The only guide you need for the new year
From plant-based pioneers to wellness cafés and MICHELIN Green Stars, these are Dubai’s top spots for feel-good dining without sacrificing flavour.
Avatara
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This one-MICEHLIN-starred vegetarian restaurant is redefining plant-based fine dining in Dubai. Helmed by chef Rahul Rana, Avatara offers an intimate 16-course degustation inspired by his childhood in Rishikesh. There’s no onion or garlic here, yet the flavours are deeply layered, nostalgic and precise. Expect storytelling with every plate and a dining experience that quietly challenges everything you think you know about vegetarian food.
Bounty Beets
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Pink walls, playful slogans and genuinely good-for-you food have made Bounty Beets a breakfast favourite. Located at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi (with a second outpost in Garhoud), the café serves vegan-friendly pancakes, power bowls and hearty plant-forward lunches alongside matcha, cacao coffee and spiced teas. Bonus points for dog-friendly terrace seating.
Cassette
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Part Parisian bistro, part creative hub, Cassette sits in Al Quoz’s arts district serving crowd-pleasing comfort food with a healthy edge. Expect speciality coffee, acai bowls, eggs Benedict and vegan-friendly dishes in a beautifully designed space that feels as good as it looks. It’s relaxed, photogenic and consistently reliable.
Common Grounds
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A Dubai staple for wholesome, globally inspired food, Common Grounds balances nutrition and indulgence with ease. With locations in DIFC, Mall of the Emirates and JBR, the menu ranges from vegan tacos and smoothies to hearty breakfast bowls and baked goods. It’s approachable, unfussy and always satisfying.
Comptoir 102
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Healthy eating meets Parisian elegance at this boutique café in Jumeirah. The menu leans heavily towards organic, vegan, raw and gluten-free dishes, with a daily-changing set menu that prioritises zero waste. Portions are generous, flavours are clean and the philosophy is refreshingly uncompromising.
Heal
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Set inside a converted villa on Al Manara Road, Heal is a calm, community-driven café with excellent coffee and an all-day menu for every appetite. Light-filled interiors, cosy corners and a curated boutique make it just as suitable for working as it is for lingering lunches. There’s even a dedicated kids’ menu.
Kulture House
Part café, part concept store, part art space, Kulture House feels like stepping into a beautifully curated home. The menu is compact but creative, offering dishes like labneh shakshuka, jalapeño eggs Benedict and a popular Asian ‘chick-shroom’ burger. Save room for dessert — the baklava cheesecake is a standout.
Lowe
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Hidden away in Al Barari, Lowe is one of Dubai’s most exciting restaurants — and one of its most sustainable. With a Michelin Green Star and a menu driven by local produce and zero-waste principles, the food is bold, inventive and deeply satisfying. Breakfast is particularly strong, blending Australian influences with Middle Eastern flavours.
Paus
More than just a restaurant, Paus is a full wellness destination offering yoga, Pilates, spa treatments and padel courts alongside its tranquil eatery. The menu features healthy comfort food — from chai French toast to mezze platters and curry leaf pesto pasta — designed for refuelling and recharging.
Planet Terra
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A plant-based neighbourhood gem in The Greens, Planet Terra serves creative Mediterranean dishes free from refined sugars, GMOs and artificial ingredients. The space is bright, bohemian and filled with greenery, while the menu impresses with dishes like turmeric pasta lasagne, cauliflower steak and kimchi pad Thai.
Seva Table
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Formerly Life n’One, Seva Table remains one of Dubai’s most beloved vegan destinations. Hidden behind Magrudy’s in Jumeirah 1, the café feels like a peaceful retreat, complete with a garden, wellness shop and yoga space. The fully plant-based, gluten-free menu ranges from eggless omelettes to indulgent banana bread French toast — nourishing, playful and deeply comforting.
Teible
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Located at Jameel Arts Centre, Teible is a Michelin Green Star restaurant focused on seasonal, farm-to-table dining. The ever-evolving menu champions local produce, minimal waste and thoughtful simplicity. Expect beautifully executed plates, an artisan bakery and waterfront views that perfectly complement its understated, eco-conscious ethos.
Image credit: @sevatable 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.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
