From GAIA to The Maine, these homegrown UAE restaurant brands are making their mark worldwide.
Dubai has long welcomed the world’s biggest chefs, restaurants and hospitality groups. Now, the city is sending its own success stories abroad. From Greek tavernas and Japanese ramen bars to burger joints, beach clubs and Emirati cafés, Dubai-born concepts are finding new audiences in London, Miami, Doha, Riyadh, Ibiza and beyond. Here are the homegrown restaurants that started in the UAE and went global.
Ammos Greek Restaurant
Ammos Greek Restaurant has taken its Dubai-born charm to the Mediterranean. Sunset Hospitality Group has opened the concept at Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, bringing its breezy Greek spirit to one of Spain’s most famous party islands. Inspired by the Dubai flagship, the restaurant combines traditional Greek hospitality with a chic coastal setting, making it a natural fit for sun-soaked destinations. Ammos has also expanded to Marbella in Spain and Qetaifan Island in Doha, proving that its mix of seafood, sharing plates and holiday energy travels well.
Where: Dubai, Doha, Ibiza and Marbella
Contact: www.sunsethospitality.com
Arabian Tea House
Arabian Tea House is one of Dubai’s most recognisable homegrown success stories. Set in the historic Al Fahidi district, the Emirati concept is known for its leafy courtyards, traditional interiors and impressive selection of more than 150 teas. The menu celebrates local flavours through dishes such as Khameer, Balaleet with Omelette, Halloumi Zaatar and Tanoor Cheese. Founded by Emirati businessman Ali Al Rais, Arabian Tea House is now preparing to expand beyond the UAE, with new branches planned for Egypt and Montenegro.
Where: Dubai, Cairo and Montenegro
Contact: https://arabianteahouse.com
ATTIKO
ATTIKO has moved from Dubai’s skyline to the global stage. The high-energy Asian restaurant and lounge from Sunset Hospitality Group has opened in Bodrum, with further destinations including Montenegro, Portugal, Singapore and Vietnam. Designed with the feel of an Asian garden, the concept blends moody interiors, skyline views and a menu made for sharing. Signature dishes include Beef Tataki, Chilean Seabass, Shrimp Tempura, Yellowtail Carpaccio, Lobster with Lime Butter and Spicy Wagyu Beef Striploin. It is another strong export from Dubai’s dining scene.
Where: Dubai, Bodrum and Lisbon, with openings expected in Vietnam and Singapore.
Contact: www.theattiko.com
Azure Beach
Azure Beach is taking its Dubai-born beach club formula overseas. Originally launched in Dubai in 2016, the Sunset Hospitality Group concept has become known for its family-friendly poolside atmosphere, relaxed beachfront setting and Asian-inspired menu. Rixos Qetaifan Island in Doha welcomed the next Azure Beach, adding a new waterside hangout to Qatar’s growing leisure scene, before another location was added in Marbella, Spain. Further openings are also planned in Bahrain and Vietnam, extending the brand’s appeal to more sun-drenched destinations across the region and beyond.
Where: Dubai, Doha and Marbella, with openings expected in Bahrain and Vietnam
Contact: www.azure-beach.com
BEAU
BEAU has taken Dubai’s cult burger culture to the French Riviera. The homegrown concept has opened in Cannes, bringing its bold flavours, minimalist aesthetic and fashion-led attitude to an international audience. Known for viral menu creations such as Chicken Nuggets & Caviar and the collectable Labubu Petit Meal, BEAU has built a following by turning fast food into something more playful and design-conscious. The Cannes opening marks a major moment for the Dubai brand as it steps onto one of Europe’s most glamorous dining stages.
Where: Dubai and Cannes
Contact: @beaurestaurants
Blu Pizzeriá
FACT award-winning Blu Pizzeriá has grown from a Dubai favourite into a regional success story. The Emirati-owned concept, founded by Abdelrahman Alteneiji, draws inspiration from Naples while adding a distinctly local point of view. After expanding across the UAE, Blu has landed in Riyadh, is heading to Jeddah, and has London firmly in its sights. The brand’s popularity lies in its sourdough, wood-fired pizzas, concise menu and bold flavour combinations. Signatures include Spicy Pepperoni, Short Ribs, Spicy Wagyu, Musakhan, Burrata and Tartufo, proving that Blu knows how to balance Italian tradition with Middle Eastern personality.
Where: Dubai, Jeddah and Riyadh, with further openings expected in London
Contact: @blupizzeria
BonBird
Brands have long been making their way between the UAE and the UK. Now, BonBird will open 50 new chicken shops across the United Kingdom. The expansion will take place over the next five years and marks the European debut of the brand. Drawing inspiration from East London-style chicken shops, it showcases premium, hormone-free, antibiotic-free and preservative-free fried chicken. In Dubai, the BonBird menu offers a variety of bone-in and boneless options, including fresh fried chicken tenders, chicken burgers, melts, and wraps, all made to order. There are five spice levels, ranging from Chicken Salt to XXX Hot.
