Home / International Travel Insurance / Articles / Travel Tips / The Best Restaurants In Dubai

The Best Restaurants In Dubai

TeamAckoFeb 27, 2024

Did you know that an Indian restaurant is one of Dubai's Michelin star restaurants? Dubai is a foodie's paradise, where you can find everything from the humble shawarma to over the top 24 karat gold encrusted crab gnocchi! Pretty much every travel influencer makes a pitstop to Dubai, eating at several of the best restaurants, with Insta stories and posts as evidence.

Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or an omnivore, Dubai has a restaurant for you and your wallet.

Contents

Fine Dining Restaurants In Dubai

Known for an over the top dining scene, Dubai has a plethora of fine dining establishments. There's a restaurant to suit every taste, from restaurants that serve freshly-caught seafood to hearty and wholesome Italian dishes.

Nobu

The fine dining Nobu chain of restaurants are known for their exquisite Japanese dishes served in ultra tony interiors with the finest service around. When you step into Nobu Dubai, you'll be whisked away into a classy Japanese restaurant. Nobu oozes Japanese luxury, with their dark walls and floors, accented by wooden shelves and lighting for a truly Japanese experience. Nobu Dubai is located in the world famous Atlantis Hotel in Dubai. One of the best Japanese restaurants in Dubai, Nobu's menu is famous for their omakase. You get a chance to feast on morsels of appetisers and sushi, handmade and served to you by Nobu's experienced chefs!

Cuisine: Japanese

Address: Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (+971 4426 2626)

Timings:

Monday to Thursday 6 PM - 1 AM
Friday to Sunday 12:30 - 3:30 PM, 6 PM - 2 AM

Dress Code: Smart Casual

Ages: All ages until 6:30, thereafter 13 and above

Recommended Dish: Black Cod Miso

Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Approximately ₹13,589 for 2

URLA Dubai

There are few things better than the Burj Khalifa, and one of them includes dining in front of it. At URLA Dubai, you'll find delectable Greek and Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant prides itself on its "artisanal cooking methods" and "unique European coastal", with the Burj Khalifa and fountain as its stunning backdrop.

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Address: Fountain Level, Address Downtown Hotel, (800 URLA, +971 52 554 5997)

Timings: Monday to Sunday, 6 PM to 3 AM

Dress Code: Chic and Elegant

Ages: All ages for restaurant, 21 for bar

Recommended Dish: Chilled Frutti di Mare

Rating: 4.5/5

Price: ₹13,589 for 2

Michelin Star Restaurants

The famous Michelin guide from France lists several top restaurants in Dubai that have earned the coveted Michelin star. Dubai has a lot of restaurants with Michelin stars. This shows how diverse and cultural this city is.

Trésind

Trésind is one of the best Indian restaurants in Dubai, and one of Dubai's many Michelin star restaurants, but what sets it apart is that it is an Indian restaurant! This fine dining establishment has a quarterly menu to keep things fresh. Seasonal favourites include decadent seafood with lashings of ghee, and a modern take on staples like tandoori chicken.

Cuisine: Indian

Address: One&Only Royal Mirage, Arabian Court - Dubai Marina (+971 56 420 9754)

Timing:

12 PM - 4 PM
7 PM - 11 PM

Age: 14 years and above

Dress Code:

Smart-elegant dress code
- Long trousers
- jeans
- jackets for men(recommended)
- closed shoes
No beachwear, trainers, sneakers
Guests are welcome to wear national and cultural clothes

Recommended Dish: Paneer Pinwheel

Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Approximately ₹16,801 for 2

Notes: For online bookings, you need to pay a advance of AED 850 per person

Armani/Ristorante

One of the popular restaurants in Dubai, Armani/Ristorante combines high fashion with fine Italian cuisine. You'd expect minimal and elegant vibes from this Armani/Ristorante, and you'd be correct. Step into an airy and spacious luxury minimalist dream come true. The booths are curvy and spacious cocoons for intimate and private dinners. The restaurant's website states that they have a "smart elegant" dress code, keeping in touch with the Armani brand's sophisticated vibes - so dress to the nines when you dine here. A millennial grey or Gen Z pastel outfit would be perfect with the elegant restaurant's interiors as a backdrop for your Insta photos and stories. Armani/Ristorante's menu is reminiscent of Armani's chic elegance, with dishes such as slow-cooked topside veal, tuna tartar and even citrus parsnip.

