9 Great Restaurants in Dubai

Many great restaurants in Dubai offer exceptional dining experiences in the city. These top spots are helmed by chefs from around the world and the variety leaves you spoilt for choice. The setting of these restaurants matches the quality of the food too, with views of the city skyline or the shimmering sea a treat in itself.

Quality is constant in the Emirates, and the food on offer is no exception. Whether you’re looking for local Middle Eastern dishes, or something international, you’re in for a treat. From the array, we’ve put together a list of our favorite places to eat in the city for you to choose from.

1. Al Nafoorah

Relax by the pool while enjoying local specialties

Good for: Couples, Photo, Food, Luxury

Al Nafoorah is a Middle Eastern poolside restaurant set in Dubai’s luxurious 5-star Jumeirah Al Qasr hotel. Located right near the Burj Al Arab and with views past the pool and out over the sea, it brings you a setting that matches the exquisite tastes.

The food is mainly Lebanese, and your best bet is to get a selection of the dishes to experience it all. There’s a choice of kebabs to try, but the lamb is so tender, you can’t miss out on that. There are vegetarian options too, with a range of bread and hummus, and they also put on a great international breakfast.

Location: Madinat Jumeirah, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Umm Suqeim, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Open: Daily from 6.30 pm to 1 am

2. Atmosphere Broil & Lounge

Dine in the sky in the world’s tallest restaurant

Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury, Unusual

Atmosphere Broil & Lounge sits at a lofty 442 meters above Dubai, earning itself the title of the world’s tallest restaurant. Sitting about halfway up the world’s tallest building, you can take in Atmosphere’s stunning vistas while dining on fine French cuisine.

The food is exquisite, and you’ll find breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, and even an afternoon tea option if you’d rather just soak up the views over something lighter. You can dine à la carte for dinner, with seafood and broil menus, or choose a set menu if you want the full experience. For the best views, make sure you reserve a table in the restaurant, not the lounge.

Location: Burj Khalifa – 122nd Floor, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Open: Daily from 7 am to 12.30 pm, from 1 pm to 5 pm and from 5.30 pm to 1.30 am

Phone: +971 4 888 3828

3. Al Dawaar Revolving Restaurant

Dine and see Dubai from every angle

Good for: Couples, Photo, Food, Luxury

Al Dawaar Revolving Restaurant offers you an international buffet at the top of the Hyatt Regency Dubai, on the waterfront. The setting is next to none, providing 360-degree views of the Emirate as you dine on a range of international favorites.

You’re bound to find something you like here, with a range of Asian and continental dishes on offer. There are Indian curries available with different appetizers and types of bread, a sushi selection with oysters to complement, and a range of western dishes from risotto to burgers. You’ll also be treated to a selection of desserts from around the globe.

Location: Hyatt Regency Dubai, 25th Al Khaleej Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Open: Sunday–Friday from 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm, Saturdays from 12.30 pm to 4 pm and from 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm

Phone: +971 4 209 6697

4. Stay by Yannick Alléno

A taste of France in a striking setting

Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury

Stay by Yannick Alléno is a fine-dining restaurant created by one of Paris’s most celebrated Michelin chefs. Situated in One&Only The Palm Hotel on The Palm Jumeirah, the interior and exterior of this refined dining spot are simply exquisite, with delicate table decorations and marble arches adorning the outdoor area.

The set menu often changes, but will always bring the taste of France to your table. The Wagyu beef steak is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and for dessert, you make an individual request to the pastry chef. The presentation of the food is an art form in itself, and there’s also a wine pairing option if you desire.

Location: The Palm Jumeirah, Crescent Road (West), Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 7 pm to 11 pm (closed on Mondays)

Phone: +971 4 440 1010

5. Amritsr Restaurant

Get cozy in this homey Indian curry house

Good for: Families, Food, Group

Amritsr is an open-all-hours Indian restaurant in downtown Dubai, most easily accessed by Burjuman Metro Station exit 2. The scents of spices beckon you through the modest exterior, where you’ll be greeted by a relaxing setting decked in homey Indian colors and authentic Punjabi food.

