Before you leave for Dubai, I strongly recommend that you set aside some money apart beforehand – for meals. Meals will represent a pretty big part of your budget, and the city has so many great restaurants that you will most likely be tempted more than once to go to a restaurant during your stay... In this guide, I reveal my selection of the best restaurants in Dubai!
Most of the restaurants offer a spectacular setting, either on the waterfront or in the middle of the Dubai desert: perfect for tasting delicious food! As for the culinary specialties, there is something for everyone: Lebanese, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, International... No matter what you wish to eat, you will certainly find the menu of your dreams.
I have to admit, the majority of the establishments are upscale. Nevertheless, maybe two or three restaurants will be enough for you to enjoy with your family or just the two of you during your UAE vacation!
THE BEST ROOFTOP RESTAURANTS IN DUBAI!
If you want to enjoy a great view of Dubai while eating, I recommend visiting the following restaurants. They all have spectacular settings and great food:
L’ATMOSPHÈRE RESTAURANT (FRENCH)
On the 122nd floor of the world's tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa, there is a restaurant that will take your breath away and whet your appetite: L’Atmosphère. This establishment offers mostly French cuisine, if you want to eat some gourmet cuisine! The prices are high, so if you want to go there but hesitate because of your budget, I recommend booking a table for lunch: the price of the view will be much cheaper then.
LEVEL 43 SKY LOUNGE RESTAURANT (JAPANESE)
If you prefer a lounge atmosphere and Japanese cuisine, you can combine the two here while dining on the rooftops of Dubai! This establishment offers delicious specialties, cooked and served in a high-class and gourmet spirit. Moreover, it is possible to go to the restaurant during the afternoon: a Tea Time menu is available, for a first-class snack!
TURKISH VILLAGE RESTAURANT (TURKISH)
With quite low prices compared to other establishments in Dubai, Turkish Village is a large chain of restaurants. Unsurprisingly, the menu offers a wide range of Turkish specialties such as mezze and meat skewers. By the way, Turkish cuisine is known to be one of the tastiest and best in the world, so treat yourself!
OBSERVATORY BAR & GRILL RESTAURANT (GOURMET)
If you can't afford to eat at Nusr'Et, I recommend going and enjoying some good grilled meat at the Observatory Bar & Grill. This rooftop restaurant also prepares succulent truffle fries as well as noble seafood like lobster. Before you start your meal, remember to order a cocktail (or two), they are particularly delicious!
The best activities in Dubai 🏜️
Would you also like to know what the best activities to do in Dubai are?
In Dubai, you can do a multitude of activities... And there is something for everyone: desert safari, climbing the highest tower in the world, a day in the water parks, discovering Abu Dhabi, ...
This is the city of excess and only time (or your budget) will limit you 😉
THE BEST WATERFRONT RESTAURANTS IN DUBAI!
Maybe water is your element... If so, you might as well go to an establishment that will serve your dishes with a fresh and original touch:
EAUZONE RESTAURANT (ASIAN)
To have the chance to eat in the EauZone restaurant, you have to go to the One and Only Royal Mirage Dubai hotel. The setting is clearly perfect for a romantic dinner, especially since the atmosphere is truly heavenly at sunset! The menu offers gourmet Asian specialties, which will definitely make a change from the all-you-can-eat buffets 😉
HANAMI RESTAURANT (JAPANESE)
Really, I think that if you love Japanese food, you will clearly be satisfied during your vacations in Dubai. The Hanami is not expensive at all: about $57 for two people, excluding drinks. As for the menu, you will have the choice between tempura, sushi, maki, noodles, sashimi, grilled seafood and many other things...
BABEL RESTAURANT (LIBANESE)
Yes, it is possible to taste Lebanese specialties in Dubai. The Babel is a really nice restaurant and one of the best places to make great culinary discoveries. As for the prices, they are not that high: about $102 for two people. Not to mention that in addition to being close to the water, you will enjoy an exceptional view of the Persian Gulf!
