Dubai Food Festival 2023 highlights

More than 13,000 diners enjoyed the exclusive lunch and dinner menus on offer from more than 50 of Dubai’s top restaurants, from 28 April to 7 May. Dubai Restaurant Week has become an established fixture of the city’s culinary calendar, and this year diners could enjoy special menus from restaurants including Michelin-starred Torno Subito, Demon Duck by Alvin Leung, Ce La Vi, and Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen.

Other Foodie Experience highlights included masterclasses in disciplines from Japanese sushi to French patisserie, and stunning experiential events. Dubai's gourmets were delighted to learn the secrets of fermented foods at 21 Grams, or the art of Beef Wellington at The Nine – while Smoke & Mirrors hosted an astonishing Caviar Night, and Alici's head chef Domenico Santagada took diners on a culinary tour of Italy's Amalfi coast. Young ones weren't left out either, with kids' experiences making Black Tap's signature Crazy Shakes, and Emirati food at Arabian Tea House.

A brand new programme for 2023 in partnership with Zomato, 10 Dirham Dish saw more than 200 food outlets across Dubai offer classic favourites or special creations for just AED10, during Dubai Food Festival, marking its 10th edition. The city’s residents were spoilt for choice, with venues ranging from fine-dining Pierchic and Blind Tiger, to casual Yoko Sizzlers and fast food joint Famous Dave’s all joining in.

An extraordinary 95,000 visitors made their way to Etisalat by e& Beach Canteen over the 17 days of Dubai Food Festival, with the much-loved shoreline pop-up going from strength to strength. Diners not only enjoyed delicious food from Dubai’s most popular vendors, but were also treated to live entertainment, a spectacular Eid fireworks display, and the Food Focus Dubai photography exhibition, in conjunction with Gulf Photo Plus, showcasing the best images of Dubai’s culinary scene from the city’s talented photographers. 

Dubai marked the 10th edition of DFF in style all across the city, with umbeatable deals from MAF, Crate & Barrel and other retailers, while outdoor foodie markets, pop-up restaurants and more celebrating the milestone. Two particular highlights were the return of Alserkal Avenue’s What The Food event on the last weekend of DFF, with talks, classes and a delicious night market – and Time Out Market’s second anniversary celebrations, which saw all sorts of food-related fun.