Whether it’s dinner in a colossal aquarium, under a star-filled desert sky or in the depths of Old Dubai’s Spice Souk, Dubai’s dining experiences go beyond the ordinary.
From its extravagant architecture to ultra-luxury hotels and nightlife, Dubai doesn’t do things halfway. And this extends to its culinary scene. The city is home to one of the world’s most competitive dining scenes, with each restaurant doing its best to go above and beyond. It might be an afternoon tea led by a world-renowned pastry chef, or a traditional Arabic dinner with a side of belly dancing – whatever it may be, gourmands everywhere will be dazzled by Dubai’s food scene.
Read on to discover which Dubai spots to add to your culinary to-do list.
Discover Dubai
The Royal Tearoom with Christophe Devoille
Housed within Atlantis The Royal, this tearoom serves up an unmatched high tea experience. There are two variations available: the Signature Afternoon Tea or the Emirati Afternoon Tea. The latter focuses on Arabic homemade sweets: luqaimat (sweet fried dumplings), khanfaroosh (fried doughnut bites) drizzled in local honey, and halawet el jibn (sweet cheese and semolina rolls) with rosewater and pistachio. And to wash it down with? Rich and dark Arabic coffee. You can also enjoy more than 30 varieties of tea and 16 different homemade pastries including croissants, brioches and danishes created by chef Christophe and his team.
Mimi Kakushi
Find this 1920s Japanese-inspired diner in the Restaurant Village at Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach. The sultry space is low lit and bedecked with textured wallpaper, lush greenery and warm timbers. On the menu is an extensive selection of classic Japanese flavours, from tuna sashimi to truffle miso soup, tiger prawn tempura and oven-baked sweet miso marinated black cod. No time for dinner? Pop in for brunch every Saturday or Sunday from 12pm to 4pm for exquisite bites bundled with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink packages.
Ariana’s Persian Kitchen
Taste the flavours of Persia at celebrity chef Ariana Bundy’s kitchen located on the ground level of Atlantis The Royal. The restaurant is reminiscent of an Arabian palace, with pastel hues, gilded light fixtures, intricate arches and a high domed ceiling. Dishes like such as rosewater sea bream, pistachio soup and watermelon, cherry and feta salad push the boundaries of the expected, while traditional Persian plates using ingredients like rice, meat, nuts and fruits like dolmeh barge mo (yellow split peas and ground beef wrapped in grape leaves) for example, wouldn’t be out of place in a local Persian home kitchen. The dress code is smart casual and reservations are recommended.
Al Hadheerah
For a night of Arabian theatre, traditional flavours and an open-air desert setting, look no further than Al Hadheerah in Bab Al Shams Desert Resort. Live cooking stations sizzle with flame and spice, and serve up grilled seafood, melt-in-your-mouth shawarma and premium steak cuts. Dancers, musicians, falconers and camel riders add a sense of wonder. Cap off the evening with a sweet treat, from mixed baklava to Turkish delight and basbousa (syrup-soaked semolina cake from Egypt). Dress in smart casual or UAE national dress is welcome. Reservations are recommended.
Ossiano
Discover a fine-dining experience unlike any other at Ossiano, located at Atlantis, The Palm. The restaurant boasts one Michelin star and has chef Grégoire Berger at the helm. The restaurant’s setting is another drawcard; Ossiano features huge floor-to-ceiling windows that look into the hotel’s aquarium with its 65,000 marine residents. Take a seat at your white-clothed table and watch as stingrays, sharks and tropical fish glide past. The menu changes seasonally but is always seafood-leaning. Expect some of the world’s finest caviar, Tarbouriech ‘pink’ oysters with a shallot vinaigrette, or Maine lobster thermidor with asparagus risotto. Come dressed to impress, the dress code is strictly smart elegant. Reserve your table well in advance to avoid missing out.
Old Dubai Spice Souk
It may not be a restaurant per say, but if there’s one thing every keen foodie should do when visiting Dubai, it’s visiting the Spice Souk in Old Dubai. Here, the air is perfumed with spices and a wander around the stalls reveals pyramids of earth-coloured sumac, pure and ground saffron, and fire-red paprika at spice stalls. You’ll also find Arabic teas, incense, rose petals, dried fruits and sheesha pipes. If all this shopping has built up an appetite, discover a handful of local eateries including traditional Indian cuisine at Bhatkal Restaurant or Middle Eastern cuisine at Al Forat Restaurant – both under a 10-minute drive from the Spice Souk.
Feature image: Ariana's Persian Kitchen, Atlantis The Royal.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out Where to Stay & Play in Dubai.
