dubai food

Best Restaurants in Dubai

By Dom Bewley

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!

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dubai at night
Blog

Things to do in Dubai at Night - Evening Activities

You know what they say about the nighttime - it's when the sun sets, and things get dark. Do you know what else they say about the night? It's when the real fun starts. That is what they say, check the dictionary. So, if you're in Dubai, make the most of your evenings by checking out the best things to do at night! We've taken the pain out of it, and put all the best bits down below. Enjoy! Including: Ain Dubai evening boat tour Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner Dubai Magical Night Tour Dubai Ice Rink VR Park Dubai and more! Flashing, reflecting, refracting lights There's nothing quite as stunning as seeing the bright lights of a burgeoning city beaming off of the sea. Well, maybe there are, but in this instance, we'll pretend otherwise. That's because one of the best things to do in Dubai at night is an evening boat tour of the city's coast! For an entire 60 minutes, you'll explore Dubai Marina, enjoy stunning views of the city's skyscraping 5-star hotels and the luxury yachts docked here, and cruise past Jumeirah Beach and get a chance to ogle at the opulent high-rise residences here and on Bluewaters Island. But the best sightseeing on this tour is undoubtedly the Ain Dubai. At 250 meters, it's the tallest observation wheel on the planet, dwarfing the likes of The London Eye and the High Roller in Las Vegas. BBQ in the barrens Deserts can be unforgiving beasts. Miles upon miles with no water, shade, and the delirious mirages of water fountains and freshwater streams are all things we'd rather avoid. However, a curated trip to the desert can actually be a blast, and that's what you'll experience on this desert safari and bbq dinner. You'll start proceedings by being driven from the city into the desert in a 4x4, where you can watch the beautiful scenery of the setting sun. Then, you'll reach a camp, where you and many others can enjoy a delicious bbq meal of grilled meats and other Arabic delights. Then, settle in for the evening's entertainment. Belly dancing, shisha, sandboarding, camel riding, and more are all available to partake in, should you feel up for it after the epic feast. After all that, you'll be taken straight back to your hotel. Epic nights don't get much better than that, and you never have to worry about dying of thirst. Brilliant! Tour the night While touring the Dubai coast and seeing the city's lights dance off the water is one thing, seeing them up close on dry land is quite another! So why not go explore the city's nightlife on a magical evening tour of Dubai? Highlights include the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Burj Al Arab, Dubai Harbour, and more. And believe us, all of these are truly spectacular to see at night. And, while you're cruising in luxury, air-conditioned comfort, your guide will fill you in on the history of each landmark, as well as the city's near-future plans. If you want to learn a little more about the city you're visiting, as well as snap some of the fluorescent delights on full display, do yourself a favor and take a curated tour! It was a cold and icy night How does carving some sweet powder on solid ice sound for an evening? Is that what people call it? Carving powder? Who cares, because you can carve whatever you want when you take a PM trip to Dubai Ice Rink! Head to the Dubai Mall, put on your best icing skates, and get ready for some pirouette action as you dazzle the crowds with your ice skating moves. Or, crawl around the edge of the rink holding on for dear life as your feet betray you. Whatever floats your boat. That wasn't an iceberg pun, simply a happy accident. Suitable for both skating enthusiasts and newbies, the rink has ice marshals on hand to ensure you don't hurt anyone else, let alone yourself with your long, gangly dancers' legs. Still, if you can brave the embarrassment, or you're somehow an 'expert' ice skater, you'll have tons of fun doing the business. Reality, but not as you know it Sometimes, reality doesn't quite cut it. Even if you're in Dubai, you might be looking for some alternatives to the beautiful city, the mesmerizing desert, and the wonderful waters. You might be looking for something a little more out of this world. Well, put your search to rest, because Dubai's own VR Park has just the ticket, a ticket to the extraordinary. With 25 games to choose from, pick seven to play and enter the virtual space. Then, whichever mind-blowing experiences and adventures you like! Play a few rounds of VR sports, hop across platforms in mythical, uncharted worlds, and even face off against your friends in competitive modes. Try your hand at the likes of Dubai Drop, Dune Bash, Robocom, Arena, and many more! Eat, drink, and be merry And finally, let's end this exploration of the best things to do in Dubai at night with everyone's favorite evening pastime - dinner. Nothing quite beats an epic meal to end the day, and you'll be pleased to hear that Dubai has a massive amount of amazing restaurants within its opulent walls. Whatever you desire is sure to be on offer in the city. Even the fussiest eaters will find plenty of delightful places to sit down for a plate or three. In fact, there are so many that we wrote an entire article talking about them. If you don't feel like reading all that, don't worry, we'll break the best one down here. If all-day brunch is your jam, check out Bubbalicious at the Marriott's Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. It's all you can eat, and covers every Earthly cuisine imaginable, so you're bound to find some treats to enjoy. Looking for something a little more lively? Try the French restaurant Bagatelle, which happily combines a delicious yet unique menu with live music and refreshing drinks in the evening. Many people even head there after dark to make the most of the festivities! Or, for a classy Italian spot, seek out Armani/Ristorante, and indulge in the likes of foie gras, lobster, and all the other good things on this Earth. And those are our picks for the best things to do in Dubai at night! Looking for some daytime ideas too? 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.
Dom Bewley
Things to do for your birthday in Dubai
Blog

