Dubai

Less picturesque since it got a permanent building instead of the old container where the kitchen was located, Bu Qtair is still one of the most popular restaurants in the city: the choice of dishes is limited to marinated grouper or breaded shrimps with spices that are eaten on paper plates. For more than 20 years, Haroon Rasheed and his family from Kerala have been delighting the whole of Dubai, from fishermen to tourists and expatriates, with their products from the day's catch

Protected 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.

Two levels below the public observation platform, at 408 meters high, and accessed by a private elevator, this is the most perched dinner in the city. At noon, it's breathtaking and if you can, choose this option rather than the traditional climb. In the evening, you can't see anything very specific. On the menu, there is a choice between seafood, meats imported from Japan and internationally inspired dishes. It's very expensive, but when you're in the highest restaurant in the world, how can you not be tempted?

Opened in 2003, in the heart of the maze of the historic district, it is a charming shady patio located in the most arty-fanatic guest house of the neighbourhood. One can stop there at any time to take a break either for the best lemon mint in town, or a salad or a burger such as the eggplant, tomato, cucumber and feta burger. A chance to discover this unique establishment, which pays tribute to the country's heritage and is both an artistic centre and a place to stay. Its interior architecture is typical of the houses in the area.

Unique of its kind in Dubai, all words weighed up, because we're not talking here about an air-conditioned beach-resto with a few tables on the terrace, but a large deck laid out on the beach between the palm trees, naked, in flip-flops. Shimmers is a table in Bermuda shorts, under the palm trees and in the wind, just like you'd find on the beach at Pampelonne with the DJ in front of his turntables. In the evening, we tuck into the sun while smoking a double-apple hookah, watching the lofty profile of the nearby Burj Al Arab on the right and the Pierchic on the left, before enjoying a light dinner.

In the context of a reconstructed souk and knowing that the number one objective is to be able to get the best seats for the fountains and the Burj Khalifa, the Little Wise Guy offers you a selection of the best placed restaurants in the souk. Either on the first floor: on your right, Bice Mare (Italian marine) and the Lebanese restaurant Abdel Wahab. On the first floor, on the right, Sammach (and its fish stalls) and on the left, Meat&Co.

The 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.

One 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.

This 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.

On 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?

Feel 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.

Here 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.

Located on a small fishing port, Seaview offers very fresh seafood, and with good reason: it has a boat that is licensed to fish and provides supplies. Everything that is offered here comes from the fishing of the day: Several kinds of fish, shrimps, squid, sometimes crabs, depending of course on the season and the luck of the fishermen. You choose what you wish to have on your plate, the method of cooking (sautéed, grilled, tandoori or steamed), the possible sauce (garlic, butter, lemon, spices) as well as the accompaniment.

Parisians know his logo and his lifestyle. Founded by Parisian Emmanuelle and her husband Hervé, everything is cooked home-made, organic, without waste, gluten, soy, lactose, added sugar, additives or chemicals. Everything is good for your health and good for the Earth. The decoration is trendy bio-design. The concept fits very well in the Alserkal district, which is offbeat and trendy like the customers who frequent the place and is therefore a perfect break between two galleries. As a detox cure, try the Rehab Shot.

Meat and Co has one of the most beautiful terraces in the souk that offers a complete view of Burj Al Arab. On the menu and given the name of the restaurant there will be no surprises: it is the festival of meat from Australia, New Zealand, America and Japan. The accompanying sauces are unsurprisingly béarnaises, barbecue, peri-peri, and even roquefort. For vegetarians, the chef has (a little) thought of you with his little cheese platter. Reservation is essential to guarantee a table on the terrace.

Perched, as its name suggests, on the 68th floor of the second highest hotel in the world, the Prime 68 offers a breathtaking and panoramic view of the city. The restaurant is chic and cosy and perfect for a romantic dinner. On the menu, meat lovers will be in seventh heaven as the offer and the quality of the meats on offer are exceptional! Those who don't eat red meat can rest assured: fish, lobster and chicken are also on the menu. An address to admire the city, an alternative to the Burj Khalifa. Correct dress is required.

Overlooking the Creek, this is a refuge between land and water, a stone's throw from the golf course whose futuristic clubhouse adorns the AED 20 bills. Several restaurants of different styles offer a variety of culinary experiences in a wide range of prices. Boardwalk offers Mediterranean cuisine, Casa de Tapas offers a youthful atmosphere, Lakeview a sublime terrace, Jones the Grocer a menu of trendy Italian bistro dishes, and Qd's a shisha lounge in a lounge atmosphere.