RAVI RESTAURANT
Read moreThis great Pakistani restaurant, is one of the institutions of Dubai and therefore it is always full, especially in the evening. Decoration is simple: plastic tablecloths, paper place mats, and neon light, so it's best to refrain for a romantic dinner in a hushed setting with subdued light. Watch out for the address! Due to its success, Ravi has been copied in recent years and many restaurants with the same name have opened in the city! Try haleem and nihari, traditional Pakistani dishes. A real treat!
SONARA CAMP
In the desert, this super camp offers a refined and zen decoration, just ...Read more
OSSIANO
Read moreThe table of the largest hotel (in size) in Dubai is in the middle of the aquarium. Everyone can admire the sharks and rays while leafing through the marine delights offered by Chef Gregoire, products that are necessarily noble and elegant. Facing this hypnotic aquarium, a little out of time, in the reflection of ancient life, one experiences a romantic dinner for a delicious meal where each dish is a work of art... A unique experience, a classic of Dubai, which does not disembark. The silverware signed Idriss B is both elegant and very original.
SHANGHAI ME
The Art Deco version of Asia, the atmosphere is electric, the music divine ...Read more
MAZMI CAFÉ
Read moreOne of the nicest places in Bur Dubai to have a coffee, a snack or a lunch. An Italian woman, Ilaria, married to an Emirati, Mohammed Al Mazmi, opened this charming place on the waterfront in the textile souk. The decoration is particularly successful, both inside and outside. Beautiful books that reflect the tradition and heritage of this neighborhood are available inside! As for the menu, it is simple and good with some dishes with Middle Eastern accents and good salads. The ice creams are delicious.
NINIVE
Read moreIt's the hottest restaurant in Middle Eastern cuisine. The cuisine of Iraq, Turkey, Morocco are in the spotlight and to showcase a superb terrace that awaits you in front of the financial center and the towers of Downtown. You will be comfortably installed on one of the sofas, in the oriental fashion, almost a bivouac in the desert, except for the resolutely occidental music. We recommend the place for an aperitif at sunset time to take a few mezze, a cocktail in one hand and your scented shisha in the other.
PIERRE'S BISTROT & BAR
Cast off at Pierre's for a great travel souvenir. There's nothing like it ...Read more
L'OLIVO AT AL MAHARA
Read moreThis restaurant is wrapped around a giant aquarium, somewhere underground, with no windows offering natural light. Then there is this room in two parts, one red and the other blue. Then, the menu with two menus and simple proposals. Here are oysters, lobster carpaccio, scallop ravioli, cod confit, red mullet with fennel, in short, a selection from the marine bistro in Fréjus. For dessert, the chef explodes with creativity with crêpes Suzette and a chocolate-banana tart.
THE FARM
Read moreA little outside Dubai, we take the road to this restaurant as we take the road to the countryside. Indeed, The Farm is an oasis of greenery in the middle of the desert, enjoying a large garden, various water points, and lush vegetation. The atmosphere is resolutely zen and everything is done to make you relax. In the plate arrive beautiful portions elaborated from local and organic products for the most part and it is possible to add or remove ingredients, to make a dish more to one's taste. A gourmet and exotic visit!
NOÉPE
Read moreOn the podium of the beautiful terraces, this one is in the top 5! At the forefront of this chic hotel in Dubai, facing the triple white yacht decor of the marina and the Creek, treat yourself here to a super stylish yet very cool getaway. Wide Havana teak parquet floors, sofas and light-coloured hangings make up a space suspended in the soft air. It's impossible to believe that the airport runways are only 2 kilometres away. And why leave when Dubai offers you the intoxicating mirror of Monegasque harmonies, mixing elegance, nature and good things?
AL DAWAAR
Read moreFeel like dining in a revolving restaurant with a panoramic view? You've come to the right place! This restaurant at the Hyatt is the only revolving restaurant in the city and its view from the 25th floor is quite stunning even if you can only see the skyscrapers from a distance as the restaurant is a bit off-centre. We recommend that you go there at lunchtime to see the work being done on the coast in particular. The international buffet offers a variety of options from Europe and Asia and there is something for everyone, but without too much fantasy.