Where: Dubai and the United Kingdom
Contact: https://bonbirdchicken.com
Chic Nonna
Chic Nonna has taken its Dubai-born Italian dining experience to the French Alps. The celebrated restaurant has opened at the Grand Hôtel in Courchevel 1850, bringing Florentine warmth to one of Europe’s most exclusive ski destinations. The menu highlights timeless Italian favourites, including Calamarata Ai Frutti Di Mare, The Fiorentina and Cotoletta alla Milanese, all prepared with premium ingredients. Alongside the food, Chic Nonna offers a strong selection of Italian and international wines, as well as cocktails and mocktails suited to its Alpine setting.
Where: Dubai and Courchevel
Contact: www.chicnonna.com
FIX Dessert Chocolatier
FIX Dessert Chocolatier, also known as the original viral Dubai chocolate, has turned a homegrown sweet treat into a global obsession. The Dubai-born brand became famous for its chunky, hand-painted chocolate bars, especially Can’t Get Knafeh of It, filled with pistachio, tahini and crispy knafeh. Other signatures include Cereously Chewsy, Mind Your Own Buiscoff and Pick Up A Pretzel. Its popularity lies in the snap, crunch, colour and scarcity, making it perfectly built for social media. FIX has since opened a pop-up at Harrods in London and a kiosk at Singapore Changi Airport.
Where: Dubai, London and Singapore
Contact: @fixdessertchocolatier
GAIA
Chef Izu Ani is one of Dubai’s most well-respected chefs, and his DIFC restaurant GAIA has been a firm favourite on Dubai’s dining scene. The chef has fans ranging from Dubai residents to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and has gained a whole new set of admirers in Doha, London, Marbella and Monaco. The brand has already reached Doha, London, Marbella, Monaco and Miami, with Abu Dhabi and Bahrain also on the horizon. The menu celebrates simplicity through seafood, salads and Mediterranean classics, while selected locations also feature the chef’s table and late-night concept NYX. From Dubai to the world, GAIA continues to gather momentum.
Where: Dubai, Doha, London, Marbella, Monte Carlo and Miami, with openings expected in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain
Contact: https://gaia-restaurants.com
GOAT Burger
GOAT Burger has taken its Emirati-owned success story from the UAE to London. Founded by Sultan Jasim Kayed, the homegrown brand has expanded across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah before opening in Knightsbridge, bringing Dubai’s burger culture to one of the world’s most competitive dining cities. GOAT, which stands for Greatest of All Time, has built its following on premium Japanese Wagyu beef, soft brioche buns and big flavour. Signatures include the G.O.A.T, Arigato Burger and ’90s Classic Double Cheeseburger, alongside fried chicken favourites. Its popularity lies in quality ingredients, confident branding and a menu that feels fun, fast and proudly Dubai-born.
Where: Dubai and London
Contact: @g.o.a.t.ae
Isola Ristorante
Isola Ristorante has carried its Dubai dining style to Italy, Morocco, Spain and Türkiye. Rooted in the flavours of Sicily, Sardinia and Capri, the restaurant offers a taste of the Italian Riviera through coastal cooking, relaxed elegance and Mediterranean ingredients. The à la carte menu features modern Italian classics, including Eggplant Parmigiana, Grilled Sea Bream and Veal Sirloin with Lemon Sauce. Dessert keeps things traditional with Tiramisu and espresso. From one of Dubai’s most prestigious neighbourhoods to destinations across the world, Isola continues to channel island life.
Where: Dubai, Bodrum, Bouznika, Marbella, and Milan, with openings expected in Vietnam
Contact: http://isolarestaurant.com
Kayu Bakehouse
Kayu Bakehouse has brought Dubai’s boutique dessert culture to London. The artisan bakery, founded by Chef Karim Bourgi, has opened on Curzon Street in Mayfair, introducing its elegant French pastries to the UK capital. Known for desserts that are as photogenic as they are precise, Kayu has become a social media favourite, with tens of thousands of Instagram followers. The London menu includes Double Chocolate Brioche, Eclairs, Macarons, Mousse Chocolat, Mosaic Roll Cake and Raspberry Cream Cheese Croissants, giving Londoners a taste of Dubai’s sweet side.
Where: Dubai and London
Contact: https://trykayu.com
Kinoya
Kinoya has taken one of Dubai’s most charming restaurant stories to London. The ramen restaurant, created by Neha Mishra, began as a supper club called A Story of Food, which she ran from her home for almost three years. After serving more than 7,000 diners, Neha opened Kinoya in Dubai, where it quickly became a cult favourite. Its second branch is now inside Harrods, bringing the brand’s signature ramen, izakaya-style dishes and heartfelt hospitality to one of London’s most famous luxury department stores.
