What are Dubai’s best restaurants?

With food havens opening up almost every week in Dubai, it’s no surprise that choosing the best spot can prove a little confusing! Whether you’re living here or visiting for a weekend in the sunshine, food is always such a centre point in this exciting city and one of the questions I get asked most about …

I have rounded up 5 of my absolute favourite restaurants that are on the newer side of openings. They are in no particular order and each one has something really special and unique about them. The only common denominator is the consistent, exceptional food. Hope you find it useful!

1) La Cantine Du Faubourg

Although not necessarily the most recent of openings, this French sensation couldn’t possibly be left off the list. Located in the skyscraper Emirates Towers, it’s an unassuming hidden gem that offers a real taste of Paris.

The outdoor seating area is a perfect French garden made up of bistro-style tables with the chairs looking out onto the restaurant in true Parisian manner. It’s dimly lit but just the right amount to find the balance between an intimate setting yet social ambiance. Service is prompt and cocktails are to die for! The indoor area is a mix of dinner tables and large red sofas for the ”˜drinks and nibbles’ crowd, which gets incredibly busy almost every night. The food is the star of show. The menu is built around French cuisine but adapted and inspired by international influence. You may not find rich garlic-butter snails but you will enjoy the most incredible tartars, oysters, short ribs (an absolute must from the starters), truffle pizzas and an array of exquisite main courses. My pick ”“ the “Chilean seabass en papillote”.

Website: http://www.lacantine.ae

Phone: +971 4 352 7105

2) Namu

If you were looking for the next best Asian concept in town, Namu is the star in the sky. Featuring both Japanese and Korean cuisines, it’s a match made in heaven known by the finest of chefs in Dubai – Chef Nobu is a regular himself. The service is full of spirit, awareness and knowledge (the ultimate combination and incredibly rare to find) and the floor to ceiling glass windows make for impressive views over Dubai’s new canal.

From the very first dish I tried at Namu, I knew this was something rather exceptional. Classic dishes like ceviche, tempura and maki are executed as masterpieces of their trade and I can still taste the flavours from the hokkaido scallop ceviche, the first dish I ordered.

It is a sit back in your chair, have a moment of silence-type of food. It is competing with the very best and an extremely welcomed opening in Dubai. Still being somewhat of an undiscovered gem, I would recommend eating at a later dinner time to get the buzz. However, other than a developing atmosphere ”“ they have it spot on.

Website: http://www.namudubai.com

Phone: +971 443 66666

3) Ramusake

Coming from London, Ramusake has nailed the dining and nightlife balance. The concept is based on the “Izakaya” style dining experience with a modern take on Asian classics. You can expect the likes of black cod, tuna sashimi pizza, creative and delicious dumpling combinations and an array of Robata main courses to make everyone happy. The main dining room is trendy and somewhat futuristic; the music is excellent and the separate Sake Bar & Lounge is a treat in itself.

Ramusake is in my top 5 list because not only can you go for excellent food in a modern and upbeat location, but it also attracts a crowd very similar to that of a booming central London restaurant and that is incredibly rare to find in Dubai.

Website: http://ramusake.ae

Phone: +971 55 95300

4) La Mome

Ask me to show you a restaurant in Dubai where the owner seats you to your table … an owner who has built the restaurant from ground up and is passionate not only about the food they serve, but the experience they give? Well, that’s La Mome. It is anything and everything you want it to be whilst still staying genuine and authentic. So good, in-fact, that I just missed Leonardo di Caprio the evening before my visit – and I’m sure he’s dined at some killer restaurants!

Let me set the picture …

You make a last-minute booking for a traditional beef bourguingnon because you’ve had a long week and trust me, you’ll feel right at home ”¦ A planned Saturday night date night overlooking the entire city of Dubai and La Mome will put a smile on everyone’s face. The restaurant is thoughtful, its homely and it’s owned by a man who listens to his customers ”“ their sole focus is to make sure any experience there is one to remember, and my evening fell nothing short of fabulous. I recommend the snails, roasted pigeon and beef bourguignon!

Website: http://www.lamomedubai.com

Phone: +971 4 308 0470

5) Marina Social

With a masterpiece blend of British and Mediterranean cuisine; Marina Social is a modern and exciting hot spot in Dubai. Brought here by Michelin starred chef Jason Atherton, it has successfully defeated the common restaurant issue of having a busy few openings weeks and settling into mediocracy, especially in Dubai when there are new restaurants all the time. Two years on, and its buzzing atmosphere is ever growing, the sensational menu continues to add mouth-watering dishes and the service hasn’t once faltered.

You can expect to find dishes such as goats cheese churros with truffle honey, chargrilled octopus, duck leg agnolotti, reblochon cheese and wagyu cecina sourdough pizzas (the best pizza in Dubai!) and classics like steak tartare and beef tomato burrata; all with a creative and entertaining twist. And they’re not just a terrific à la carte restaurant, on Mondays and Fridays there are special “Share & Social” menus which put together very generous selections of the most loved and best dishes on the menu, all for a really reasonable set price ”“ you can choose whether you’d like alcohol packages included or not. Mondays are an evening affair and Fridays are a day event, in keeping with the well-known Friday Dubai brunches. Whether you’re dining as a romantic duo or a table of friends, Marina Social delivers every single time!

Website: http://marinasocialdubai.com

Phone: +971 4 446 6664

I hope you liked this round up! If you have any other questions about restaurants around Dubai then comment below and I’ll do my best to give you options that suit you best!

LLG X