EATALY
Read moreThis huge Italian grocery store divided into several parts offers the opportunity to shop while having the possibility to eat. At the entrance, the café is suitable for a quick break where you can sip your "Illy" espresso with a pastry. On the sides, there are several stalls to eat on the go, including one dedicated to the famous spread. The restaurant, located at the back of the store, offers all the classic Italian dishes as well as a special menu for truffle dishes. No view. Its duplicate also exists at Festival City Mall.
SHAKESPEARE AND CO
Read moreA good address of the famous chain of restaurants to eat simple dishes or pancakes at low prices, on the terrace, facing the fountain show. What more could you ask for? A table in front of the show maybe... But for that, you have to arrive early! To be smart or not to be... Note : the possibility of smoking a good shisha during the show, for the amateurs. Beware! there are two Shakespeares in Dubai Mall: one, inside, in front of the Galeries Lafayette, the other one, the one we are talking about, in the souk al Bahar!
BAYT AL WAKEEL
Read moreProtected by the Heritage Department, the building, which dates from 1935, was the first trading centre in the city, serving as the headquarters of the Gray-McKenzie trading company. The low-ceilinged rooms are decorated in the traditional style. In this fairly typical and cool setting, the kitchen served is simple and unpretentious, but appropriate. A good address when visiting the museum and the souk, especially since restaurants are rather rare in this part of town. The wide shaded pontoon over the water is very popular.
TWIGGY BY LA CANTINE
Read moreTwiggy is an oasis in the heart of the Park Hyatt's green setting. This restaurant, with its breathtaking view over the Creek, is one of the city's chic and trendy spots. A zen atmosphere around the pool and Mediterranean cuisine with a French twist, this restaurant is often sold out. After Cantine du Faubourg and Ninive, the group's third restaurant is a great place to enjoy lunch away from the noise of the city. You can also spend the day relaxing by the pool.
LITTLE MISS INDIA
Read moreThe decor of Little Miss India will transport you to colonial India and thanks to the hostess of the place, the imaginary Mohini Singh, you will travel in her culinary universe. In reality, the chef regularly travels to old Delhi from where he returns with a suitcase of herbs and spices, which only the spice souk has the secret of mixing. The result is an electric, joyful and exotic atmosphere, just like the colourful truck on the restaurant's terrace. A festival of flavours for an authentic Indian cuisine.
LANA LUSA
Read moreThe best Portuguese restaurant in Dubai, where tradition and authentic flavors meet. With decor reminiscent of Lisbon taverns and a menu packed with delicacies such as "Bacalhau a Brás", this restaurant promises a unique culinary experience. The restaurant also offers options for vegetarians and those with specific dietary requirements. Celebrate the richness of Portuguese traditions with themed evenings featuring Fado melodies performed by local artists, wine tastings and cultural events.
VIETNAMESE FOODIES
Read moreLocated in the residential area of Jumeirah Lake Towers, this restaurant is a success. It was founded by Lily Hoa Nguyen and all the chefs and sous-chefs are also Vietnamese. They offer tasty and healthy traditional cuisine. Beverages including Vietnamese coffee and tea are not left out. For vegetarians, large menu. Vietnamese Foodies is widely frequented by expatriates and is often sold out. A very beautiful address, not very touristy, which will require a little effort to get there.
MIRAN ERBIL IRAQI
Read moreWelcome to Baghdad! Established since 1973, this Iraqi family has earned an unshakeable reputation thanks to the quality of its preparations. Inside, a huge covered barbecue is used to prepare the great speciality of the house, the Iraqi style Maskouf: a large freshwater fish cooked on the barbecue, vertically for more than 45 minutes. If you want to taste it, you have to order it in advance. Otherwise, the kebabs are exceptional and tender thanks to the fat from the sheep's tail which has been added to the preparation: divine!
VIVALDI BY ALFREDO RUSSO
Read moreIt is a restaurant mostly frequented by expatriates. Its big asset is its terrace on the Creek, in a quiet area, and it is therefore the ideal place for a romantic lunch or dinner with a superb view of the Creek and Dubai in a fresh setting, bright during the day and dimmed at night. Vivaldi is an Italian restaurant with a beautiful menu prepared by the starred chef Alfredo Rousso. The dishes are traditional with a touch of modernity and a contemporary presentation. Not to be missed: the sunset on the Creek!
