Where to Eat in Dubai
36 restaurants in Dubai
Dubai's dining scene stretches far beyond what you'd expect from a beach resort city. Whether you're after Michelin-caliber cooking or street-level authenticity, there's serious food happening here. The restaurant landscape pulls together influences from across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia—so you can move from traditional Emirati heritage cooking to contemporary French in an evening.
Fine dining anchors take up plenty of space: places like Ossiano deliver the full tasting-menu experience, while Seafire Steakhouse and Bar and ORFALI BROS RESTAURANT represent the high-skill end of things. For something more relaxed, Couqley French Bistro Dubai, Sette, and Bar Buci offer strong food without the ceremony. If you want to eat like you're traveling through the region, Al Ustad Special Kebab, Ravi Restaurant Satwa, and Al Maskoof Al Iraqi Restaurant serve the kind of cooking locals actually eat.
Casual spots round out the picture: Nando's and The Grill Shack keep things straightforward, while rooftop bars like Sky Bar and The Edge double as dining destinations with views built into the experience. Take your time working through the list—Dubai rewards the diner willing to get out of the obvious zones.
- 1
Flo Dubai
Must-seeRooftop views of Burj Khalifa with solid international cuisine and cocktails; premium experience but not uniquely Dubai.
Ramee Dream Hotel 19th Floor, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 2
Ossiano
Must-seeWorld-class fine dining with unique underwater setting; iconic Dubai experience for special occasions.
Crescent Rd - The Palm Jumeirah - Dubai - United Arab Emirates - 3
Ayamna
Must-seeSerious Lebanese dining at Atlantis; worth the journey for authentic mezze and traditional cooking.
Crescent road The Palm Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 4
Al Fanar
Must-seeAuthentic Emirati cuisine hard to find elsewhere; essential for experiencing local food culture.
Ground Floor, Dubai Festival City Mall, Near P.F.Chang's, Canal Walk - Al Kheeran - Dubai Festival City - Dubai - United Arab Emirates - 5
Al Maskoof Al Iraqi Restaurant
Must-seeAuthentic Iraqi cuisine specialist in Deira; a distinctive regional option beyond generic Middle Eastern dining.
33 26C Street - Hor Al Anz East - Deira - Dubai - United Arab Emirates - 6
Al Mallah Dhiyafah
Must-seeAuthentic local shawarma in working Dubai; genuine neighborhood experience over tourist venues.
Al Dhiyafa Rd - near Satwa Roundabout - Al Satwa - Dubai - United Arab Emirates - 7
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant & Cafe
Authentic Emirati food in Dubai's oldest neighborhood; strong cultural and culinary draw.
Al Fahidi Historical District Building 54 & 55, Dubai 118131 United Arab Emirates - 8
Clay Dubai
Bluewaters Island Bluewaters Island, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 9
Swiss Butter
Sheikh Zayed Road Sofitel Downtown, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 10
The Edge
Crescent Dr Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 11
Giardino
Culture Village, Al Jadaf Ground Floor, East Wing, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 12
Pier 7
Striking marina-facing dining venue; excellent for specific occasion meals but limited by high price.
Marina Promenade - Sheikh Zayed Rd - Marsa Dubai - Dubai Marina - Dubai - United Arab Emirates - 13
Ravi Restaurant Satwa
Authentic Pakistani institution frequented by locals; worth a visit for real flavors.
7HQQ67MH+CJ - 8 9th St - Al Satwa - Dubai - United Arab Emirates - 14
Couqley French Bistro Dubai
Laguna Tower , Cluster A, Jumeirah Lake Towers Mövenpick Hotel, Dubai 00000 United Arab Emirates - 15
Bar Buci
Jumeirah Al Qasr Hotel, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 16
Al Ustad Special Kebab
Authentic local kebab spot; worth visiting if you want genuine Persian grilled meat over tourist dining.
Metro Station - Al Mussallah Rd - near Al Fahidi - Al Hamriya - Dubai - United Arab Emirates - 17
Waterfront Market
Deira Enrichment Project - Al Khaleej St - Corniche Deira - Deira - Dubai - United Arab Emirates - 18
Seafire Steakhouse And Bar
Premium steakhouse with resort setting, but steaks available elsewhere in Dubai.
Crescent Dr Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai 211188 United Arab Emirates - 19
Bridgewater Tavern
JW Marriott Marquis Sheik Zayed Road, Business Bay, Dubai DUBAI United Arab Emirates - 20
Sette
Sheikh Zayed Rd. Exit 13 JA The Resort, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 21
Asil Restaurant
Jumeirah Beach Residence - The Walk Ground Floor, Rixos Hotel Jbr, Dubai 792 United Arab Emirates - 22
The Shore
Crescent Dr Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 23
La Piscina
Jaddaf Waterfront, Al Jaddaf Palazzo Versace Dubai, Dubai 128431 United Arab Emirates - 24
Grapeskin Grape Bar and Kitchen
Al Multaqa Street La Ville Hotel & Suites City Walk, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 25
Senor Pico
Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah West Palm Beach, Dubai 211222 United Arab Emirates - 26
Tribes Carnivore
Shikh Mohamed bin rashid Blvd Dubai Mall, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 27
Sky Bar
Airport bar for layover breaks; interesting only if you're transiting through Dubai.
Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3, Concourse C Dubai International Hotel, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 28
Nando’s
International chain restaurant; good food but not uniquely Dubai or essential to the destination.
8th St Level 2, City Centre Deira, Dubai United Arab Emirates - 29
The Grill Shack
The Dubai Mall Second Floor Food Court, Dubai United Arab Emirates Al Qbabh Seafood Restaurant
Dubai - Al Awir Second - Dubai - United Arab EmiratesNara Desert Escape
Al Ain - Dubai Rd - Umm Eselay - Dubai - United Arab EmiratesBait Maryam - Dubai
Cluster D - Al Thanyah Fifth - Jumeirah Lakes Towers - Dubai - United Arab EmiratesNihal Restaurant
Shop # 1-2,Mina Bazar,Al Hisn Street,Al Musalla,Bur Dubai - 41 27d St - Al Souq Al Kabeer - Al Fahidi - Dubai - United Arab EmiratesORFALI BROS RESTAURANT
Al Wasl Rd - Al Wasl - Jumeira First - Dubai - United Arab EmiratesArabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe - Al Fahidi, Dubai
Bastakiya Opposite Musalla Post Office - Al Fahidi St - Bur Dubai - Al Fahidi - Dubai - United Arab EmiratesAtmosphere Burj Khalifa
57XF+J8R Burj khalifa - 122nd Floor - Burj Khalifa - Downtown Dubai - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Where to Eat in Dubai: FAQ
What's the best way to experience Emirati cuisine in Dubai?
Head to Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant & Cafe or Bait Maryam - Dubai for traditional dishes in settings that reflect local heritage. Both give you a sense of how Emiratis actually eat.
Where should I go for a special occasion dinner?
Ossiano, Seafire Steakhouse and Bar, and ORFALI BROS RESTAURANT are your best bets for refined, celebratory meals with polished service and serious cooking.
Are there good casual eating options that aren't chains?
Yes—try Al Ustad Special Kebab, Ravi Restaurant Satwa, and Al Maskoof Al Iraqi Restaurant for authentic, affordable meals that reflect Dubai's diverse communities.