Dining in Dubai is practically a professional sport, and these new restaurants are the ones on the winner’s podium.
Dubai never sits still for long, and the ever-growing dining scene is the undeniable proof.
If you thought the culinary scene had reached peak deliciousness, read on, because there’s another wave of openings arriving to raise the bar, and your AMEX receipts. It’s a mix of sumptuous supper clubs, beautiful waterfront bistros, a date-night upgrade or just a spot for a dinner to catch up with the girls.
Here are 12 of the most fabulous restaurant openings in Dubai that deserve a spot on your table-hopping leaderboard.
The International Champions
CARBONE
New York is famously flamboyant and they have an abundance of dining spots to match, one of which is the Italian restaurant that’s officially arrived in Dubai. Bringing its signature mix of old-school glamour and serious pasta credentials, CARBONE boasts tuxedo-clad servers, a dining room styled after 1950s Manhattan, and a guaranteed delivery of veal parmesan, spicy rigatoni vodka and linguine vongole. The atmosphere is theatrical, nostalgic and unapologetically indulgent. Dress up in your finest as this is the ultimate place to see and be seen.
Open daily 6pm–11pm. Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, carbonedubai.com
Barrafina
London’s legendary tapas counter has finally made its first international appearance in Dubai, and we’re here for it. Known for its lively open-kitchen dining experience, Barrafina serves delicate Spanish small plates that are prepared right before your eyes by their talented chefs. You can expect the same curation in Dubai, with perfectly crisp croquetas, garlicky grilled prawns and silky tortilla española, all designed for sharing over a glass of something chilled. The wine selection is something to shout about. Olé!
Open daily noon–11.30pm. Gate Village, DIFC, barrafina.com
Nobu One Za’abeel
Dubai already loves Nobu and has had a legion of dining devotees for years, but the new location inside The Link at One Za’abeel adds a glamorous new spot and levels the playing field for Japanese competitors. The menu is as expansive as the venue, combining sleek design, skyline views and Nobu’s iconic menu of black cod miso, sushi and inventive Japanese plates. There’s also a lounge, bar and regular live entertainment programme, meaning it’s as much a night-out-and-party destination as it is a restaurant.
Sun–Wed 6pm–1am, Thu–Sat 6pm–3am. One&Only One Za’abeel, nobuonezaabeel.com
Serious In The Style Stakes
TATTU Dubai
High above Dubai Marina, TATTU boasts a dramatic triple-level dining experience inspired by Chinese mythology, no less. The Black Dragon restaurant serves colourful dim sum, sushi and sharing plates, while the White Dragon lounge offers cocktails and skyline views from an outdoor terrace. And if that isn’t enough to whet your whistle, they’ve also added an infinity pool complete with DJ sets, promising a day-to-night experience. TATTU is quickly becoming one of Dubai’s most famously theatrical dining locations.
Sun–Wed noon–1.30am, Thu–Sat noon–3am. Ciel Tower, Dubai Marina, tattu.me
Lion in the Sun
Lion in the Sun had the benefits of being perched at the top of the absolutely stunning Mandarin Oriental Downtown, but it’s also been designed as a glamorous “salotto in the sky”. This means that Mediterranean influences run right through the menu, where open-fire cooking, premium seafood and bold flavours take centre stage – so you should sprint, not walk, to dinner there ASAP. It also had panoramic city views (because doesn’t everyone?) and striking interiors, so the setting feels as iconic as the food.
Open daily noon–2am. Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai
Maison Mer
Fancy a trip to the French Riviera but don’t have cab fare? No worries! Pop yourself down to the sun-soaked Pearl Jumeirah restaurant where this spot channels the relaxed spirit of the European country vibes. Called Maison Mer, the restaurant pairs vaulted ceilings, breezy interiors and Gulf views with a menu inspired by southern France. Yum Yum. Expect dishes like courgette parmigiana, fresh seafood pastas and artichoke starters, all best enjoyed with herb-forward cocktails and plenty of sea air.
Tue–Sun noon–4pm and 5pm–midnight. Pearl Jumeira, maisonmerrestaurants.com
Big Personality For The Win
Cocina Tres
From the team behind Honeycomb Hi-Fi comes a whole new bag of fun: Cocina Tres. This vibrant Mexican restaurant in Business Bay displays right colours, hand-painted tiles and geometric details, the perfect a lively backdrop for dishes like Baja fish tacos, smoky fideo seco and wood-fired seafood specials. The terrace alone is reason enough to visit. Pro tip: dinner professionals head straight to the ceviche bar.
Sun–Thu 7pm–1am, Fri–Sat 7pm–2am. Pullman Dubai Downtown, @cocina_tres
Sip Song
Bangkok energy is legendary, and some of that has been cooked, bottled and shipped over to the UAE’s JBR in the form of Sip Song, a playful Thai restaurant celebrating signature flavours. The menu revolves around twelve key Thai ingredients – but don’t expect anything boring here. The curation transforms classics into bold, punchy dishes with lashings of flavour. We recommend for long lunches and late-night bites; it’s a colourful new addition to Dubai’s Thai dining scene.
Mon–Thu 2pm–1am, Fri–Sun 1pm–2am. Rixos Premium Dubai JBR, sip-song.com
Middle Child
Located in the trendy district of Alserkal Avenue, Middle Child blends restaurant, cookbook library and foodie hangout into one creative space, and we’d expect no less. Chef Lynn Hazim focuses on an elevation of traditional comfort food, which is served at a communal table beside an open kitchen, giving it a community vibe. The shelves are stacked with cookbooks and there’s a gourmet pantry corner tucked away enhancing the quaint and cosy vibes.
Wed–Sun 12.30pm–10pm. Alserkal Avenue, @middlechildmiddlechild
Coastal Dining All-Stars
The MAINE Beach House
Dubai-born favourite The MAINE has expanded with a stunning beachfront venue at Club Vista Mare. The resto is inspired by the laid-back coastal dining from New England, complete with lobster rolls, a variety of fresh seafood, hearty grill dishes and sweeping views of the Palm. It’s designed for everything from long lunches to sunset dinners by the sea, and has been a best-seller hangout since it opened in its other locations.
Open daily noon–midnight. Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, themaine.ae
Son of a Fish
This Greek-inspired restaurant at Dubai Harbour combines relaxed taverna vibes with modern design. Son of a Fish focuses on fresh seafood, premium meats and vibrant sharing plates, served in a bright dining room that opens onto a terrace overlooking the marina. DJs and late-night energy keep the atmosphere buzzing.
Open daily noon–2am. Dubai Harbour Bay, sonofafishdubai.com
Chef-Led Heavyweights
Tezukuri
Sushi lovers, this one’s for you. One of Dubai’s most exciting new openings, Tezukuri is a minimalist but intriguing Japanese hand-roll bar where chefs prepare temaki to order. And it’s definitively fast food, as dishes will be passed across the counter within seconds. The dark, cinematic space reflects Tokyo’s late-night dining culture, while a hidden speakeasy bar, where creative cocktails alongside vinyl soundtracks promise an absolute vibe.
Tue–Sun noon–midnight. Opera Grand Courtyard, Downtown Dubai, @tezukuridubai