This is a great spot for vegetarians, with appetizers like pakoras, rolls and samosas available with mushroom or paneer cheese. The paneer is spot on, cooked to perfection to give it a nice, firm bite. Meat-lovers aren’t forgotten either, with the mutton rogan josh being particularly popular.

Location: Al Attar Center, 318-836 Al Karama, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Open: 24/7

Phone: +971 4 327 8622

6. The Restaurant at Address Downtown

Quick, quality meals in a casual bistro

Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury, Group

The Restaurant At Address Downtown is a luxurious restaurant next to The Dubai Mall, boasting great food and with views of the Burj Khalifa. You’ll find a variety of cuisines, with the restaurant coining their cuisine global bistronomy (French casual fine dining).

The mix of casual and fine dining works wonderfully, allowing you to grab a real quality dish, even if you need to eat on the go. There’s a mix of Middle Eastern, Indian and European cuisines, and it’s a family friendly restaurant where kids under 5 eat for free. The interior offers you something different too, with a modern design like an apartment to give a homey feel.

Location: Address Downtown, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, 123234 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Open: Breakfast: Monday–Friday from 6.30 am to 11 am, Saturday–Sunday from 6.30 am to 11.30 am. Lunch: Wednesday–Monday from 1 pm to 3.30 pm and from 6.30 pm to 10 pm (closed on Tuesdays)

Phone: +971 4 436 8888

7. Bait Maryam

Home-cooked Middle Eastern feasts in a Palestinian restaurant

Good for: Families, Food, Group

Bait Maryam is a Palestinian restaurant that’s hidden inside Jumeirah Lakes Towers. The interior is like a boutique Palestinian home, and the food you’ll be eating is as close as you can find to Palestinian homecooked food as well.

You’re best off eating the true Middle Eastern way and ordering a range of dishes to try from. All your favorite dips are here, like hummus, mint and yogurt, and perhaps our favorite of the night, baba ghanoush. You’re constantly getting topped up with fresh, warm bread straight from the oven, and the staff are more than happy to suggest combinations. Make sure you ask about the daily specials for the mains – the honey glazed lamb special is a must-try.

Location: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Open: Friday–Saturday from 10 am to 11.30 pm, Sunday–Thursday from 10 am to 11 pm

Phone: +971 4 241 8447

8. Ayamna

Lebanese cuisine in a marble restaurant

Good for: Families, Food, Group

Ayamna is a restaurant sitting on the edge of The Palm Jumeirah, which offers Lebanese cuisine in an authentic setting. You can take a seat indoors surrounded by marble decor, or dine by lantern light outside on the terrace.

You can choose to order a set menu or dine à la carte, but the beauty of the set menu is that you get to try a range of appetizers, which are worth it. Each of the dishes is freshly made and wonderfully presented. The lamb kofta is a top highlight of the mains, perfectly seasoned and broiled, with a tenderness you’ll struggle to find elsewhere.

Location: The Palm Atlantis, The Palm, Crescent Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Open: Daily from 5.30 pm to 11 pm

Phone: +971 4 426 2626

9. Sardina Seafood Restaurant

Fresh seafood from the Arabian gulf

Good for: Families, Food, Group

Sardina Seafood Restaurant is a relaxing place to dine on the first floor of The Mall, opposite Jumeirah Beach resort. We all know that the best seafood restaurants are right by the sea, and Sardina Seafood is no exception.

The menu offers a range of fresh seafood, with calamari and clam appetizers to die for. You’ll find a wide array of freshly caught fish, of which you can choose your own. The chef was delighted when we asked about the origins and cooking methods of each dish, so if you need any recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask. Kids aren’t forgotten either, and you can often be tempted to try the fish nuggets and chips for yourselves.

Location: The Mall – 1st floor, Jumeirah St, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Open: Daily from noon till midnight

Phone: +971 4 339 0444

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.