From rooftop restaurants overlooking the Burj Khalifa to beachfront dining and traditional eateries in Old Dubai, the city's food scene has something for every occasion. Whether you're planning a romantic dinner, looking for the best restaurants in Dubai with a view or simply want somewhere delicious and affordable, choosing where to eat can be overwhelming. This guide brings together some of Dubai's standout restaurants, covering fine dining, waterfront settings, vegetarian options and casual local favourites, with practical tips to help you find the right place.
Find the Right Dubai Restaurant for Your Plans
Not sure where to start? Compare these restaurants by location, cuisine, atmosphere and budget.
• Cé La Vi (Downtown Dubai): Asian fusion. Best for Burj Khalifa views and celebrations
• Aura Skypool Lounge (Palm Jumeirah): Pan-Asian small plates. Best for sunset views and sundowners
• Din Tai Fung (Dubai Mall): Taiwanese. Best for dumplings and family meals
• Al Hallab (Dubai Mall): Lebanese. Best for fountain-view lunches
• Thiptara (The Palace Downtown): Thai. Best for romantic fountain-view dinners
• Shimmers (Madinat Jumeirah): Greek, beachside. Best for sunset dinner and couples
• Twiggy by La Cantine (Dubai Creek, Park Hyatt): Mediterranean. Best for brunch and golden-hour drinks
• SĀN Beach (Palm West Beach): Mediterranean. Best for a long lunch into sunset
• The Farm (Al Barari): Global, healthy. Best for breakfast and family brunch
• Pierchic (Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah): Seafood. Best for anniversaries and proposals
• Il Borro Tuscan Bistro (Jumeirah Al Naseem): Italian. Best for relaxed, classy dinners
• Flamingo Room by Tashas (Jumeirah Al Naseem): Coastal, comfort food. Best for stylish lunches
• La Petite Maison (DIFC): French-Mediterranean. Best for terrace dinners
• avatāra (Dubai Hills): Indian vegetarian. Best for vegetarian fine dining
• Arabian Tea House (Al Fahidi): Emirati. Best for local flavours on a budget
Rooftop Restaurants in Dubai with a View
Dubai's rooftop restaurants offer some of the city's most impressive views, particularly around sunset when the skyline begins to light up.
Cé La Vi
Perched high in the Address Sky View hotel, Cé La Vi pairs contemporary Asian flavours with a view of the Burj Khalifa. The setting is sophisticated and lively, which makes it a strong pick for glamorous nights out, birthday dinners or sunset drinks.
Area / Cuisine: Downtown Dubai, Asian fusion. Best for: Celebrations. Tip: Reserve ahead for sunset and weekends. Visit Cé La Vi.
Aura Skypool Lounge
Aura sits on the 50th floor of the Palm Tower and is best known for its 360° infinity pool, with views across the Marina skyline, the Burj Khalifa and the Palm. Think of it as a pool lounge with food and drinks rather than a conventional restaurant: the pan-Asian small plates and cocktails come with the views, and access is usually through a booked pass or reservation.
Area / Cuisine: Palm Jumeirah, pan-Asian small plates. Best for: sundowners. Tip: book ahead and check the dress code and entry terms. Visit Aura Skypool.
Best Restaurants in Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is a dining destination in its own right, and several of its restaurants look out over the Dubai Fountain. Tables with a fountain view fill up first, so ask for one when you book.
Din Tai Fung
The Taiwanese dumpling specialist is best known for its xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings, and it is a dependable choice for families and groups after a day in the mall. Expect a wait at peak times.
Area / Cuisine: Dubai Mall, Taiwanese. Best for: family meals. Tip: Book ahead, especially for groups of four or more.
Al Hallab
A well-known Lebanese restaurant with views over the Dubai Fountain, and one of the more affordable ways to dine with the view. It suits a relaxed mezze lunch or dinner between shopping and sightseeing.
Area / Cuisine: Dubai Mall, Lebanese. Best for: Fountain-view lunches. Tip: Ask for a fountain-view table when you book.
Thiptara
Just outside Dubai Mall at The Palace Downtown, Thiptara serves Thai food on a terrace that looks across the water to the Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa. The setting makes it a romantic choice for a special dinner.
Area / Cuisine: The Palace Downtown, Thai. Best for: romantic dinners. Tip: Reserve a terrace table ahead of time.
Waterfront and Outdoor Restaurants in Dubai
Outdoor seating depends on availability and conditions, so ask for it when you book and have a backup plan in the hotter months. The settings here fall into three types: beach, waterfront and garden.
Shimmers
A barefoot beachside restaurant on the sands of Madinat Jumeirah, Shimmers serves Greek food with views of the Burj Al Arab. It is relaxed but refined, and it works well for sunset mezze and grilled seafood.