Where: Dubai and London
Contact: https://kinoya.com
Koub
Koub has taken a taste of the UAE to London’s Belgravia. The Emirati café concept, which built its reputation in Ajman and Dubai, has expanded to the UK capital, bringing its distinctive coffee culture and warm hospitality. Named after the Arabic word for cup, Koub focuses on speciality brews, pastries, sandwiches, doughnuts, cupcakes and buttery croissants. The London opening brings Emirati café culture into one of the city’s most elegant neighbourhoods, giving the brand a new platform beyond the desert.
Where: Dubai and London
Contact: @koub.uk
Kyma Beach
The FACT award-winning Kyma Beach has landed on Egypt’s North Coast. Created in partnership with TMG and RIKAS Hospitality Group, the Dubai-born beach club blends Mediterranean style with Egyptian hospitality. Guests can settle into chic seaside surroundings, relaxed lounging areas and a dining experience rooted in Greek flavours. The menu features fresh seafood, grilled meats, wraps, signature drinks and classic beachside dishes. With its mix of sun, style and coastal cuisine, Kyma’s expansion shows how Dubai’s beach club culture can translate beautifully beyond the UAE.
Where: Dubai and Alexandria
Contact: @kymabeachsouthmed
La Maison Ani
La Maison Ani has brought Chef Izu Ani’s relaxed French-Mediterranean cooking to London. Located inside The Carlton Tower, the restaurant mirrors the spirit of its Dubai Mall counterpart, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in an elegant setting. The menu includes dishes such as Escargot, Grilled Langoustine and Warm Chocolate Mousse, alongside a boulangerie and patisserie inspired by the daily rituals of French life. With its mix of brasserie classics, pastries and polished hospitality, La Maison Ani has found a fitting home in Knightsbridge. The brand also operates in Doha and is expected to open in Monaco and Riyadh.
Where: Dubai, Doha, and London, with openings expected in Monaco and Riyadh
Contact: @lamaisonanilondon
Lola Taberna Española
Lola Taberna Española has travelled from Dubai to Morocco. The charming Spanish restaurant and tapas bar, operated by Sunset Hospitality Group, celebrates Spain’s culinary traditions in a relaxed and lively setting. Inspired by the streets of Barcelona and the historic port of Cádiz, the restaurant combines colourful interiors with a menu of classic Spanish flavours. From paella and tapas to sangria and sharing plates, Lola captures the easy-going spirit of a neighbourhood taberna while giving the Dubai-born brand a wider regional footprint.
Where: Dubai and Cabo Negro, with further openings expected in Miami
Contact: https://lolataberna.com
Mimi Kakushi
Mimi Kakushi is taking its 1920s Osaka-inspired atmosphere to Miami. The Dubai favourite will open at Delano Miami Beach, adding one of the city’s most recognisable Japanese dining exports to the hotel’s high-profile revival. First launched in Dubai, Mimi Kakushi is known for its cinematic interiors, Japanese menu and well-crafted cocktail programme. Its move to South Beach introduces the concept to a major international market while retaining the mood, music and glamour that helped make the original such a success.
Where: Dubai and Miami
Contact: https://delanohotels.com
Mohalla
Mohalla has brought its modern Indian dining experience from Dubai to Riyadh. Located at The Esplanade, the restaurant spans two levels, with indoor and alfresco seating, plus a striking bar at its centre. The Saudi outpost stays close to the Dubai menu while adding exclusive kebab creations for diners in the Kingdom. Signature dishes include Avocado Papdi Chaat, Keema Pao, Raan Biryani, Rayalaseema Prawn Curry, Spicy Chilli Chicken and Jalebi. Colourful, casual and flavour-led, Mohalla continues to champion India’s regional food culture.
Where: Dubai and Riyadh
Contact: https://atelierhousehospitality.co
OPA
For a smashing good time, look no further than the FACT award-winning OPA. The Mediterranean restaurant brings the energy of the Cyclades to the dining room, combining Hellenic cuisine, celebratory entertainment and a strong sense of fun. Following the success of its Dubai outpost, known for dishes such as the baklava sundae, OPA has expanded to Bahrain, Bodrum, Doha, Mumbai and St. Tropez. With its blue-and-white interiors, sharing plates and lively atmosphere, the concept continues to turn dinner into a full-blown occasion.
Where: Dubai, Bahrain, Bodrum, Doha, Mumbai and St. Tropez
Contact: https://opaworld.com
Pickl
Pickl has grown from a UAE burger favourite into a regional success story. After launching across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, the homegrown brand has opened in Bahrain, Egypt and Qatar. The menu focuses on grain-fed beef, fresh fried chicken and plant-based burgers, all free from preservatives, hormones and antibiotics. Comfort food classics include chicken tenders, spicy fries and the Impossible Double Cheese Burger. With its playful branding and reliable menu, Pickl has become one of Dubai’s most recognisable fast-casual exports.
