New discoveries this summer
Dubai’s restaurant scene has been busy. Very busy.
From MICHELIN-starred London names setting up shop in DIFC to smoky new kitchens, Japanese noodle counters, Italian newcomers and a bakehouse that has decided one pastry is all you really need, there’s no shortage of reasons to make a new restaurant reservation. Here are 15 new and noteworthy openings to know about right now.
Aatish
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If your idea of a good dinner involves flames, smoke and something sizzling its way to the table, Aatish should be on your radar. The Wasl 51 restaurant comes from four friends, Reza Namazi, Amin Ebra, Alex Augusti and chef Abdul Hakim, who have brought their love of travel and live-fire cooking to Dubai.
The menu hops between influences, with dishes including Hawker’s Sup Kambing, Sinan’s Sizzling Prawns and fire-roasted T-Rex bone marrow. It’s a menu made for sharing, with the grill doing much of the talking.
Gymkhana Dubai
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One of Mayfair’s most famous Indian restaurants has crossed the pond and landed in DIFC. Gymkhana opened its Dubai outpost in September, bringing its two-MICHELIN-starred name to Gate Village. The interiors retain the glamour of the London original, while the kitchen combines Gymkhana signatures with dishes created for Dubai. Chaat, tandoori specialities, curries and biryanis make up the substantial offering, with plenty of reasons to order for the table.
Hudson & Rye
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Sometimes you just want a sandwich. A very big sandwich. Hudson & Rye brought a slice of New York to DIFC in June, opening as the UAE’s first authentic New York-style deli. Pastrami on rye, Reubens, tuna melts and house pickles make up the old-school line-up. It’s straightforward, generous and refreshingly free of fine-dining fuss.
TRIO
Dubai-born café brand TRIO is opening the doors to its newest Jumeirah outpost this October, bringing its signature design-led spaces, all-day menu and speciality coffee to Umm Suqeim. Opening today, the new outpost is located on 22nd Street in Umm Suqeim 2.
Founded by Emirati coffee expert Aysha Bin Huwaireb, TRIO has built its identity around the idea of three, with the concept appearing throughout its architecture, materials and menu – the overall experience.
Kairos Coffee Assembly
Kairos Coffee Assembly wants you to slow down and actually enjoy your coffee. Founded by Shiraz Sarwar, the Al Quoz spot is home to the UAE’s first Bellwether Shop Roaster, allowing its team to roast beans on site in small batches. Single-origin coffees and V60 pour-overs lead the offering, with pastries and small-batch food on hand when caffeine alone won’t cut it.
Le Guilan
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Le Guilan is bringing the flavours of Iran’s Gilan province to Downtown Dubai, with French technique woven into the cooking. The result is a contemporary take on Persian food, with dishes that draw on the region’s produce and traditions. Even the bread service gets an upgrade, arriving with black butter made from fermented black garlic. French-brasserie-inspired interiors complete the picture, with views towards South Ridge Park.
Noren
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JLT has welcomed Noren, a Japanese restaurant from former Zuma managing director Ilir Caushi and executive chef Pawel Kazanowski. Sushi and sashimi are part of the story, but the kitchen goes much further. Grilled tuna steak with wafu sauce, red miso-glazed bone marrow, king crab with Hokkaido lemon butter and chutoro with jalapeño dressing are among the standouts. An open kitchen and central island bar keep things lively, while the menu gives Japanese dining a broader remit.
Pepe Cucina
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Italian food and a Dubai waterfront setting? It’s a combination that rarely needs much explaining. Pepe Cucina has arrived at Address Beach Resort in JBR with handmade pasta, wood-fired dishes and Italian classics. It’s a sizeable operation, with several dining areas. There’s also a Saturday brunch, making this one particularly suited to groups and families.
Rocambolesco
Italian dining has another new address at SO/ Uptown Dubai, where Rocambolesco brings a playful take on the cuisine. Chef Luigi Stinga, formerly of Abu Dhabi’s Talea by Antonio Guida, leads the kitchen, with the menu built around the Italian tradition of gathering and sharing.
Bold patterns, warm tones and a terrace give the restaurant plenty of personality, while the food ranges across familiar Italian favourites with contemporary touches.
Rooh by Priya
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Rooh by Priya is putting a contemporary spin on Indian cooking at Jewel of the Creek. The restaurant comes from Singapore-based chef Priya Joseph, whose cooking combines Indian traditions with influences from Southeast Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean. The format is intentionally social, with tapas-style portions and modern takes on Indian classics. A cocktail programme rounds things out.
SHUKR
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SHUKR has taken a wonderfully focused approach to baking: pick one pastry and do it really, really well. The Dubai-born bakehouse has made Filipino ensaymada its signature, serving the soft, buttery pastry beneath a generous layer of shredded cheese. There’s also a cheese-topped coffee designed to be paired with it. That’s the concept in a nutshell: one pastry, one coffee and a very good reason to go back.
Window
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Hidden inside Alserkal Avenue, Window is the intimate 32-seat restaurant putting live-fire cooking front and centre. From FYTE Hospitality, the team behind Kokoro, the kitchen features a wood-fired oven and Josper grill, with chef Gonzalo Platero cooking across vegetables, pasta, meat and grilled dishes. There are no reservations and no alcohol, keeping the concept deliberately simple. Turn up, find a table and let the fire do the rest.
Bondz
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DIFC has gained another sleek after-hours address with Bondz, an executive lounge and bar inside Emirates Financial Towers. The speakeasy-inspired setting is aimed squarely at the post-work crowd, with plush seating, cocktails and globally inspired small plates. Spicy tuna crispy rice and hamachi ceviche feature alongside the drinks, making it easy to turn a quick stop into a longer evening.
SUPA
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Dubai has a brand new spot for Uzbek food – SUPA Uzbek Culinary House has officially opened at Millennium Al Barsha, bringing traditional Central Asian cooking, relaxed hospitality and plenty of sharing dishes to the city.
Founded by restaurateurs Nodir Mahmud and Nodir Takhirov, SUPA takes its name from the traditional Uzbek supa, a raised platform found in homes and courtyards where families and friends gather to eat, drink tea and spend time together. The Dubai opening follows the concept’s success in Saudi Arabia.
Image credit: Supplied
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
