The places to be this May
Dubai Restaurant Week is back, and it’s your cue to book into some of the city’s most exciting tables without the usual splurge. From fire-led cooking to refined brasseries and bold Asian flavours, these participating restaurants are serving up curated menus packed with signature dishes.
11 Woodfire
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A one-MICHELIN-starred experience centred on open-fire cooking. Dishes like lamb chops, Atlantic seabass and wagyu burger showcase the technique, while pavlova brings a bright, fruity finish.
Akira Back
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Set high at W Dubai – The Palm, this MICHELIN Guide-recommended spot delivers a modern Japanese menu with Korean flair. Expect punchy starters like spicy tuna tacos and rock shrimp tempura, followed by mains such as 48-hour short rib or grilled salmon. Desserts like butter mochi cake round things off on a high.
Chez Wam
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A sharing-style menu with French technique at its core. Start with seabass ponzu or wagyu tartare, then move on to roasted seabass with yuzu beurre blanc or indulgent gorgonzola gnocchi. Desserts lean rich, with dark chocolate mousse and choco-coffee pie.
CQ French Brasserie
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Classic Parisian comfort food takes centre stage. Think French onion soup gratinée, escargots and steak tartare to start, followed by steak frites or grilled salmon. Don’t skip dessert — the pain perdu and crème brûlée are as traditional as they come.
Eugène Eugène
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A greenhouse-style brasserie in Mall of the Emirates, offering elegant French classics. Highlights include taleggio pizzetta, beef tartare, and bavette steak with shallot sauce. Finish with a silky fondant au chocolat or a classic mille-feuille.
Gerbou
A homegrown Emirati gem in Nad Al Sheba. The menu celebrates regional flavours with dishes like chicken machboos, vegetable salona and kunafa prawns. Desserts such as logaimat and date cake bring a nostalgic, comforting finish.
Girl & the Goose
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Central American cuisine gets a modern twist here. Expect vibrant starters like guacamole with ponzu cream and scallop ceviche, followed by dishes such as duck pappardelle or yuca lobster gnocchi. Churros with dulce de leche are a must.
Jun’s
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A creative, ‘third-culture’ menu blending global influences. Standouts include tempura za’atar chaat, char siu wagyu claypot rice and miso seabass. Desserts like coconut ube pie keep things playful and inventive.
Khadak
Street food nostalgia meets refined Indian cooking. Try kheema pao or kale chaat to start, then dig into Guntur butter chicken or laccha biryani. Desserts such as Malabar coffee milk cake add a decadent twist.
Lana Lusa
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Portuguese coastal flavours shine here. Expect bacalhau à brás, peri-peri chicken and gnocchi with pesto. For dessert, keep it simple with coffee delight or frozen lemon.
La Petite Maison
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A DIFC favourite serving French Riviera classics. Highlights include seabream tartare, wagyu sirloin and gnocchi with fresh tomato. Desserts like strawberry tiramisu keep things light and summery.
Le Petit Beefbar
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A sleek DIFC favourite offering a crowd-pleasing menu. Signature dishes include dragon shrimps, filet-frites and lacquered salmon, with indulgent desserts like cheesecake and French toast.
LOWE
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A produce-driven, fire-led concept in Al Barari. Expect inventive dishes like wood-roasted chicken with coconut sambal, wagyu cheeseburger and spinach tagliatelle. Desserts are light and seasonal, such as citrus sago or mango sorbet.
Mimi Kakushi
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This award-winning Japanese spot channels 1920s Osaka. Highlights include spicy tuna on crispy rice, miso black cod and umeboshi-glazed chicken. End with matcha tiramisu or yuzu cheesecake.
RARE Brasserie & Bar
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A stylish brasserie blending New York energy with Parisian flair. From steak frites and smash burgers to veal milanese and ox cheek, the menu is hearty and satisfying. Desserts like burnt cheesecake seal the deal.
Revolver
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Expect bold, fire-cooked South Asian flavours. Dishes like wagyu scotch egg, clayfire rice and black vinegar short rib bring serious heat and depth. Desserts include honey toast and sticky toffee pudding.
Smoki Moto
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A lively Korean steakhouse on Palm Jumeirah. Start with yukhoe (beef tartare) or Korean fried chicken, then dive into bibimbap, wagyu tteok galbi or spicy seabass. Mango bingsu offers a refreshing finish.
Son of a Fish
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A Greek seafood spot with waterfront views. Think tuna tartare, moussaka and grilled fish, followed by desserts like baklava cheesecake or chocolate tahini fondant.
Tezukuri
An intimate Japanese concept focused on temaki. Expect handroll selections with toro or A5 wagyu, alongside dishes like ebi garlic butter and beef kushikatsu. Finish with matcha ice cream or daifuku.
Zuma
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A globally acclaimed dining venue, Zuma may be one if the most sought-after tables in Dubai. Expect dishes designed for sharing, from shrimp tempura and wagyu gyoza to miso black cod and spicy beef tenderloin. Desserts like green tea cake keep it classic.
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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
