The UAE’s culinary scene has hit maximum velocity. From cult homegrown heroes to global heavyweights and high-fidelity listening bars, these are the 24 tried-and-tested reservations defining the past year in dining…
3Fils (Abu Dhabi)
The cult of 3Fils has officially entered its empire phase. While the Dubai original remains a harborside pilgrimage site, the new Abu Dhabi flagship is a four-story statement of intent, taking over the cavernous former Annex nightclub at the EDITION. It is a massive flex—double the size of its predecessor—but Chef Jovani Manalo ensures the soul hasn’t been diluted by the square footage. The menu remains a masterclass in high-low dining, where pristine, Tsukiji-flown sashimi sits comfortably alongside the cult-favorite Beef Chorizo Indomie. It’s unpretentious but precise. Order the Mentaiko Carbonara—a creamy, umami-bomb that builds a diplomatic bridge between Tokyo and Rome. Whispers of a Kuwait opening will soon see 3Fils take its award-winning formula further afield, proving that homegrown concepts are killing it and ready to start playing in the big leagues.
Al Bateen Marina, Abu Dhabi, +971 056 591 1772, 3fils.com
Bar des Prés
If ICD Brookfield Place is the new center of gravity for DIFC dining, Bar des Prés is its chicest orbit. Celebrated chef and TV personality, Cyril Lignac, brings his Mayfair-tested formula to Dubai, and the transition is seamless. This isn’t clumsy fusion; it is a sophisticated dialogue between French technique and Japanese precision. The room hums with a cosmopolitan energy that feels imported directly from the Left Bank, but the menu looks East. The signatures are non-negotiable: the crunch of the curry crab galette and the richness of the Wagyu sando are essential orders. The wine list is unapologetically French—heavy on Burgundy and Bordeaux—but don’t ignore the sake selection, which is curated with the same seriousness as the Grand Crus.
ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC, Dubai, +971 4 498 1616, bardespres.com
Bar du Port
If the Dubai original proved anything, it’s that Bar du Port knows how to read a room. Now, it has exported its “little luxury, a lot of fun” manifesto to the capital, and it fits Yas Marina like a tailored glove. The aesthetic is pure Riviera—acres of rattan, macramé, and earth tones that invite long, dangerous lunches in the sun. But don’t mistake the boho-chic for sleepy; once the sun drops, the volume climbs, and the venue pivots from yacht-club lounge to high-energy nightlife hub. The menu is built for the social grazer: crisp chicken croquettes and open-faced shrimp sandwiches are designed to be eaten with a drink in the other hand, while the whole butterflied seabass anchors the table. It’s St. Tropez energy, minus the long-haul flight.
Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, +971 2 406 2000, barduportabudhabi.com
The Beam
If Folly was the era-defining residency, The Beam is the confident solo album. Chef Nick Alvis—an alumni of the Gordon Ramsay and Jason Atherton schools of discipline—has returned to the pass at Le Royal Meridien, and he’s brought his best tricks with him. This is a British brasserie done right: polished but devoid of starch, where the dry-aging meat fridges and seafood counters serve as the room’s centerpieces. The vibe spills effortlessly from the dining room to the sun-drenched terrace, setting the stage for a menu that champions elevated comfort. The beer-battered Haddock and Chips is a benchmark for the genre, while the Venison Tartare shows off the technical precision Alvis is famous for. Finish with the soft serve—a high-end nostalgia trip—then move next door to Blush Bar, because you won’t want to leave.
Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Marina, +971 4 316 5555, thebeamdubai.com
The Bombay Club
Nostalgia is tricky, but Chef Manav Tuli handles it with precision. Avoiding “theme restaurant” kitsch, The Bombay Club evokes the cinematic glamour of India’s colonial-era Gymkhanas—think silk screens and lighting low enough to hide a scandal. The menu is a scholarly deep-dive, elevating regional staples into white-tablecloth contenders. The Guinea Fowl Samosa is a revelation, while the slow-cooked Bohri Lamb Korma offers a masterclass in spice layering. Opulent yet intimate, it’s the place you book to impress without looking like you are trying too hard.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim, Dubai, +971 800 323 232, jumeirah.com
Carbone
If there was a ceiling for “hype” in Dubai, Carbone just shattered it. The New York heavyweight didn’t so much as open; it made landfall at Atlantis The Royal with the kind of celebrity-studded fanfare—Naomi Campbell on the decks, Rick Ross in the booth—that usually accompanies a film premiere. But strip away the A-list noise, and the machine still purrs. This is mid-century Italian-American dining turned into high theatre. The room is a masterclass in mood lighting and velvet, patrolled by tuxedoed “Captains” who move with cinematic precision. The Spicy Rigatoni Vodka is mandatory, the Veal Parmesan is the size of a hubcap, and the martini glasses never stay empty for long. It is expensive, exclusive, and unapologetically loud—in other words, it’s right at home.
Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, +971 4 426 0500, carbonedubai.com
Cocina Tres
If Honeycomb Hi-Fi proved VKD Hospitality knows how to build a vibe, Cocina Tres proves they know how to build a world. Tucked inside the Pullman Downtown, this is a radical departure from the usual Mexican restaurant clichés. Instead, it’s an architectural love letter to modernist legend Luis Barragán—a riot of geometric colour-blocking that feels like dining inside a painting. The kitchen matches the design’s intensity, offering an anthropological deep dive into regional Mexico. The commitment to corn is total: heirloom grains are ground daily on a custom molino, grounding dishes like the Hokkaido Scallop Tostada with an earthiness you can’t fake. Grab a stool at the ceviche bar, order the Baja Taco, and eat under the watchful gaze of tiger masks from Guerrero. It’s bold, bright, and brilliantly executed.
Pullman Downtown, Downtown Dubai, +971 4 703 2633, cocina-tres.com
The Cullinan
Subtlety is not on the menu here. Named after the largest diamond ever discovered, The Cullinan is a steakhouse designed to dazzle. Perched at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, the Art Deco interiors and monochrome palette compete for attention with a terrace view that frames the Burj Al Arab like a postcard. But for the serious carnivore, the real view is on the plate. The sourcing is elite—think Australian Blackmore and Mayura Station sharing the spotlight with Japanese Saroma. It can be overwhelming, which is why a dedicated “meat sommelier” is on hand to curate your cut. While the beef is the headline, the supporting act is equally robust. Start with the Gambero Rosso or scallops to cut the richness, and treat the sides as mandatory—specifically the garlic butter spinach and a dauphinoise so velvety it almost steals the show. Add in a post-dinner cigar, and you have a venue that understands exactly what kind of excess Dubai craves.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim, Dubai, +971 4 570 4551, thecullinandubai.com
Gerbou
For too long, authentic Emirati cuisine has been confined to the home, rarely given the white-tablecloth treatment it deserves. Gerbou changes the narrative. A joint venture between art incubator Tashkeel and the hit-makers at Atelier House Hospitality (11 Woodfire, Marea), this is a sanctuary rooted in the Ghaf tree canopy of Nad Al Sheba. Chef Ninad Naresh Salvi guides the menu through three pillars—seasonality, simplicity, locality—using farm-to-table as its backbone. Age-old techniques, such as underground pit-cooking, enhance the flavours, with dishes like lamb harees, prawn za’atar and chicken machboos letting Emirati cuisine do its thing.
Tashkeel, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, +971 4 222 6888, gerbou.com
Gloria Osteria
Restautants in Dubai’s DIFC have a tendency to take themselves a bit too seriously. Gloria Osteria is the antidote. As the Middle East debut for the Big Mamma Group—the disruptors behind Europe’s most viral Italian trattorias—this venue is a masterclass in dopamine dining. The interiors are a riot of 1970s Capri kitsch, clashing colours, and unapologetic nostalgia, but don’t let the maximalism fool you: the kitchen is serious. Executive Chef Pietro Zamuner balances the theatrics with genuine sourcing, flying in artisanal staples from Italy to back up the local produce. The Mafaldine al Tartufo is rich enough to silence a table, and the Cacio e Quattro Pepi is a textbook execution of the Roman classic. Grab a Golden Negroni, secure a spot on the “Sicilian” terrace, and enjoy the most fun you can have in the financial district with your tie loosened.