Cuisine: Italian

Rating: 4.4/5

Age: All

Timing:

Saturday to Thursday

6:30 PM - 11:30 PM

Friday

6:00 PM –11:00  PM

Dress Code: Smart elegant

Recommended Dish: Slow-cooked Topside Veal

Price: Approximately ₹14,492 for 2

Address: Burj Khalifa - Lobby Level, Armani Hotel Dubai - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd (+971 4 888 3666)

Hakkasan

Dubai is a foodie's playground and home to several of the world's most exquisite chain of restaurants. Hakkasan is a contemporary Chinese restaurant, serving up a mind boggling array of umami-rich flavours in chic interiors. You'll leave the hustle and bustle of Dubai behind when you step foot into Hakkasan, where you're welcomed by dimly lit interiors that pave the way for a mystical and luxurious experience ahead. Upscale nightclub meets modern Chinese cuisine at Hakkasan.

Sweetcorn soup is passé at Hakkasan, because you'll find "Royal sweetcorn soup with king crab" at Hakkasan! There's also a lychee lobster dish with yuzu pearl dish that pops on influencer's stories and reels when they eat out in Dubai.

Cuisine: Chinese

Address: The Palm - Atlantis, Crescent Rd (+971 4 426 0752)

Timings: 6:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Age: After 8:30 PM, 10 years and above

Dress Code:

Long trousers or smart jeans
T-shirts with sleeves and closed shoes
No flip flops and shorts
UAE national outfit welcome
Dress code applicable to children at the restaurant

Recommended Dish: Royal Sweetcorn Soup with King Crab

Rating: 4.4/5

Price: Approximately ₹13,586 for 2

Budget-friendly Restaurants

Although Dubai is known for glam and beyond, there's also a wide range of restaurants that are easy on the pocket but big on taste. Here are just a few of the many affordable and popular restaurants in Dubai!

Salt

What started as a food truck is now one of the top restaurants in Dubai. It is on Kite Beach, which is a beautiful place. The minimalist black building that houses the restaurant is the backdrop for the open air dining by the beach. Instagram loves the striped lounge chairs alongside the Scandinavian tables and chairs for that laid back yet chic burgers and shake meal. Salt serves up gourmet fast food fare right on the beach, giving diners a picturesque view of Kite Beach with every meal. Diners enjoy the burgers and sweet potato fries overlooking the beach.

Cuisine: Fast Food

Address: Kite Beach - 2C St - Umm Suqeim - Jumeirah 3 - Dubai (+971 55 996 5802)

Timings: 24 hours

Age: All

Dress Code: Nil

Recommended Dish: Chicken Cheetos Sliders

Rating: 4.4/5

Price: Approximately ₹4,755 for 2

Little Lamb

Hotpot (also known as steamboat in some countries) is a Chinese buffet concept where you can choose small plates of uncooked meat, seafood, and vegetables and cook them at your table. Dubai's vibrant expat community ensures that there's something for everyone! At Little Lamb, you can enjoy unlimited servings of Chinese dishes and drinks. The interiors are spartan, but the restaurant is bustling and lively all day and all night long. What it lacks in ambience, it more than makes up for in its wide and delicious buffet spread of hot pot ingredients. If you don't want to have a hot pot, you can always order side dishes like fried rice, salads, and sandwiches.

Cuisine: Chinese

Address: Salah Al Din St., Al Rigga #157-153 Salah Al Din St, Deira (+971 4 223 8999)

Timings: 11:50 AM - 1 AM

Age: All

Dress Code: Nil

Recommended Dish: You get a ton of dishes with every hot pot order, but we love the grilled prawns, and the black fungus (a type of mushroom that's crunchy)

Rating: 4.2/5

Price: Approximately ₹2,943 for 2

Arabian Tea House

This wouldn't be a real guide to the best restaurants in Dubai if we didn't include traditional Arab fare! The Arabian Tea House is Dubai's hidden gem, located in the Al Fahidi art district.