Things to do in Dubai for a Birthday

Birthday person! Your time is nigh. The big day approaches, and you've decided to travel to magical Dubai to enact your birthday celebrations. But what wonderful wonders await you in this desert paradise? Time to find out. Put on your birthday helmet, and strap up your birthday boots, because we're about to tell you about the best things to do in Dubai for a birthday! Are you ready? Let's go. Including: Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm Ski Dubai - Snow Classic Black Pearl Sightseeing Cruise 4x4 Quad Bike Tour in the Desert iFly Dubai Indoor Skydiving and more! Image courtesy of Ingus Kruklitis/Shutterstock Go on an underwater adventure Want to spend your birthday frolicking under the ocean? Of course you do, birthday person. And now you can, thanks to the Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm. While it's geared to thrill seekers of all ages, that doesn't mean you can't live out your inner kid on one of the many slides, rides, and other experiences! Do you have the steel to ride the Leap of Faith? This speedy slide plummets straight through a shark-filled lagoon at a breakneck pace. Will the sharks get you? We know they have a taste for birthday people. Or date to challenge the god of the sea himself at Poseidon's Revenge. Enter one of his devious capsules and prepare to plummet down at speeds of 60mph. And after all the excitement, you can go and lounge at one of the many relaxation stations, and grab a bite to eat should you need to refuel. The perfect answer to cooling off in Dubai's famous heat, Aquaventure Waterpark is easily one of the best things to do in Dubai for a birthday! Image courtesy of S-F/Shutterstock There's snow way Skiing is generally undertaken in colder environments, so it may surprise you to find out that Dubai has its very own winter paradise, thanks to Ski Dubai Snow Classic. There are even penguins, if you can believe it. At the world's largest indoor ski park - because of course it's indoors - you'll be free to ski, board, or sled down its multiple courses and over its many snowy hills. You can even ride inside a giant snowball, which needs to be seen to be believed. Test your mettle on the Mountain Thriller toboggan experience, and even ride a chairlift up to the top to see amazing views of the entire complex. And then there are the penguins, who you can admire from a distance. And if you're not a pro, or don't fancy lugging your kit abroad, do not worry a bit. All the gear, from the jackets to the boots, is provided on entry. So, go tear up the slopes, you legend. Welcome to the Caribbean, love Want to sail the seven seas and live the pirate's life on your birthday, birthday person? Well, now you can, thanks to Captain Jack Sparrow himself! The darling, and the only real reason to watch any of the Pirates movies, is back and ready to steer your birthday towards treasure. Yarr! Hop aboard the Black Pearl herself and take a tour of the waves around Dubai. You'll travel through the stunning Ras al Khor (Dubai Creek Harbour) and on to Mohamed Bin Rashid, where you'll pause to marvel at the views of the Burj Khalifa. Each provides the perfect picture opportunity should you wish to make your colleagues back home jealous. Plus, ask nicely enough, and maybe even Captain Jack himself will take some time away from his vocal guiding to pose with you. Swashbuckling fun and a delightful ride, this tour is definitely one of the most pirate-y things to do in Dubai for a birthday! On all 4's Calling all speed freaks out there. Yes, even you, birthday person! Ever wanted to live out your wildest desert fantasies that include camels? Well, now you can, thanks to this camel, sandboarding, and quad biking adventure over Dubai's dunes. It all starts at your hotel, where you'll be picked up and driven to base camp (very cool). Then, you'll hop on a camel for a morning ride through the desert (super cool). Once you're done channeling your inner Lawrence of Arabia, you'll sand cruise through one of the biggest dunes in the region (really cool). And finally, you'll end your adventure by riding freaking quadbikes on a specially designed track (mega cool). So go get sandy. It may be coarse, rough, and irritating, and get everywhere, but that doesn't mean it can't make for some rip-roaring birthday fun. I fly, you fly, everybody flies Ever wanted to jump out of a plane and feel the wind blast against your body as your plummet towards the Earth? Perhaps the whole 'risking your life' bit might put a spanner in the works? Well, spanner no more, birthday friend, because iFLY Indoor Skydiving takes the fear out of flying! As the name suggests, this indoor skydiving center specializes in indoor thrill-seeking experiences. Prepare to be suspended in mid-air with constant wind speeds of up to 200 kph, which is a lot of kph. You'll have the chance to try 2 one-minute flights, and it's perfect for newbies and experts alike. New to this skydiving game? Learn how to control your body and make the most of it. Been there, done it before? Feel free to go wild and pop some shapes, you absolute unit. Either way, a certified flight instructor will be on hand to give you tips, and all the equipment is included. So what's your excuse? You have no excuse. Ride for your life Ever watched racing and thought you could do better? Put your money where your mouth is, birthday person, and hop into an E-Kart for some heart-pumping racing! Yeaaah! In the future, all products will have e's in front of them. Finish your e-toast before heading to work. And don't forget your e-umbrella, because it's forecast to e-rain. Well, that future is partly here, thanks to E-Karts, the latest generation of electronic go-karts. Take your positions, wait for the green lights, and then pulverize your friends as your race for the finish line in a 7-minute race. Then gloat when you win; the perfect birthday gift. And that's our list of the best things to do in Dubai for a birthday! Wondering what to do with the rest of your vacation? 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

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