These new dining spots will take a pizza-your heart!
One thing’s for sure: Dubai’s dining scene is always buzzing with fresh, new eateries!
Every month, the city unveils a slew of exciting new spots, and we’re thrilled to see the F&B landscape expand (and expand and expand).
From trendy sushi joints to chic Italian bistros, there’s no shortage of fantastic places to check out where time fries.
We’re on a roll with 10 of the best newbies on the scene…(we promise the puns will stop).
- Osteria Funkcoolio
Dubai’s beloved chef Akmal Anuar has just launched his latest culinary gem at the new La Mer hotspot, Port De La Mer. Say hello to Osteria Funkcoolio, an intimate Italian restaurant with a twist, seating just 30 lucky guests.
Osteria Funkcoolio isn’t your typical Italian eatery. It’s all about blending Italian cuisine with the finest Japanese ingredients. Expect the unexpected here, with innovative dishes like burrata with frozen tomato, salmon carpaccio with truffle salt, and beef tartare kicking off the menu.
The pasta game is strong at Funkcoolio. Try the tajarin pasta with chicken ragu, egg yolk, and white truffle, or the agnolotti stuffed with ricotta, scrambled eggs, and burnt butter sauce. And don’t miss out on their unique pizzas. Besides classics like Margherita and pepperoni, you’ll find adventurous options like spicy duck with Sriracha and shrimp with aji amarillo.
Open Wednesday to Monday from 3pm to 11pm at Port De La Mer, Jumeirah 1. Follow them at @funkcoolio.
- TATEL Dubai
TATEL is the new hot spot for Spanish cuisine with a global twist, located in Downtown Dubai’s Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection (formerly VIDA Downtown Dubai). This place not only serves up delicious food but also keeps the vibe lively with entertainment throughout the week.
Their menu features Mediterranean classics with a modern flair, like Spanish omelettes enhanced with truffle and la Milanesa de TATEL topped with sous vide egg and grated black truffle. Step into a 1920s speakeasy atmosphere, complete with live music on weekends and DJs spinning tunes during the week.
The venue boasts a lounge with a Prohibition-era-inspired bar, a dining area with views of an open kitchen, and several private dining spots for a more intimate experience. If you’re exploring new dining options in Dubai, make sure TATEL is at the top of your list.
Open daily from 7pm to 2am at Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection, Downtown Dubai. For more details, visit tatelrestaurants.com/dubai or call (04 215 2121).
- Aretha
Brought to you by Rikas Hospitality Group, Aretha isn’t your average live music spot. This place is a time machine straight to the Jazz Age of the swinging Sixties and soulful Seventies, often hailed as ‘the golden age of music.’
Aretha isn’t just about the retro vibes. This venue channels the Roaring Twenties with its restaurant and lounge setting. Expect to be wowed by classic dishes like Dover sole meunière, wagyu beef Rossini, and grilled rock lobster. And let’s not forget the seafood extravaganza featuring caviar and oysters. Aretha promises a feast for your senses—sight, sound, and taste.
With plush seating, gold accents, and glittering chandeliers, the venue exudes jazz-era elegance. Regular live entertainment will keep you grooving all night.
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7pm to 3am at St. Regis Gardens, The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm – Palm Jumeirah. Follow them at @arethadubai.
- Lana Lusa
One of our favourite Portuguese spots, Lana Lusa, has found a fabulous new home at the Four Seasons Private Residences on the Dubai Canal.
Moving from Wasl 51 to this swanky location marks a new chapter for Lana Lusa, promising a more refined and elegant dining experience.
To celebrate the stunning new space, Lana Lusa has expanded its menu to offer a wider range of Mediterranean flavours. You’ll also find a special ‘Portuguese Heritage’ section, featuring recipes inspired by founder Jessica Kassim Viveiro’s grandmother.
Open Monday to Thursday from noon to 1am, and Friday to Saturday from 9am to 1am. Visit Four Seasons Private Residences Dubai, Jumeirah 2, or check out lanalusa.com (04 380 1515).
