From homegrown heavyweights to ambitious tasting menus, these restaurants were celebrated at the FACT Dining Awards Dubai 2026.
Dubai’s dining scene continues to move at remarkable speed. New arrivals are challenging established institutions, homegrown concepts are gaining international attention, and neighbourhood restaurants are proving that memorable meals do not always require white tablecloths. The FACT Dining Awards Dubai 2026 celebrate that breadth, covering everything from breakfast and brunch to Japanese, Indian, Italian and Middle Eastern dining. Across 30 categories, the awards recognise both BEST and FAVOURITE restaurants, before crowning one exceptional venue as Restaurant of the Year. Here are this year’s best restaurants in Dubai and beyond.
Restaurant of the Year 2026:
Manāo
Manāo’s Restaurant of the Year win reflects more than technical skill. The intimate Wasl Vita restaurant has developed a clear culinary identity in a relatively short period, approaching Thai food with curiosity while retaining the cuisine’s essential balance of sweetness, acidity, heat and aroma. Chefs Abhiraj Khatwani and Mohamad Orfali use fermentation, smoke and carefully sourced ingredients to rethink familiar flavours without making them unrecognisable. Fermented sticky rice roti with smoked short ribs, savoury khanom krok and sour beef curry demonstrate that philosophy, while small details and close interaction with the team make dinner feel personal. In a city filled with ambitious restaurants, Manāo is FACT’s Restaurant of the Year for the second year because its creativity has purpose, personality and a strong connection to the food that inspired it.
Where: MANĀO, Wasl Vita, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
Contact: https://manao.ae
Newcomer
Best: Gymkhana Dubai
London’s two-Michelin-starred Gymkhana made its long-awaited UAE debut in DIFC earlier this year, carrying across the club-inspired character and celebrated dishes of the Mayfair original. Kid Goat Methi Keema remains essential, as do the signature Tandoori Masala Lamb Chops with Walnut Chutney and the rich Chicken Butter Masala. Dubai also gets exclusive creations, including Imli Black Cod with Peanut Chutney and the fantastic Malvani Sea Bream. Dark timber, brass and Gymkhana’s signature green palette reference historic Indian social clubs across two levels and a terrace. It is a heavyweight newcomer with genuine culinary pedigree rather than simply another international import.
Where: Gymkhana, Gate Village 7, DIFC, Dubai
Contact: https://gymkhanarestaurants.com
Favourite: Sa’Cha by Pang
Latin America and Asia collide enthusiastically at Sa’Cha by Pang, a waterfront restaurant led by Chef Pang Long Chin alongside chef Nicolas Badran Diaz. The combination makes sense on the plate, where spice and smoke create the connective tissue between both regions. Wagyu empanadas provide an indulgent opening, while hamachi on crispy nori leans further east. Argentinian prawns with miso butter, Amazonian fish and Sa’Cha Mini Churros continue the journey. Jungle-inspired interiors and Creek Harbour views add a playful sense of escapism, but the restaurant earns its following with food that commits fully to its cross-cultural premise.
Where: Sa’Cha by Pang, Address Creek Harbour Hotel, Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai
Contact: @sa.cha_dxb
Chef’s Table/Tasting Menu
Best: FZN by Björn Frantzén
Chef Björn Frantzén applies the Nordic-Japanese philosophy behind his acclaimed restaurants in Stockholm and Singapore to an intimate 27-seat Dubai experience. FZN unfolds across two floors at Atlantis, The Palm, with a fixed tasting menu that moves between kitchen, dining room and carefully choreographed moments of service. Norwegian langoustine with koshihikari rice and ginger has become one of the restaurant’s defining courses, while chawanmushi with smoked beef broth shows how Japanese techniques are filtered through Frantzén’s personal style. Seasonal menus have also include playful finales such as frozen lingonberry marshmallow or the restaurant’s now-famous miso madeleines. It is technically ambitious dining, but the strongest courses remain memorable because luxury ingredients support, rather than replace, clear flavour.
Where: FZN by Björn Frantzén, Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Contact: www.atlantis.com
Favourite: The Experience by Reif Othman
Chef Reif Othman saves some of his most personal cooking for The Experience, also known as TERO, his intimate chef’s table inside REIF Japanese Kushiyaki Dubai Hills. Menus change quarterly and follow different themes, giving Othman and his culinary brigade the freedom to explore ingredients, techniques and ideas that may not necessarily fit his current restaurant portfolio. Recent iterations have focused heavily on sushi, including hand-pressed pieces served directly into the diner’s palm and an audacious Brie Cheesecake with Caviar. With only a small number of seats, interaction with the chefs becomes part of the meal, and dishes can evolve rapidly from one edition to the next. It is less about one permanent signature dish than access to Othman’s creative process, making every menu a snapshot of where his cooking is at that moment.
Where: The Experience by Reif Othman (TERO), Dubai Hills Business Park, Dubai Hills
When: @terobyreif
Homegrown
Best: REIF Japanese Kushiyaki
Chef Reif Othman has spent years developing a style that is Japanese at heart but happy to draw on French, Italian and Southeast Asian influences. At REIF Japanese Kushiyaki, that freedom translates into a menu packed with unconventional signatures. The Wagyu Sando became an early viral hit, while charcoal-grilled kushiyaki remains fundamental to the restaurant. Angus beef with truffle mayonnaise is one particularly rich skewer, while 18 Hours Ramen, Black Cod Ramen and Reif Chicken Rice offer substantial comfort. Othman’s cooking is playful but technically assured, helping turn a homegrown restaurant into a recognisable Dubai brand that has since expanded outwards to Egypt.
Where: REIF Japanese Kushiyaki, Dubai Hills Business Park, Dubai Hills
Contact: https://reifkushiyaki.com
Favourite: KIMA Izakaya
KIMA Izakaya captures the casual, communal quality that makes Japanese izakayas so appealing. Hidden in JLT, the homegrown restaurant focuses on small plates and comfort food rather than elaborate ceremony. Freshly prepared maki and sushi sit alongside donburi, yakisoba and crisp karaage, encouraging diners to order several dishes for the table. The intimate setting reinforces its neighbourhood credentials, and while Dubai has no shortage of high-end Japanese restaurants, KIMA occupies a different niche, offering familiar flavours, convivial service and a menu built for repeat visits. Its success has resulted in a second location in DIFC.