The Arabian Tea House is an outdoor Middle Eastern café for an authentic Emirati experience. Walk into the Middle Eastern arches into the restaurant within, and you'll be transported to Dubai from long ago. The rough walls typical of the Emirati style are adorned with vintage pieces and dainty artwork. Sink into the comfortable chairs to sip on Emirati tea, or if you want a truly Emirati tea, stretch out on the carpeted lounges! Treat yourself to "Emirati hospitality" that the Arabian Tea House is known for. Guests say that you'll be taken back in time to old world Dubai and its hearty teas, coffees, and dishes!

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Address: Bastakiya Opposite Musalla Post Office, Al Fahidi St. Bur Dubai (+971 4 353 5071)

Timings: 7 AM - 11 PM

Age: All

Dress Code: Casual

No shorts

Recommended Dish:

Arabian Tea House Special Breakfast
Karak Tea

Rating: 4.6/5

Price: Approximately ₹5,094 for 2

Al Ustaad Special Kebab

Locals lovingly refer to this family-owned restaurant as "Ustaadhi'', a colourful yet simple restaurant in Dubai's residential Hamriya neighbourhood. The walls are striped in colour and photos of guests from around the world wrap the walls for as far as you can see. Al Ustaad Special Kebab has been around for over 40 years and is famous for its unbelievably soft and juicy Irani kebabs. These kebabs are unlike anything you've tried, because they're made with a secret recipe that's been in the family for generations. The food is affordable, the service is great, and the legacy is forever at Ustaadhi. Locals and tourists swear by the kebabs here, so give it a try, too.

Cuisine: Persian/Irani

Address: Metro Station Al Mussallah Rd, near Al Fahidi - Al Hamriya, Dubai (+971 4 397 1933)

Timings:

Friday

5:30 pm–1 am

Saturday to Thursday

11 AM – 1 am6

Age: All

Dress Code: Nil

Recommended Dish: Mix Grill Platter For 2

Rating: 4.3/5

Price: Approximately ₹2,037 for 2

Seafood Restaurants

You can't visit a city by the beach without indulging in a harvest from the ocean!

3 Fils

You'll need a lot of dirhams and fils if you're planning dinner at 3 Fils, Dubai's hottest seafood restaurant, with a Japanese twist. When you eat here, you're apparently shocked by the great vibes and the crazy delish food, because most diners post pictures with just a "yum". The hype is real, the dishes are made with seafood caught just outside 3 Fils! You can choose the best fancy schmancy al fresco dining that overlooks the harbour, or dine inside where you NEED to grab your phone and take wide angle shots of your food and the restaurant, bestie. 3 Fils is tucked inside the Jumeirah Fishing Village harbour and gives you some of the freshest seafood you'll find in Dubai!

Cuisine: Japanese/Seafood

Address: Jumeirah Fishing Harbour Shop 02-1, Al Urouba St - Jumeirah 2 (+971 56 273 0030)

Timing: Monday to Sunday

12 PM – 11:30 PM

Rating: 4.6/5

Price: Approximately ₹4,528 for 2

Age: All

Dress Code: Nil

Recommended Dish: Fremantle Octopus

La Mesa Restaurant & Cafe

Have you ever fought over food? At La Mesa Restaurant & Cafe, you can experience a Filipino "Boodle Fight". Nobody's gonna get hurt though! A boodle fight is a Filipino meal, where you can eat right off the table! That's right - tables are wrapped hygienically and your servers will pour hearty amounts of seafood, accompaniments, and rice right onto your table. It's so much fun for the entire family and groups of friends or coworkers. La Mesa Restaurant & Cafe is a no-nonsense casual cafe with great service and quirky art and furniture. Try the boodle fight, you'll love it!

Cuisine: Filipino/Seafood

Address: Port Saeed - Dubai - United Arab Emirates (+971 4 297 9112)

Timing: 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM

Dress Code: All

Age: All

Recommended Dish: Boodle Fight Seafood

Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Approximately ₹1,811 for 2

Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Dubai

Even though Dubai is known for its uber-fresh seafood and meat, there's a happening vegan and vegetarian scene!

