What better place to entice your palates with some Arabian flavors than Dubai?
The city of Dubai undeniably has one of the most booming tourism industries in the world with people of various cultures and ethnicities visiting as well as settling in this attractive city.
Along with this large influx of people, the food options of the Emirate have skyrocketed. From Arabic street food to high-end Michelin star dining, from Indian to Japanese cuisines, tickle your tastebuds at this flavorful city.
Here is a list of the best fine dining restaurants in Dubai:
Traditional Emirati Cuisine
The traditional Emirati cuisine is also known as the local Arabic cuisine which is native to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Dubai Emirati cuisine, owing to its intermingling of cultures, blends features of Omani cuisine and Saudi Arabian cuisine within itself.
Here are some great options where you can explore the best Arab restaurants in Dubai.
1. Al Khayma
This well-known restaurant in Dubai’s historic Al Fahidi district is part restaurant and part museum.
Incorporating true Emirati culture in their dining experience, they offer live freshly cooked bread and live music with the serving staff dressed in traditional Emirati attire and a cultural expedition around the Dubai deserts.
The fresh, fine food this restaurant offers has also earned it a Bib Gourmand title by the Michelin Guide.
2. Al Fanar
The Al Fanar restaurant, whose oldest outlet rests in the Dubai Festival City Mall, seeks to revive the taste of authentic Emirati culture with original Arabian flavors.
Also, don’t forget to try out Harees while enjoying the rustic ambience of Al Fanar with their old style interiors which acts as a mini-museum for visitors seeking the unparalleled experience of pre-modern Dubai.
The restaurant’s interiors reminisces the dinner places in Dubai when it was just a small town on the Arabian Gulf shore.
3. Arabian Tea House
For the beverage lovers who wish to get the refined taste of the Arabian tea and coffee will surely enjoy stopping by the Arabian Tea House in the Al Fahidi Historical District of Dubai.
Known for its quaint ambience of old Arabian teahouses, it offers a variety of teas and coffees made using the flavors of various herbs and spices, along with their must try lamb dishes and salads.
Unwind and refresh yourself in this leisurely spot for original Arabic beverage flavors.
International Cuisines
With only 15% of Dubai’s population being Emirati, the city is bound to be bursting with diverse flavors due to the plethora of other cultures coherently constituting the city’s census.
There are many multiple multinational cuisines available if you’re missing the taste of home, or want to savor tastes from around the world.
1. Zuma Restaurant and Bar
Zuma at the International Financial Centre is a Japanese cuisine fine dining restaurant in Dubai.
It serves contemporary Japanese must try dishes like sushi, sashimi, and salad along with a great view of the Burj Khalifa.
The ambience of this restaurant emphasizes the luxurious Dubai, with private dining areas for corporate and social events.
2. Le Petit Maison
This French restaurant offers fine dining with a Mediterranean touch to it. Inspired by Riviera cuisine, this restaurant’s menu consists of delicacies from Southern France sprinkled with elements from Ligurian Italy. Also located at the International Financial Centre, making this another Dubai’s restaurant with a view of the cool skyscrapers nearby.
Seafood Delicacies
Thanks to its extensive coastline, Dubai offers a vast range of seafood delicacies that you should definitely try during your visit! Seafood lovers can choose from so many different options ranging from crab to squid to salmon. Here are some of the best seafood restaurants you can find in Dubai.
1. Ibn Al Bahr
Ibn Al Bahr is one of the best restaurants in Palm Jumeirah. Located in Club Vista Mare, this restaurant offers the taste of flavourful Lebanon in their seafood. All of their seafood is fresh and priced by the kilo.
2. The Scene
The Scene by Chef Simon Rimmer offers classic British cuisine with a retro pub and grub twist.
Offering the best food in Dubai Marina, this quick-bite restaurant offers an incredible view while indulging in scrumptious British style seafood.
