New Dubai restaurants to try in 2023

Channelling old-school New York, with some Mafia-themed humour, Wise Guys offers freshly-made sandwiches in DIFC’s Gate Village, aiming to provide an authentic NYC deli experience. Open from breakfast into the late evening, Wise Guys has a special morning menu, along with its usual lunch-until-late sandwich offerings. Early risers can start with the Egg Manifesto, and signature sandwich offerings include the Wise Guy, the Forget About It and the Connie vegetarian sub.

Following the success of his secret supper clubs throughout Dubai, rising culinary sensation Hawkerboi has launched his first ever permanent restaurant. The venue in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) specialises in ‘hawker’ food – with dishes such as curry puff dim sum with panang spices, wagyu beef skewers with peanut nahm jim sauce and Peking-style roast duck.

Named after a paradise island off the coast of Ibiza, Tagomago is a beach club and restaurant that brings the same bohemian charm and western Mediterranean flavours to Palm Jumeirah. The family-friendly establishment sits on the east edge of Dubai’s famed archipelago, and has it own beach stretch as well as seaside lounges, a terrace dining area and pretty pergola paths. 

With its bright and natural aesthetic, pairing wooden interiors with plenty of lush greenery, BohoX offers a wonderfully calming culinary experience. Located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai, this homegrown concept is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The a la carte menu includes hearty salads, delicious sandwiches, top-notch vegan options, refreshing detox juices and succulent cakes and pastries.

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is not just for seasoned foodies but anyone looking for an extraordinary dining experience. Immaculate plating and presentation for each dish only elevate the award-winning chef's offerings, like the Meat Fruit, a chicken liver parfait presented to resemble a whole mandarin. Its Atlantis The Royal outpost mirrors the same elegant, upscale ambience as the original Knightsbridge eatery, complete with a private dining room for up to 12 guests.

Famous in its native Singapore for offering the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal, Hawker Chan has now arrived in the Chinatown section of Dubai Mall. Don’t miss this chance to try authentic Singaporean street food, especially the signature soya sauce chicken and rice. Based on a Hong Kong recipe, the chicken is marinaded in the sauce for many hours, with chefs braising the meat by hand throughout the day. This method creates chicken which is phenomenally tender, and a sauce with a rich flavour.

This homegrown Italian spot on the ground floor of the Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah combines a homely, rustic atmosphere with authentic fare and has established itself as a neighbourhood favourite. Sip an espresso teamed with a flaky pastry at the Sbarra coffee bar, or take your seat in the main dining room before tucking into well-priced, generous mains like an exceptional veal Milanese. Peek into the dedicated pasta-making room where chef Emanuel Rizzo conjures up ever-changing weekly specials, and don't miss the fresh artisanal pizza. Finish on a sweet note by heading into the retro gelateria – the gorgonzola with balsamic ice cream is a surprise hit.

Japanese food enthusiasts are in for a treat at Itadaku, which offers an extensive menu packed with culinary delights from the Land of the Rising Sun. Located in Jumeirah’s Wasl Vita Mall, the restaurant’s name is inspired by a Japanese word that means “gratitude for receiving”. And you’ll certainly be feeling grateful when the food arrives. Try the bluefin fatty tuna sashimi, the hand-rolled prawn tempura sushi, the skewered wagyu beef with wasabi and the grilled veal gyoza.

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.