Best Restaurants in Dubai

By Dom Bewley
dubai food

Sometimes, going on vacation can be daunting - especially when it comes to food. Local cuisine can make or break a holiday, so it's good to know your options. Thankfully, Dubai has a large number of amazing restaurants that cater to every cuisine imaginable, so you'll never feel like you're missing out. These are our picks for the very best restaurants you absolutely must visit in Dubai!

Including:

  • Coya
  • BB Social Dining
  • Long Teng
  • 21 Grams
  • Bagatelle
  • and more!
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Coya

If you're looking for some delightful bites influenced by Latin American cuisine, go check out Goya. This Peruvian restaurant, which also borrows generously from Spanish and far Eastern cuisine, is well known around Dubai as one of the best in town.

Visitors can expect great food and great service, all wrapped up in a lively atmosphere that peaks in the evening. Just bear in mind that all that good comes at a cost, so make sure you're flush and check their menu prices before striding in all confident. If you've got the dough, and the menu's for you, Coya is easily one of the best restaurants in Dubai.

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BB Social Dining

BB Social Dining feels like a joint teleported in from New York, thanks to its narrow-yet-tall three-floor structure. Step inside, glide up the staircase to your table, and sit down for some amazing fusion of Eastern and Middle-Eastern cuisine.

You'll find crispy sprouts sitting right by truffle egg and kung fu wings on the menu, and you can pair all these weird yet wonderful combinations with a selection of delightful drinks, should you be parched.

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Long Teng

Hidden in plain sight among the Business Bay office towers, you'll find this wonderfully aquatic Chinese restaurant. Step inside Long Teng, and you'll feel like you've journeyed beneath the waves, thanks to its large aquarium of sea-living legends.

Approach the aquarium, pick your dish, and then sit down to your delicious treat. The menu is packed full of authentic Chinese dishes, so if seafood isn't your jam, or picking your meal seems a little morbid, you can select one of the already deceased options and enjoy that instead. They have vegetarian options too, if you want to give the murder a miss.

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21 Grams

Balkan cuisine doesn't get a lot of love across the globe, which is a shame. A fusion of many different cuisines from nearby, its mix of meats, seafood, and baked delights doesn't get its due. But that's not the case in Dubai, thanks to 21 Grams.

Enter the generous dining area and chow down on some delightful family recipes like zucchini fritters, wagyu beef stuffed patties, and a daily rotation of fresh fish. Grand.

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Bagatelle

Look for late-night French delights? Look no further than Bagatelle, which many consider one of Dubai's best evening hangouts. Though you can book earlier, head there when the sun goes down to make the most of your Bagatelle experience.

With a menu teeming with authentic French cuisine, including uniquely French oddities like snails and frogs legs, as well as a burgeoning drinks menu and live music throughout the night, it could easily be your one-stop shop for a perfect night out. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Dubai if you're looking for a lively time.

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Masti

If you're in the market for a little Indian, head to Masti, which does the best South Asian dishes anywhere in Dubai.

With meals designed by award-winning chef Prashant Chipkar, expect nothing but the best Indian cuisine, with small plates sure to tickle your spicy side. But this isn't your traditional affair, with each Indian mainstay given a very modern twist. Just when you thought you knew what to expect from a curry, Masti offers a delicious rug pull that will have you questioning reality itself. Or, well, maybe not reality. But your expectations of an Indian menu? Sure.

Even the decor is delightful, thanks to the blue upholstery and giant hanging light bulbs. Dine like royalty while feeling like royalty. That's the name of the game at Masti.

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Armani/Ristorante

For Italian cuisine lovers, look no further than the classy, upmarket vibes on offer at Armani/Ristorante. Don't let the minimalist decor fool you - the menu is far from basic.

With wonderful Dubai twists on classic Italian dishes, and each selection paired with a recommended wine, you'll have your pick from the likes of braised lamb ravioli, foie gras, blue lobster, and many more.

If your bank account can handle it, we'd recommend the Tajima wagyu strip loin with black truffle mashed potato. Divine.

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Al Beiruti

Al Beiruti caters to all your Middle-Eastern culinary desires, so if you want some authentic local food, you know where to go.

Thanks to the all-day menu featuring breakfasts, mezze, grilled meats, and even a kids menu, you can enjoy Al Beiruti's delights from sun up to sun down. And, with the kitchen visible from your table, you can see the master chefs in action as they wrangle up your tasty treats. Expect plenty of hummus, shawarma, sausages, and Middle-Eastern takes on burgers, to name but a few.

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Bubbalicious

And finally, no list of the best restaurants in Dubai would be complete without a shout-out to everyone's favorite between-meal; brunch. Does Dubai do brunch? Too right it does. So why not check out the city's best brunch spot at Bubbalicious?

Located in the Marriott's Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, you'll find this delightful all-you-can-eat brunch fest. And their offerings are startling, to say the least. Lobster, curry, steak, Asian dishes, roasted meats, and much more fill the aisles, and you can have as much as you want. Not a bad way to start your day, ay?