Where: KIMA Izakaya, Cluster R, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Contact: @kima_izakaya
Brunch
Best: Zuma
When the words “Zuma” and “brunch” are in the same sentence, our mouths water. The FACT favourite excels at whatever it turns its chopsticks to, which is why we can’t help falling in love with its Baikingu brunch. The superb Saturday soirée showcases the restaurant’s greatest strengths without turning them into a standard buffet. Sushi, sashimi and maki are prepared at dedicated counters, while the robata grill supplies smoky skewers and hot dishes throughout the afternoon. Beef yakiniku adds substance, and guests select a main course, with grilled Chilean sea bass with green chilli and ginger, and Spicy Beef Tenderloin among the options. The familiar dark timber dining room remains energetic, yet the kitchen maintains the precision associated with Zuma’s à la carte service. More than a decade after the restaurant became one of DIFC’s defining dining addresses, its brunch still remains the best in the city.
Where: Zuma Dubai, Gate Village, DIFC
Contact: zumarestaurant.com
Favourite: Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish approaches brunch with the same maximalist attitude that defines its dining room. The wonderful weekend offering combines Japanese-inspired food, cocktails, DJs and live performances before the afternoon culminates in the Candy Room reveal. The share-style menu centres on sushi, sashimi and substantial mains, reflecting the restaurant’s wider focus on Japanese seafood, tempura and robata cooking. The experience is deliberately high-energy, accentuated by Damien Hirst artworks and lavish underwater-inspired interiors.
Where: Sexy Fish Dubai, DIFC, Dubai
Contact: https://sexyfishdubai.me
Japanese
Best: KIGO
Seasonality and precision define KIGO, where Head Chef Akinori “Aki” Tanigawa and Chef Daihachiro Ebata combine the rituals of kaiseki with sushi and contemporary Japanese fine dining. Menus change with the calendar; however, recent courses have included scallop with beetroot miso, chawanmushi with green pea and black cod Shinshu-mushi served with cha soba and uni pâté. Charcoal-grilled Tajima Wagyu sirloin provides a richer counterpoint before carefully prepared nigiri and maki return the focus to seafood. The 44-seat restaurant centres around an impressive Aji stone sushi counter, reinforcing KIGO’s focus on craftsmanship, ingredient quality and the Japanese philosophy of celebrating each fleeting season.
Where: KIGO, Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, Zaa’beel Second, DIFC, Dubai
Contact: www.kigodubai.com
Favourite: Kasumigaseki
Kasumigaseki describes its approach as Sumi Fire Neo Japanese, combining traditional Japanese ingredients with charcoal cooking and a relaxed, contemporary dining style. Ingredients sourced from Japan support a menu that moves from sushi to comforting rice and noodle dishes. Wagyu Shoyu Ramen is particularly satisfying, while Otoro and Chutoro provide a more luxurious raw-fish experience. Yet the restaurant’s most memorable plate is the Aburi Wagyu Sashimi in which delicate slices of premium wagyu are lightly torched with Japanese charcoal, awakening the marbling and releasing a subtle smoky aroma. The restaurant’s understated wabi-sabi design suits its residential Emirates Hills location, giving diners an alternative to the grander Japanese destinations found elsewhere in Dubai.
Where: Kasumigaseki, Vida Emirates Hills, Emirates Hills, Dubai
Contact: https://kasumigasekirestaurant.com
Indian
Best: Trèsind Studio
Chef Himanshu Saini has helped push contemporary Indian cuisine into genuinely new territory at Trèsind Studio. The intimate restaurant was named Restaurant of the Year in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024, but its appeal extends beyond accolades. A multi-course degustation draws on Indian geography, memory and ingredients while supporting local and sustainable produce wherever possible. Tender Coconut Kushiyaki with Yuzu Rasam has emerged as one of Saini’s defining creations, using an unexpected format to deliver recognisably Indian flavours. Khichdi, another recurring signature, transforms a humble comfort dish into something layered and highly personal. Courses unfold with careful pacing, storytelling and meticulous technique, but flavour remains central.
Where: Trèsind Studio, St. Regis Gardens, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Contact: https://tresindstudio.com
Favourite: Jamavar Dubai
India’s regional cuisines are explored with grandeur at Jamavar Dubai. Drawing from more than 22 years of experience, Culinary Director Surender Mohan oversees a menu that moves from the streets of Old Delhi to coastal recipes and royal kitchens, giving diners plenty of geographical range. Chandni Chowk Ki Aloo Tikki provides a vibrant opening, while Adraki Lamb Chops emerge smoky and aromatic from the tandoor. Old Delhi Butter Chicken delivers the rich comfort associated with the classic, and Dum Gosht Biryani offers fragrant rice layered with slow-cooked meat and spice. Taking its name from the intricate 16th-century lace shawls of Kashmir, the restaurant’s luxurious interiors make it suited to special occasions.
Where: Jamavar, Address Residences Opera District, Downtown Dubai
Contact: https://jamavarrestaurants.com
Italian
Best: Rialto
Executive Chef Roberto Rispoli turns Northern Italian dining into theatre at Rialto inside Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. Pasta is made in view of the dining room, while the menu moves through crudo, antipasti, tomatoes, pasta, meat and seafood. Crudo di Ricciola, delicate yellowtail sharpened with kalamansi and lemon, is one of the restaurant’s finest plates. Burrata, Pomodoro e Pistacchio hides creamy cheese inside roasted tomato, while Fettuccine Alfredo is finished tableside in a silver pan. For greater indulgence, Spaghetti al Caviale e Limone di Amalfi pairs silky pasta with Oscietra caviar and Amalfi lemon. Add marina views, vintage-inspired interiors and a generous tiramisu, and Rialto makes a persuasive case for classic Italian glamour in modern Dubai.
