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17 Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants in Dubai
Tue, May 16, 2023
Three new restaurants have joined the 2023 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand list for Dubai. Find out where you can enjoy quality dishes and excellent service at these value-for-money eateries.
Three new restaurants have joined the 2023 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand list for Dubai. Find out where you can enjoy quality dishes and excellent service at these value-for-money eateries.
1
21 Grams
For delectable Balkan-style cuisine, 21 Grams is a homegrown neighbourhood bistro. Nestled within the cosy suburban centre of Dubai – Umm Suqeim – the local hotspot is always bustling with good food, delightful coffee and cheerful banter. Regulars tend to pre-book the private dining room where chef's table events are hosted too. While here, try a few among these dishes: the delicious chicken liver plate, crisp spinach borek, signature phyllo pie and tempting baklava.
2
3Fils
This homegrown favourite has long charmed Dubai's foodies and it's no surprise it also made it to the World's 50 Best Restaurants list for MENA. The chic yet casual dining experience, coupled with calming harbourside views and no-reservations policy, makes this one of Dubai's most unassumingly spectacular dining hotspots. Serving modern Asian cuisine with a Japanese influence, you’ll find tantalising dishes such as salmon carpaccio, wagyu beef, sushi and fire-grilled octopus on the menu.
3
Aamara
From the award-winning team behind Trèsind comes another gem, helmed by chef Malik Basha. Food at Aamara, located on level two of VOCO Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, will impress you with both its on-point presentation and sheer deliciousness. The space is open and inviting, where traditional decor elements blend seamlessly with modern styling – much like the menu. Tuck into delectable dishes like the butterfly prawn with muhammara, signature finger salad with lettuce cream, za’atar kebabs and charcoal-cooked lamb chops, which feature perfectly paired Indian and Middle Eastern flavours.
4
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant
From the courtyard setting and lanterns adorning the walls to thatched-palm placemats, it's clear that Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant is more than just a cosy spot for a meal – it's a place to get a feel of Dubai's yesteryears. The menu is wide-ranging, covering everything from local favourites like chebab (Emirati pancakes) to hearty meat-laden dishes and sizzling seafood platters. Following the customs of the land, portions are generous too, making this an ideal spot for an indulgent dinner after a day spent exploring Old Dubai.
5
Bait Maryam
Starting as a collection of recipes handed down through generations, Bait Maryam has quickly transformed into a staple choice for unpretentious and authentic Middle Eastern meals. A proud Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient, the restaurant is helmed by Salam Dakkar, who is award-winning in her own right, having clinched the MENA region's best female chef title by the World’s 50 Best in 2023. Those who enter are sure to feel a sense of warmth and nostalgia, thanks to the modern but cosy interiors with various vintage bric-a-brac filling the shelves and cupboards. Come ready for a feast and dive into moreish servings of manakish, falafel, lamb chops and Levantine specialities featuring spicy potatoes or fried eggplant.
6
Brasserie Boulud
The acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud has set up shop in the cool Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. Boulud may have put his name to several other restaurants, but this is his first to open in the Middle East and it has already received a Michelin Bib Gourmand selection. Wondering what to order? The dishes at this art deco style spot celebrate fine, modern French signatures but with signature flair – think spiced lamb terrine, hearty burgers slathered in raclette cheese, and a spectacular duck leg confit.
7
Fi’lia Dubai
Fi’lia Dubai is an ode to honest, family-focused Italian food. Its name is derived from ‘daughter’ in Italian and, led by chef Sara Aqel who trained under the legendary Massimo Bottura, the restaurant celebrates an all-female team of strong, talented women from around the world. One bite of the classic Margherita pizza with fresh buffalo mozarella, and you’ll know you’re in the right place for fresh, fine Italian food.
8
Folly
One of the city's most coveted restaurants, Folly brings contemporary European cuisine to the forefront. With stunning views of the Madinat waterways and beyond, the restaurant is a top pick for every occasion from sunset nibbles and lazy lunches with friends to a romantic, starlit dinner. With a prime waterfront location at Madinat Jumeirah, Folly offers modern dining in a relaxed and warm environment, complete with an open kitchen, outdoor terraces and intimate dining areas.