Where: Dubai, Bahrain, Egypt and Qatar
Contact: https://eatpickl.com
Reif Kushiyaki
Reif Kushiyaki has taken Chef Reif Othman’s casual Japanese cooking from Dubai to Egypt. Originally opened in Dar Wasl Mall, the concept later expanded with a bakery and breakfast café before moving into Cairo and Egypt’s North Shore. The restaurant keeps things simple, with wooden tables, relaxed interiors and the food firmly in focus. Sketches of dishes line the walls, while the menu features favourites such as Goma Beef Kushiyaki, Grilled Salmon and Grilled Chicken. It remains a strong example of Dubai’s chef-led dining scene going global.
Where: Dubai, Cairo and Marassi
Contact: www.reifkushiyaki.com
Roberto’s
Roberto’s has taken its Italian glamour from Dubai to destinations across the region and beyond. Roberto’s Mare in Porto Montenegro brings the brand’s contemporary Italian cuisine to the Adriatic Riviera, with a menu by Group Executive Chef Francesco Guarracino. Diners can enjoy Sicilian prawns, spiny lobster, fresh oysters and refined seafood dishes in a waterfront setting. The venue also features a terrace and music lounge, adding to its Riviera appeal. Roberto’s can also be found in Amman and Muscat, extending the brand’s reach beyond Dubai.
Where: Dubai, Amman, Montenegro and Muscat
Contact: https://robertosrestaurants.com
Rüya
Rüya may have moved from Grosvenor House to The St. Regis Dubai The Palm, but the brand has also found new life overseas. The Anatolian restaurant now has locations in the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London and Riyadh’s AlDabab neighbourhood. Inspired by restaurateur Umut Ozkanca’s Istanbul heritage, Rüya celebrates the flavours of Anatolia through kebabs, köfte, steaks, seabass and regional dishes. Interiors feature Middle Eastern details, from tiled walls to decorative plates, while the menu also caters to gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan diners. A strong selection of Turkish grapes completes the experience.
Where: Dubai, London and Riyadh
Contact: https://ruyarestaurants.com
Saddle Café
Saddle Café has turned its equestrian-inspired Emirati identity into an international café brand. With locations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London and Cannes, the homegrown concept has expanded well beyond the UAE. Its arrival in France is especially significant, positioning Saddle as one of the few Emirati-branded coffee chains in the country’s competitive café market. Known for iced coffees, pastries and casual family-friendly moments, Saddle brings a recognisable Dubai café aesthetic to new cities while keeping its roots firmly tied to the UAE.
Where: Dubai, Cannes and London
Contact: @saddlelondonon
Shanghai Me
Shanghai Me has brought its Art Deco glamour and East Asian cuisine from Dubai to Doha and London. Located on North Beach Corniche in Doha and the Hilton London Park Lane in the UK capital, the restaurant channels the elegance of old Shanghai through lavish interiors and a menu shaped by Chef Izu Ani’s culinary direction. Dishes draw on classic Asian ingredients and symbolism, from seafood for prosperity to noodles for longevity. With its refined setting, dim sum, seafood and signature dishes, Shanghai Me has become another Dubai-born brand with global ambitions.
Where: Dubai, Doha and London
Contact: https://fundamentalhospitality.com
Ten11
TEN11 has taken Abu Dhabi café culture to London. Born in the UAE capital in 2018, the brand built its reputation on premium coffee, upscale all-day dining and smart interiors. Its London debut is located in Knightsbridge, opposite Hyde Park and close to The Lanesborough and The Peninsula. The prestigious address gives the Emirati brand a fitting international stage, translating its homegrown identity into a design-led neighbourhood café. With breakfast plates, coffee and a refined all-day menu, TEN11 is now competing in one of London’s strongest dining districts.
Where: Abu Dhabi and London
Contact: https://ten11cafe.ae
The Maine
This shucking spectacular restaurant is a firm favourite among seafood eaters. The Maine has gone from Dubai seafood favourite to international dining name. With UAE venues in Business Bay, JBR and Studio City, the restaurant has expanded to Ibiza and Mayfair in London. The UK venue spans several spaces, including The Tavern, The Brasserie and The Drawing Room & Terrace. The menu focuses on caviar, freshly shucked oysters, raw plates, steaks and seafood, all served with old-school glamour. It’s already popular with the fashion crowd, as it’s within stiletto walking distance of Vogue House and British Vogue editor Edward Enninful was spotted there. Plus, the venue oozes glamour, from its shimmering chandeliers to its high-end menu. Champagne and oysters, anyone?
Where: Dubai, Ibiza and London
Contact: https://themainemayfair.com