The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, Gate Village, +971 4 577 8546, gloria-osteria.com
Iliana
If you can’t get a flight to the Cyclades, Iliana is the next best itinerary. Another heavyweight opening at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, this is Greek dining with the volume turned up. The whitewashed interiors check the aesthetic boxes, but the terrace is the real power move here—putting you so close to the Burj Al Arab that you can practically count the sails. Chef Andreas Gkipalis avoids the tourist traps, taking Aegean staples and giving them a fine-dining tune-up. The courgette fritters are light as air, but it’s the Short Rib Orzo—rich, slow-cooked, and deeply comforting—that steals the show. Pro tip: do not linger too long over coffee. The energy migrates upstairs to the rooftop bar, where the sundowners turn into a late-night session that inevitably ends on the dancefloor.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim, Dubai +971 4 570 4551, jumeirah.com
Kira
In a city where “more is more,” dropping 11 new restaurants at once is a bold play, even for Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. But amidst the noise, Kira provides the signal. Backed by AlphaMind—the hitmakers behind heavyweights like Clap and Bar du Port—this venue arrives with a built-in swagger. The concept is a sun-soaked collision between the Mediterranean and Japan, an izakaya format with European soul. It sounds risky, but dishes like Harissa Prawns and Wagyu Kushiyaki bridge the geographical gap with surprising confidence. It is designed for the social grazer, not the solitary diner. And because the night rarely ends at dessert in this town, the adjacent LITT Bar Club offers a seamless transition, serving reimagined 90s cocktails that are far better than you remember them being.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim, Dubai, +971 4 328 1665, kira-restaurant.com
Kraken
Grégoire Berger has finally come up for air. After a decade defining underwater
fine dining at Ossiano, his solo debut brings the ocean to street level. Housed in a deceptively modest villa on Al Wasl, Kraken is pure immersive theatre—think reflective ceilings, cascading water, and floor projections that mimic the tide. But where his previous life was about global luxury, Kraken is a love letter to the Gulf. Berger is applying his technical wizardry to the region’s own waters, championing local catches that rarely get the white-tablecloth treatment. The result is a menu of high-definition local flavour: Kingfish sashimi, Grouper Karaage, and a grilled Butterfly Trevally that feels both grounded and elevated. Don’t sleep on the drinks, either—the dedicated fermentation lab turns out house-made kombuchas that pack as much complexity as the wine list.
Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, Dubai, +971 54 224 0069, krakendubai.com
Lion in the Sun
Flavio Briatore doesn’t do “understated,” but he does do “escape.” Bringing his legendary Malindi retreat to Dubai, the F1 mogul has planted a flag on the 62nd floor of the Mandarin Oriental Downtown, trading the Kenyan coast for a skyline view that looks the Burj Khalifa dead in the eye. While the interiors nod to its African roots, the energy is pure cosmopolitan gloss. The kitchen speaks the language of fire: simplicity is the rule, and charcoal is the primary ingredient. The menu is a parade of proteins that demand attention—grilled Garabineros the size of your forearm, brick-pressed chicken, and a salt-crusted seabass that arrives with theatre. It’s a beach club state of mind, suspended in the clouds. Order a bottle of Roederer on the terrace and try not to blink.
Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Downtown Dubai, +971 4 565 5811, lioninthesundubai.com
The Maine Beach House
Quick question before we start… Can Joey Ghazal do no wrong? Since the Canadian restaurateur founded Maine in 2015 (originally beginning life as an oyster bar in a parking garage), the concept has gone stratospheric: four restaurants in Dubai, one in London’s Mayfair and Ibiza, and now a brand-new concept, The Maine Beach House on Palm Jumeirah. Less glitzy than its sister venues, it’s more laid-back New England vibes; think seafood, coastal overtones and sand between your toes. It is also refreshingly analog: wine lists are scrawled on chalkboards—a happy rebellion against the QR code—and the dinner decisions are made face-to-face at the fresh fish market. Choose your Red Porgy or Hammour straight from the ice, order a round of the signature sticky short ribs, and settle into a cabana. It’s easy to see why Ghazal is still Dubai’s golden boy.
Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah Dubai, +971 4 457 6719, themainegroup.com
Maison Dalí
The phrase “immersive dining” has recently become so [incorrectly] overused that you can’t help get the feeling that AI has been at play in many restaurant’s marketing plans. That isn’t the case with Maison Dalí—who injects the dining experience will some genuine wit IRL. Tucked inside the Zaha Hadid-designed Opus—a surrealist sculpture in its own right—this is Chef Tristin Farmer at his most playful. The venue nods to the mustache-twirling master without descending into theme-park territory: think dark, moody corners and service that leans into the theatrics with tableside flambés and roaming trolleys. But the surrealism stops at the pass; the kitchen is technically flawless. The menu is a Japanese-Mediterranean collision where precision meets comfort—from the N25 Caviar on sourdough to a Veal Short Rib Katsu that demands to be ordered. If decision paralysis sets in, the “Leave it to Chef” option gives Farmer carte blanche, which is usually the smartest play of the night.
The Opus by Omniyat, Business Bay, Dubai, +971 4 257 9554, maisondalidubai.ae
Middle Child
If success is measured by the patience of a queue, Middle Child is winning by a landslide. Located in the creative grit of Alserkal Avenue, this hybrid space—part pantry, part cookbook library, part dining room—is the brainchild of Lynn Hazim, and it has the city’s creative class lining up around the block. The vibe is aggressively lo-fi: no reservations, communal tables, and a “get in where you can fit in” policy. But the squeeze is worth it. The menu is a tight, clever edit of Mediterranean comfort with sharp twists—the Labneh Yuzukosho dip is a mandatory starter, and the Sage and White Chocolate Cake is already achieving cult status. Browse the 500-strong cookbook collection while you wait; it’s the closest thing Al Quoz has to a literary salon, albeit one served with a killer Club Sandwich. Warehouse 13A, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, @middlechildmiddlechild
Mr Chow
After fifty years of defining “scene dining” in London, New York, and Beverly Hills, Michael Chow’s high-gloss commissary has landed in DIFC. Forget “fuss-free”—this is a venue built on unadulterated theatre. The room feels less like a restaurant and more like an art gallery where the patrons are the exhibits: high ceilings, clinical white linens, and a squadron of waiters in starched tuxedos gliding across the floor. The food, a greatest-hits list of Beijing cuisine with European accents, plays second fiddle only to the vibe, but it still hits the high notes. The nightly noodle-pulling performance is mandatory viewing, while the menu demands you order the classics: the addictive Chicken Satay, the Green Prawns, and the Ma Mignon—a filet mignon recipe from 1975 that you skip at your own peril.
Trade Centre, Gate District, DIFC, +971 4 834 2013, mrchow.com
NAC
Translating a Mayfair staple to the desert is a delicate art, but NAC (North Audley Cantine) lands with its chic intact. Trading the grey skies of London for a sun-drenched Dubai terrace, this is a French bistro that refuses to be stuffy. The aesthetic is pure “Pinterest board”—neutral tiles, globe lights, and the requisite Hans Wegner wishbone chairs—but the menu is where the personality shines. It plays fast and loose with tradition: Popcorn Chicken sits comfortably next to Torched Cauliflower, and the Flamed Aubergine with Miso is a mandatory order. Whether for a business lunch or a “golden hour” cappuccino, it’s a slice of W1 refined for the sand.
