The best fine dining restaurants that opened in the UAE in 2024

Leña: The world's most beautiful steakhouse?

Leña brought fresh energy to Dubai's fine dining options in 2024, following its opening at St. Regis Gardens, Palm Jumeirah. Award-winning chef Dani Garcia's Middle Eastern debut introduced his acclaimed Spanish concept – winner of Most Beautiful Restaurant in The World at the 2021 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards. The space centres on charcoal cooking methods, with an open kitchen displaying premium cuts and a striking spherical Smoked Room housing an exclusive chef's table. Standout dishes include the cleverly presented Foie That Wanted To Be An Apple (85 AED) and the Australian Stockyard gold label Angus Ribeye (420 AED), while the kitchen's truffled onion au gratin (40 AED) – a favourite of Chef Dani's – adds a final flourish to any meal.

TATEL: An elegant Spanish restaurant by two sporting legends

Spanish dining concept TATEL arrived at Hotel Boulevard in Downtown Dubai in 2024, following successes in Madrid and Beverly Hills. The space pairs rustic warmth with modern comfort, serving both traditional and creative Spanish dishes. Menu highlights include the delicate Cecina de León (125 AED) with smokey notes, the Milanesa de TATEL (330 AED) topped with black truffle and sous vide egg, and Arroz del señoret (470 AED) – a rich seafood rice bisque showing classic Spanish technique.

TOTÓ: A licensed Italian restaurant in Downtown Dubai

The Italian fine-dining concept opened in Hotel Boulevard in August 2024, following its Abu Dhabi debut. The space draws inspiration from 1950s Italian cinema, reflected in both design and menu. Standout dishes include La Carbonara (110 AED) with smoked duck breast and Polpo alla Brace (150 AED) – grilled octopus with Taggiasche olive tapenade and potato purée. A carefully chosen wine list and creative cocktails complement the Burj Khalifa views.

Brasserie Frantzén: Nordic luxury meets Asian-French fusion

Award-winning Chef Björn Frantzén opened his Dubai outpost in 2024, bringing Nordic precision to Atlantis, The Palm from his Stockholm restaurant (ranked 35th on World's 50 Best). The 208-seat space features dishes like Studio Frantzén Caesar Salad (170 AED) with guinea fowl and beef short rib 'kakuni', and Saroma Wagyu (322 AED/100g) with oxtail ponzu. Beyond the dining room, find a 1,300-label wine cellar, 40-seat bar, and an interactive dessert room serving signature treats like cloudberry waffles.

Ps. Sister concept, Chef's Table experience FZN is in our plans to visit in early January 2025.

Strawfire Abu Dhabi: Ross Shonhan's impeccable Japanese restaurant at Emirates Palace

Acclaimed Chef Ross Shonhan brought Japanese warayaki straw-fire cooking to Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in late 2024. The space spans five distinct areas – including the atmospheric Tsukimi Lounge and a main dining room centred on the open grill. The Toyama private dining room features the world's largest synthetic Shimenawa rope. Menu highlights range from smoke-kissed Tarbouriech oyster (45 AED) to uni nigiri (300 AED for 2 pieces), with Japanese wagyu featuring marbling scores of 10-12. Custom ceramics and plateware complete the refined experience.

Bar Des Prés Dubai: French-Japanese Restaurant at ICD Brookfield Place DIFC

December 2024 saw celebrated French chef Cyril Lignac bring his Parisian concept Bar Des Prés to the 51st floor of ICD Brookfield Place, creating an elegant fusion of French technique and Japanese ingredients. The venue made an immediate impression with its dramatic setting, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows framing Sheikh Zayed Road views, oriental lanterns, and a central sushi counter that added theatrical flair to the dining experience. The menu demonstrated particular finesse in its cross-cultural offerings, with standout dishes including an innovative crab and avocado galette (105 AED) featuring unexpected Madras curry notes, and precisely executed Australian beef fillet (200 AED) enhanced with Kerala pepper. The bar programme proved equally thoughtful, offering creative alcohol-free options like the Japatini (55 AED) alongside an extensive French wine selection of over 300 labels.

African Queen Dubai: French-Mediterranean Elegance at J1 Beach

The famed Beaulieu-sur-Mer restaurant arrived at J1 Beach in 2024 through a partnership between Giraudi Group and veteran restaurateurs. Monegasque architects Humbert & Poyet designed the space, where bold animal prints meet coastal hues from dining room to alfresco terrace. The Southern Mediterranean menu features dishes like Diavola pizza (115 AED) with beef chorizo, artichoke salad (135 AED) with Piedmont hazelnuts and fresh truffle, and miso-glazed black cod (210 AED) following a 72-hour marinade.