Where: Rialto, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim, Dubai
Contact: www.jumeirah.com
Favourite: Gloria Osteria Dubai
Gloria Osteria takes the exuberant spirit associated with contemporary Italian dining and installs it inside The Ritz-Carlton DIFC. Chef Dario Tosto has curated a menu built around Italian favourites, premium produce and dishes intended to be shared across lively tables. The Mafaldine al Tartufo is an obvious signature, with ribbons of pasta, truffle and Parmigiano creating the sort of rich, aromatic plate that suits the restaurant’s personality. Other Italian staples move between antipasti, fresh pasta, seafood and meat, while desserts favour indulgence over restraint. The interiors add visual drama, resulting in an Italian dining room with plenty of personality.
Where: Gloria Osteria Dubai, The Ritz-Carlton Dubai International Financial Centre, DIFC
Contact: https://gloria-osteria.com
French
Best: La Petite Maison Dubai
La Petite Maison has been part of DIFC’s dining landscape for years, yet the restaurant remains remarkably current. Inspired by the French Riviera and the food of the Mediterranean, LPM favours bright produce, olive oil, herbs and cooking that feels generous rather than overly formal. The famous Tomatini is the drink to start with, followed by burrata, tomatoes, escargots or seafood. Fried Dover sole and slow-cooked duck with orange glaze move into richer territory, while grilled meats and fish retain the Mediterranean simplicity that defines the brand. Art-filled interiors, a busy terrace and assured service give the restaurant enduring energy. In a city obsessed with new openings, LPM demonstrates the value of consistency, and has picked up FACT Dining Awards in Abu Dhabi, London and Riyadh.
Where: La Petite Maison, Gate Village Building 8, DIFC, Dubai
Contact: https://lpmrestaurants.com
Favourite: Josette
Parisian glamour takes centre stage at Josette, where ornate interiors, live entertainment and classic French cooking create one of DIFC’s most theatrical dining experiences. Chefs Burcu Cracknell and Rory Duncan oversee a menu that celebrates familiar brasserie dishes while introducing contemporary touches. Escargots arrive with almond butter and toasted brioche, while duck confit is paired with candied chestnuts and citrus. Larger plates include charcoal-grilled Mediterranean sea bass, veal Cordon Bleu and Josper-grilled Wagyu rib-eye with shallot purée. For dessert, Josette’s signature crêpe provides a suitably dramatic finale when flambéed tableside. Designed by Luke Edward Hall, the dining room matches the food with chandeliers, pastel tones and a distinctly Parisian sense of occasion.
Where: Josette, ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC, Dubai
Contact: https://josette.com
Pan Asian
Best: HANU
Korean beef receives star treatment at HANU. Culinary Director Chef Kyung Soo Moon, whose Dubai career includes Attiko and SUSHISAMBA, centres the menu on modern Korean cooking and exceptional produce. Korean beef tartare, Crispy Bulgogi and Jangjorim with soft quail egg and caviar lead into the restaurant’s most distinctive feature: Hoengseong Hanwoo, prized Korean beef cooked over bespoke charcoal grills at the table. The Hanwookase tasting experience explores premium striploin, tenderloin and ribeye, while the 24-hour Hanwoo short rib is another standout. With dark timber, traditional decorative references and a terrace on Palm Jumeirah, HANU gives Korean steakhouse culture a luxurious Dubai identity and will soon open in Singapore.
Where: HANU, St. Regis Gardens, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Contact: https://hanu-restaurant.com
Favourite: Jun’s
Chef Kelvin Cheung describes his cooking through a “third culture” lens, reflecting a life shaped by several countries and culinary traditions. At Jun’s, those experiences translate into playful dishes that move freely across Asia, North America and the Middle East. Lobster Pani Puri is a firm favourite, while Wagyu beef potstickers and sesame prawn cheese toast turn familiar flavours into satisfying sharing plates. Cumin Wagyu short rib, Omani prawn vindaloo and Dan Dan Spaghettini continue the borderless approach. Cheung uses spice and texture to maintain cohesion, and with Burj Khalifa views outside, Jun’s offers a cosmopolitan perspective on the plate.
Where: Jun’s, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
Contact: www.junsdubai.com
Greek
Best: GAIA
GAIA helped reshape perceptions of Greek dining in Dubai when it opened in DIFC, and its combination of bright Mediterranean flavours and high-energy hospitality continues to resonate. Chef Izu Ani and Chef Orestis Kotefas guide a menu where pristine seafood sits alongside familiar Greek staples. The signature Sea bream carpaccio offers a clean beginning, while tuna tartare with truffle introduces a more luxurious note. Baked feta with honey, grilled octopus and melitzanosalata provide plenty for the table to share. The fish market remains a defining element, allowing diners to choose seafood for simple preparations that prioritise freshness. Not content with just the UAE, the glamorous GAIA has recently expanded to London, Marbella, Miami, Monaco and will open soon in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.
Where: GAIA, Gate Village 4, DIFC, Dubai
Contact: https://gaia-restaurants.com
Favourite: Nammos Dubai
From Mykonos to Jumeirah, Nammos has built its reputation on turning lunch by the sea into an all-day occasion. Dubai’s beachfront outpost combines Greek and Mediterranean cooking with music, fashion and the energetic atmosphere associated with the brand. Its Aubergine Mille-Feuille, layered with roasted aubergine and feta, is a recognised signature, while fresh fish, seafood and Mediterranean plates suit the waterside setting. As the afternoon progresses, the atmosphere typically becomes livelier, making Nammos as much a social fixture as a restaurant. Food remains an important part of its longevity, but the beach access certainly helps.