- JUYI Restaurant & Lounge
JUYI Restaurant & Lounge in Dubai is the ultimate destination for dining and nightlife, combining a nightclub, live entertainment, and exquisite dinner all in one place.
The name “JUYI,” meaning “drink and chill,” reflects the venue’s laid-back yet sophisticated vibe, where guests can indulge in fine Japanese cuisine.
While JUYI is a hotspot for nightlife, it also offers a unique afternoon tea and shisha experience, blending British leisure with an Arabic twist.
Open daily from noon to 3am at the Paramount Hotel, Business Bay. For reservations, call (04 267 7888).
- Showhouse
From the creative minds behind Asia Asia, Lock Stock & Barrel, and Wavehouse, get ready for The Showhouse—a dazzling new dinner and show experience featuring French-Mediterranean cuisine and spectacular live performances.
Located at the InterContinental Dubai Marina, The Showhouse takes over the former Koyo space. Hidden behind an unassuming door in a concrete car park, this venue is quirky and full of surprises, celebrating everything theatrical.
The à la carte menu boasts starters like burrata, prawns with olive oil and tarragon, chicken liver and foie gras parfait, and beef tartare. For mains, enjoy wild mushroom and truffle tagliatelle, baked seabass en papillote, ragu confit de canard, and fillet steak with dauphinoise potatoes.
Prices are AED 395 (silver), AED 495 (gold), and AED 545 (VIP). Open Wednesday to Thursday from 7pm to 1am, Friday from 8pm to 1am, and Saturday from 1pm to 5pm and 7pm to 1am. Find The Showhouse at the InterContinental Dubai Marina. For more details, visit solutions-leisure.com/showhouse.
- Cielo
Nestled in the sparkling new FIVE LUXE JBR, Cielo—Italian for “sky”—is your go-to spot for a full day of dining and fun. From sunrise to midnight, this Mediterranean gem has you covered from breakfast all the way to dinner, with plenty of pizza to satisfy those cravings.
Feast on delicious fare while soaking in breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf, the Dubai Eye, and the iconic Palm Jumeirah.
Open daily from 7am to midnight at FIVE LUXE JBR, The Walk JBR. For more info, check out luxejbr.fivehotelsandresorts.com.
- Ronin
If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine, Ronin is going to become your new favourite hangout. Nestled in the trendy FIVE LUXE JBR and helmed by the renowned chef Sin Keun Choi ‘SK,’ known for his award-winning culinary chops, this spot serves up gourmet sashimi and rolls with a playful twist.
Open nightly from 7pm to 2am at FIVE LUXE, The Walk, JBR. Dive into more details at luxebr.fivehotelsandresorts.com.
- Alba
Perched at the Dubai Opera Plaza, Alba is an Asian-European dining destination that blends influences from China, Japan, and South Korea with a Mediterranean touch.
Crafted by chefs Vladimir Chistyakov and Minho Ted Shin, the menu dazzles with dishes like scallops crudo, beef yuk-hwe, uni truffle with caviar, and Wagyu maki with foie gras. The interiors are a visual feast too, boasting a stunning cherry blossom tree and captivating Asian art.
Swing by daily from 6pm to midnight at Dubai Opera Plaza, Downtown Dubai. For more info, call (04 575 3297).
- Bisou
Here, Middle Eastern flavours waltz with French cuisine to create mouthwatering delights like Foie Gras terrine with apricots and dates, and tahini with yuzu black caviar.
The fusion of these culinary cultures is inspired by the romance between a French librarian and an Arabic poet, a theme reflected in the décor with literary touches sprinkled throughout the space.
Crafted by chefs Vladimir Chistyakov and Alexander Loshinin, this unique dining experience offers a literary twist.
Open daily from noon to midnight at Dubai Opera Plaza, Downtown Dubai. Follow them at @Bisou.
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