As Dubai is the place where east meets west, you can also find culinary experiences from all across the globe there. Asian and Arabic cuisines are especially popular in Dubai restaurants. The Lebanese cuisine is one of the most highly praised middle eastern cuisines, so if you have to opportunity it’s worth try it out in Dubai. We made a list of the most impressive restaurants in Dubai. Dining in Dubai is especially fun as the best restaurants not only provide you with a great dish, but also with a great view. It is recommended to make a reservation when you plan to visit a restaurant in Dubai so you’re ensured of a table. We handpicked the top restaurants in Dubai where dining truly is a complete experience.
Al Nafoorah is considered one of the best lebanese restaurants of Dubai. It is located in Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on the The Palm Jumeirah. Inside it looks like a traditional arabic atmosphere fit for a king, with a high ceiling and beautifully decorated walls. The restaurant offers generous portions of traditional lebanese food. And it has a friendly staff that’s more than willing to help you. When you are in Dubai and wish to taste some exotic quality foods you’ll be in good hands here.
The restaurant Abd Al Wahab serves the rich lebanese cuisine with for example traditional mezze and tasty grilled lamb with exotic spices. The restaurant has a terrace with front row seats overlooking the Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa. Both the view of the fountain show and the great atmosphere make it a very memorable place to dine.
Amaseena is a restaurant that’s entirely arab-themed. It’s an outdoor restaurant with a nice beach view near the Palm Jumeirah, located in the Ritz-Carlton hotel. You can find delicious variations on traditional arabic food, which in Dubai consists of lamb chops, salmon, quality desserts, salads and other delicacies. It has a delightful ambiance as you eat your meal in Bedouin tents while enjoying live music and even belly dancers. This restaurant is one of our guilty pleasures.
Zengo is a Japanese restaurant, but has a wide variety of dishes. It caters to every taste with dishes like sushi, sashimi, shrimp tempura, salmon, wok dishes, lamb and beautifully charcoal grilled food like spare ribs. The restaurant has a sleek and luxurious feel to it yet retains a certain comfortable charm. The restaurant has a great view over palm trees and the gulf from both inside and the rooftop terrace, with it’s own terrace bar, where you can dine under the romantic starry sky. The restaurant is in a prime location at JBR next to the Palm Jumeirah, inside of the Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa. The restaurant is very suitable for romantic dinners with your partner.
Zheng He’s is an authentic Chinese waterside restaurant, where you can get an aromatic rich pallet of flavour from Dim Sums, noodles, Beijing Duck, Kung Pao Chicken, beef and more in generous portions. Inside the restaurant has a delightful positive vibe, while outside it has a terrace where you can dine with a charming view over the canals of Jumeirah, palm trees and the Burj Al Arab. The restaurant is behind the Souk Madinat so it’s a great place to sit down and dine after a long day of shopping.
Pai Thai is an authentic waterside Thai Restaurant, where you can get for example wokked dishes with tender smoked duck, fried prawns, chicken curry, marinated beef and mussels. To set the mood you can get brought to the restaurant by a traditional abra boat ride over the canals of Jumeirah. The restaurant has a warm Asian theme to it, but it also has a waterside terrace where you’ll be surrounded by the canals and beautiful characteristic Dubaian wind towers that define Jumeirah. This restaurant is family friendly and located near Souk Madinat.
Asado is a vibrant Argentinian grill restaurant, which means it offers mouthwatering dishes for every who can appreciate a perfectly juicy beef steak from an open grill, seabass, goat and other delicate meats. The restaurant also prides itself for its wide array of Argentinian beverages. Indoors the restaurant has an informal and cozy vibe to it carrying the Argentinian spirit, while outside you can enjoy a background of the Dubai fountains and the Burj Khalifa.
Prime 68 is an American Steakhouse offering divine steaks of premium cuts. The service in the restaurant is also excellent with a friendly and helpful staff. The restaurant itself has a modern and luxurious feel to it. One of the most distinct features of this restaurant is that it’s on the 68th floor of the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai. It offers a spectacular skyline and top view over the city, which is one of the reasons why we certainly recommend a visit. The restaurant is especially well suited for romantic dinners.
Chamas Churrascaria and Bar is a Brazilian grill restaurant. People who enjoy marinated skewered meat with lamb, beef and chicken can enjoy the authentic flavours of Brazil here. The restaurant creates a friendly, warm and intimate atmosphere in this paradise for meat enthusiasts. Having dinner here with live latin music makes a satisfying experience and a delicious evening.
Pierchic is an exclusive Mediterranean seafood restaurant and they aren’t afraid to show it. It can be reached by walking down pier off the coast of Madinat Jumeirah . The picturesque restaurant is on the ocean surrounded by water and has an impressive view of the coastline of Dubai. The menu is filled with seafood classics, like poached lobster, oysters, caviar, sea bass, but also with for example wagyu beef. It’s quite magical to enjoy a dinner at sunset here.
Al Hambra is a Spanish restaurant that serves fresh seafood. A menu of various paellas, tapas, calamares, tortillas, entrecotes and other distinctly Spanish specialities which you can enjoy with a nice sangria. The atmosphere of the restaurant is casual and family friendly. You can also sit outside and enjoy your meal with a tranquil view of the Madinat Jumeirah area, it’s canals and the Burj al Arab.
A hidden gem in Dubai is the 101 Dining Lounge and Bar which can be found at the One & Only The Palm resort. This modern restaurant is located at the edge of The Palm Jumeirah and can be reached on foot, but it might be easier to take a taxi or boat. The restaurant offers an unique view to admire of the coastline of Dubai at the height of the Dubai marina. The menu contains mostly seafood, salads and Spanish cuisine, with paellas and tapas, but also a few charcoal barbecue dishes.
Bateaux Dubai is a dinner cruise that offers a quality three course dinner a la carte. The air conditioned boat has a spacious feel to it as the boat has large glass windows on all sides giving you an excellent view of Dubai on all sides. You can find this restaurant at the Dubai Creek. Seeing Dubai with this spectacular moving view while enjoying your fresh meal is a great experience.
Al Hadheerah is a hidden desert oasis where guests can enjoy a wide range of authentic dishes under the starry sky while being entertained with thrilling exhibitions of Arabian heritage. Expect live entertainment of music and dance, horse and camel shows, while enjoying middle eastern cuisines and traditionally seasoned grilled meat. It’s quite apparent they put a lot of effort into making you feel like you’re in a thousand and one night setting. It takes a bit of a journey to reach Al Hadheerah as it’s located in the desert at the Bab Al Shams Resort and Spa beyond the Al Maktoum International airport, but the extravagant experience is very worth it.