Life
Dubai’s burgeoning dining scene is a culinary melting pot of homegrown favourites, haute international exports, and cool independent eateries. Here, we bring you the best new restaurants in Dubai to inspire the reservations you make this month.
Sirene by Gaia
A coastal iteration of elevated Greek restaurant Gaia, Sirene is the newest addition to J1 Beach. This gorgeous Mediterranean beach club and restaurant was worth the wait – its whitewashed interiors are show-stopping. The indoor restaurant spills onto an alfresco terrace, and further down to a lounge, then even further to loungers that dot the beach. Come for the Greek-Mediterranean fare that’s won chef Izu Ani multiple awards, and stay for the party – during late afternoons the tempo ramps up with guests staying late into the night for DJ sets that elevate the ambience.
FZN
Forget all the tasting menus you’ve tried before in Dubai and book a seat at FZN. With space for just 27 diners, the new haute fine dining experience at Atlantis, The Palm comes from renowned chef Björn Frantzén, already behind two, Three Michelin Star restaurants in Sweden and Singapore. Through nine courses of innovation, experimentation and flawless presentation, diners get to sample some of the most intricate and well-executed modern European cooking Dubai has ever seen. It’s Dhs2,000 per person, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage pairings available.
Bar Des Pres
Adding to the gourmet collection of fine dining options in DIFC is Bar Des Pres, a lofty eatery on the 51st floor of ICD Brookfield Place. Fusing chef-creator Cyril Lynac’s French know-how with Japanese cuisine, the resulting menu is crowd-pleasing Dubai dishes served up in a fabulous setting with sensational views. Go for dinner, then head upstairs to Bar 1920 for cocktails that take you back to the Prohibition era.
Le Relais de l’Entrecôte
From Paris with love comes Le Relais de l’Entrecote, a beloved family-run bistro that regularly has diners queueing around the block. In Dubai, you’ll find it at ME Dubai, serving up the same quintessentially cosy French aesthetic, and a single-item menu of sirloin steak cooked to order and crispy golden fries. It’s priced at Dhs155 including a walnut salad to start, and while there may only be one starter and one main, dessert lovers can enjoy an array of tasty sweet treats to end their meal.
Gerbou
New in Jumeirah, long-awaited Gerbou is here to redefine Emirati cuisine. From Atelier House Hospitality – behind Michelin-Starred 11 Woodfire and Boxpark’s fancy French restaurant RSVP – and Tashkeel, the local incubator for arts and creative talent, Gerbou celebrates Emirati cuisine with a farm-to-table approach. Head chef Ionel Catau brings experience from globally renowned kitchens to lace international techniques into traditional Emirati flavours. The resulting dishes offer essences of the familiar but are also unique and exciting.
Sexy Fish
Splashy pan-Asian hotspot Sexy Fish is frequented by a crowd of A-Listers at its locations in London and Miami, making Dubai an obvious choice for the brand’s fourth global outpost. From acclaimed restauranteur Richard Caring, it’s one of two London-born restaurants now found in Innovation One, sitting pretty on the rooftop of DIFC’s newest tower. Go mid-week for a power business lunch, or make reservations on a weekend night for prettily plated sushi and pulsing DJ sets that elevate the ambience.
Khadak
From the culinary mastermind behind London’s renowned Dishoom, chef Naved Nasir’s solo debut is Khadak. Housed in an independent villa in Al Wasl, Khadak’s menu brings to life the yesteryear of India’s vibrant street food scene, traversing cities and foodie regions to present innovative takes inspired by Centuries-old recipes. There’s a heart-warming story behind everything: from the handpicked artworks to the ingredients that make up the menu, and dining here is a sensory treat that feels like you’re in a homely
Maison Revka
From Rikas Group – behind stalwart Dubai concepts including Mimi Kakushi and La Cantine; and Paris Society, operators of renowned European concepts like Gigi in St Tropez and Girafe in Paris, comes Maison Revka. Giving a gourmet edge to the culinary offering at Bluewaters, Maison Revka is part beach club, part restaurant. Go for relaxed poolside sophistication by day, or romantic glamour by night, when the true Slavic influence is on proud display. The duplex restaurant features an ornate bar, crisp white tablecothed tables encasing a palm tree, and cosy corners lit by candlelight.
Mimi Mei Fair
Fine dining Chinese fare in a whimsical, feminine setting is what you can expect at Mimi Mei Fair, new to the Downtown Opera District. From LSL Capital, the team behind Jamavar next door, Mimi Mei Fair injects London elegance into a pretty dining room and alfresco terrace. The menu is inspired by fictional Empress MiMi’s travels across Hong Kong, Singapore, and mainland China, putting particular emphasis on the bold flavors of Sichuan, Fujian, and Hunan.
Adaline
Put your phones away to walk through the gold and glamourous doors of Adaline, a sultry new supperclub in DIFC. There’s a strict no-phones policy, which allows you to properly admire the rich and textural interiors, lots of red velvet, leather and shimmering bold create a space that feels like a New York speakeasy. The menu is traditional Italian fare elevated, but it’s the show that really makes this stand out – with a roster of live dancers and singers performing each evening on the stage at the heart of the venue.
