DUBAI’S HOTTEST RESTAURANTS
No longer has a desert outlier, Dubai earned a well-deserved post on the global epicurean circuit. With a hefty catalogue of celeb-chef offerings, each restaurant featured here is not simply somewhere to eat, but a destination for stunning décor, amazing views and unforgettable culinary experiences. The mouth-watering options in this gourmand gateway are as diverse as they are bountiful, from traditional Middle Eastern feasts to exquisite sushi, over-the top seafood spectacles and contemporary Peruvian delicacies.
Enigma
You never know what you’ll get at this shapeshifting spot - and that’s the point. Tucked inside the gilded Palazzo Versace Dubai hotel, Enigma rethinks its entire menu, chef and concept every three months. The set menu offers a palatable peek into what Enigma truly can offer, so it’s safe to say that even with this much shorter journey you’ll enjoy some rather exceptional food.
At.mosphere Burj Khalifa
It's hard to miss the Burj Khalifa ! Book the 122nd-floor private dining room at the world’s highest restaurant inside the world’s tallest building for an unparalleled experience.
The 12-seat jewel box here affords jetliner views of the city along with world-class foodie fusion. High tea in the lounge is also an extravagant undertaking, where pastries are stacked to the sky and a Champagne cocktail is flecked with real gold. There's wasabi roots from Japan, Australian Wagyu beef, lobster and more, all offered alongside suggested wine pairings.
Zuma
The beauty of Zuma is that it is luxuriously unfussy, specializing in the Japanese Izakaya style of dining, in which food is served to share. It combines the classic Japanese dishes with bold, intense flavours and an emphasis on simple presentation acquired through quality ingredients. The multilevel space in the downtown draws a beautiful crowd with its vibrant bar scene, Izakaya style small plates and inventive sushi, informal yet sophisticated style of eating and drinking, with a contemporary twist.
Play Restaurant & Lounge
A restaurant that opened with an air of exclusivity, this new "Mediterrasian" eatery takes the two cuisines and puts together dishes to stunning effect. With serious kitchen pedigree (Zuma’s former toque Reif Othman oversees the 40 chefs on staff) and art deco–inspired décor has shot to the top of every must-eat list. Snag a table near the 36th-floor windows of the Hotel and order Black Cod Two Ways (teriyaki-skewered and Spanish croquette–inspired) or the Pita Surprise, a wagyu-draped pita shell that drips with truffle butter. An exclusive private dining space, Reif’s Room, will soon join the big-night fun.
Amaseena
Haunting music from Arabic oud and table players - along with the occasional belly dancer - drifts through this tented village, set up each evening on the seaside grounds of the Ritz- Carlton. A vast, alfresco caravan of regional masterpieces from Syrian chef Rami Almaket (you’ll crave his spiced lamb and secret-recipe chicken shawarma) have been luring in-the-know locals and exalted guests for more than a dozen years.
Coya
Peruvian plates are having a moment and this contemporary Incan den more than exceeds the hype with its ceviche counter, traditional anticuchos and fiery grilled meats. The Pisco Lounge, inspired by the oldest bars in Lima, stocks a library of infused brandy and has quickly become one of the most coveted cocktail lairs in the city.
Pierchic
What could be sexier than supper at sunset, floating over the Arabian Gulf? Perched on the edge of a pier at the Al Qasr Madinat Jumeirah resort, this elegant seafood showcase is considered the most romantic hideaway in Dubai. Soak in the dramatic views of the Burj Al Arab and the shoreline while sharing a finest seafood menu.
La Petite Maison
It’s rare to find consensus when anointing the best restaurant in town, but top tastemakers in the Emirate (and several “best in the world” lists) point to LPM as the unrivaled victor. A spin-off of the famed French Riviera brasserie, this beautifully appointed bistro serves unfussy Niçoise fare. Think escargots in garlic butter, tuna carpaccio, burrata and scrambled duck eggs.
Grosvenor House destination
Secure one of the private, wood-screened dining nooks, decked out with glass lanterns, for more-intimate refined dining. It is setting the benchmark very high for luxury. Overlooking the exclusive Dubai Marina, the two iconic 45-storey towers offers quite an architectural statement whilst ensuring impressive views of the Arabian Gulf. The 13 stylish bars and restaurants are the talk of the Dubai social scene. Out of the 13 restaurants Indego by Vineet is absolutely unique and sophisticated.
Indego by Vineet
With two Michelin stars up his sleeve, Chef Vineet Bhatia seriously elevates modern Indian in this celebrated and richly ornamented indoor- outdoor
EauZone
A floating wooden dock snakes its way over turquoise pools, delivering you to your red-striped tent at this retreat along the shore of the lush One & Only Royal Mirage resort. A winding walkway over the pool shows the way into the restaurant where there is a casual bar and a glamorous, striped poolside marquee deck.
Underwater Dining
Dubai’s reputation for splashy meals may be unrivalled, but two restaurants take that conceit to dizzying depths. Outlaw’s at Al Mahara, officially opening this fall inside the Al Arab Jumeirah hotel, and Ossiano, at Atlantis, The Palm, both serve sumptuous, white-tablecloth seafood against the backdrop of floor to- ceiling aquariums stocked with marine life.
Al Nafoorah
The terrace of this secluded oasis at the Jumeirah Emirate Towers is one of the best places to order authentic Lebanese fattoush salad, lamb kibbe and mixed grill - among the most tempting cuisine in the Middle East. The impeccable hospitality is only enhanced by the team of belly dancers swirling by.
Private Chefs
For true indulgence in the City of Gold, try a custom feast whipped up in your own hotel suite. Dubai’s ChefXChange keeps an exclusive Rolodex of private cooks to feed your cravings. Scroll through their epicurean masters, like top-rated Chef Maxime, who specializes in BBQ and French cuisine, or Chef Vanessa, who prepares Caribbean and Italian bites.
All Pictures Taken from Google.