Travel writing based on first-hand experience
Discover top 12 fine dining restaurants in Dubai, from Michelin-starred venues to luxurious rooftop eateries. Indulge in exquisite cuisines and exceptional service in the heart of the UAE.
Table of Contents
Fine Dining Restaurants in Dubai
1. TakaHisa
TakaHisa Japanese Restaurant, tucked inside Banyan Tree on Bluewaters Island, is one of those places where we sit down and immediately know we’re not in for an ordinary dinner. Helmed by Chef Taka and Chef Hisa, this elegant address takes us deep into the world of Japanese fine dining, balancing time-honored techniques with inventive modern touches.
The chefs, masters in sushi and wagyu, have built a menu around premium seafood flown in from Japan’s Toyosu Fish Market and exceptional A5 Kobe beef with a marble score of 12. In other words, if we’re chasing top-tier ingredients, this is absolutely where we want to be.
The cooking here marries deep-rooted tradition with contemporary culinary finesse, creating an experience that feels both polished and deeply authentic. The omakase at TakaHisa is especially memorable, unfolding as a tailored seasonal journey where each dish is shaped around the diner’s tastes and the chef’s inspiration.
The design is equally thoughtful, making the restaurant a natural fit for everything from intimate celebrations to high-stakes business dinners that call for somewhere quietly impressive.
Banyan Tree Dubai, First Floor, Bluewaters Island, Dubai | instagram.com/takahisa_dubai/
2. Zenon
Zenon, set inside the Address Dubai Mall hotel, is not exactly subtle—and that is rather the point. This energetic restaurant and lounge folds together art, design, and cutting-edge technology, with AI-generated visuals and hypnotic holographic displays turning dinner into a full-blown spectacle.
Chefs Lorenzo Buccarini, Tatsuya Ueda, and Thomas Papas bring the substance behind the show, with a menu that fuses Mediterranean flair and Asian influences. Expect dishes such as wagyu beef tartare, smoky burnt eggplant, Australian wagyu striploin, and indulgent rigatoni that makes us question whether we really needed self-control in the first place.
Zenon is clearly aiming to reshape Dubai’s luxury dining and nightlife scene. The mood is sharpened further by DJs like Sider and Rita Atallah, while the sleek interiors, expansive terrace, and private VIP lounge push things into full after-dark fantasy territory. One of its most unusual touches is a system that turns DJs’ brainwaves into digital art projections, which is either brilliantly futuristic or gloriously extra—possibly both.
Dubai Mall Hotel Lobby Level, Downtown Dubai, Dubai | instagram.com/zenondubai/
3. Josette
Walk into Josette at DIFC’s ICD Brookfield Place and we may as well have been whisked straight into 1920s Paris. Designed by the wonderfully theatrical Luke Edward Hall, the space is drenched in pastel pinks, rich greens, chandeliers, and glossy art deco flourishes. Add live music and elegant French cooking, and suddenly we’re not just going to dinner—we’re staging a glamorous little escape.
The open kitchen, one of the stars of the main dining room, gives us a front-row seat as chef Burcu Cracknell turns out brasserie classics. Starters range from escargot and foie gras terrine to oysters, artichoke salad, and onion soup. Then come the mains: rotisserie chicken, rib-eye with Café de Paris butter, and a delicate sea bass fillet. And yes, you should absolutely save room for the signature crêpe Josette, flambéed tableside on a trolley with all the drama it deserves.
Josette also does a notably elegant afternoon tea, served from Wednesday to Friday and again on Sundays. Expect viennoiserie, savory petit fours, dainty sweets, and a carefully chosen lineup of teas and coffees.
ICD Brookfield Place, Trade Centre, DIFC, Dubai | instagram.com/josettedubai/
4. Chez Wam
Chez Wam, hidden away in St. Regis Gardens, feels like one of Dubai’s buzziest dining arrivals for good reason. Created by the team behind popular Dubai spots such as Kyma, Twiggy, and Tagomago, and led by chef Hadrien Villedieu—who trained under Alain Passard and Joël Robuchon—it arrives with serious culinary credentials and no interest in being boring.
Chez Wam, inspired by the French phrase ‘chez moi’ or ‘at my place,’ serves a deeply personal style of French cooking layered with global influences. We can begin with lobster rolls or foie gras bao buns before moving on to plates such as Hokkaido scallops, slow-cooked beef short rib, or confit duck ravioli that sound almost unfairly tempting.
For a closer look at the action, The Chef’s Table offers an intimate six-seat counter facing the open kitchen, making dinner feel immersive and just a little smug in the best possible way. Larger groups can go for the communal sharing table, which seats up to 11 and leans into the restaurant’s sociable, house-party spirit.
