The Best Restaurants in Dubai: Where to Eat in 2024
Dubai is no longer just a destination for gold souks and skyscrapers. It is a global culinary capital. The city features a dense concentration of Michelin-starred chefs, homegrown concepts, and centuries-old traditional recipes. Whether you are looking for a $500 tasting menu on the 122nd floor or a $2 shawarma in a back alley, the quality is consistently high. The food scene reflects the city’s population: 90% expats bringing flavors from India, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Europe. This guide cuts through the noise to help you decide exactly where to eat in Dubai.
Must-try dishes in Dubai
Before booking a table, you need to know what to order. These are the staple flavors of the region.
- Harees: A mixture of crushed wheat and minced meat (usually chicken or lamb) cooked for hours until it reaches a porridge-like consistency.
- Machboos: The Gulf’s answer to biryani. This consists of meat or fish cooked with rice, dried lime (loomi), and a distinct blend of Arabic spices.
- Luqaimat: Deep-fried dough balls that are crunchy on the outside and soft inside, usually drizzled with date syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
- Camel Meat: While not a daily staple for locals, you will find it in high-end burgers or slow-cooked stews at traditional restaurants.
- Kunafa: A cheese-filled pastry soaked in sweet syrup and topped with shredded phyllo dough; it is the ultimate Levantine dessert.
- Margoogat: A hearty, tomato-based meat stew thickened with pieces of unleavened bread that soak up the sauce.
Best restaurants in Dubai for a splurge
When money is no object, Dubai delivers some of the best fine dining experiences on the planet. These spots offer world-class service and rare ingredients.
Ossiano (Palm Jumeirah)
Located inside Atlantis, The Palm, Ossiano is an underwater fine dining experience. You eat while sharks and rays swim past floor-to-ceiling aquarium glass. Chef Grégoire Berger serves a progressive tasting menu focused on seafood and travel memories. It is expensive, theatrical, and holds a Michelin star.
Trèsind Studio (The Palm Jumeirah)
This is arguably the best Indian restaurant in the world. Located at St. Regis Gardens, Chef Himanshu Saini creates a multi-course journey that reimagines Indian flavors with incredible precision. There are only a few seats per seating, making it an intimate, high-end experience that currently holds two Michelin stars.
Moonrise (Sheikh Zayed Road)
Moonrise is a homegrown success story located on the rooftop of a residential tower. Chef Solemann Haddad serves an "omakase" menu that blends Middle Eastern ingredients with Japanese techniques. With only 12 seats, it is one of the hardest reservations to get in the city but offers a truly unique perspective on Dubai’s identity.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
You don’t need a suit to eat well here. These locations are where residents go on a Tuesday night for high-quality food without the pomp.
21grams (Umm Suqeim)
This Balkan bistro is a local treasure. It is famous for its phyllo pies (burek) and wagyu beef cevapi. The vibe is bright, welcoming, and unpretentious. It’s one of the few places in Dubai where the soul of the kitchen is felt in every dish.
Orfali Bros Bistro (Jumeirah)
Run by three brothers, this restaurant topped the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list. It is a "bistronomy" concept that serves clever, globe-trotting small plates. Try the "OB Croquette" or the "Come with me to Aleppo" kebab. It is casual but the food is world-class.
Mythos Kouzina & Grill (JLT)
Mythos feels like a hidden taverna in Santorini. Located in JLT, it serves authentic Greek food with zero gimmicks. The octopus is grilled to perfection, and the moussaka is a crowd favorite. It’s consistently packed, so you’ll want to book a few days in advance.
Kinoya (The Greens)
What started as a supper club is now one of the city’s best ramen shops. Chef Neha Mishra focuses on five distinct ramen styles and Izakaya-style small plates. The atmosphere is bustling and minimalist, mirroring the authentic ramen houses of Tokyo.
Best cheap eats and street food
Searching for where to eat in Dubai on a budget? These spots prove that the best flavors often cost less than $10.
Al Mallah (Satwa)
Al Mallah is a Dubai institution. It started as a juice stall in the 70s and evolved into a legendary street food spot. Order the chicken shawarma, the spicy cheese manakish, and a side of their famous garlic sauce. Eat on the sidewalk for the full experience.
Ravi Restaurant (Satwa)
If you ask any long-term expat for a recommendation, they will point you to Ravi. This Pakistani canteen serves the best mutton peshawari and chicken tikka in the city. It is rough around the edges, but the James Beard Foundation has even recognized its cultural importance.
Sultan Dubai Falafel (Deira)
For the best falafel in the city, head to this no-frills shop. Their falafel is stuffed with chili and onions or served mountain-style in a fresh wrap. It’s incredibly cheap, always hot, and serves as the perfect fuel for exploring the traditional gold and spice souks.
Firas Sweets (Multiple Locations)
While not a full meal, no street food tour is complete without Kunafa from Firas. They serve it fresh from massive circular trays. Ask for the "soft" or "crunchy" version. It’s the most consistent traditional dessert in the UAE.
Best breakfast and brunch
In Dubai, breakfast is a lifestyle. On weekends, the city pivots to "Brunch," which can range from quiet morning eggs to all-inclusive afternoon feasts.
Lowe (Al Barari)
Lowe is located in a lush, green corner of the city and focuses on sustainable, wood-fired cooking. Their breakfast menu is inventive, featuring items like avocado toast with a twist or smoked fish. It’s the perfect escape from the city’s concrete heat.
Bubbalicious (Dubai Marina)
If you want the "big Dubai brunch" experience, this is it. Held at The Westin, it features massive buffet stations, live music, and free-flowing drinks. It is chaotic, high-energy, and covers every cuisine from sushi to traditional British roasts.
Arabian Tea House (Al Fahidi)
For a traditional Emirati breakfast, head to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. Order the "Executive Tray," which includes halloumi, olives, honey, jam, and traditional bread (khubz). The turquoise benches and white lace curtains make it one of the most aesthetic spots in Old Dubai.
Best rooftop or view dining
Dubai’s skyline is best enjoyed with a fork in hand. These spots offer the best vantage points in the city.
SushiSamba (Palm Jumeirah)
Located on the 51st floor of the St. Regis, SushiSamba offers a 360-degree view of the Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf. The menu is a mix of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian flavors. The floor-to-ceiling windows ensure there isn't a bad seat in the house.
Mott 32 (JBR)
This high-end Chinese restaurant sits on the 73rd floor of the Address Beach Resort. It offers spectacular views of Bluewaters Island and the Ain Dubai. Famous for its applewood smoked Peking duck, it provides a moody, sophisticated atmosphere paired with one of the highest outdoor terraces in the world.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
If you prefer to walk and see where the smell takes you, head to these three districts.
- Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT): This cluster of towers is home to dozens of independent, homegrown restaurants. You can find everything from Vietnamese pho to authentic Balkan food within a 15-minute walk.
- Satwa: This is the heart of Dubai’s old-school street food scene. It is the best place to find South Asian canteens, Levantine grills, and cheap fruit juices.
- Dubai Design District (d3): For the trendy crowd, d3 offers high-concept cafes and sleek, modern restaurants. It’s the best place to find experimental menus and designer interiors.
Operating hours and reservation requirements change frequently; always check the restaurant’s official site before heading out.