LoginFood & Drink
New Dubai restaurants to try in 2023
Wed, March 1, 2023
From fine dining to creative culinary gems, check out some of the newest tasty spots in town.
From fine dining to creative culinary gems, check out some of the newest tasty spots in town.
Bungalo34
It's secluded setting, looking out on an endless expanse of blue sea, instantly evokes holiday vibes, but that's just one of the reasons to visit this all-day spot at the Nikki Beach Resort & Spa that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Helmed by restaurateur Natasha Sideris, Bungalo34's Mediterranean menu puts the spotlight on seafood specials, and serves them in a casual yet chic space – complete with changing booths for swimmers and an artisanal boutique. Book a prime table located in the soft sand on the beach.
Estiatorio Milos
The revered chef Costas Spiliadis has brought his simple yet sumptuous dishes to Atlantis The Royal Dubai, where you can discover the culinary wonders of Greece. Fresh seafood is a speciality here, whether it's wild oysters or delicate ceviche, all served with uncomplicated touches such as a pinch of Aegean rock salt or a dash of olive oil.
Josette
From the moment you step into Josette, located in DIFC's prestigous Brookfield Building, you'll feel like you've been transported to 1920s Paris. Celebrated designer Luke Edward Hall has put his stamp on Instagrammable interiors with pastel-pink and deep green hues, opulent chandeliers and gold accents combining with regular live musical acts and accomplished French cooking to make this a must-visit hotspot.
City Social
Acclaimed chef Jason Atherton is at the helm of City Social Dubai. Taking up the entire top floor of Grosvenor House’s Tower 2, City Social offers floor-to-ceiling views of Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah and modern European cuisine based around the idea of “uncomplicated luxury”. Enjoy some of Jason Atherton’s most famous dishes, including roasted sea bass with shellfish ragout, and Sicilian pistachio soufflé – along with new editions such as Scottish salmon with king crab.
City Social
Food & Drink
- Grosvenor House Dubai, Tower 2, Al Emreef St - Dubai Marina - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
The Pit House of Barbecue
Aiming to bring the tastes of traditional American barbeque to Dubai, The Pit at City Walk offers a wide range of smoked meats and all the trimmings. Pit masters smoke meat in front of diners, and in true barbeque style, diners are encouraged to get messy, and dig in with fingers, in keeping with the laid-back atmosphere of the casual spot. Highlights from the menu include smoked brisket slices, fall-off-the-bone short ribs, a spiced jerk chicken, and tender lamb.
Ariana's Persian Kitchen
Discover a unique take on classic Persian cuisine at celebrity chef Ariana Bundy's restaurant in Atlantis The Royal Dubai. Dishes are inspired by family recipes handed down between generations, such as rose-scented sea bass, Caspian-style filet kebab and ice cream with saffron, pistachios and rose water. To drink, try a specially created cordial or a traditional Persian tea. The venue itself offers superb sea views of Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai skyline from the garden terrace, and there's also a show kitchen with a huge charcoal grill and a private dining room for anyone wishing to celebrate a momentous occasion in style.
Sumosan
Sumosan Dubai offers authentic Japanese cuisine with a modern gastronomic approach. Located in The Dubai EDITION Hotel in Downtown Dubai, the restaurant brings Japanese minimalism and an elegant, earthy palette to its design, and features the JBar indoor terrace. Sumosan specialises in bringing novel twists to traditional Japanese food, with favourite dishes including the Sumosan surprise lobster salad, 24-hour miso-marinated black cod and wagyu fillet sando with truffle fries – and an extensive sushi selection.
Andina
Arriving from trendy Spitalfields in London, Andina provides a taste of the traditional culture and food of the Andean mountains – which is also completely gluten-free. Guests are immersed in Peruvian culture from the moment they enter, and can enjoy the universally-popular drink “chicha morada” made from purple corn. Highlights from the menu include punchy ceviches, grilled octopus, hearty vegan stews, and glazed beef brisket. Enjoy offers including business lunches and a relaxed Saturday brunch.
La Table
La Table takes the pop-up restaurant concept to new heights. This intimate 50-diner space in the heart of DIFC will see not just a new chef and menu every three months – but an entirely new appearance. Each new chef will set the ethos for their months in charge – all the way from the cuisine to the décor. La Table says its chefs are those that “live, breathe and bask in food and storytelling”. The first residency kicks off with Arab pitmaster Hattem Mattar.
