A venue for every mood
DIFC isn’t just Dubai’s financial centre — it’s the city’s hottest dining postcode. From world-famous Japanese icons to Mediterranean favourites and sultry late-night hangouts, this is where Dubai comes to eat properly. Here are the top spots worth booking, dressing up for, and lingering over.
Amazónico
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Loud, lush, and unashamedly fun. Amazónico takes you on a Latin American–meets–Amazon jungle ride with sushi, ceviche, robata and electrifying nightly performances. Upstairs, Paraíso turns things up with DJs and late-night energy.
Avli by tashas
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A love letter to Athens with breezy Mediterranean energy and a menu that celebrates Greek warmth and generosity. Sophisticated but laid-back, Avli is where you gather for long lunches, beautiful plates, and that transportive ‘holiday in the Med’ feeling.
BB Social Dining
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Playful, bold, and brilliant for groups. BB Social Dining delivers modern Asian sharing plates — bao, bowls, barbecue, and plenty for vegans — at a refreshing price point in DIFC. The spiral staircase and rooftop terrace give it a stylish, neighbourhood feel.
BOCA
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A homegrown hero with a MICHELIN Green Star and a serious commitment to sustainability. Modern Spanish dishes, a fantastic wine cellar, a buzzing bar, and ever-changing art make BOCA one of DIFC’s most distinctive, thoughtful dining rooms.
Bombay Borough
Indian flavours, reimagined. This chic spot blends nostalgia with modern techniques, serving inventive plates, clever cocktails, and a vibe that’s equally suited to after-work drinks or leisurely weekend meals. The Indo-chic interiors are some of the prettiest in Gate Village.
Bull & Bear
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On the 18th floor of the Waldorf Astoria DIFC, this refined steakhouse delivers European dishes, flawless service, and skyline views. Great for business lunches, Sunday roasts, or a polished dinner with grown-up energy.
Carnival by Trèsind
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Whimsical, creative Indian cuisine that blends nostalgia with modern presentation. Expect storytelling, playful plates, and flavours rooted in tradition but designed for today. Always memorable, always a little unexpected.
CLAP Dubai
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A fine-dining Japanese favourite with wow-factor views and a rooftop terrace that feels made for long Dubai evenings. Expect modern Japanese flavours, an open kitchen full of theatre, and three distinct spaces — plus Ongaku, the hidden speakeasy where things get a little louder. The Omakase is the move for serious diners.
Daftar
A playful, contemporary take on Indian comfort food inspired by office culture and chai-break nostalgia. Think familiar flavours with twists, a sociable energy, and dishes designed for sharing. It’s fun, casual, and full of personality.
GAIA
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A Dubai staple that feels like the Mediterranean brought to DIFC. Co-created by Chef Izu, GAIA serves Greek-Mediterranean classics that are soulful, simple, and beautifully executed. Whether you’re tucked into the Chef’s Table or lingering at the bar, this one always hits the mark.
Hutong
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Award-winning Northern Chinese flavours in a moody, red-lit dining room with one of the best terraces in DIFC. Known for its fiery Sichuan dishes, craft cocktails, dim sum deals, and late-night DJ sets — Hutong never disappoints.
Il Gattopardo
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High above ICD Brookfield Place, Il Gattopardo brings Mayfair glamour and classic Italian cooking to the Dubai skyline. Perfect for business lunches, aperitivo hour, romantic dinners, and late-night DJ-led nights.
Josette
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A dreamy Parisian escape infused with golden light, floral elegance, and a playful sense of theatre. Modern French dishes meet whimsical charm, making it ideal for long lunches, celebrations, and beautifully dressed evenings.
La Niña
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A glamorous exploration of Iberian and Latin American flavours, served in one of the most dramatic dining rooms in the district. Think Portuguese tiles, refined comfort dishes, bold flavours, and a terrace that becomes livelier as the night goes on.
La Petite Maison Dubai
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A timeless French-Mediterranean institution where elegance meets energy. Expect iconic dishes, a standout wine list heavy on rosé, unforgettable cocktails, and that unmistakable LPM buzz. It’s refined, radiant, and still unmatched.
Shanghai Me
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A glamorous ode to Pan-Asian dining with Chinese heritage and Japanese precision. Elegant, vibey, and perfect for groups who want a seamless mix of great food, music, and atmosphere. The private dining room is a showstopper.
Sexy Fish
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If maximalism were a restaurant, this would be it. Japanese-inspired bites, outrageous interiors, showy cocktails, and a globally loved brand that knows how to put on a night. It’s glitzy, glossy, and perfect when you want dinner to seamlessly turn into a party.
Sucre
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From Buenos Aires to DIFC via London, Sucre elevates global brasserie dining with Latin flair and French inspiration. Warm, stylish interiors matched with plates that balance comfort and sophistication.
The Guild
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A multi-concept brasserie-style destination inside ICD Brookfield Place. Choose between The Aviary, Rockpool, The Salon, or The Potting Shed — all under one roof. Expect New York brasserie vibes, live DJs, seafood, steaks, and an atmosphere that builds as the night goes on.
Zuma
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The DIFC icon. Contemporary Japanese cuisine, buzzing bars, world-class hospitality, and an atmosphere that’s become a Dubai institution. Still one of the hardest reservations in town — with good reason.
Image credit: @gattopardodubai on Instagram
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.