St. Regis Gardens, Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai | instagram.com/chezwamdubai/
5. Row On 45
Created by acclaimed chef Jason Atherton, this highly exclusive dining concept at City Social is reserved for just 22 guests, all inside a refined penthouse-style space that feels deliberately rarefied. This is not a casual drop-in dinner. This is a whole evening with a capital E.
The experience unfolds in three acts, beginning in the lounge with snacks before shifting into the main dining room with its striking show kitchen. The 17-course haute cuisine menu traces Atherton’s culinary evolution and global inspirations, with each plate introduced by skilled chefs who make the meal feel part dinner, part performance.
The dishes are as elaborate as you’d hope, spotlighting ingredients such as brown crab, Hokkaido scallops, 100-year-old balsamic vinegar, and Saroma A5 wagyu. Dessert is served in the Chef’s Library, a final flourish that neatly rounds off an evening built around precision and storytelling. Perched on the 45th floor of Grosvenor House Dubai, Row on 45 also comes with sweeping views over Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina, because apparently the food alone was not enough to show off.
Al Emreef St, Dubai Marina, Dubai | instagram.com/rowon45dubai/
6. French Riviera
French Riviera at Jumeirah Al Qasr channels the polished ease of the Côte d’Azur without requiring us to actually fly to the South of France. Focused on French-Mediterranean cooking, the restaurant highlights fresh seafood and Provençal flavors, creating an upscale but relaxed experience that feels lifted straight from a glamorous seaside resort.
The design makes the most of its enviable beachside setting, with interiors washed in tones inspired by the Mediterranean—soft sands, coastal blues, sunlight bouncing off stone. It is ideal for diners in search of a calm, scenic escape, especially if we manage to snag an outdoor table with sea breeze included.
The menu leans into the region’s culinary traditions, with a focus on simple but exceptional seasonal produce. You’ll find everything from crisp salads and elegant pasta dishes to grilled meats and rich desserts that feel delightfully Riviera-coded.
As you would expect from Jumeirah Al Qasr, the service is polished and the overall experience carefully choreographed. From the decor and plating to the quietly attentive hospitality, every detail is designed to evoke the laid-back luxury of the French Mediterranean coast.
Madinat Jumeirah, Al Qasr Hotel, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Umm Suqeim, Al Sufouh 1, Dubai | instagram.com/frenchrivieradubai/
7. Bungalo34
Set in a tucked-away spot overlooking an endless stretch of blue, this all-day dining venue at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Residences slips very easily into holiday mode. It works for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, of course, but it is also one of those places where sunset can hijack the whole agenda.
Led by restaurateur Natasha Sideris, the force behind Tashas Cafe, Avli by Tashas, and Flamingo Room, Bungalo34 serves a Mediterranean menu with a strong seafood focus. The mood is easygoing but impossibly stylish, with some of the most desirable tables set right on the sand.
The interiors channel a breezy 1970s beach-club aesthetic, with burnt-orange and white striped parasols outside and tasteful Riviera details inside, from sea-inspired artwork to cushions patterned with swimmers and handcrafted Colombian fish napkin holders. It is charming without trying too hard, which is rarer than it should be.
Breakfast might mean The Sunrise with oat crumble, coconut Chantilly, and tropical pineapple, or lobster Hollandaise with egg on toast if we’re feeling gloriously excessive. There are simpler options too, including croissants and cheese plates. Later in the day, the menu expands into pizzettes, chicken Parmigiana, oysters, linguine vongole, and a silky lemon spaghetti that seems determined to transport us straight to Capri.
Pearl Jumeira Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai, Jumeirah 1, Dubai | instagram.com/bungalo34/
8. Sumosan
Sumosan Dubai, part of a global restaurant group with outposts in London, Courchevel, and Berlin, brings contemporary Japanese cuisine to The Dubai EDITION Hotel in Downtown Dubai. The setting is sleek and quietly glamorous, with minimalist Far Eastern-inspired interiors, earthy tones, and the stylish JBar indoor terrace rounding out the mood.
A magnet for food lovers and celebrities alike, Sumosan has built its name on taking classic Japanese dishes and giving them a modern, inventive spin, all in a setting that feels upscale without becoming stiff—helped along by a regular roster of world-class DJs. Menu highlights include the surprise lobster salad, 24-hour miso-marinated black cod, and wagyu fillet ‘sando’ served with truffle fries. There is also an extensive sushi and sashimi selection, prepared with top-quality ingredients. The Sumosan Dubai roll, with salmon aburi, prawn tempura, and asparagus, is finished with dukkah for a subtle local twist.
Desserts are just as playful, with options such as matcha brownie and miso cheesecake sitting alongside richer classics like the restaurant’s take on chocolate fondant. With new creations appearing regularly, Sumosan remains a dependable choice for polished Japanese fine dining in Dubai.