Huna Al Wasl, Al Wasl Road, +971 4 395 3888, nacdubai.com
Pepperoni Comedy Club
There’s something universally rewarding about a Dubai restaurant doing things differently. Enter Pepperoni Comedy Club, a new dining spot where ‘punchlines meet pizza’, with a side order of American-Italian soul. Slices are served with witty one-liners from well-known comedians and rising stars, amidst an aesthetic that is a deliberate fever dream of flamingos, clashing prints, and retro arcade cabinets. But don’t let the chaos distract you from the kitchen. The pizza is serious business—American-Italian pies with the requisite flop and fold—while the tableside Caesar salad adds a dash of old-school service theatre. The open-mic sets might be unpredictable, but the Tiramisu is a guaranteed hit.
25 Jump Street, 25h Hotel, One Central, World Trade Centre, Dubai, +971 4 572 7040, pepperonicomedyclub.com
Saikindo
Abu Dhabi finally has a Japanese-style listening bar that takes the “listening” as seriously as the bar. Tucked inside the Four Seasons, Saikindō is a high-fidelity shrine to the Tokyo tradition—a place where sound is the primary guest. The immersion is total: a precision audio system anchors the room, spinning vinyl that dictates the rhythm of the night. The concept extends to the glass, where mixologists craft synesthesia-driven cocktails designed to match the tempo, split playfully into “Side A” and “Side B” menus. While the bar is moody and soulful, the 18-seat Robata Room offers a more visceral counterpoint, serving yakitori and sashimi to the lick of open flames. A sharp, sensory addition to the capital’s late-night circuit.
Four Seasons Hotel at Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, +971 2 333 222, saikindo.com
Tezukuri
If Kinoya proved Neha Mishra understands the soul of ramen, Tezukuri proves she understands the architecture of a bite. Teaming up with hospitality powerhouse Panchali Mahendra, this fun Japanese hand-roll joint is a study in precision. Simplicity is the hardest trick to pull off, but here the focus is fanatical: the nori must shatter on contact, and the rice must hold the perfect warmth against the chill of the fish. Perch at the counter and watch the assembly of Argentine red prawn (Akaebi) or the buttery blackthroat seaperch (Nodoguro). It’s fast, furious, and flawless. Afterward, look for the door to Kissa, the clandestine ten-seat listening bar in the back, where the martinis are as crisp as the seaweed.
The Courtyard, Opera Grand, Downtown Dubai, +971 58 141 9696, @tezukuridubai
Three Bros
When the Orfali brothers—Mohammad, Wassim, and Omar—open a door, Dubai walks through it. If their flagship was the game-changer, Three Bros is the victory lap. It is a 22-seat counter-punch to fine dining, operating under the mantra “Minimum Fuss, Maximum Flavour”—and for once, the tagline isn’t hyperbole. This isn’t about accolades; it’s about cross-border comfort food executed with Michelin-level discipline. The menu eschews categories, hopping borders with a confidence that only this trio can pull off. The Comté cheese croquettes are mandatory, but the “Japanese Pidza”—a prosciutto-topped hybrid that defies geography—is the real reason you’re here. Cap it with the Hokkaido-style milk ice cream for a lesson in why simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
Al Wasl 51, Al Wasl Road, Dubai, +971 4 238 6677, threebros.ae
Yubi
Betting against Reif Othman is a fool’s errand. The chef behind Reif Japanese Kushiyaki has built an empire on knowing exactly what Dubai wants to eat before it knows itself. With Yubi, located in the chaotic heart of the 25hours Hotel, he stakes his claim on the handroll trend. Forget the hushed reverence of traditional omakase; this is sushi with swagger. The vibe is high-tempo and street-style, anchored by a counter where the chefs work with rhythmic precision. The blueprint is simple but exacting: perfectly seasoned warm rice, seafood flown in from Toyosu, and nori that snaps with a satisfying crunch. Come for the rolls, stay for the Wagyu Gyoza, and don’t be surprised when a quick lunch turns into a long, loud evening. It’s fast, furious, and unmistakably Reif.
25 Jump Street, 25h Hotel, One Central, World Trade Centre, Dubai +971 50 198 7511, yubihandrollbar.com