Where: Nammos, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah 2, Dubai
Contact: www.nammos.com
European
Best: Barrafina
London institution Barrafina chose Dubai for its first international location, introducing the counter-dining format that has defined the brand since its debut. Seats around the chefs provide the best view, allowing guests to watch tapas prepared and passed across the counter as soon as they are ready. The classic tortilla remains essential, with a truffle version offering additional indulgence. Tuna belly crudo, octopus a la Gallega, mushrooms and egg yolk and the moreish Wagyu cecina are ideal for grazing before delving into a slab of Basque cheesecake. In a neighbourhood built on big names and bigger bills, Barrafina succeeds in its intimacy and its price point.
Where: Barrafina Dubai, Gate Village 1, DIFC
Contact: www.barrafina.com
Favourite: City Social
Jason Atherton’s City Social pairs one of Dubai Marina’s best elevated views with a menu rooted in modern European cooking. Located on the 43rd floor of Grosvenor House, the restaurant places the Josper grill and quality ingredients at the centre of the experience. Miso-cured Scottish salmon with king crab demonstrates Atherton’s ability to layer clean flavours, while braised smoked short rib offers pure comfort. Floor-to-ceiling windows give the restaurant an immediate sense of occasion with views over Dubai Marina and the Arabian Gulf. Atherton’s long history in Dubai is evident in a restaurant that understands the city’s appetite.
Where: City Social Dubai, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina
Contact: www.citysocialdubai.com
Seafood
Best: Sakhalin Dubai
Sakhalin sits somewhere between seafood restaurant and glamorous beachside destination. Russian restaurateur Boris Zarkov created the concept with acclaimed chef Vladimir Mukhin, while Executive Chef Aleksei Vershinin leads the Dubai kitchen. The restaurant’s cuisine is MediterrAsian, combining Mediterranean seafood traditions with Asian techniques and touches of Russian influence. Raw seafood, caviar, sushi and carefully handled fish form the backbone of the menu, with premium ingredients treated as the main attraction. Sakhalin’s superb J1 Beach location adds another dimension, allowing lunch to move easily into an afternoon by the water. For diners familiar with Mukhin’s more experimental work, Sakhalin shows a luxurious but accessible side of his cooking, centred firmly on the sea.
Where: Sakhalin, J1 Beach, Jumeirah, Dubai
Contact: https://sakhalin.rest
Favourite: Son of a Fish
Inspired by the Athenian Riviera, Son of a Fish captures the pleasures of a Greek seaside taverna without trying to recreate one too literally. A fresh-fish display anchors the restaurant, while fire-grilled seafood and meze are designed to fill the table. Grilled calamari comes with spinach, feta and sauce vierge, while prawn saganaki pairs shellfish with tomato, garlic and feta. Sea bass, fish soup and Greek tagliatelle loaded with prawns, calamari and mussels continue the maritime theme. Add tarama, smoky aubergine and a cold glass of something suitable, and the formula becomes difficult to resist. The Dubai Harbour setting works especially well at sunset, when leisurely lunches can easily stretch into evening drinks.
Where: Son of a Fish, Dubai Harbour
Contact: https://sonofafishdubai.com
Middle Eastern & North African
Best: Orfali Bros
The Orfali brothers have turned a compact Jumeirah restaurant into one of the region’s most internationally recognised dining destinations. Syrian roots remain central, but Mohammad, Wassim and Omar Orfali refuse to let geographical borders restrict the menu. The Corn Bomb has become an enduring signature, while the Caviar Bun, Ohh La La Foie Gras and Orfali Bayaldi illustrate the restaurant’s wide-ranging influences. Desserts receive equal attention thanks to the brother’s pastry expertise. The open kitchen, personal service and constantly evolving menu have helped establish Orfali Bros as proof that ambitious cooking can balance tecnicality while remaining generous, colourful and fun.
Where: Orfali Bros, Wasl 51, Al Wasl Road, Jumeriah, Dubai
Contact: https://orfalibros.com
Favourite: Manaret Beirut
For diners craving the flavours of a Lebanese home kitchen, Manaret Beirut offers a comforting alternative to more formal regional restaurants. Its menu ranges from breakfast and bakery staples to substantial family dishes, with generous portions designed for sharing. Stuffed vine leaves and koussa served with lamb chops are particularly evocative, while fish sayadiyeh layers seafood with fragrant rice and caramelised onions. Riz a djej, mulukhieh, ka’ak, manakeesh and mezze add further familiarity. The restaurant’s appeal is rooted in dishes that feel recognisable rather than reinvented. In a city where Lebanese food is widely available, Manaret Beirut distinguishes itself through home-style recipes, breadth and the sense that the table should always contain one plate more than anyone could reasonably finish.
Where: Manaret Beirut, Joud Boulevard West, Dubai Motor City
Contact: https://manaretbeirut.com
Turkish
Best: Sirali Dubai
A broad sweep of Turkish cooking defines Sirali, from cold mezze and freshly baked breads to charcoal-grilled meats. Carnivores will love the menu, which has more than 20 different types of kebabs and moreish meat dishes. Begin with Gavurdağ salad, eggplant mutabbel and çiğ köfte before moving towards mini lahmacun and dishes from the grill. Lamb chops, shashlik and chicken shish demonstrate the restaurant’s command of fire, while traditional breakfasts offer a reason to visit earlier in the day. The desserts include Kunafah and Katmer with Turkish ice cream and Mud of Heaven. Diners will notice the colourful Ottoman artworks and custom-designed plates that draw attention to walls, resulting in an Insta-worthy moment that is only surpassed by the food.
Where: Sirali Dubai, Al Habtoor City, Business Bay, Dubai
Contact: @siralikebapdubai
Favourite: HuqqA
Few restaurants combine dinner, Dubai Fountain views and shisha quite like HuqqA. Located in Fashion Avenue at Dubai Mall, the Turkish-born concept has developed into an all-day social destination with a vast indoor dining room and highly sought-after terrace. Its menu mixes modern Turkish cooking with international influences, with generous breakfast spreads, mezze, grilled meats and rich desserts among the recurring favourites. The extensive shisha selection is equally central to the experience and helps keep tables occupied well beyond the final course. Diners can arrive for lunch, settle in for sunset and remain into the evening as the fountains and Burj Khalifa provide an unmistakably Dubai backdrop.