Dubai Fountain St, Downtown Dubai | instagram.com/sumosandubai/
9. Ling Ling
Ling Ling is a spectacular contemporary Asian restaurant spread across the 22nd and 23rd floors of Atlantis The Royal Dubai. There is a large dining room, an intimate lounge, and a stunning outdoor terrace, all with sweeping 180-degree views over the resort’s dramatic 90-meter sky pool, Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf, and the Dubai skyline.
What began as a discreet lounge concept inside select Hakkasan restaurants around the world has now become a destination in its own right—and quite a flashy one at that.
Taking cues from Japanese izakayas, those wonderfully informal food-and-drink dens, Ling Ling serves contemporary Cantonese cuisine in an unmistakably polished setting. Signature plates include Ling Ling dim sum platters filled with combinations such as langoustine shrimp with caviar, crab, and duck. Elsewhere on the menu are wasabi tiger prawns, vegetarian black truffle rolls, and stir-fried beef fillet.
The interiors, designed by the famous Parisian studio Gilles & Boissier, lean into understated luxury with soft tones and refined finishes. There is even a dedicated foyer and lounge at lobby level, plus a private elevator that carries guests to the 23rd floor, because entering in ordinary fashion would apparently be too pedestrian.
Atlantis The Royal, Crescent Rd, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai | instagram.com/linglingdubai/
10. Sea Fu
Dining at Sea Fu is memorable from the moment we arrive, thanks to its prime beachfront setting and impressively refined menu. Part of the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, this stylish venue has become one of the city’s standout addresses for Asian seafood.
Whether we choose a table inside or out on the terrace, the calm sea views do half the seducing for them. The restaurant itself is spacious, graceful, and polished, and the quality of the room is mirrored in the food.
Sea Fu’s menu centers largely on seafood, making it one of the city’s go-to spots when we’re in the mood for highly focused, ingredient-led dishes. Sushi lovers are especially well looked after, with sashimi, nigiri, maki, and gunkan all delivering fresh, punchy flavors. Start with the truffle-laced crispy ice salad or the yellowfin tuna tartare, then move on to mains such as roasted Chilean seabass, marinated for 72 hours in Japanese miso, or wagyu tenderloin served with Sichuan pepper sauce.
Jumeriah Beach Road 2, Jumeirah, Dubai | instagram.com/seafudubai/
11. Social
If we’re after classic flavors served in a sophisticated but easygoing setting, chef Carmine Faravolo’s Neapolitan cooking at Social makes a persuasive case. Located inside the elegant Waldorf Astoria on Palm Jumeirah, the restaurant pairs immaculate tables, polished service, and beautifully executed food in a way that feels effortlessly upscale.
Expect creative reinterpretations of familiar recipes and smart techniques that lift humble ingredients into something memorable. Each dish feels like a small ode to Italian refinement. If choosing feels impossible, the chef’s tasting menu is the obvious move, taking diners through a carefully paced selection of Social’s finest dishes. Better still, it is served inside the kitchen, which gives the whole thing a quietly theatrical edge.
Those ordering à la carte will find polished seafood dishes such as seared scallops and charcoal-grilled octopus, alongside beef tartare and pasta elevated with ingredients like clam, candied lemon, and Alba white truffle with a flicker of Szechuan pepper. Main courses include plates such as Amalfi coast grouper with tomatoes, capers, and olives, as well as Welsh lamb loin paired with fregola and smoked goat’s cheese.
Ground Floor, Waldorf Astoria, Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai | instagram.com/social_dubai/
12. Bella
Perched high above Business Bay, Bella is the sort of stylish Italian restaurant that knows exactly how to use a skyline. With its glass ceiling, retractable windows, and far-reaching views towards Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa, the setting does a fair bit of heavy lifting before the first plate even lands. Located on the 20th floor of the Grand Millennium Business Bay, the venue is split between a retro loft-inspired lounge and an elegant dining room with panoramic city views.
The menu, created by award-winning chef Alessandro Miceli, brings together classic Italian dishes, subtle modern updates, and a few Asian accents. Standouts include black truffle risotto and slow-cooked beef cheek. The pizzas are also worth your attention, thanks to their thin, beautifully cooked bases. For those who’d rather hand over control and let the kitchen show off, the daily Taste of Bella menu, available after 7 pm, offers a four-course lineup of signature dishes.
The venue also hosts The Big Italian Brunch every Saturday, complete with favorite dishes, a live DJ, and a singer who keeps the mood buoyant. The spread runs from creamy pasta and house salads to seafood plates, all delivered with the kind of generous, celebratory energy that makes brunch in Dubai feel like an Olympic event.
Grand Millennium Hotel, Marasi Dr, Business Bay, Dubai | instagram.com/bellarestaurantdxb/
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