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Merge 104.8 | 22 May 2024
Dubai is must-visit destination for foodies as the city boasts an impressive range of culinary experiences. The emirate’s gastronomy scene is a fusion of global flavours and always on trend, making visitors always spoilt with a great selection of dining venues from award-winning restaurants to picture-perfect cafes, and eclectic food halls.
Make sure to check out these dining venues the next time you’re in Dubai.
Cost-effective MICHELIN restaurants
Dining at a MICHELIN-standard restaurant doesn’t need to cost a small fortune – Dubai has a number of eateries that are both award winning and pocket friendly. At Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, 3Fils was awarded a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand for serving exceptional Asian-inspired dishes at affordable prices. Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe’s Al Seef venue was recognised in the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2023 for its authentic local cuisine. Bait Maryam in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recipient, serves home-style Levantine dishes. Made famous in its native Singapore for offering ‘the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal’, Hawker Chan opened its first UAE outlet at Dubai Mall’s Chinatown in 2023. Other popular affordable Asian-inspired places to try include homegrown Japanese restaurant Kinoya in The Greens and Taiwanese chain Din Tai Fung, which has outlets across the city.
Instagrammable restaurants and cafes
Scroll through Instagram and you’ll find thousands of aesthetically-pleasing plates of food prepared by both professional and home cooks. Some of Dubai’s most photogenic places to eat and drink include Hoya Cafe & Restaurant, a hidden gem in Jumeirah which has a garden, library and secret pond; Forever Rose Cafe, a monochrome feast for the senses on Al Wasl Road; Onda, a new sleek and chic café on Al Wasl Road; and La Nena Coffee, a quaint café experience with a retail space, tucked within Dubai’s Al Quoz creative district. For a trendy breakfast head to Parisian bistro Cassette in The Courtyard at Al Quoz. If you’re seeking a traditional experience with a photogenic twist, then the Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood offers authentic Emirati cuisine in a cosy, leafy courtyard setting.
Food halls and street food
At Dubai’s many food halls and street food outlets, visitors can enjoy various cuisines. Inspired by Japanese eating areas commonly found in department stores and train stations, Depachika Food Hall at Nakheel Mall aims to deliver an experience beyond just providing food. Chefs at Time Out Market in Souk Al Bahar serve up signature dishes from a variety of homegrown eateries, with visitors able to dine on the wraparound terrace presenting enviable views of Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain. Neighbourhood Food Hall in Motor City is a favourite among the regulars living nearby, with a curated and accessible food hall concept that is home to niche, owner-driven homegrown brands. The kitchens at Streetery Foodhall in Jumeirah Lakes Towers serve authentic Asian-inspired street food dishes. At Al Ghurair Centre in Deira, Flayva is a new ‘street food hall’ offering a diverse lineup of global culinary delights from around the world, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Lebanon, the Philippines and more.
To find out more about where to eat and drink in Dubai, please visit: visitdubai.com