Avatara

The first on our list of the best vegetarian and Vegan restaurants in Dubai is Avatara, Dubai's only Michelin star vegetarian restaurant! The restaurant serves up a delectable 10-course menu with mouth watering plant-based Indian dishes. Step into the airy and upscale restaurant, where plants take centre-stage as decor to bring the outdoors in around you, as well as inside you when you eat!

Avatara is chic, designed in a soothing neutral palette seen on the furniture, tables, and decor. Gaze out at Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road while you dine on plant-based culinary inventions. Avatara's menu doesn't include onion or garlic, making it perfect for travellers who abide by Jain diets.

Cuisine: Indian

Address: 2nd Floor Voco Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Rd (+971 58 143 2867)

Timing:

Sunday

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
6:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Monday to Saturday

6:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Dress Code:

Smart-elegant dress code

Long trousers
Long jeans
jackets for men(recommended)
closed shoes

No beachwear, trainers, runners, sneakers

Traditional attire of nationalities and cultures welcomed

Age:

Children up to 10 years old

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM everyday
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Sundays

Rating: 4.9/5

Price: Approximately ₹16,642 for 2

Recommend Dish: Dal Vada, Carrot Kanji, and Black Lemon Pickle

Notes:

For online reservations, you will need to pay an advance of AED 495 per person

Also Read: Best time to visit Dubai

Quattro Ristorante

Quattro Ristorante is a vegetarian restaurant that serves vegan and vegetarian versions of traditional Italian and Mexican dishes. It is one of the top restaurants in Dubai because it is stylish and looks like it came straight from Italy. The neutral palettes are punctuated by colourful bursts of green and yellow which symbolise the restaurant's plant-based food idea. At Quattro Ristorante, expect delish dishes made with the science of molecular gastronomy and art of tasty dishes. The restaurant changes dishes frequently to keep the menu fresh and flavorful, so you can keep coming back for more exciting food and drink! The official Visit Dubai page recommends their spiced queso and handmade ravioli, made in house daily.

Cuisine: Italian + Mexican

Address: Shop 2A, Al Rafaa C Building, Opp Aster Hospital - Kuwait St (+971 4 393 1233)

Timing: Monday to Sunday

12:00 PM - 3:30 PM
6:30 PM - 11:30 PM

Rating: 4.5/5

Age: All

Dress Code: Casual

Recommended Dish:

Spiced Queso
Handmade Ravioli

Price: Approximately ₹5,205 for 2

Wild And The Moon

Wild And The Moon is a dreamy vegetarian cafe nestled in Dubai's beautiful art district, Alserkal Avenue. What started as a juice bar has grown to become a full-fledged green cafe. When you get to Wild And The Moon, step inside a cosy industrial chic space with flow plants to keep with the plant-based food and decor. It's a perfect spot for a hashtagged picture or two. Their salads and juices make up the majority of sales, keeping loyal customers coming back for plant based goodness!

Cuisine: Healthy/Vegetarian

Address: Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, H77, Al Quoz (+971 800 9453 | +971 4 345 0183)

Timing: 9:00 AM - 8 PM

Rating: 4.0/5

Price: Approximately ₹2,830 for 2

Age: All

Dress Code: Nil

Recommended Dish: Açai Bowl

Unique Restaurants

Dubai tops the world's list of the city having the most unique restaurants. We're going beyond the dining experience and including restaurants with more to offer than just great food! Here are the most unique and best restaurants in Dubai.

At.mosphere Burj Khalifa

At.mosphere is perched at the top of the Burj Khalifa and offers you a panoramic view of Dubai's iconic skyline while you dine. The upscale restaurant is a sprawling space with floor to ceiling glass windows so that it looks even bigger on the inside. Tastefully done in true Dubai design aesthetics, At.mosphere is an atmosphere to enjoy fine dining while dining in the Dubai sky's atmosphere. Locals and regular travellers enjoy booking a rare slot at this sky high restaurant, which has a Guinness World Record for being the highest restaurant in the world! The best time to visit At.mosphere is for high tea for their viral 24 karat gold cappuccino.