Those are our picks for the best restaurants in Dubai! With all that fuel in you, you'll be ready for all the amazing experiences Dubai has to offer. Looking for ideas? Why not check out Go City? With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want. There's so much to do, see, and experience that no matter what you decide to do, you'll love your time in the city!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Dubai in November

Head to Dubai in November? A good choice, friend. Just the right side of Dubai's intense summer period, it's the perfect time to see and do everything you want. Check out our guide to Dubai in November, and see what's on offer! Including: Dubai weather in November Dubai's water parks Swashbuckling sea tours Ferrari World Dubai's best eats and more! Dubai in November: What to Expect For the unprepared, Dubai's summer can seem to drag on for about half the year. And unlike summers you may have experienced, Dubai's is different. Highs of 105°F are common during peak heat, so you might want to give a summer vacation a miss. However, November is when things really start to cool down. On average, you can expect highs of around 87°F and lows of around 68°F. So, if you're looking to pleasantly sizzle rather than catch fire, November might be the perfect time of year in Dubai! During the day, you'll want to dress light in tees, summer dresses, shorts, and sandals. But in the evenings, you may want to change into light jackets, long-sleeved shirts, jeans, and proper shoes. November is a 'best of both' month, giving you the sun you want as well as the cool evenings to unwind and sleep. Plus, Dubai's weather is damn sure to be better than wherever you live during late autumn/early winter! Dubai in November: What to Do Make a splash at Dubai's water parks On particularly hot days, you'll want to make the most of the autumn sun. And where better to soak up some rays and stay cool at the same time than at a water park? Dubai has a handful of the watery wonders, but we recommend you check out Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm. There, you'll find plenty of rides that cater to both the young and old. Aquaconda throws you down a head-spinning snake of a ride, with twists and turns around every scaly corner. There's the death-defying Leap of Faith, which drops you off a near-sheer cliff of a jump, straight into a tunnel surrounded by sharks! And after all that excitement and more, they even have their own beach where you can relax or hop in a kayak! If you're planning a family vacation and want to treat the kids, LEGOLAND® Water Park caters to them especially, with 20 LEGO®-themed rides featuring some recognizable faces from the building-block franchise. The Joker Soaker pits you against Batman's worst enemy as you splash around his playground. And at LEGO® Slide Racers, you'll board your mat and bomb your way down this white knuckle ride. Thrills, chills, and hopefully, no spills await you. It may sound strange, but water parks are some of the best things to do on a warm November day in Dubai. Live like a pirate with the Black Pearl sightseeing cruise! Sightseeing is fun and all, but why not add a little spice to your tour of Dubai's best bits? By spice, we mean spiced rum, and that can only mean one thing. A tour courtesy of Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean! With his unsteady hand around the wheel, you'll sail past Dubai Creek Harbour and on to Mohamed Bin Rashid. Prepare your cameras because you'll then pass the tallest building on Earth, the Burj Khalifa. You can even ask the captain himself to take a selfie if he's not imbibed too much. All through the journey, the "worst pirate you've ever heard of" will comically remark on your surroundings, giving you insight into the history of the landmarks. He'll likely regale you with his escapades while he's at it, so prepare for some tall tales! Speedy Thrills at Ferrari World On a warm November day, what better way to appreciate the sun with the wind running through your hair? Or, better yet, crashing into your face and throwing you back in your seat at 150mph? Welcome to Ferrari World, home to the world's fastest rollercoaster. Only the bravest dare test themselves on Formula Rossa. To replicate the feeling of driving an F1 car, you'll be propelled 150mph in just under 5 seconds. At that speed, you'll feel the equivalent of 5Gs of force, which isn't far off jet fighter pilots. Can you take the Gs? Only one way to find out. There are plenty of other rides to try while you're there, so if you have a passing interest in fast cars or simply want to ride some of the most white-knuckle rides on the planet, give it a go. Exciting desert tours If you want to take your white-knuckle adventures to Dubai's dunes, why not try a desert tour? Whether you want to try your hand at quad-biking, driving a dune buggy, riding a camel, or a relaxing BBQ evening, you've got plenty of options. No matter which you'll choose, you can expect 5-star service. A plush 4x4 will pick you up from your hotel and take you out of the city. And, when the experience is over, they'll bring you right back. The perfect way to avoid all the hassle of booking cabs or planning public transport routes, our desert tours ensure you get to see stunning sights and thrilling experiences without the headache! Grab some grub And finally, after all the excitement of your trip, you might be feeling pretty hungry. Thankfully, Dubai has tons of restaurants that cater to every culinary desire under the sun. But who wants to click links when they can read our recommendations? For South American delights, try Coya. This Peruvian restaurant, which also borrows generously from Spanish and far Eastern cuisine, is well known around Dubai as one of the best in town. It's also on the expensive side, so bear that in mind. For French food and a lively evening atmosphere, hit up Bagatelle. A great menu combined with live music after dark makes it the perfect nighttime visit. Or, if all-you-can-eat brunch sounds too good to pass up, check out Bubbalicious. Located in the Marriott's Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, you'll be free to gorge on lobster, curry, and countless other world dishes. And that's our guide to Dubai in November! Looking to add to your itinerary? Check out Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.
Dom Bewley
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Things to do in Dubai in Winter

