We've spent years finding the UAE's finest. Now you can find them in seconds.
We've spent years finding the UAE's finest. Now you can find them in seconds.
High Society: A world-renowned chef and iconic views in Business Bay
Another Jean Imbert icon on the list, this impressive pool-side restaurant, lounge and bar is located on the 30th floor of The Lana hotel in Dubai's Business Bay. Complete with stunning views of the city skyline (including the “big guy” money shot), here you will find a glistening (hotel-guests-only) pool, and a chic licensed restaurant open daily for lunch and dinner…
Maison de la Plage: Chef Izu Ani's first beach club
From the man behind the likes of Gaia, Carine, Alaya, and more, Chef Izu Ani's first beach club opened at The Club on the Palm Jumeirah in February 2024. With business partner Evgeny Kuzin (Bulldozer Group), Ani's Maison de la Plage is named after the French word for beach house, and my oh my, this is quite some beach house…
Bisou: French flair and Middle Eastern flavours in Downtown Dubai
Located in Downtown at the Dubai Opera Plaza, Bisou is a fine dining gem “that marries the refined elegance of French cuisine with the warm hospitality of Middle Eastern traditions.” Named after the word for “kiss” in French, Bisou has taken over the space that once belonged to Kizmet…
Ideal for a fancy lunch, dinner, or drinks with friends, family, or an important client, Bisou is fully licensed and open daily from 12 noon until 12 midnight.
Pitfire: A licensed venue from the pizza icons in Dubai Hills
Pitfire is a beloved name in Dubai's pizza scene, cherished by fans across the city. Founded by Michele and Bill Johnson in Dubai's JLT in 2014, this homegrown pizzeria has grown over the last decade, expanding to multiple locations, including delivery-only spots.
Now, at Dubai Hills (opened as of January 2024), you'll discover Pitfire's first licensed outpost, offering the same beloved crispy base, charred crust, and casual dining experience as its sister restaurants…
Kokoro: Dubai's first handroll bar all the way from Texas
Straight from Dallas, Texas, Kokoro brings a unique handroll bar experience to Dubai. Founded by chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee, Kokoro opened its doors at Alserkal Avenue at the end of March 2024.
Here you will find sleek vibes, premium handrolls, sushi, and other Japanese favourites…
Rare: A swanky licensed steakhouse at City Walk
From the man behind CMP on The Pointe (now closed thanks to The Pointe's massive redevelopment), Rare is the new baby by Bombay-born, Dubai-raised Sahil Anand.
Located at City Walk's new licensed district, C2, this swanky steakhouse can seat 130 diners and offers inside and outside seating. It's fancy enough to be your date night and special occasion spot, and friendly enough to host a casual weeknight dinner. A great all-rounder, you might say.
🤫 HUNTR Members get a free round of drinks for the whole table whenever they dine at Rare. Join us – download The HUNTR: City Guide app and sign up today. Only a limited number of memberships are available, be quick 🏃♂️
Sagra: A tiny little Italian pasta bar in Dubai's Jumeirah 3
Sagra Italian Pastificio is a homegrown eatery owned by an Italian expat hailing from the historic town of Genova, Italy. Tucked away in the heart of Jumeirah, this artisanal fresh Italian pasta shop is as cute as a button.
As you step inside, the happy colours of yellow and blue create a warm and inviting ambiance, transporting you straight to Nonna's kitchen. The limited indoor dining space (there are just three tables) makes for a very cosy ambiance – but be warned, you may also struggle to get a table, especially at weekends...
Alba: East meets West at the Dubai Opera Plaza
Alba is an elegant restaurant by the folks at Metafoodies, skillfully blending the comforting flavours of Asian street food with an elevated, gastronomic European flair. This stunning venue at Dubai Opera Plaza transports diners back to the 19th-century cultural exchange when the East first met the West…
Sushiyaki: A homegrown, licensed Japanese on the Jumeirah Waterfront
Situated along the serene Jumeirah Waterfront at the Madinat Jumeirah, you will find SushiYaki – a Japanese restaurant by the family-owned, family-run restaurant group, Food Fund International (SAN Beach, Clay, and more).