ANAS CAFETERIA
Read moreIt is in the middle of the souk Naif, while strolling one evening that we found on a small square this bouiboui opened in 1988. It is placed there a few meters from the mosque and it offers only terrace tables. We are closer, moreover, to the street food than to the restaurant. A very hot shawarma, a karak, dishes to eat on the spot or to take away without fuss. A full restaurant all the time, especially in the evening. The ideal break when you have bags full in your hands, when you have walked for miles in this maze and between two negotiations!
DIFC RESTAURANTS
Read moreThe Dubai International Financial Centre, a nest of banks and investment companies, also presents a different, more festive, gourmet face, in a highly successful New York-style setting. Good value addresses include Cafée Bateel, Au Bon Pain, Caffé Nero, Al Mandaloun (hookahs), Yo Sushi and its electric train, More and Starbucks. The best time to go is at lunchtime, so you can admire the surrounding towers at the same time: a lovely stroll along the tempo City, neck-and-neck at lunchtime with traders in striped suits.
BUSSOLA
Read moreLa Bussola is a safe bet. The restaurant has a large terrace overlooking the park and the sea, a fine trattoria, and a giant pizza bar with a straw hut feel on the second floor. On the first floor, you can enjoy pasta or almond ice cream in a more intimate atmosphere, while upstairs, the tables resound and the Italian records twirl. A beautiful address. It is a perfect restaurant for weekends in dolce vita mode. The upstairs terrace is so well ventilated that even when it starts to get hot, it remains pleasant.
ARMANI AMAL
Read moreOn the third floor of the Burj Khalifa, you'll find this bar with the famous label. It's as if you're in a time-space tunnel as you step out of the elevator and the notes of music begin to rise. Then, caught up in the saffron light, we find ourselves before two instrumentalists in a ceremonial harmony. Are they holograms or real musicians? A captivating, dreamlike approach, the prelude to a gourmet Indian dinner in a room with a clever contemporary accent. Tapas are a pleasant option. Beautiful terrace.
ZAROOB
Read moreZaroob is translated into French as : "Small alley". And the idea is to recreate the small stalls found in the streets of Levantine countries, and all those small street vendors. In this theatrical atmosphere, with its trendy counter, its street art with metal sheets and tags, the restaurant offers a small menu with specialties from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt: Pitas, falafels, shawarmas, hummus and crazy mezzes. A relaxed atmosphere with a regional touch: a good address for small budgets, and for the others!
ZAATAR W ZEIT
Read moreHere is the Lebanese fast food chain, created more than 20 years ago and which has more than 20 outlets in the Emirates. It offers fresh and healthy products and it will especially avoid you to consume macglobalized trans fats. Phoenician wraps for the digital generation based on markouk cooked on the rounded saj. We like the decoration, the very contemporary and bold logo. It's quick and easy before leaving when you want to eat well and as quickly as possible. They are present everywhere in Dubai and especially in shopping malls.
EWAAN RESTAURANT
Read moreThe skewer is at its price, but what a frame! We are in the sumptuous garden of the hotel, right on the axis of the Burj Khalifa, on the edge of the lake. Arab tents welcome guests in the summer, blue swimming pool and hookahs available. A small treasure to be visited without hesitation even for a simple drink with tapas. Outside, it's at the nearby Argentinean restaurant Asado that you can trust to manage the grill area where succulent pieces of meat are served, and don't forget to keep a small place to try the desserts.
SIRAJ
Read moreThis restaurant offers Emirati and Middle Eastern specialities, with most of the produce used grown organically and produced locally. The décor plunges you into a Middle Eastern atmosphere, with the 7 arches symbolically representing the 7 emirates. Poems by the ruler of Dubai decorate the walls. The atmosphere is subdued, and the quality of the dishes impeccable. An outdoor terrace offers a partial view of the fountains. A fine local address for a break just a few steps from Dubai Mall.
BLUE WATERS
Read moreIt can be reached either by car or by taking the pedestrian bridge that connects the Marina to BlueWaters and the huge wheel. Many food trucks are present and restaurants are starting to set up, leaving the terraces with sea views while others are located inside the streets that make up the island. Most of them are international brands. We recommend the cafes in the shopping area of BlueWaters with sea views, especially at sunset.
TORNO SUBITO
Read moreIn a playful decoration that evokes the atmosphere of the Riviera of the 1960s, the three-starred chef Massimo Bottura signs his first restaurant outside Italy in a relaxed atmosphere with a touch of sophistication. The terrace is one of the most beautiful on the Palm, with a clear view of the Marina. The same spirit can be found on the plate: all the classics of Italian cuisine are brilliantly prepared with top quality products. So, as its name indicates, we only have one desire: to return there quickly!