THIPTARA RESTAURANT (THAI)
I often talk about the fountains in Dubai and their sublime shows. And I always recommend booking a table to eat while watching the show! Well, this dream can come true if you go discover the Thai specialties of the Thiptara. This a la carte restaurant offers seafood dishes as well as delicious Asian flavored dishes...
TASCA RESTAURANT (MEXICAN)
One of the greatest things about the Tasca restaurant is that it offers many live jazz concerts as well as a beautiful view of the Dubai buildings. If you like Mexican food and fairly spicy dishes, I think you'll love this one! On average, the menu is quite reasonably priced, around $114 for two people. Why not give it a try?
ASADO RESTAURANT (ARGENTINE)
Perhaps unusual for some, it is possible that during your stay in Dubai, you will be tempted to discover the culinary specialties of Argentina. The Asado restaurant offers a richly flavored cuisine, based mainly on grilled meat, with a privileged view of the Dubai Fountain. As for the prices, they are quite high: expect about $136 for two people.
THE BEST ORIENTAL AND TYPICAL RESTAURANTS IN DUBAI
Despite the strong presence of restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world, Dubai does not forget its roots! If you want to taste the local specialties, here is my selection:
AL HADHEERAH RESTAURANT
Mainly focused on grilled food, the Al Hadheerah is a restaurant offering local culinary specialties. The atmosphere is also very typical, with earthen walls offering a very traditional setting! Moreover, the dishes are prepared and arranged on different buffets, which is a big advantage if you want to try a little bit of everything!
AYAMNA RESTAURANT
The Ayamna offers Lebanese specialties in a typical Middle Eastern setting. All the decoration elements are specific to Arab culture, but with a nice touch of modernity and contemporary style. One of the specialties of this establishment is the mezze – a large assortment of small dishes all served at the same time. It's a real treat for both the taste buds and the eye.
SIRAJ RESTAURANT
To enjoy Levantine flavors in a very luxurious setting, nothing beats a tasty meal at the Siraj restaurant. In addition to offering a contemporary decor, the establishment is located in the heart of Dubai's Souk Al Bahar (quite different from the Gold Souk). The atmosphere is particularly cozy, with beautiful stone vaults highlighted with shiny metal sculptures. What better place to spend a very romantic evening...
AL SARAB LOUNGE RESTAURANT
If you're looking for one of the best restaurants in Dubai, consider the Al Sarab Lounge. Here you can enjoy Lebanese cuisine, and eventually finish your meal with a shisha. On top of that, the setting is absolutely stunning, with a beautiful view of the desert sand dunes... I think it's a perfect place to end the day and watch the sunset.
THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE DESERT OF DUBAI
For travelers looking for unique and unusual experiences, treating yourself to a meal in the sand dunes of Dubai's desert is a real must! Discover the best establishments:
AL DIWAAN RESTAURANT
If you're looking for an evening out of the Arabian Nights, the Al Diwaan offers excellence. It's not every day you can eat in the desert, let alone in a luxury setting – but nothing is impossible in Dubai! The kitchens offer European and International specialties at good prices. On average, expect having to pay $80 for two.
SONARA CAMP RESTAURANT
For those who don't like classic settings, eating under a big top and string of lights should appeal to you. That's the whole concept of the Sonara Camp, a place ideal for vegetarians. Indeed, a large part of the menu offers meals without meat or fish, but cooked in a very refined and elegant way...
AL SARAB RESTAURANT
With a panoramic view of the sand dunes of the Dubai desert, I must admit that vegetarians will be satisfied here again. The Al Sarab offers mainly vegetable and legume based dishes, as well as oriental specialties. There is a bit of everything on the menu. To reach this restaurant, go to Bal Al Shams Resort and Spa!
PLATINUM HERITAGE RESTAURANT
For a great night out at the Platinum Heritage, I recommend the gourmet menu with six different courses. You'll be staying in a luxurious cabin in the middle of nature, which is perfect for a romantic evening...
And that's it, we've come to the end of this post. If you also want to learn more about the country's culinary specialties and where to eat for cheap in Dubai, I invite you to check out my article about it 🙂 See you soon in a new article!
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