Unmissable dining experiences that define Dubai
Dubai dazzles first-time visitors with its skyscrapers and souks, but nothing embodies the city quite like its dining scene. From beachside grills and old-school kebab houses to sky-high fine dining and experimental gastronomy, these are the restaurants that will give your guests a memory worth the airfare.
Al Ustad Special Kabab
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No visit to Dubai is complete without a meal at Al Ustad Special Kabab. As you walk in, the walls, covered in photographs of the late founder with a staggering number of celebrities and public figures, tell a story of a place beloved by all. The no-frills setting and friendly, family-run service are part of its charm. The star of the show, of course, is the food, incredibly tender, perfectly seasoned kebabs, particularly the kabab khas and the fragrant joujeh kabab. Paired with a generous helping of saffron rice and fresh bread, it’s a taste of authentic, old-school Dubai that simply can’t be missed.
Arabian Tea House
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If there’s one place that can slow a visitor down in a city that runs on hyper-speed, it’s Arabian Tea House. Tucked inside the historic Al Fahidi District, the courtyard feels like stepping back in time. The Emirati breakfast platter is a must-try, with a piping cup of karak to wrap things up.
At.mosphere
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There’s no escaping it. If your guest is visiting Dubai for the first time, they’ll likely want to see the Burj. At.mosphere, on the 122nd floor, is the way to do it without joining the tourist crush at the observation deck. By day, the view stretches across the desert to the edge of the Gulf, by night, it’s a glittering circuit board of lights. A good strategy is to book for late afternoon and stay through till sunset when the city changes from gold to neon beneath you.
Bait Maryam
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Dubbed as ‘your home away from home’, this restaurant by Chef Salam Daqqaq is designed to evoke a cosy, family-like atmosphere, featuring rustic decor and a genuinely welcoming ambience. It’s the kind of place that has earned accolades from the MICHELIN Guide not just for its food, but for its outstanding service. The menu features timeless recipes and Levantine dishes, cooked with a lot of love. Visitors who think of Dubai as transient and flashy will leave with a different impression here.
Boca
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When it comes to Dubai’s sustainable dining scene, BOCA stands out as a true leader for its unwavering commitment to local, seasonal ingredients. Its menu is a testament to this, featuring dishes that showcase fresh produce from local farms, seafood from the Arabian Gulf and even native desert plants.
The atmosphere is stylish but relaxed, perfect for a casual lunch, a lively dinner, or drinks after work. You can expect a creative take on classic European tapas with a focus on Spanish flavors. For a meal that’s both delicious and ethically conscious, BOCA offers a unique and memorable experience for any first-time visitor.
Bu Qtair
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Bu Qtair is one of the most authentic dining experiences you can give a visitor. A former fisherman’s canteen by the Jumeirah harbour, it still operates in the same way: point at the catch of the day, have it deep-fried or curried, and eat it hot with parathas while sitting on plastic chairs. Pro tip, it’s cash-only, often packed, and you’ll probably have to wait but the payoff is exceptional seafood.
FZN
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This 27-seat restaurant is the creation of globally celebrated Swedish chef Björn Frantzén. The experience is intimate and multi-faceted, beginning with canapés and aperitifs in a Scandinavian-inspired lounge. The main event takes place in the dining room, where guests are seated around a magnificent open kitchen to watch the chefs’ meticulous, choreographed artistry unfold. The menu is an inventive nine-course tasting menu that masterfully fuses modern European and Japanese techniques, showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients.
Gerbou
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Gerbou’s menu is a celebration of Emirati heritage, featuring classic dishes such as chicken machboos and thareed, elevated with contemporary techniques by Head Chef Ionel Catau. They even use an outdoor underground pit for cooking, which infuses their dishes with a distinctive smoky flavour. More than a meal, Gerbou offers a journey through the UAE’s culinary past and present, all within a stunning setting filled with custom-designed art and furniture.
Krasota
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Krasota is unlike any other restaurant on this list because it’s as much an art installation as a dining room. Seating only 20 guests per show, Krasota merges haute cuisine with breathtaking 360-degree visual projections playing around a circular table. Each tasting menu is a masterpiece crafted by renowned Russian chef Vladimir Mukhin, with dishes intricately linked to the visual narrative unfolding around you. The shows, with names like “Imaginary Art” and “Imaginary Future,” take diners on a creative exploration of different themes, from the works of legendary artists to futuristic scenarios.
Mama’esh
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Mama’esh serves Palestinian delicacies baked in wood-fired ovens. The atmosphere is laid-back, communal and affordable, which is part of why locals love it. Their portions are generous and the ingredients, including Palestinian olive oil and organic flour, are top-notch. With its friendly, neighbourhood vibe and incredible aroma of fresh-baked bread, Mama’esh is a perfect, affordable introduction to the rich and soulful flavours of Palestinian cuisine.
Moonrise
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On the rooftop of a nondescript building in Satwa, Moonrise is one of Dubai’s most unexpected fine dining experiences. The brainchild of young, homegrown talent Chef Solemann Haddad, Moonrise is a love letter to Dubai’s multicultural identity, with a tasting menu that expertly blends Middle Eastern flavours with Japanese techniques. Moonrise is a testament to the city’s innovative spirit and a must-visit for any serious foodie.
Orfali Bros Bistro
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When it comes to the cutting edge of Dubai’s culinary scene, Orfali Bros Bistro is an unmissable destination. Located in the bustling Wasl 51 neighbourhood, this is not a traditional restaurant but a bistronomy concept run by three talented Syrian brothers with a menu that blends traditional Levantine flavours with a global, cosmopolitan flair. Expect playful and inventive small plates that are as visually stunning as they are delicious, such as the “Come with me to Aleppo” kebab or the savoury umami eclair.
Ossiano
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Ossiano is a bucket-list destination for an aquatic fine-dining experience that is truly unique. Located within the iconic Atlantis, The Palm, this restaurant is unlike any other, with its dining room submerged in the resort’s massive Ambassador Lagoon aquarium. Guests descend a grand spiral staircase and are immediately transported into a mesmerising underwater world, where sharks, stingrays, and countless other marine animals swim past the floor-to-ceiling windows. The food is a stunning a la carte or multi-course tasting menu with the finest seafood and coastal-inspired ingredients.
Ravi Restaurant
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Ask ten Dubai residents where to send a visitor for a truly impeccable, no-frills meal and nine of them will recommend Ravi. This Pakistani restaurant in Satwa has been running since the 1970s and hasn’t changed since. The menu is packed with classics but you can’t go wrong with their signature curries like mutton handi or chicken tikka with a side of their freshly baked tandoori roti to scoop up every last bit of the rich gravies.
Seafood Market
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Seafood Market is a time capsule from the 1990s and that’s exactly why it belongs on this list. Guests choose live fish, lobster, or crab from tanks, then decide how they want it cooked, grilled with house-made sauces. The result is a personalised, perfectly prepared meal that is as fresh as it gets, offering a delicious and interactive experience unlike any other.
Image credit: @moonrise.xyz 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.