Where: HuqqA, Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
Contact: www.huqqa.com
Steakhouse
Best: The Cullinan
Meat provenance sits at the heart of The Cullinan, an impressive steakhouse inside Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. Its premium beef programme includes highly marbled Stone Axe Wagyu MS9+, available across ribeye, sirloin and tomahawk cuts, alongside grass-fed Australian fillet and other steaks selected for different textures and fat profiles. Seafood provides an alternative for those not committing to beef, but the grill remains the clear focus. Large windows and a terrace frame views towards the coast and Burj Al Arab, making the setting every bit as dramatic as the menu.
Where: The Cullinan, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim, Dubai
Contact: www.thecullinandubai.com
Favourite: Rowley’s
Rowley’s strips the steakhouse formula back to its essentials. Rather than presenting pages of different cuts, sauces and sides, the DIFC restaurant focuses on steak, fries and a concise collection of accompaniments. The set offering includes unlimited fries, giving the experience an appealing generosity while preserving the simplicity that made the original restaurant popular in the United Kingdom. Dessert comes in the form of a changing cake of the day rather than an extensive menu. Dark wood, framed photographs and a traditional clock create an old-world dining room. Diners shoudl arrive at the restaurant prepared to queue.
Where: Rowley’s, Central Park Towers, DIFC, Dubai
Contact: https://rowleysrestaurants.com
Latin American
Best: Cocina Tres
Baja California provides the culinary reference point for Cocina Tres, which approaches Mexican food through seafood, fire and handmade tortillas. Bold colour blocks and geometric forms guide you through the space, framed like a modern hacienda overlooking the water, while tiger masks from Guerrero keep watch over the brightly tiled Ceviche Bar. Rather than relying on familiar Tex-Mex staples, the kitchen looks towards Mexico’s Pacific coastline. The Taco de Arrachera is a standout, not just for the “Insta-worthy” plating adorned with a slender shishito pepper, but also for how well it balances flavours. The name Cocina Tres translates to “three kitchens”, and offers a lively atmosphere that channels the bustle of Baja and Mexico City while feeling right at home in Dubai.
Where: Cocina Tres, Pullman Dubai Downtown, Business Bay, Dubai
Contact: @cocina_tres
Favourite: El Primo Taquería
Chef Jonathan Colín, originally from Toluca, puts tacos firmly at the centre of El Primo. Years spent cooking in Dubai, including time at Zuma, inform a menu that respects Mexican street-food traditions while leaving room for playful local touches. The Pastor combines achiote chicken with pineapple, while suadero and slow-cooked beef cheek cater to traditionalists. The supple oxtail tacos have become a firm favourite thanks to a rich and deeply savoury filling tucked into soft tortillas and layered with just enough heat to keep each bite balanced. Churros and chocoflan provide suitably indulgent endings. The Al Wasl restaurant is compact, colourful and casual, but you’ll need to wait in line, as this hip spot does not take reservations.
Where: El Primo Taquería, Bada’a Aswaaq Mall, Al Wasl Road, Dubai
Contact: @taqueria_elprimo_dubai
North American & Caribbean
Best: The MAINE Land Brasserie
The MAINE’s Business Bay outpost takes the group’s brasserie DNA and turns up the steakhouse influence. Set inside Zaha Hadid’s The Opus, the restaurant feels larger and more theatrical than its siblings, pairing an old-school dining-room mood with a menu heavy on shellfish, steaks and comforting North American favourites. Crispy fish tacos are a longstanding signature, as is the New England lobster roll. Oysters, grilled fish and carefully sourced beef round out a menu designed for long lunches and equally long dinners. Founder Joey Ghazal’s formula remains simple but effective and he has taken the concept to Ibiza and recently won a FACT Dining Award for The MAINE Mayfair in London.
Where: The MAINE Land Brasserie, The Opus by Omniyat, Al A’amal Street, Dubai
Contact: https://themainegroup.com
Favourite: SMK Holy Smokd
Smoke is the main seasoning at SMK Holy Smokd, an Al Quoz restaurant dedicated to American-style barbecue. Low-and-slow cooking takes centre stage, with brisket, beef ribs and other smoked meats served with the kind of sides that make barbecue a group affair. Burgers and grilled dishes widen the menu, but the best way to approach SMK is with several people and enough appetite to sample across the smoker. Its warehouse setting suits the food, trading luxury finishes for an industrial, straightforward atmosphere. There is a strong sense of obsession when it comes to good barbecue, where hours of preparation can disappear in minutes, and SMK understands that appeal.
Where: SMK Holy Smokd, Al Quoz, Dubai
Contact: @smk.eatmeatrepeat
Chinese
Best: Mott 32
Perched on the 73rd floor of Address Beach Resort, Mott 32 combines dramatic views with contemporary Chinese cooking rooted in Cantonese traditions, alongside influences from Beijing and Sichuan. Executive Chef Frankie Yang Tao leads the Dubai kitchen, drawing on more than 16 years of experience in Chinese cuisine. The showpiece is the 42-day Apple Wood Roasted Peking Duck, carved tableside and served with pancakes, cucumber, scallions and house-made hoisin sauce. Other signatures include soft quail egg, chicken, prawn and black truffle siu mai, Kung Pao Lobster and Barbecue Beef Short Ribs. Handmade dim sum, premium ingredients and a glamorous dining room have established Mott 32 as one of Dubai’s most accomplished Chinese restaurants.
Where: Mott 32 Dubai, Address Beach Resort, Al Mamsha Street, Dubai Marina
Contact: www.mott32.com
Favourite: XU
Hidden behind an understated entrance inside Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, XU channels the atmosphere of a late-night Cantonese dining room. Red lighting, dark finishes and an energetic soundtrack create an alluring setting, while the menu draws on Cantonese cooking with touches of Southeast Asian influence. Cherry Wood Peking Duck is the restaurant’s defining order, its crisp skin and smoky meat designed for sharing. Szechuan Pepper Black Cod provides sweet heat, while handmade dim sum makes an ideal opening to the meal. Cocktails and music become increasingly prominent later in the evening, giving XU a dual personality that works equally well for dinner or a livelier night out.