Maison Revka Dubai: French-Slavic restaurant and beach club at Delano Hotel Bluewaters

The concept from Paris and St Tropez opened at Delano Hotel Dubai in 2024, where retro florals and velvet seating tell the story of 20th-century Slavic-French fusion. The menu blends French technique with Slavic flavours through dishes like paper-thin salmon ficelle (175 AED) with delicate crepes and a selection of taramas (130 AED) – four variations from classic to sea urchin served with fresh blinis.

Baôli Dubai: French-Mediterranean-Japanese fusion at J1 Beach

The renowned concept from Miami and Cannes arrived at J1 Beach in late 2024, featuring a petal-shaped deck over the sand and an intimate Moon Room inside, plus two Prada retail spaces. The fusion menu includes innovative dishes like foie gras takoyaki (105 AED) – Japanese sweet potato batter with rich terrine, truffle jus and Comte cheese – and French sea bass skewers (130 AED) from the robata grill. Beach club facilities complement the dining experience.

Sakhalin Dubai: Mediterranean-Asian seafood and beach club at J1 Beach

Award-winning chef Vladimir Mukhin opened his seafood-focused restaurant at J1 Beach in late 2024, named after Russia's Sakhalin Island. The beachfront venue blends Mediterranean and Asian influences, with a menu featuring dishes like layered pink shrimp with sea urchin and caviar tartare (350 AED) and tempura zucchini blossoms with crab (115 AED). A live aquarium displays king crabs and lobsters, while the space flows from indoor dining to outdoor beach club, where beds start from 300 AED.

High Society: A world-renowned chef and iconic views in Business Bay

Jean Imbert's poolside restaurant on The Lana's 30th floor opened in 2024, pairing spectacular city views with a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere in Business Bay. The beverage selection features creative serves like the Titicaca's Well (85 AED), where Altos Reposado meets bell pepper and passion fruit cordial. The menu ranges from premium oysters and caviar to innovative crudo preparations, with distinct lunch and dinner menus maintaining quality throughout the day.

Riviera by Jean Imbert Dubai: The iconic French chef's Middle Eastern debut

Acclaimed French chef Jean Imbert chose The Lana in Business Bay for his Middle Eastern debut in 2024, creating a refined yet welcoming spot where Mediterranean flavours pair with dramatic city views. Signature dishes include the tableside-prepared Bluefin Tuna Tartare (195 AED) and a 45-day matured Côte de bœuf (895 AED). The bar adds creative touches with serves like the Évolution du Spritz (85 AED), where Cassis Noir de Bourgogne meets jasmine and absinthe.

Alba: East meets West at the Dubai Opera Plaza

MetaFoodies brought their East-meets-West dining concept to Downtown Dubai in 2024, where award-winning architect Tristan Du Plessis created a striking setting with cherry blossoms and ceiling-mounted umbrellas. Chefs Vladimir Chistyakov and Minho Ted Shin's menu features creative fusion dishes like Chicken Coconut Cacio e Pepe Gyoza (70 AED) and theatrical Lobster Noodles (250 AED) combining premium ingredients with wok-fired techniques.

Il Gattopardo Dubai: Italian restaurant with city views at ICD Brookfield Place

The 51st floor of ICD Brookfield Place welcomes this sophisticated Italian venue where art deco elements like golden panther motifs and statement chandeliers complement spectacular city views. Contemporary interpretations of classics shine - the Tonno (78 AED) brings perfect balance to lime-marinated tuna crudo through pickled cucumber and capers, while the Arancini (42 AED) filled with beef Bolognese and smoked scamorza demonstrate equal care.

La Cantine Beach Dubai: Mediterranean dining and wellness at Delano Bluewaters Island

This Bluewaters Island addition to the La Cantine du Faubourg family reimagines beachfront leisure by pairing coastal dining with distinctive amenities including baby blue pickleball courts and beachside exercise equipment. Under Chef Yiannis's guidance, the kitchen shows equal finesse with land and sea – from perfectly executed Angus Tenderloin (240 AED) to fresh King Crab with avocado and lemon compote (245 AED).

Gigi Rigolatto: From St Tropez to Dubai at J1 Beach

This 5,000-square-metre venue at J1 Beach marks Gigi Rigolatto's first global outpost beyond France. French-Mexican architect Hugo Toro creates a Mediterranean oasis with winding wooden paths through lush gardens. The kitchen delivers refined coastal Italian cuisine – crispy Aranci Al Tartufo (115 AED) arrive with whipped ricotta while expertly executed Linguine Alle Vongole (250 AED) speaks to the pasta expertise.