New year, new openings to look forward to
If you’re a food lover in the UAE, 2026 is basically your ‘golden era’. We aren’t just getting ‘new spots’; we’re getting the heavy hitters. From London’s most exclusive dining rooms to homegrown concepts that are finally going permanent, the culinary calendar is stacked.
Here is your insider guide to the most exciting restaurant openings across Dubai and Abu Dhabi this year.
Global Icons Land in Dubai
Dubai’s skyline is getting some serious culinary muscle this year. If you’ve ever tried to get a table at these spots in London or Paris, you know the hype around them is real.
Gymkhana (DIFC)
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The legendary London MICHELIN-starred Indian restaurant is finally bringing its ‘colonial social club’ vibes to DIFC. Gymkhana is famous for its unapologetic, bold, and deeply traditional flavours. Expect those famous tandoori masala lamb chops with a spicy kick. While the London original is notoriously one of the hardest tables to book in the UK, the Dubai outpost promises to bring that same exclusive but electric energy to the DIFC lunch crowd and the late-night glamour set alike.
Nobu One Za’abeel (The Link)
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While Nobu is already a household name in Dubai, the opening at One Za’abeel is anything but just another branch. Perched on the 24th floor of The Link, the world’s longest cantilevered building, this location is designed to be the crown jewel of the brand’s global portfolio. If the Atlantis locations are about beach vibes and resort glamour, One Za’abeel is about architectural drama and nocturnal energy. Suspended 100 meters above the ground, the restaurant offers 360 degree views of the Dubai skyline that make you feel like you’re dining in the clouds.
Scott’s (DIFC)
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Another Mayfair legend. This is for the seafood enthusiasts. Founded way back in 1851 as a humble oyster warehouse, it evolved into one of the most exclusive addresses in London’s Mayfair. Now, it’s bringing that 175-year-old heritage to DIFC Gate Village, sitting right alongside heavyweights like Zuma and Babylon. Scott’s isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a see-and-be-seen institution. In London, it’s the place where you might spot a Hollywood A-lister at the next table or a member of the royal family enjoying a glass of bubbly. The Dubai location is set to replicate that polished, high-society energy, with the added vibrancy of DIFC.
L’Avenue (Dubai Mall)
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Bringing the effortless chic of Paris to Fashion Avenue in Dubai Mall. If you want to feel like you’re sitting on the Avenue Montaigne while overlooking the Burj Khalifa, this is the place that needs to be your new go to spot. The interiors, designed with the signature Costes touch, will be a mix of understated luxury and cosmopolitan glam. Expect velvet seating, moody lighting and a staff that moves with the grace of a runway show with a menu that is a love letter to the classic French brasserie but with the international, fusion-led twists that made it a global name.
Concept Spots & Hidden Gems
If you’re tired of the white tablecloth scene, these spots are bringing the soul back to dining.
Window (Alserkal Avenue)
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Opening this January, this is for the foodies who love a bit of grit and fire. It’s an intimate, live-fire cooking concept focusing on smoke-infused dishes. This is the latest brainchild of FYTE Hospitality, the same crew behind the cult-favorite hand roll bar, Kokoro. While most “fire-based” restaurants in Dubai love the theatrics of blowtorches and giant sparks, Window is doing the opposite. It’s a neighbourhood restaurant in the truest sense. It’s intimate, understated and built around a central hearth where everything is cooked low and slow over embers.
Hikiniku To Come (Al Quoz)
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A Tokyo cult favourite. It does one thing and does it perfectly: charcoal-grilled hamburger steaks served over freshly steamed rice. Simple, addictive and very “if you know, you know.” Located in the industrial heart of Al Quoz, the space mirrors the brand’s minimalist Japanese roots. It’s counter-seating only, wrapped around a central grill. It feels energetic, smoky, and incredibly intimate. In Tokyo and Hong Kong, people queue for hours just to get a seat. Visitors expect the same no-reservations frenzy when the doors open in Dubai.
LAVITA Beach House (Palm Jumeirah)
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If you’re looking for the 2026 definition of La Dolce Vita, LAVITA is the place. Think Italian coastal glamour, DJs, fresh seafood, and a vibe that transitions from sun-soaked lunch to a buzzing party.
If you want the ultimate “I was there first” bragging rights, try to snag a seat at Window in Alserkal for a cosy winter dinner, or wait for the madness of Gymkhana’s opening night in DIFC.
Image credit: @gymkhanalondon on Instagram
Mariam Khawer is a Dubai-based writer and PR professional whose work spans food, art, and travel across the region. When she isn’t chasing deadlines, she’s likely at a gallery opening, testing out a new restaurant, piecing together one of her mixed-media art projects or at home with her four cats, who keep her on her toes.