Mott 32
Mott 32 restaurant has opened its doors on the 73rd floor of the Address Beach Resort in JBR. Originally from Hong Kong, the famed fine-dining Cantonese eatery offers delectable dishes with paranoramic sky-high views. Popular dishes include its signature applewood roasted Peking Duck, the jasmine flower smoked black cod and a exquisite selection of dim sum.
Lila Taqueria
Lila is a casual, homegrown spot on Jumeirah Beach Road, helmed by chef Shaw Lash, and is a bit of an insider foodie find.
Take your seat in the intimate, open-plan space or on its terrace if you're looking for alfresco eats, and get ready to have your tastebuds tickled by authentic Mexican street food like tuna crudo tostadas, Oaxacan-style lamb shoulder Al Pastor tacos, and mains like grass-fed rib-eye served alongside fried plantains, caramelised onions and chipotle salsa.
attiko
Located on the 31st floor of the W Dubai - Mina Seyahi hotel, attiko is a sleek social supper club bringing together Pan Asian flavours and a setting ideal for memorable night-time gatherings. Sweeping over a coveted rooftop space that overlooks Dubai’s glitziest precincts, guests are ushered into a cosmopolitan reverie of lights, sights and sounds as soon as they enter. The lounge’s dark, dramatic interiors are festooned with fairy-lights and a palm motif, standing in striking contrast to the panoramic views offered from its wide window walls and terrace seating. The mood and food are equally elevated, while the service flows as smoothly as the resident DJ’s deep beats.
Nazcaa
Exceptional Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai vistas from its outdoor terrace may be reason enough to check out Nazcaa, but the food will definitely make your visit worthwhile. Located in the Address Fountain Views hotel, the restaurant offers Nikkei cuisine with an elevated dining experience. The menu boasts Japanese and Peruvian fusion plates and goes beyond with a touch of traditional ingredients from the Nazca culture. Signature ceviches, crispy Nikkei tacos and flavour-packed sushi and sashimi plated to perfection are some of the top choices.
La Niña
La Niña takes you on a culinary journey through seafaring routes from the Iberian Peninsula to South America, showcasing dishes from Spain, Portugal and South America. It's ICD Brookfield Place location is equally noteworthy – enter through the prestigious building's sleek lobby and you'll find interiors flourishes you've never seen in the city before – like a wall set in patterned azulejo Portuguese tiles – along with opulent chandeliers and maroon banquettes that set the stage for delicious plates and a dressed-up crowd.
CouCou Dubai
Extend your visit to The View at The Palm with an exuberant evening at its high-end dining concept, CouCou Dubai. Perched 240m above ground, the rooftop restaurant and lounge offers panoramic vistas of spectacular Arabian Sea sunsets and Palm Jumeirah’s scintillating nightscapes. As day slips into dusk, CouCou comes alive, beckoning guests over from the observation deck for a fantastic time of food, music and festivities.
En Fuego
Every day is a fiesta at this Atlantis, The Palm restaurant that captures the colour and spirit of South America. The name says it all – En Fuego's menu is full of fiery flavours as brightly hued interiors and upbeat entertainment featuring live music and performers add to the electric atmosphere. Chef Daniel Garcí is showcasing recipes from across the continent, so expect everything from Peru's zesty ceviche to moreish Colombian arepas pastries, plus Mexican tacos and Argentinian steak.
ONZE
It feels like a special occasion from the moment you enter ONZE, at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, thanks to its picturesque location on the evocative Dubai Creek and dramatic interiors that feature birds in flight, hanging from the soaring 30-metre high ceiling. The menu's bold flavours reflect Nikkei cuisine, a mix between Japanese and Peruvian techniques and ingredients, while resident DJs playing chilled-out house music add to the ambience – it's the perfect spot for watching the sunset.
Black Flamingo
The team behind hotspots like February 30 and Lucia's have brought a slice of Miami to Dubai's shoreline with Palm West Beach eatery Black Flamingo. Bright booths, lush foliage and neon signage make up the space that easily transitions from a lively lunch to a full-on dinner party scene as the sun goes down. Plus there are reggae, hip hop and R'n'B tunes on weekends. Award-winning chef Reif Othman brings his culinary expertise to the table with a flavour-packed menu featuring seafood ceviche, tacos and chicken wings.
Hayal
A fine addition to Downtown Dubai’s culinary club, Hayal combines chef Roberto Segura's modern Turkish cuisine with lively entertainment. You'll feel like you're journeying to Istanbul when you step inside this hospitable eatery in The St. Regis Downtown Dubai. Pick this spot for its vibrant atmosphere, distinctive Anatolian decor and panoramic views of the Dubai Water Canal.
Do you like it? Share it