3. Bu Qtair
Want the best seafood on a budget? Head over to Bu Qtair in Jumeirah for some delicious, but affordable seafood options packed with flavor.
You might encounter quite the queue at this restaurant, but only because it’s so popular, which speaks volumes of the quality of food there.
Drinks and Nightlife
The nightlife at Dubai is vibrant and active, especially on the weekend, which is on Friday and Saturday. Dubai is home to some well renowned bars and nightclubs, so if you intend to have a fun night of drinks out in Dubai, here are a few places for you.
1. Hard Rock Cafe
The renowned Hard Rock Cafe is one of the DFC restaurants and is an experience to remember. With a stage for live performances and some delicious food and cocktails, Hard Rock Cafe provides the perfect ambience for simple night outs and parties.
2. Belgian Beer Cafe
This vintage style bar will offer a beautiful seaside view while you sip on classic Belgian beers. This bar in Crowne Plaza, Dubai, also offers live music entertainment while you enjoy your chilled drink.
3. Qube Sports Bar
The Qube Sports Bar in Dubai offers the perfect environment for any pool enthusiast. Enjoy the match while indulging in a game of pool and savoring your drink. Don’t forget to try their popular Mexican food items.
Desserts and Sweets
Arabic cuisine desserts are a charm, with bursts of sweet flavor from dates, nuts, honey and dairy. Indulge in the guilty sweetness of these dessert stops that you mustn’t miss!
1. Al Samadi Sweets
The Al Samadi Sweets shop established in the 1970s in the Al Muraqqabat street has been serving a variety of delightful Arabic desserts. Some of their best desserts include maamoul (spiced date cookie) and bukaj (a cashew nut-stuffed baklava pouch).
2. Bachir Ice Cream
This sweet, frozen sticky Lebanese gelato is available at Zaroob in Jumeirah Towers. It comes in many organic flavors including rose, melon and milk. But the most beloved would be the achta one with whipped cream and pistachios.
3. Kunafa at Firas Sweets
A unique Arabic dessert, kunafa, is found at Firas Sweets in the Al Hudaiba building. It consists of a sweet, melted cheese interior with a fried vermicelli exterior served with spiced sugar sauce or rose water. This Arabic delicacy is definitely worth a try!
Food Festivals and Exhibitions
1. Dubai Food Festival (DFF)
The Dubai Food Festival is a gastronomic event which lasts about two and a half weeks where various chefs, restaurants and cooks come together for a culinary extravaganza.
The extensive array of dining delights here expands over a large number of iconic Dubai venues for a one of a kind food festival experience. You’ll be able to find the best street food restaurants in Dubai as well as renowned Michelin star meals right in the same place during this festival.
2. Global Village
The Global Village is a grand cultural exhibition that takes place in Dubai annually between October and April. Here, shops, stalls, food stops and pavilions selling items, hailing from a range of different world cultures are sold.
You can find authentic street foods from different countries at these stalls, some of which are prepared live in front of you. The Global Village visit will be a delightful experience for all foodies who love to try new cuisines and dishes!
The diverse food scene at Dubai gives it the apt name as the ‘melting pot’ of multiple cultures. Treat yourself to the diverse, delightful cuisines and allow the food lover in you to explore the feasts, and rest in the best vacation rentals that it offers.
FAQs
Q: What are the best vegetarian restaurants in Dubai?
A: Some of the best vegetarian restaurants are My Govinda’s, Avatara, Rasoi Ghar, Moreish, and many more.
Q: What are the best romantic restaurants in Dubai?
A: Some of the best date night restaurants in Dubai are Thiptara, Pai Thai, Zuma, Bombay Bungalow, and many more.
Q: Which cuisine is famous in Dubai?
A: While meat, Rice, and Fish are popular, Al Harees, which is their traditional food, is a highly recommended dish to try.
Q: Which location in Dubai has the best restaurants?
A: Most of the popular restaurants are located in Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina which offers a scenic view of the architecture.
