The biggest, boldest openings of this year you can’t miss
The curtain calls on another year – 2025 was a journey to remember, with a glittering galaxy of new openings that took the city by storm. From fine dining bigwigs to homegrown heroes and international favourites, Dubai’s food scene was on fire, with a wave of new restaurants making their mark on the city. From global icons finally setting up shop in the city to homegrown concepts reimagining comfort food, these openings define the year’s most exciting dining moments. This is your guide to the year that was – 2025, here’s looking at you.
Apollo
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Apollo brings nostalgia and modernity with its retro-inspired interiors and a menu that fuses global comfort food with inventive twists. It’s equal parts stylish restaurant and late-night hangout, for a playful, design-driven night out.
Bar des Prés
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From Paris to Dubai, Chef Cyril Lignac introduces his French-Asian fusion concept to the city. The menu is elegant yet playful, served in a setting that feels effortlessly stylish.
Carbone
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From Thompson Street in Manhattan to Dubai, Mario Carbone’s red-sauce classic has become a global phenomenon. At its core are unapologetic New York–Italian dishes -spicy rigatoni, veal parmesan, Caesar salad – served with the same theatrical flair that made it famous. Go here for big, bold Italian-American dining.
China Tang
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A beloved Mayfair institution, China Tang brings its legacy of Cantonese dining to Dubai. Known for its opulent interiors and classic dishes executed to perfection, it’s a restaurant that blends tradition with timeless style.
Cocina Tres is here to celebrate the colourful energy of coastal Mexico, inspired by the houses of Mexico City’s legendary architect, Luis Barragán, Food, drink and coming home – that’s what Cocina Tres is all about.
DIME
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Created by the team behind TABLE4TWO, DIME strips the American diner down to its essentials. It’s designed around just two perfected burgers, with every element, from buns to sauces, made in-house. The vibe is pure nostalgia, with neon signage and an 80s soundtrack, but the execution is chef-driven and quality-first.
Falcone
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Hong Kong’s cult-favourite pizzeria has landed at Galleria Mall, Al Barsha. Founded by Chef Roberta (one of the world’s top pizzaiolos) and Chef Josh, Falcone is famed for its neo-Neapolitan pies baked in a custom Pavesi brick oven. The Dubai outpost promises crisp crusts, airy centres, and a menu of cult classics like Polpette and Salame Piccante.
Gerbou
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Gerbou places Emirati culture at the forefront of fine dining. Using local ingredients and heritage techniques, its menu feels rooted in tradition yet speaks to a global palate. A true reflection of the UAE’s culinary identity. Think modern Emirati dining that honours the past while embracing the future.
Girl & the Goose
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One of Dubai’s most talked-about homegrown debuts, Chef Gabriela Chamorro’s Girl & the Goose celebrates the flavours of Central America. Drawing on heritage recipes and global travels, the menu is designed for sharing, set in an atmosphere that mixes intimacy with vibrant energy, but most importantly, that tells a story.
Gloria Osteria
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Gloria Osteria arrives as a full-blown 1970s Italian fantasy: seductive, cinematic and dripping in golden light. Designed by Big Mamma’s in-house Studio Kiki, the restaurant feels like stumbling into a glamorous villa near Lake Como. Colours move between blush, saffron and gentle gold; velvet banquettes curve beneath enormous 135-centimetre Murano chandeliers glowing in rose and amber; and fashion memorabilia lines the walls like a private archive.
HANU
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HANU is a bold step into modern Korean dining. With a show-stopping grill, Omakase counter, and a cocktail bar riffing on Korean highballs, it’s a multi-layered experience. Conceptualised by Seoul-born Chef Kyung Soo Moon, the menu fuses tradition and innovation in equal measure.
INA
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From Fundamental Hospitality and Chef Glen Ballis, INA is built around primal open-fire cooking. The restaurant embraces a back-to-nature philosophy, focusing on flame-grilled seasonal produce. Its alfresco setting makes it one of 2025’s most atmospheric launches.
Kira
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A newcomer with a distinctly feminine identity, Kira blends Japanese minimalism with Mediterranean brightness. KIRA’s culinary symphony of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines represents perfect alchemy, interweaving the finest flavours and techniques into a new signature cuisine. With ethereal interiors, it’s designed as much for ambience as flavour.
Kraken
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Conceived as an ocean-inspired dining experience rooted entirely in this land, Kraken is a deep dive into the sensory magic of the sea. The connection to the Arabian Gulf is strong, with every dish on the menu intending to highlight the incredible marine life of the region.
Lion in the Sun
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Lion in the Sun, brought to you by Majestas Group – a concept that draws its soul from Flavio Briatore’s original Lion in the Sun retreat in Malindi, Kenya, with a focus on more open-fire, ingredient-driven cooking, and embracing the idea of a ‘salotto in the sky,’ which translates to a ‘living room in the sky.’
Maison Dali
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Led by Chef Tristin Farmer, Maison Dali blends Mediterranean flavours with Japanese precision in a surreal, Dali-inspired setting, offering brasserie classics with an inventive, cross-cultural twist. The menu spotlights open-fire cooking, fermentation, and in-house dry aging, with standouts like King Crab Ceviche, Lobster Donabe, and Wood-Fired Duck.
MEI
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The team behind SHI and Moli by SHI is bringing the sophistication of Hong Kong and Shanghai’s upscale dining to Dubai at Jumeirah Mina A’Salam. With a focus on organically sourced ingredients and elevated takes on traditional dishes, it delivers refined Chinese cuisine in a sleek, modern setting.