Where: XU, Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai
Contact: https://xudubai.ae
Thai
Best: Manāo
Modern Thai cooking is explored with impressive depth at Manāo, where chefs Abhiraj Khatwani and Mohamad Orfali look beyond the cuisine’s most familiar dishes. Fermentation, roasting and carefully sourced Thai and local ingredients shape an inventive tasting experience. The signature Lobster Khanom Krok channels Thai memory through modern technique, transforming the familiar street snack from sweet to savoury through tamarind-brushed lobster perched on a coconut-rich fermented rice custard. Even dessert retains a strong sense of place through coconut sticky rice skewers. The small, intimate restaurant feels focused and personal, showing how Thai flavours can move into a contemporary tasting-menu format without losing their heat, sourness or soul.
Where: MANĀO, Wasl Vita, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
Contact: https://manao.ae
Favourite: Sticky Rice, Jumeirah Village Circle
For comforting Thai food without ceremony, Sticky Rice remains a firm community favourite. The restaurant has built its following on generous portions, bold flavours and an easygoing personality. Sticky Tamarind Wings and Kai Tohd Boi provide crunchy, sauce-heavy starters, while Pad Thai and Pad See Ew cover the noodle classics. Penang curry adds richness and spice, and Tom Yum supplies the aromatic hot-and-sour hit that Thai diners crave. Mango sticky rice provides the obvious ending. The cult Thai canteen offers a cheerful room lined with rubber ducks and the scent of lemongrass and charcoal which is central to Sticky Rice’s charm. Service is sunny, prices are fair, and the cooking carries real family soul. Expect comfort, character and consistency always.
Where: Sticky Rice, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai
Contact: www.stickyrice.ae
British
Best: The Beam
Chef Nick Alvis is behind The Beam, a homegrown restaurant where British sensibilities meet Mediterranean produce and confident technique. The food avoids unnecessary complication, relying instead on strong sauces and careful cooking that allows the ingredients to stand front and centre. Venison tartare with smoked egg yolk, anchovy and ginger provides a bold opening, while whipped salt cod with charred peppers shows the kitchen’s lighter touch. Artichoke risotto with crispy hen’s egg offers a satisfying meat-free option. The room feels grown-up yet relaxed, and the gin trolley adds an appropriately British flourish to proceedings. After years spent shaping some of Dubai’s most memorable restaurants, Alvis has created a venue that feels personal, approachable and distinctly his own.
Where: The Beam, Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, Al Mamsha Street, Dubai Marina
Contact: www.thebeamdubai.com
Favourite: The Spaniel
British comfort food gets the grand-brasserie treatment at The Spaniel. Located on Bluewaters Dubai, the modern pub has a mischievous British heart, displayed through dark timber, tiled floors and canine motifs. Start with a golden Scotch egg or oysters dressed in sharp shallot vinegar. Cod Tikka Masala acknowledges Britain’s enduring relationship with Indian flavours, while a Caviar Burger and Fish and Chips take the comfort-food theme in more indulgent directions. Elsewhere, a Sunday roast brings crisp potatoes and glossy gravy. Cask ales rotate, and the cocktail list riffs on classics. Service is quick and bright.
Where: The Spaniel, Bluewaters Island, Dubai
Contact: www.thespanieldxb.com
Fusion
Best: KIRA
Japanese precision and Mediterranean generosity meet confidently at KIRA. Rather than forcing two cuisines together, the restaurant finds common ground through seafood, grilling and handmade pasta. Warm prawns arrive in a buttery citrus dressing with caviar, while Wagyu ragù gyoza is paired with cacio e pepe flavours. The Chilean seabass risotto layers yuzu and shiso into an Italian format, and Cacio e Pepe remains one of the menu’s most popular comforts. Save room for the Karak Brioche, which provides a Dubai-influenced finish. Floor-to-ceiling views, views of Burj Al Arab, a handsome open kitchen and an adjoining late-night bar add visual drama, but KIRA’s strongest asset is a menu that makes its cross-cultural identity feel entirely natural.
Where: KIRA, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim, Dubai
Contact: https://kira-restaurant.com
Favourite: Soul Kitchen, Business Bay
Lebanese and Latin American food cultures meet at Soul Kitchen, but the connection runs deeper than simply placing two cuisines on the same menu. The restaurant explores migration and the Arab diaspora across Latin America through dishes that share ingredients, techniques and histories. Dishes such as Ceviche Tabbouleh, Hummus Chimichurri and Wagyu Kafta in Arepa show Chef Margarita Vaamonde’s playful precision while keeping one foot firmly in the Levant, and Halawa Cheesecake Mousse closes the meal with sesame, labneh and ginger. Music is integral to the experience, with vinyl selectors, jazz performances and global sounds programmed throughout the week. The result is part restaurant, part cultural space and one of the best dining rooms in Business Bay.
Where: Soul Kitchen, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai
Contact: https://soulkitchendxb.com
Outdoor Dining
Best: Bungalo34
Few Dubai restaurants sit quite as close to the sand as Bungalo34. Part of The Tashas Group, the restaurant occupies a beachfront position on Pearl Jumeira and channels the leisurely glamour of European seaside destinations. The food follows suit, moving confidently between comfort dishes and seafood-led classics. Prawn Ritz has become a signature starter, while Lobster Thermidor offers old-school indulgence. Amalfi lemon pasta adds a lighter Mediterranean note, and chicken parmigiana caters to diners seeking something familiar and generous. The terrace and beach are central to the appeal, particularly during the cooler months, when breakfast can drift into lunch beside the water. It is stylish without losing the informality that great beach restaurants need.