When we think of winter, certain images may spring to mind; runny noses, driveways caked in snow, and the desire to wear all your clothes at once. Winter time isn't without its charms. After all, snow is pretty, and for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas takes place in the midst of the cold. But sometimes, the run-up to winter can be a bit disheartening. Vacation season is in the distant past, and if the roads aren't salted, you may be in for a bad time. But what if we told you there's a magical place where none of that is true? What if we told you this magical place is temperate all year round and the perfect winter vacation destination? Well, that's what we're telling you. That place is Dubai, and during peak winter, temperatures only drop as low as 70°F. With temperatures like that, you could do any number of things in Dubai in winter. So, in the spirit of winter, let's explore the fun things you'll find indoors, where even the sun won't harm your withered frame. Including: Ski Dubai IMG Worlds of Adventure Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Wavehouse VR Park Dubai and more! Snow, but not as you know it If, for some reason, you miss the winter chill, why not carve some sick powder at Ski Dubai? As the world's biggest indoor ski center, you'll find slopes aplenty and even a ski lift to take you all the way to the top. Yes, it's that big. Whether your poison is skiing, snowboarding, or sledding, you'll find plenty to do at Ski Dubai. Even newcomers are welcome, with instructors on hand to show you the ropes. And all your equipment is included, so you needn't stuff your suitcase with appropriate attire. Oh, and every few hours, everything grinds to a halt. Why, you ask? Well, because that's then the freaking penguins turn up to tour the premises. Penguins? In Dubai? What sorcery is this? Theme park life From inside ski resorts to inside theme parks, Dubai has it all. Yes, even their theme parks are under-roof. Well, not all of them, but certainly IMG Worlds of Adventure. Oh, and it's also the biggest indoor theme park on the planet, because of course it is. Across 5 unique zones, you'll find rides of all shapes and sizes and featuring characters from the likes of Marvel. Now you, of all people, can join the mighty Avengers and help them stop the newest world-ending threat. To them, it's just a Tuesday. But to you, it's the chance to finally be that hero you tell yourself you can be. There are also spooky mansions to escape from, dinosaurs to outrun, and plenty of other mischief to be had. Glorious, and easily one of the best things to do in Dubai in winter. Another Dimension If the reality-bending winter weather in Dubai isn't mind-blowing enough for you, why not enter another reality entirely and see how you get on? Thanks to VR Park Dubai, you can do just that. Over the course of four wonderful hours, you'll enter seven worlds full of weirdness and whimsy. Well, some of them are less whimsical and more deadly, but you get the idea. If you have friends, they can join you as you enter virtual reality and dual it out with zombies, robots, or each other in a number of sports-related games. Do you have the brains, brawn, and other 'b' words to grind them to dust? Or will you lose, again, and never hear the end of it? There's only one way to find out, and that way is to go here and do the thing. Escape mediocrity A harsh winter can leave us feeling trapped in our homes. Snowed in with an empty fridge and no delivery drivers nearby is enough to bring tears to the eyes. If you miss that feeling while on your warm winter getaway, why not head to No Way Out escape rooms and get trapped all over again? With 10 spooky rooms on offer, including authentic offerings from the IT and Ring universes, you and up to 8 prisoners - sorry, friends - will battle the clock, devious traps, puzzles, and contend with creepy actors playing their parts as they try and scare you senseless. And if that wasn't enough, you can even stay after your game and sit down for a bit of interactive horror cinema. Each show features wind, water, and other special effects that will assault your senses as you watch. But, be careful. You never know when one of the actors will be creeping right behind your seat. If you have the stomach for it, No Way Out is definitely one of the best things to do in Dubai in winter! Surf's up Ever time traveled? We'd bet on no, but if you ever want to relive the glorious nostalgia of the 80s arcade scene, give Wavehouse in the Atlantis Hotel and good go. On top of the myriad arcade cabinets with old-school games and pinball machines, you'll find bowling alleys, a surf simulator, and even a stacked menu of American delights like burgers, pizzas, and hotdogs. You can even take your food and drink outside, if you dare face the unbearable 70°F sunshine. You brave soul, you. Beneath the surface In a place where water doesn't freeze, you may enjoy exploring the depths of the sea and making some new friends. Well, what are you waiting for? Go check out Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and meet some underwater buddies! You'll explore a massive underwater tunnel, where you'll be immersed in sea life all around you. Make sure to snap some pics for your social media - if you dare to go nose-to-nose with a shark, imagine the flood of likes and dopamine that will come your way! Validation is the sweetest medicine, after all. Then, you'll enter the Underwater Zoo, stacked with tanks showing off specific species of exotic underwater critters. Water's never been so fun unless you're thirsty, in which case, drinking it is pretty awesome. And those were our picks for the best things to do in Dubai in winter! Looking for some sunny activities when the weather finally clears up? Check out Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.
Dom Bewley
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Dessert in the desert: dirham-saving dinner hacks in Dubai

Dubai sightseeing with a side order of starlit desert dining, traditional Arabian breakfasts and Lebanese feasts fit for a sultan? Where do we sign up?
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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