Cuisine: French

Address: Burj Khalifa, 122nd Floor - Downtown Dubai (+971 4 888 3828)

Timing: 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM

Rating: 4.4/5

Price: Approximately ₹20,376 for 2

Dress Code:

Smart casual

No caps, t-shirts, shorts, trainers, sport clothing
No flip-flops for women
No open-toe shoes for men

Age: 5 years and above

Recommended Dish: 24 karat gold cappuccino

Saya Café City Walk

When you walk along City Walk Dubai, you'll come across a cafe where you can't miss the long queue. This brasserie looks like a pastel bouquet exploded in a chic furniture store. Instagram and TikTok influencers regularly feature rosy-hued stories and posts from Saya Brasserie, which has a sparkling sparkling drink on the menu.

Don't miss the must-photograph candy hearts wall and teddy bear, as well as the tables with roses set into them! We loved that the staff told us to whip our phones out as they poured the iconic Rose Gold Lemonade out for us. Stir it to reveal a pretty and sparkling drink that we took way too many pictures of!

Cuisine: Continental

Address: City Walk - Al Wasl (+971 50 541 8373)

Timings: 9:00 AM - 1:00 AM

Dress Code: Nil

Age: All

Rating: 4.4/5

Price: Approximately ₹6,639 for 2

Recommended Dish: Signature Rose Gold Lemonade

24 Karat Dubai

Dubai is known for opulence, and the 24 Karat Dubai restaurant delivers. Expect extravagant dishes, topped with wafer thin layers of gold. Get a taste of the Midas Touch while you dine on some of the world's most over the top dishes!

Cuisine: Global

Address: Marriott Al Jaddaf Hotel – Oud Metha Road (+971 4357 7733/+971 5477 32424)

Timings: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Rating: 4.0/5

Price: Approximately ₹4,482 for 2

Dress Code: Smart Casual

Age: All

Recommended Dish: Scallops With Saffron, Topped With Gold

Forever Rose Cafe

This cafe is without a doubt one of the most photographed ones, as well as a popular restaurant in Dubai! Forever Rose Cafe is a "2D art cafe" where everything looks "flat" thanks to a clever play on borders and edges. From your table to most of the food and drinks, it all looks 2D! Enjoy this cafe at sunset with a beautiful coffee in a cartoon-y 2D mug.

Cuisine: Cafe and Bakery

Address: Boxpark #467, Al Wasl Road (+971 4 548 4210)

Timing:

Monday to Thursday - 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Friday to Sunday - 8:00 AM - 1 AM

Dress code: Nil

Age: All

Rating: 4.3/5

Price: Approximately ₹5,321 for 2

Recommended Dish: Forever Rose Latté

Conclusion

We hope you're hungry for adventure, because it's time to travel to Dubai! Get your fix of edible gold, dine in a cartoon-like cafe, or eat dinner by the Burj Khalifa - the choice is yours. Dubai takes its dining scene very seriously, and is home to thousands of great restaurants. Be sure to try the restaurants from our list.

Also, make sure to book travel insurance online when you go to Dubai so you can really eat and be merry and stay in the pink of health. ACKO has travel insurance plans for you! Travel health insurance covers you in case of any medical emergencies or illnesses when you're travelling. Your health insurance from home may not be valid, but travel health insurance is valid in many places including Dubai.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions answered regarding Best resturants in dubai

Are there good vegetarian options in Dubai?

The world meets in Dubai, with a restaurant to suit every need and taste! There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options available to diners in Dubai, refer to our guide above!

Is it expensive to dine on holiday in Dubai?

The beauty of Dubai is that it has something for every wallet and every palate. From humble and affordable shawarmas to the most exquisite omakase menus, you can find budget friendly dining options in Dubai.

I have food allergies, how do I eat in Dubai?

Most dining establishments in Dubai are informed about allergens and list them in their menus. If you're unsure, you can speak with the waitstaff or maitre d' about your food related allergies.

Are there different cuisines in Dubai?

Yes. Dubai is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. The foodie in you will be satisfied to a tee.

Can I get home delivery of food in Dubai?

Yes, most restaurants do have the option of doorstep delivery.

Which area in dubai has best restaurants?

Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, and DIFC offer some of the city's best restaurants.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please contact us on [email protected] for help with making any travel insurance purchase related decisions.