Where: Bungalo34, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai, Pearl Jumeira, Dubai
Favourite: CÉ LA VI Dubai
Dining outdoors takes on a different meaning 54 floors above Downtown Dubai. CÉ LA VI’s terrace frames Burj Khalifa views that remain among the city’s most dramatic, while the restaurant’s contemporary Asian menu gives diners a reason to look back at the table. Black Truffle “Sushi Rice” Risotto is a signature worth seeking out, combining Japanese inspiration with European richness. Miso black cod, grilled blue lobster with Korean chilli butter and substantial Wagyu cuts continue the East-meets-West approach, while Mango Basil Tart offers a lighter finale. The atmosphere shifts throughout the day, from leisurely lunches to high-energy evenings, making CÉ LA VI as much a social destination as a restaurant with one of Dubai’s finest outdoor vantage points. Come for sunset, stay for the glittering cityscape.
Where: CÉ LA VI Dubai, Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai
Contact: https://dxb.celavi.com
Bar
Best: Honeycomb Hi-Fi
Honeycomb Hi-Fi is alive with the sound of music. The chilled cool hangout opened in October 2022, and has a loyal fan in the form of FACT’s Editor-in-Chief. Located in Business Bay, the venue prides itself on being the region’s first listening bar, offering a vinyl-first hideaway where amber light, timber floors and record-lined walls set the hush before the needle drops. The sound is silk and precise, built for Japanese jazz, rare groove and selector-led sets that reward listening. The concept combines an izakaya experience with craft cocktails, where Highballs land frosty and exact, alongside sake and Japanese whiskies. The culinary direction has been shaped by chef Matt Abergel, best known internationally for Hong Kong’s Yardbird.
Where: Honeycomb Hi-Fi, Pullman Dubai Downtown, Business Bay, Dubai
Contact: @honeycombhifi
Favourite: Mimi Kakushi
Mimi Kakushi channels 1920s Osaka with a stylish blend of Japanese cuisine, jazz influences and ice-encased cocktails. The drinks menu, Kikuchi, takes inspiration from performer Kikuchi Shigeya, who is credited with helping bring American jazz back to Japan. Each of the 13 cocktails is paired with a vinyl song, presented through record-style cases inside a wooden box. Guests can read the story, choose their drink and even have the record played. The fantastic food menu features Wagyu and foie gras gyoza with truffle soy butter is one of the restaurant’s richest signatures, while king crab maki and black cod are also highlights. The result is immersive without feeling overdone, making Mimi Kakushi one of Dubai’s most memorable cocktail-led dining destinations.
Where: Mimi Kakushi, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah, Dubai
Contact: https://mimikakushi.ae
The Northern Emirates
Best: Berenjak
Already a FACT award winner in Abu Dhabi and London, Berenjak reimagines the Persian kebab house with tiled walls and the aroma of charcoal drifting from the mangal. The Aljada outpost in Sharjah follows the formula established by chef Kian Samyani, combining charcoal cooking, generous mazeh and freshly baked breads in a bustling, characterful setting. Start with mast-o-musir, hummus and warm taftoon before moving to the grill, where koobideh and other skewers take centre stage. Homemade doogh and Persian sharbats reinforce the restaurant’s sense of identity. The Sharjah location includes established favourites from London and Dubai alongside dishes created specifically for Aljada, giving regulars something new to discover while retaining the smoke, spice and conviviality that define Berenjak.
Where: Berenjak Sharjah, Al Jada, Muwaileh Commercial, Sharjah
Contact: https://berenjakuae.com
Favourite: Bait Elowal
Set within a heritage house in Sharjah, Bait Elowal connects food, architecture and Emirati memory. The café draws inspiration from the trading routes that once connected the Gulf with India, Persia and beyond, giving traditional flavours a creative contemporary treatment. Breakfast features balaleet and Greek yoghurt with Sidr honey, while the bakery counter offers a za’atar and labneh cruffin and a pumpkin “asida” croissant. Elsewhere, saffron and orange Arborio rice with black tahina demonstrates how the kitchen moves comfortably between cultures. The name loosely translates to “home of those who return from journeys with stories to share,” and the historic courtyard setting is an important part of the experience, creating a restaurant where heritage is an active ingredient in the menu and atmosphere.
Where: Bait Elowal, Al Mareija, Hay Al Gharb, Sharjah
Contact: https://baitelowal.com
Ras Al Khaimah
Best: Farmhouse by Syrco
Chef Syrco Bakker has reshaped the desert restaurant around seasonality, regional ingredients and his own highly personal approach to contemporary cooking. The setting inside The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert gives Farmhouse an immediate sense of place, while dishes make use of UAE seafood, meat and produce. The menu from acclaimed Dutch chef Syrco Bakker is rooted and refined, featuring Garden Tomatoes with labneh and zaatar and Date Glazed Carrots that taste of the oasis. Lamb Saddle arrives rosy with thyme, while a bone-in Ribeye wears a perfect bark. The terrace is for sunset, where oryx roam, and the fire pit glows. Cocktails lean herbaceous; the cellar favours bold reds.
Where: Farmhouse by Syrco, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Wadi Desert, Ras Al Khaimah
Contact: www.ritzcarlton.com
Favourite: ULA, Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island
ULA is a sun-kissed escape of blond timber, rattan shades and a horizon that glows from afternoon to after dark. Its name translates as “sea jewel”, an appropriate description for a restaurant looking directly across the water from Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island. The menu follows a Mediterranean route, making it ideal for leisurely lunches and sunset dinners. Grilled halloumi, prawns, salt-and-pepper calamari with saffron aioli and baby squid with seaweed butter sit comfortably alongside lamb kebabs and generous sharing plates. Book a late table, sink into the sand side terrace and watch the Marjan Island shoreline turn gold.
