16 places I recommend•5 in the Michelin guide
These are the 16 restaurants and bakeries in Dubai I have eaten at myself and would recommend.
A Japanese restaurant at the Four Seasons in Jumeirah, styled after 1920s Osaka. Great quality sushi and delicious cocktails. I like the design and decor which makes for a lovely setting.
Address: Four Seasons Resort, 23A St, Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A small Japanese place on Al Wasl Road in Jumeirah. A really cute little restaurant with excellent quality sushi and great service. Note: they do not serve alcohol.
Address: 32c Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A small sushi counter at the Bulgari Resort on Jumeirah Bay Island. This is one of my absolute favourite restaurants in Dubai. If it wasn't so expensive I'd definitely go all the time. Excellent quality Omakase experience with ingredients and chefs from Japan.
Address: Bulgari Resort, Jumeirah Bay Island, Jumeirah 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A Japanese-leaning restaurant on the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, open since 2016. Walk-ins only, they take no bookings. On the whole 3Fils is a really great restaurant with delicious food that goes beyond Japanese only dishes. You can tell the ingredients are of the highest quality and that they put a lot of care into what they cook. I wouldn't go for the makis though and focus on the nigiris where you can really appreciate the quality of the fish. Note: they do not serve alcohol.
Address: Shop 02, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, Al Urouba St, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Carine is still one of my favourite restaurants in Dubai. They have managed to stay consistent with their quality over the years. My favourite dish is the pasta with Lobster.
Address: Carine Restaurant, Emirates Golf Club - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
The Dubai restaurant from the South African tashas group, at Jumeirah Al Naseem, open from lunch through to dinner and cocktails. Dependable and good in quality, Flamingo room always delivers a great dinner out.
Address: Jumeirah Al Naseem, Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah St, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Solemann Haddad's fifteen-seat chef's table on the roof of Eden House in Satwa, serving a twelve-course menu he calls Dubai cuisine - Middle Eastern ingredients, Japanese technique. Really lovely experience and inventive dishes. Typically I don't go for these kinds of overly sophisticated dishes but I really enjoyed these.
Address: Eden House, 41st St, Al Satwa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The best Italian restaurant in Dubai in my opinion. Don't miss the Pappardelle al Ragout di Vitello con Tartufo Nero (Pappardelle pasta with veal ragu and black truffle) and spaghetti with crab. Very nice atmosphere especially when the weather is good and they open up the terrace. They closed for renovations this year but are back!
Address: Scalini Italian Restaurant - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
A Tuscan bistro beside the turtle lagoon at Jumeirah Al Naseem, with a menu built on produce from the Il Borro estate's own biodynamic farm. Great quality Italian fare in a lovely setting.
Address: Jumeirah Al Naseem, 906 Jumeirah St, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A Cantonese restaurant in DIFC. I do not have photos because I mostly order from them and I've only been to the actual restaurant once many years ago. Still, I can't stress enough how this is where you will get the absolute best Cantonese food in Dubai.
Address: The Balcony, Precinct Building 4, DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A French bistro and bakery at the Kempinski on Sheikh Zayed Road. Great food and a very nice setting (especially when the weather is good).
Address: Kempinski Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Beirut group's all-day Lebanese cafe in Downtown Dubai, near the Burj Khalifa. Hands down the best Lebanese restaurant in Dubai. I do miss how it was before the fire but the food is still excellent. You also have the option of the more casual Em Sherif Deli which is also great.
Address: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Richard Sandoval's modern Mexican rooftop at Le Royal Meridien in Dubai Marina. The best Mexican restaurant in Dubai (in my opinion). Great cocktails, lovely outdoor seating when the weather is good and delicious Mexican fare.
Address: Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Al Mamsha St, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Great food in a lovely setting. Don't miss the butter fish.
Address: Gate Village 08 - DIFC - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
The famous Shabestan has been around since the 80s, which is a big deal in Dubai considering how new everything else is. It's in Deira with a nice view of the creek. They have some of the best Persian food you can get in Dubai especially when it comes to fine dining.
Address: Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek - Baniyas Rd - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
The best place to have dessert in Dubai. Everything from milkshakes to milk cakes and everything is beyond delicious. My favourites are the cookie shake, ice cream sandwich, Ferrero Rocher cake and their sea salt Nutella cookies.
Address: Home Bakery - Al Wasl Road - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
