Naples-born tastemaker Giuseppe Pezzella is making his mark on Dubai's culinary scene. Chef de cuisine at FIVE Palm Jumeirah's Cinque, a chic Italian ristorante, he's also opened a sister outpost at the hotel's address in Jumeirah Village to the delight of younger gourmands. Described as 'rustic Italian dining with a millennial soul', Trattoria by Cinque expands Pezzella's gastronomic exploration of the Amalfi Coast. Expect new experiments along with his biggest hits – his Palm Jumeirah menu is well known for the Gold Sheikh Burrata, a hefty serving of the cheese coated in edible 22-karat gold.

A personal passion project for the owner, this homegrown eatery showcases the best of Portugal, from its authentic dishes to the handmade artisanal crockery and soulful Fado music. Expect traditional recipes faithfully reproduced with classics like arroz de tamboril – a seafood rice stew – and their signature custard tarts stealing the spotlight. You can pop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner – or simply sip a coffee on the al fresco terrace – and feel transported to the sidewalks of Lisbon.

An open show kitchen is rightly the centre of attention at this café that combines bright, contemporary interiors with signature Lebanese dishes. Along with charcoal grills and a huge selection of mezze, there’s hearty kibbeh, zaatar-spiced hummus and strong Arabic coffee that’ll keep patrons lingering. They’re so sure you’ll love their dishes that they’re even opening a small space showcasing ingredients to take home – but few things beat being pampered by their talented chefs.

Restauranteur Sergio Lopez and chef Troy Payne's latest venture is a labour of love. Not your average eatery, The Pangolin is a farm-to-table lifestyle complex that features two restaurants, an outdoor terrace and a pool right by the Els Club golf course. The duo has picked out local farms for all their produce so visitors can expect a fresh, healthy and preservative-free dining experience, set amid a green sanctuary reminiscent of South African safari escapes. Take a bite out of reinvented land and sea classics – the twice-cooked veal belly, slow-roasted lamb dolmade and salt-baked seabass are on the must-try list. The cherry on top? Part of the profits goes towards saving its namesake animal, which is one of the most endangered mammals in the world.

A tasty Greek-Mediterranean treat at The Pointe, AIZA has it all – live entertainment, flavour-packed food, epic views of the world’s largest fountain and…plate smashing! Only open in the evening, the Aegean-inspired dinner menu serves as a hit list of all-time favourites, including Greek cheeses, an abundance of fresh seafood, slow-cooked lamb and souvlaki prepared live at your table. For an all-round fun night out, with delicious food to boot, this spot is a sure-fire favourite.

An Insta-famous chef that needs little introduction, Burak Özdemir has generated quite a buzz with his latest restaurant opening in Dubai. Located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, CZNBurak pulls out all the stops with extravagant plates of perfectly-grilled kebabs, magical mezze and divine Arabic desserts served with creative flair – all accompanied with rhythmic drums and flaming salt, no less. Book a table on the terrace for the best views of Downtown's skyscrapers, including the glittering Burj Khalifa.