Middle Child
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Chef Lynn Hazim, a middle child herself, decided she wanted to own her fate, and hence was born Middle Child, a restaurant, a cookbook shop and a grocer, but most importantly, a communal space, where you’ll find your family, no matter whether you’re a middle child or not. Beirut-born, Dubai-based and food-first, Lynn spent 10 years at Google before she decided tech was not what she wanted for herself. She wanted giant slices of cheesecake and saucy bowls of Bolognese.
Mr Chow
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With branches from New York to Beverly Hills, Mr Chow is truly an icon of Chinese dining, and has become synonymous with glamour. Its Dubai debut delivers the same theatrical service and signature dishes that have charmed celebrities for decades.
piehaus
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From the team behind 21grams, piehaus at Warehouse 22A, Alserkal Avenue, is Dubai’s new specialty bakery dedicated to Balkan-style pies. Expect golden, hand-crafted pastries filled with savoury and sweet combinations, all rooted in tradition but made for the city’s modern appetite. Visit to sample authentic Balkan pies baked with heart and heritage.
Revolver
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At The Opus, Revolver reimagines Indian flavours with global influences through an open-fire grill concept. At the helm is Chef Jitin Joshi, whose MICHELIN-starred career includes cooking for King Charles III and Team India at Bocuse d’Or. Designed like a theatre, every seat faces the roaring open kitchen, making dining part of the show.
Sip Song Thai
The new eatery and bar is located in Rixos Premium Dubai, JBR, and aside from the flavours, is bottling the colours, chaos and charm of the streets of Bangkok for us Dubai diners to experience, meant to export us to a place of community, connection and electricity, perfect for after-hours dining in the dark.
Sobremesa
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‘Sobremesa’ is a word with no direct English translation, describing the cherished Latin ritual of lingering after a meal – talking, laughing, stretching time into something meaningful. This spot is a resto-bar located in DIFC serving a mix of Spanish and Mexican comfort classics.
Son of a Fish
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Bringing the easy charm of a seaside taverna into a Dubai marina setting, Son of a Fish blends tradition with a modern, free-spirited edge. Think fresh seafood, premium meats, vibrant vegetarian plates and a signature fish display that anchors the dining room with old-school authenticity.
Tattu
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Located at Ciel Dubai Marina, Tattu brings its signature mix of contemporary Chinese cuisine and dramatic design, with a side of skyline views. Inspired by the Black Dragon, the menu spans colourful dim sum, refined sushi, and indulgent sharing plates, guided by Chefs Evgenios Papadimitriou and David Pang.
Tezukuri
The modern temaki and listening bar is brought to you by Chef Neha Mishra of Kinoya fame and Panchali Mahendra of Atelier House Hospitality – two culinary powerhouses coming together for one huge opening. The word ‘tezukuri’ stands for handmade, celebrating craftsmanship, intimacy, and precision, where food, drink, and design come together in perfect harmony. The heart of the experience – the temaki roll.
Three Bros
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Casual, cool, and confidently bold, this buzzy homegrown concept proves that not all memorable meals need to be formal. With hearty dishes and a lively vibe, Three Bros has quickly earned a reputation for being fun, flavourful, and full of character.
YUBI
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Dubai’s first licensed homegrown handroll bar, YUBI is the latest project from award-winning chef Reif Othman. It’s a concept rooted in spontaneity: freshly rolled sushi handrolls passed directly across the counter, paired with Japanese-inspired cocktails. Located in DIFC, YUBI combines the spirit of Tokyo street dining with Dubai’s appetite for trend-setting experiences. Go here for lively nights fuelled by sushi, sake, and social buzz.
Team nom:me’s Picks
Pearl Yan, Editor-in-Chief
In my opinion, the most exciting opening of 2025 is Kraken. It’s a bold move to use over 70% local seafood and ingredients, but I think they’re on the right track when it comes to showcasing the possibilities of sourcing locally. Chef Robin Höfer’s creativity shines in the dishes, and I was especially impressed by the Tom Kha soup made with local blue crab—it’s absolutely delicious! The interior transport you into the deep ocean, while the open kitchen design invites the guests to watch the chefs in action. Mark this spot if you haven’t been already, it’s one to watch.
Karen Heng, Publisher
piehaus. I love the sleek but casual vibes. There’s a sense about the space that makes you want to sit, stay and savour – not just the food but the atmosphere. Also, the phyllo pastry reminds me of a prata (one of my favourite dishes to have for breakfast from home).
Manaal Fatimah, Editor
My pick for 2025 is Girl & the Goose – a love letter to Mesoamerican cooking, brought to you with a passion for highlighting the very best, the very authentic bits of Latin American food. My connection with Chef Gabriela Chamorro, the captain of this ship, goes back to her supper club days, when I dined at her home and fell in love with the light in her eyes as she shared her culture with a table full of strangers. The food was impeccable, and it did not disappoint when we dined at the brick-and-mortar outlet in Downtown Dubai. Flavours that dance, combinations that excite, an ambiance that arrests your attention and the labour of love of the entire team evident in each bite. It’s an unmissable experience.
Zainab Ali, Contributor
My favourite opening of 2025 has to be Carbone. It brings the signature character of classic New York Italian dining to the city with effortless confidence — big flavours, bold portions and a sense of theatre that feels refreshingly unapologetic. From the moment you walk in, it works because it knows exactly what it is: indulgent, nostalgic and impeccably executed, delivering a dining experience that feels celebratory, familiar and thrilling all at once.
Thalia Khreino, Contributor
YUBI on 25 Jump Street was my favorite opening of the year. As someone obsessed with Japanese food, they truly get it right, from the handrolls and wagyu dumplings to the soft serve, everything is delicious. It’s the kind of place that works just as perfectly for a casual afternoon as it does for a late-night bite with friends. The music is always good, the interior is effortlessly cool, and that pink disco ball adds the perfect playful touch to the ambiance. Warm, welcoming, and never uptight, YUBI’s really got it right.
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