THE LONDON PROJECT
Read moreIn terms of decoration, we don't know where to set our eyes: on the Ferris Wheel in Dubai or on the skyscrapers of the Marina or on the interior decoration which mixes in a baroque spirit, butterflies, plants and paintings. We are in the eclectic atmosphere of London. We start with a homemade brewed gin and prepare it while listening to our waitress's instructions. We are amazed by the presentation of the cocktails. The menu reflects the decoration and the spirit of the house: colourful and international. The coffee "Shaken macchiato" is a must.
AL HADHEERAH DESERT RESTAURANT
Read moreHere is the festive reenactment of a Bedouin camp, an opportunity to spend an exotic evening in the open air. The "village" established 300 meters from the hotel is surrounded by palm branches and turrets. Souk, camels, dancers. The buffet offers typical and very varied Arabic dishes, mainly rotisserie. To fully enjoy the show, you can sit at the central tables, but be careful, the noise level is very high. It's kitsch, but it pleases a lot.
SALMONTINI
Read moreThis fish restaurant is run by Jo, a Lebanese from a fishing family in Byblos. He opened his first salmon restaurant in Beirut in 2001. In 2006, he inaugurated Salmontini, a restaurant specializing in home-made smoked salmon. But you can also order sushi. Jo also proposes you to taste the entrecote steak "Saint-Germain des Prés de Paris" with its secret sauce. Finally, the restaurant offers you a unique view of the Dubai ski slope. Something to feast your eyes as well as your taste buds. A classic of the district.
MIZMAH EMIRATI RESTAURANT
Read moreThe setting, in an Arab-contemporary style, is a tribute to this warm and mysterious Orient that is so good at catalyzing fantasy. It is beautiful! Located in the heart of the Grand Mercure Airport, the brand new place is an ode to the local culinary heritage, which is best discovered by opting for dishes to share, such as the Saloona, a very aromatic local stew. For dessert, you'll love the date crumble served with saffron milk for digestion.
THE BEACH HOUSE
Read moreAs its name suggests, the restaurant lies on the beach facing the only stilt villas in Dubai - powerful catalysts for Maldives-style beach living. A DJ mixes on sunny days and the terrace, full of people, has a trendy atmosphere at lunchtime, more romantic in the evening. We come especially for the cool atmosphere, the pleasure of swallowing a homemade pizza without leaving our sarong, sharing a truffle burrata salad or a seafood platter. The room at the back is like a veranda, but it would be a shame not to take advantage of the proximity of the water.
BISTRO DES ARTS
Read moreA little air of Paris on the Marina with this lovely bistro. It is a unique place in Dubai, with a typical Parisian bistro décor and a superb terrace on the Marina promenade, the latter being hidden enough to hold the famous liquor license - for what would a Parisian bistro be without a selection of French wines? The atmosphere is relaxed. You come first for an aperitif and to share a board or a pissaladière. Then we gladly continue the evening with a menu of quality traditional dishes with a variety of flavours.
LA FABBRICA ITALIANA
Read moreBringing Italy to Dubai: that's the ambition of the founders! The concept is simple, with just three perfectly mastered specialties: focaccia, burrata and tiramisu. Ancestral recipes, top-quality ingredients in a refined, minimalist setting, with exceptional taste results. At the helm of the kitchen is Chef Davide, originally from Milan, who has teamed up with his uncle Maurizio Galbiati and his wife Karam. To be enjoyed on site, or why not take away for a picnic on Jumeirah 1 beach.
THE HAMPTONS CAFE
Read moreWith a name like that, this café couldn't make its home anywhere else but on the very chic Jumeirah Beach Road! Inspired by the beautiful vacation homes of wealthy New Yorkers on Long Island, this three-story café-restaurant serves delicious breakfasts, both sweet and savoury, and makes its own pastries, including the inevitable date pudding! The refined decoration gives the place a relaxed atmosphere that gives the impression of being at a friend's house rather than a restaurant. It is also a must for a brunch.
