Your ultimate guide
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, want to grab a bite with your closest friends or looking to impress your parents, we have picked some of the coolest and most Instagram-worthy restaurants in Dubai.
Where: Fika, Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Cuisine: Delicious Mediterranean fare inspired by the Swedish philosophy of taking time of the day to enjoy your food in good company and let it nourish your body, mind and soul.
What: Chef Izu Ani is unconvinced that to eat well one has to compromise, and hence has crafted a menu that boasts fresh and seasonal ingredients with hoards of nutritional benefits.
Must try: As your palate is treated to yummy helpings of burgundy escargot, your eyes can feast on the breathtaking views from the terrace.
Celebrity touch: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai is known to be a fan.
Where: Indochine, DIFC
Cuisine: French-Vietnamese inspired menu.
What: Straight out from New York, this is one of the coolest places to be on a Thursday and Friday night. The delicious food, the drinks, the tropical décor, the iconic Martinique wallpaper all combine to make it an extremely memorable experience.
Celebrity touch: Kaia Gerber and Kendall Jenner are known regulars at the New York venue.
Must try: Vietnamese ravioli and lamb char siu.
Where: Scalini Dubai, Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah
Cuisine: Italian with a Dubai twist.
What: Established in London in 1988, Scalini played an influential role in the rise of Italian trattorias throughout the UK, and is renowned for the quintessential Italian cuisine and charming ambiance. Remarkable flavours, fresh ingredients sourced directly from Italy and Chef Roberto’s magic are the secret ingredients at play here.
Must try: Begin with the calamari alla Luciana, feast on the petto di pollo alla zarina as your main and finish off with the creamy and utterly sinful semifreddo al pistacchio.
Celebrity touch: Keep your eye out as you might just spot a star or two. Scalini in the UK has been frequented by the likes of Kate Moss, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Simon Cowell.
Where, Shanghai Me, DIFC
Cuisine: Inspired by the culinary traditions of East Asia
What: Its infectious vibe is just right for those post-work drinks or an utterly relaxed weekend meal. Its lush green terrace, classic interiors accented with velvet, hand painted wallpaper and glossy wood panelling add to its chic look. The weather of this time of the year is a plus, plus, plus.
Must try: Cantonese roast duck, yellowtail with sliced black truffle, alongside signature dim sum, bao buns, sushi and sashimi.
Celebrity touch: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, was one of the first people to check it out, closely followed by his son HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. R&B icons Akon, Trey Songz and Tyga also stopped by ahead of their Formula 1 performances.
Where: Niko Romito, Bvlgari Resort Dubai
Cuisine: Italian
What: If you are a food connoisseur you will definitely have heard of chef Niko Romito. He is a proud holder of three Michelin stars for his Reale restaurant in Abruzzo Italy and is now curating the cuisine at the Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts in Beijing, Dubai, Shanghai and Milan. Phew. Everything from the time you enter to the time you reluctantly leave is elegant and first-class.
Must try: All of the authentic and very tasty pasta dishes most of which are to die for. For an excellent finish to the meal, binge on custard-filled bigne with warm chocolate sauce. Heaven.
Where: Flamingo Room by Tashas, Jumeirah Al Naseem
Cuisine: Simple and tastefully prepared classics.
What: We know a good place to eat when we see it. And when the owner and chef is, Natasha Sideris, one of our award nominees there are absolutely no second thoughts. Along with fuss-free food, amazing thirst quenchers and insta-worthy nooks, well, what’s not to enjoy?
Must try: Staples like rib eye, white fish ceviche, peri peri chicken, malva pudding, amira and the utterly gorgeous looking and tasting (this is one for your Instagram) tropical flamingo.
Where: LPM Restaurant and Bar, DIFC
Cuisine: French.
What: Enjoy a meal with your gang of girls on the stunning Rivera style terrace. The charming Belle Époque-inspired shutters, iron gate painted in French Rivera colours, glass lanterns, hanging greenery and Anduze pots with pink and purple blooms, will leave you feeling that you are dining on the stylish Côte d’Azur.
Must try: Snails with garlic butter, the moreish cheesecake and the tomatini.
Where: Amazonico, DIFC
Cuisine: Latin-American.
What: Step into the tropics at this jungle-themed restaurant as you reserve a spot for lunch, dinner or grabbing a drink with friends. From velvet sofas, printed lamp shades and black and white tiling, the interiors are wild yet refined, and this is before we talk about the impressive view from the third-floor terrace.
Must try: Kofta de cordero, Brazilian rump steak, patacones mechados and finish off your meal with the succulent suspiro.
Where: Vanitas, Palazzo Versace
Cuisine: Italian
What: Symbolic of the Versace lifestyle and reminiscent of a 16th century Italian palace, Palazzo Versace Dubai with its high ceilings, landscaped gardens and tailor-made Italian furnishings is a Neoclassical masterpiece with subtle traces of Arabian architecture.
Must try: The Vino che Passione series of twelve thematic dining experiences. One a month, the dinners will highlight regions of Italy, its sumptuous food and exemplary drinks.
Where: Gaia, DIFC
Cuisine: Greek
What: With its muted colour palatte of greys, painted woods, cream walls, and perfect lighting, Gaia is arguable a real beauty.
Must try: The tastiest of bread, Greek salad and the lobster pasta. Keeping room for the millefeuille is a must-do.
Celebrity touch: Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been among its patrons.