Having taken over the venue once home to Americano (a jazzy American brasserie, also by Food Fund), this cosy and romantic little spot is a must-visit if you love its specialties: sushi and yakitori…
Lana Lusa: Mediterranean cuisine and Portuguese heritage in Dubai's Jumeirah 3
In late May of 2024, Dubai's beloved Portuguese gem Lana Lusa reopened in a stunning new setting at the Four Seasons Private Residences on the Canal. After building a loyal following at its original Wasl 51 location, the acclaimed restaurant has leveled up with this elevated dining experience and expanded menu…
Lila Molino: Thoughtful Mexican dining and specialty coffee in Alserkal Avenue
Two years after debuting their cosy, wood-fired taqueria in Umm Suqeim, Chef Shaw Lash and partner Tarek Islam have opened the doors to their most ambitious venture yet, meet Lila Molino…
Tucked away inside the bustling Alserkal Avenue, Lila Molino offers an authentic all-day Mexican dining experience complete with a specialty coffee cafe and roastery, a hub for Mexican arts and culture, a community space, curated boutique corner (perfect for gifts), organic, local produce and of course, its coveted wood-fired tacos.
☕️ the HUNTR Coffee Card is available exclusively to HUNTR Members here. Collect stamps and redeem free coffee at 50+ of the best spots in town. Download The HUNTR: City Guide app to join our growing community of nice humans today 🤝 🏃♂️
Osteria Funkcoolio: Chef Akmal Anuar's Italian 30-seater restaurant
Located at the picturesque Port De La Mer in Dubai’s Jumeirah 1, Osteria Funkcoolio offers breathtaking waterfront views and a unique culinary concept marrying Italian and Japanese flavours. This intimate gem, seating just 30 diners at a time, is the brainchild of Chef Akmal Anuar and his wife Inez Tantyanna, the founder and managing partner of White Rice – a boutique hospitality company based in Dubai…
Smoki Moto: A licensed Korean steakhouse on the Palm Jumeirah
Housed within the Marriott Resort on the Palm Jumeirah, Smoki Moto is a fully licensed Korean steakhouse. Having first opened its doors in January 2024, the concept is simple: an authentic Korean steakhouse that celebrates the art of grilling. But Smoki Moto takes it a step further. Here, every table (24 in total) is equipped with a built-in charcoal grill, allowing guests to partake in the age-old Korean tradition of cooking their own meats…
Daikan Izakaya: Award-winning ramen and a licensed bar in City Walk
Opened in City Walk's lively (licensed) C2 District in March 2024, Daikan Izakaya is a beloved, German-born Japanese street food concept from the Elmascan brothers.
Instantly transports guests to the vibrant backstreets of Tokyo through its atmospheric interiors, the sprawling space exudes a distinct izakaya vibe – laidback and convivial with an open kitchen allowing glimpses of the culinary theatrics. Zoning includes ample communal seating indoors and out on the street-side terrace, complemented by a cosy semi-private area tucked in one corner. The vinyl record soundtrack will soon be joined by live DJ sets…
Dining Room by Mamafri: Homegrown South East Asian fare in DIFC
First opened in 2019 with just 5 tables in a humble Jumeirah 3 location, Mamafri's Southeast Asian cuisine quickly gained a cult-like following among those in the know. With the original outpost's success, a second branch soon followed in DIFC, and then in the capital, Mamafri opened its doors in Abu Dhabi.
Now, the homegrown eatery has unveiled its new look in DIFC following an early summer 2024 reopening and snazzy renovation. Under the new name – Dining Room by Mamafri, this sleek, elegant space exudes a cosy yet sophisticated vibe.
TATEL: An elegant Spanish restaurant by two sporting legends
Having already garnered acclaim in Madrid, Ibiza, Beverly Hills, Mexico City and Riyadh, TATEL has now planted its flag in Dubai's Hotel Boulevard in Downtown this year. An elegant Spanish restaurant backed by sporting legends Rafael Nadal and Cristiano Ronaldo, this is a great one to save for your next special occasion…
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