina, and—on a clear night—the glittering Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa in the background. It’s beautiful, inside and out—with a décor inspired by its cuisine; a heady mix of Japan, Peru, and Brazil. Sushi sits alongside raw ceviche and spicy empanadas that makes for a menu that’s as tasty as it is eclectic.
St. Regis The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 582 1555
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#5 Gaia

Fueled by the consistent quality of the food and the genuinely elegant atmosphere, Gaia Dubai continues its streak as one of Esquire’s favourite restaurants in the region. But don’t just take our word for it—the fact that it is almost impossible to drop-in without a reservation is testament to how consistent this DIFC hotspot is. True to both the restaurant’s Greek concept and the cooking style of Chefs Izu Ani and Orestis Kotefas, the simple, ingredient-led dishes are best enjoyed shared. And in that context, with dishes such as the lobster salad, raw tuna, garlic prawns, spinach pie and baked feta cheese, Gaia continues to
get it very right indeed.
DIFC, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 241 4242
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#4 Il Borro

Il Borro has famous owners (the fashion elite Ferragamo family) but that’s not why it sits near the top of this list. The restaurant has near-total dedication to its ingredients, and remains one of the first in the region to wholeheartedly embrace organic dishes—most of the biodynamic food served in the restaurant comes from the family’s Tuscan estate. Food is simple, traditional and incredibly tasty, served by an army of stewards who are as charming as they are knowledgeable. This is what the ‘good life’ looks (and tastes) like.
Jumeirah Al Naseem, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 2752 5555
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#3 Zuma

Zuma has widely been regarded as one of the best restaurants in the region since it opened in Dubai back in 2008. Since then it has won accolades for both its food and world-class bar (which was named in the world’s 17th best bar earlier this year), expanded to Abu Dhabi, and is expected to be opening a third regional edition in KSA later this year. The reason for its success is its consistency, and the fact that you’ll be hard pressed to visit either location and not find a packed dining room on any given night. Zuma pairs great atmosphere with brilliant contemporary Japanese food—an unquestionable recipe for success.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai
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#2 Mimi Kakushi

Conceived by the team behind a trio of achingly-cool Dubai restaurants, La Cantine du Faubourg, Ninive, and Twiggy by La Cantine, this follows suit by serving up a stylish homage to sleek-Japan cool. Dining at the Restaurant Village Four Seasons Resort hotspot is akin to jumping into a time-machine and swinging into 1920s Osaka, with butter-smooth jazz and the merging of modern art and western fashion creating a corner of time you won’t want to eject from.
Four Seasons Jumeirah Beach, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 379 4811
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#1 BB Social Dining

For Esquire Middle East, the past year has been about championing homegrown concepts and talent that thrives in our communities. While the list is chock full of more-than-worthy contenders we kept coming back to BB’s—literally.
Bustling yet intimate; elegant yet quirky; creative yet comforting—BB Social Dining somehow is all these things weaved together to be a place that is suited for any occassion we could throw at it, be it brunch, a quick post-work drink, date-night dinner, a working lunch, tick tick tick tick.
Spread out over three floors, this modern, busy bistro-concept serves truly inventive Asian-meets-Middle Eastern menu that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the region. Well, that is until others start to catch on…
DIFC, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 407 4444