9
Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori
This cool, contemporary Japanese-inspired restaurant by chef Akmal Anuar offers authentic flavours in a relaxed setting. The menu at this low-key spot in Galleria Mall includes loads of tasty robata grills as well as excellent sushi. The elongated space has minimalistic interiors and a small outdoor section that's usually packed in the winter months. Unlike many other spots offering the same cuisine, you won't find any soy on the tables here, as the modern Asian chef Anuar and his team ensure each dish includes just the right amount.
10
Ibn AlBahr
The best Arabic seafood and mezze is available at Ibn AlBahr, offering a taste of Lebanon on the shores of Dubai. Bring your family and friends to enjoy the grilled fish, priced by the kilo and cooked to perfection. You’ll find the fresh catch generous enough to satisfy your entire crew. Don't miss out on all-time favourites like creamy cashew nut prawns and spiced fish curry when you visit. Remember to book an outdoor table in winter to admire the picturesque waterside setting at Palm Jumeirah.
11
Indya by Vineet
Award-winning chef Vineet Bhatia's eatery is a spice emporium with a decidedly modern twist. The celebrated culinary genius has taken the recipes of his home and given them an update, plating them up beautifully at Indya by Vineet at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa. It feels like a labour of love for the Mumbai native as the 70-strong dishes showcase a very personal story. Everything feels familiar yet is, at the same time, completely fresh with unusual ingredients and unique preparations.
12
Kinoya
She started her foodie career with sold-out supper clubs and was the chef behind the @astoryoffood Instagram page, but now Neha Mishra is spearheading her very first Japanese restaurant. Loyal fans flock to Kinoya for a taste of her take on izakaya. Taking the everyday ramen and transforming it to a foodie revelation, everything here – right down to the noodles – is handmade with love, following closely-guarded recipes. This proudly homegrown gem is a favourite, so book in advance to avoid disappointment.
13
Ninive
This chic lounge continues to win awards, and it's clear to see why. Ninive's modern menu is inspired by the flavours of Morocco, Iran, Iraq and Turkey with low-level seating to amplify Dubai skyscraper views. The charming, foliage-filled space has a 1001 Arabian Nights vibe with twinkling lights, coloured lanterns and mosaic tables whisking you into a fairytale. Expect a combination of well-known favourites as well as more innovative fare on the menu, with the traditional tagine being particularly delicious.
14
Orfali Bros Bistro
Foodies rave about this modern Middle Eastern eatery, a family affair for Fatafeet's celebrity chef Mohammad Orfali and his brothers Omar and Wassim. The trio's labour of love, which landed a place on the Michelin and MENA 50 Best Restaurants list, serves an innovative menu blending regional flavours with international influences. Its central location, on one of the pretty plazas in Wasl 51 mall, offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Given two of the three owners focus on sweet treats, it's worth saving room for dessert.
15
Reif Japanese Kushiyaki
Known for his kitchen performances at Zuma and PLAY among other top names, local chef extraordinaire Reif Othman has set up shop on his own to massive applause. This casual dining spot in Jumeirah's Dar Wasl Mall has won a slew of awards, serving up his take on Asian street food with a strong Japanese accent. Take your seat in the relaxed, wood-accented interiors and enjoy a plethora of sharing plates. Fans return for The Experience, a curated tasting menu and Singaporean breakfasts on weekends.
16
Teible
Casual dining concept Teible focuses on seasonal, farm-to-table flavours in a stripped back spot in Jameel Arts Centre by Jaddaf Waterfront. Through its minimal wastage menu, the Michelin Green star winner has ever-evolving offerings. Highlights include local oysters on kefir buttermilk, camel ricotta 'caramelle' pasta, along with lamb paired with kimchi from the charred section, while the ‘Sour Mountain’ dessert stands out for its use of locally-foraged rosemary.
17
Shabestan
A long-time stalwart of the Dubai dining scene, Shabestan has been serving up traditional Iranian dishes for over three decades and has been awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide. Situated at the Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek, it's packed with regulars returning to feast on finely-tuned recipes, with the emphasis on authentic eats, generous portions and a relaxed ambience. You'll find favourites on the menu, from grilled meats and fresh seafood to slow-cooked stews.
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