QWAIDER AL NABULSI
Read moreSomewhat removed from the tourist sites of old Dubai, this Jordanian restaurant, which has been established since the 1960s, is well worth the detour. The speciality not to be missed on the savoury side is the falafel mahshi: a large falafel filled with a spicy paste, sumac and onions and don't hesitate to take it as a sandwich. On the sweet side, it is the kunafa, this typically Arab pastry made with cheese and angel hair, dipped in syrup and perfumed with rose water. A hearty menu at a small price that will suit even vegetarians.
BETAWI CAFÉ
Read moreIf it is true that locating the place is a bit of an orienteering race, this very small Indonesian restaurant is nevertheless a real find. The manager and his team are careful to explain the menu to the novices of Indonesian cuisine and all the nasi goreng and other gado gado are served generously and spiced as it should be. The decoration of the room is sober, but pleasant with eight big white tables spotted in wood. The clientele is Asian and expatriate. This restaurant is often full on weekends
AL REEF LEBANESE BAKERY
Read moreLocated in the popular al-Karama district, Al Reef Bakery sells one of the best manakish in the city. This Lebanese snack, widespread throughout the Middle East, is a flatbread on which zaatar, Akkawi cheese or minced meat is spread before cooking it in a brick oven; an ideal snack to be quickly satiated while feasting. Don't be surprised to see the cars stopping and the driver hailing the waiter to get served directly in his car. A mythical place in Dubai.
AL MALLAH
Read moreOn the corner of a busy street, in the district of tailors and cloth merchants, Al Mallah has been delighting passers-by for almost forty years. It all started with a modest juice bar until it became a reference in this neighborhood. Today, the Lebanese restaurant serves classic dishes such as falafel, manakish, grilled meats and mezze, but it's the shawarma that has made it famous and for which it's most popular. According to Time Out Dubai magazine, it is one of the best in the emirate!
INKA
Read moreOn the 31st floor of the Sofitel, right in the middle of the Burj Khalifa and the hustle and bustle of the Downtown district, Inka is a Peruvian-inspired restaurant, intimate and warm in size, with an elegant Art Deco style interior. Light and fresh cuisine based on traditional Peruvian recipes, revisited and dusted off by Lima's native chef Christian Motte. For a cocktail with a panoramic view or a few Latin dance steps, head to the bar-lounge next door, hushed, glamorous, swaying like a salsa and lascivious like a tango.
BREAD STREET KITCHEN & BAR
Read moreThe "warehouse chic" style of the London gastro-pub of the same name is repeated, with checkerboard floors, brown leather and polished wood. In the cooler months, tables are also set outside in the tranquil garden, where lunch is served under the frangipani trees. The menu offers classic British dishes, remarkably prepared using quality seasonal produce, all at very reasonable prices.
RIVERLAND
Read moreBuilt around a 1 km long artificial river and divided into four thematic areas, the central area of Dubai Parks & Resorts links the different parks together and is accessible to all. With a multitude of restaurants and cafes set in street recreations of 1930s India, 1950s America, medieval France, and 19th century Europe, Riverland has something for everyone. Please note: most establishments have a liquor license.
RUE ROYALE
Read moreThe Rue Royale restaurant is a direct inspiration of the mythical Mère Brazier, who lived on Rue Royale in... Lyon. Whether you are inside in the retro-contemporary atmosphere or on the terrace overlooking the sea and located in front of the Atlantis hotel, the decoration of the establishment is very successful. On the menu, the French classics such as scallops with lemon confit and green pepper or pikebread with lobster sauce as in Lyon are revisited. The presentation is refined and refined and everything is delicious. Be careful, no alcohol!
GOLDFISH SUSHI & YAKITORI
Read moreLocated in the heart of a small, chic shopping mall in the Jumeirah district, this nugget is frequented by locals and well-informed expatriates alike. It's best to arrive early or very late to hope for a table in this restaurant, which offers a small room inside, a small terrace outside and inside the mall. The quality of the food on offer is exceptional, and its reputation is growing all the time.
TOM & SERG
Read moreTom & Serg is the meeting of Tom, an Australian chef, and Serg, a businessman from Madrid. Two and a half years later, they opened this café in the industrial district of Al-Quoz, wanting to make their (very good) coffee and healthy, quality food accessible to all. Good food at an affordable price in a large space with a waxed concrete floor reminiscent of a Brooklyn loft. During the week, it's full at lunchtime! A children's menu is offered with a playroom upstairs.