Where: ULA, Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, Al Marjan Boulevard, Ras Al Khaimah
Contact: https://ularasalkhaimah.com
Afternoon Tea
Best: The Gallery
The Gallery at The Lana – Dorchester Collection stages afternoon tea with cinematic poise. Sunlight pours across marble and soft linen, and the canal shimmers beyond tall glass. The experience is overseen by celebrated pastry chef Angelo Musa, whose career includes the title of World Pastry Champion and recognition for his work in French pâtisserie. Traditional afternoon tea conventions remain, but the details feel individual. Fine teas, delicate pastries and freshly prepared savouries unfold against a sophisticated setting where live piano music often sets the pace. Trade in the tea for a signature hot chocolate, while views of Burj Khalifa and live piano music provide a serene city escape.
Where: The Gallery, The Lana – Dorchester Collection, Business Bay, Dubai
Contact: www.dorchestercollection.com
Favourite: The Royal Tearoom
Executive Pastry Chef Christophe Devoille has made afternoon tea one of Atlantis The Royal’s signature rituals. A refreshed edition launched in April 2026 with 11 sweet and savoury creations, alongside a bespoke mocktail, hot beverages and a takeaway gift. Finger sandwiches move into luxurious territory with Wagyu coppa and aged Gruyère or confit chicken with black truffle. The patisserie serves up warm scones split neatly and filled with clotted cream and jewel-bright preserves. Pastries show balance and craft, from feather-light choux to glossy tarts that build texture and clean flavour. A curated tea list moves from delicate white to malty black; a flute of Champagne at sunset feels entirely right. Settle by the window and watch the Arabian Gulf glitter, followed by the mesmerising Skyblaze Fountain show.
Where: The Royal Tearoom, Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Contact: www.atlantis.com
Café
Best: bkry
Part bakery, coffee shop and culinary laboratory, bkry has become one of Al Quoz’s most talked-about daytime addresses. Fermentation, carefully handled dough and strong coffee underpin the concept, while the pastry counter provides plenty of reasons for repeat visits. The laminations are precise, with layered Croissants, Pistachio Babka with a glossy twist and the FACT favourite PB&J Cruffin. Their viral Korean Tissue Bread recently earned them the royal stamp of approval from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum himself. Drinks receive equal attention, with manual brews, matcha and inventive house beverages all part of the experience. Industrial surroundings and a design-conscious interior complete a café that feels unmistakably rooted in contemporary Dubai. Arrive early and be prepared to queue!
Where: Bkry, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai
Contact: @bkry.space
Favourite: Knot Bakehouse
Flaky pastry, playful drinks and a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere have made Knot Bakehouse a popular addition to Jumeirah. Croissants sit at the heart of the bakery, but the menu stretches well beyond the pastry cabinet. The Morning Knot offers a cinnamon-led start, while shakshuka flatbread, honey and burrata flatbread, avocado toast and Turkish eggs move the concept towards all-day café dining. Seasonal pastries and matcha creations keep the line-up fresh, yet the strongest dishes tend to be those that balance comforting flavours with careful baking.
Where: Knot Bakehouse, Al Athar Street, Jumeirah, Dubai
Contact: @knotbakehouse
Breakfast
Best: 21grams Urban Balkan Bistro
21grams comes FACT-recommended, as you may well spot the team working remotely from the cool café. The café is loved for its quality dishes and drinks, and has a loyal fan base among locals and critics – it is a multiple FACT Dining Award winner, after all. We’d recommend coming for coffee but staying for the soul food. The menu draws on the Balkan Peninsula, resulting in a breakfast menu that feels markedly different from the city’s usual avocado-toast circuit. The Balkan Breakfast is an obvious starting point, while ćevapi, Bosnian klepe dumplings and komplet egg offer something heartier. There is also a Balkan Benedict, cheese-filled somun and sweet crêpes for those after a gentler start. The cosy restaurant brings soulful Balkan warmth to a sunlit corner of Meyan Mall scented with butter, smoke and fresh bread.
Where: 21grams, Meyan Mall, Al Thanya Street, Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai
Contact: http://21grams.me
Favourite: Nightjar Coffee Roasters
Breakfast at Nightjar comes with serious coffee credentials. The homegrown Al Quoz roastery serves beans roasted on site alongside a menu that is far more ambitious than standard café fare. Dr Strange’s Benedict pairs poached eggs with sauerkraut and harissa hollandaise, while the Rendang Chilli Scramble adds pickled cucumber, whipped yoghurt and paratha. Those after something sweeter can opt for the Ricotta Pancake Stack with berries and cream. Nightjar’s industrial interiors, vinyl-led soundtrack and laid-back Alserkal Avenue setting give the venue a character of its own, while cold brews, nitro coffees and inventive drinks reinforce its reputation as one of Dubai’s most distinctive breakfast spots.
Where: Nightjar Coffee Roasters, Alserkal Avenue, Al Qouz, Dubai
Contact: www.nightjar.coffee
Casual Dining
Best: Mama’esh
Palestinian comfort food is the cornerstone of Mama’esh, a homegrown success story that has grown without losing its neighbourhood spirit. The menu revolves around freshly baked mana’esh, with Palestinian za’atar, Akkawi cheese and lahm bil ajeen among the most popular options. But there’s much more than flatbread, however. Musakhan chicken rolls layer sumac-spiced chicken with onions, while hummus fatteh, falafel and breakfast plates make the restaurant as appealing in the morning as it is for a casual dinner. The Al Manara branch retains the easygoing atmosphere that helped establish the brand, pairing affordable prices with flavours rooted firmly in Palestinian culinary traditions.
Where: Mama’esh, Al Wasl Road, Al Manara, Al Safa, Dubai
Contact: @mamaeshme
Favourite: Cucina
Designed like a lively Italian neighbourhood restaurant, Cucina offers several experiences under one roof. Guests can sit down for antipasti and house-made pasta, tuck into wood-fired and pan-fried pizzas, stop by the gelateria or settle in for an aperitivo. The setting is informal, colourful and deliberately convivial, with a market-style feel that suits families and groups of friends. Pasta is made in-house, while pizza plays a particularly prominent role, ranging from familiar Italian combinations to crisp-edged pan versions. The restaurant also focuses on fresh produce, some of which is grown in its vertical garden.
Where: Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Contact: www.cucinadubai.com