Area / cuisine: Madinat Jumeirah, Greek. Best for: couples and special occasions. Tip: request a sunset table. Visit Shimmers
Twiggy by La Cantine
Twiggy brings a Riviera feel to the Creek at Park Hyatt Dubai, with a lagoon, loungers and skyline views. It moves easily from sunny brunches to golden-hour drinks, with a Mediterranean menu built for sharing. Note that it sits on Dubai Creek, on the Deira side near the Creek Golf & Yacht Club, rather than in Dubai Creek Harbour. If you are exploring the area, our Dubai Creek guide will help you plan the day.
Area / cuisine: Dubai Creek (Park Hyatt), Mediterranean. Best for: brunch and sunset drinks. Tip: reserve for weekends. Visit Twiggy
SĀN Beach
SĀN Beach blends beach-club energy with elevated dining on Palm West Beach, facing the Marina skyline. The Mediterranean-leaning menu features wood-fired breads, grilled seafood and salads, and it suits a long lunch that turns into sunset drinks.
Area / cuisine: Palm West Beach, Mediterranean. Best for: long lunches. Tip: check beach access and minimum spends if you plan a day. Visit SĀN Beach
The Farm
A garden retreat inside the Al Barari community, The Farm has floor-to-ceiling glass and a terrace overlooking gardens and lakes. The menu spans global comfort food with a healthy twist, and it is especially popular for breakfast and family brunches.
Area / cuisine: Al Barari, global. Best for: breakfast and family brunch. Tip: book ahead for weekends. Visit The Farm
Fine Dining and Romantic Restaurants in Dubai
Fine dining takes different forms: a tasting-menu experience, refined à la carte dining, or a restaurant chosen mainly for its setting. Fine dining does not automatically mean Michelin-starred, and any Michelin distinction should be checked against the current official guide.
Pierchic
Set at the end of a wooden pier in the Arabian Gulf, Pierchic offers panoramic sea views and a seafood-focused menu with dishes such as lobster, sea bass and oysters. It is a romantic choice for anniversaries and proposals.
Area / cuisine: Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah, seafood. Best for: anniversaries. Tip: reserve well ahead for sunset. Visit Pierchic
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro
At the Jumeirah Al Naseem resort, Il Borro overlooks calm waterways, with indoor and terrace seating. It is known for homemade pastas, grilled meats and tiramisu, and the mood is classy but cosy.
Area / cuisine: Jumeirah Al Naseem, Italian. Best for: relaxed dinners. Tip: ask for terrace seating. Visit Il Borro Tuscan Bistro
Flamingo Room by Tashas
Next to the turtle lagoon at Al Naseem, Flamingo Room is a stylish space serving refined comfort food with playful twists, such as lobster pasta and truffle fries, and good desserts. It is a favourite for stylish lunches and intimate dinners.
Area / cuisine: Jumeirah Al Naseem, coastal. Best for: lunches. Tip: book for weekends. Visit Flamingo Room
La Petite Maison
LPM is an elegant but unpretentious DIFC staple serving Provençal-inspired dishes such as burrata, grilled prawns and roast chicken with lemon. It has a breezy terrace and a lively atmosphere.
Area / cuisine: DIFC, French-Mediterranean. Best for: terrace dinners. Tip: reserve ahead for evenings. Visit La Petite Maison
Vegetarian Restaurants in Dubai
A fully vegetarian restaurant serves no meat or fish at all, whereas a mixed restaurant offers some vegetarian dishes alongside meat. Two contrasting fully vegetarian options give you a premium and a more accessible choice.
avatāra: Vegetarian Fine Dining
avatāra in Dubai Hills is a tasting-menu restaurant serving refined Indian vegetarian cooking. It's sommelier, Ninad Jani, won the guide's Sommelier Award.
Area / cuisine: Dubai Hills, Indian vegetarian. Best for: special occasions. Tip: book well in advance. Visit Avatāra Dubai
Affordable Restaurants and Local Dining in Dubai
Affordability depends on both the food and the meal format, and not every casual restaurant is cheap. For a food-led alternative to the premium picks above, head to Old Dubai.
Arabian Tea House
Set in the courtyard of a traditional house in Al Fahidi, Arabian Tea House serves Emirati dishes and is a good place for a traditional breakfast, karak tea or a pause during an Old Dubai walk. Dishes such as balaleet, machboos and luqaimat are a friendly introduction to local flavours.
Area / Cuisine: Al Fahidi, Emirati. Best for: budget-friendly local food. Tip: go early or off-peak to avoid queues. Visit Arabian Tea House
Dubai's dining scene is full of beautiful places, but the best meals pair atmosphere with real culinary quality. Whether you want a romantic evening, a scenic brunch or an impressive night out, this list gives you somewhere to start.
Tips for Dining Out in Dubai
A few practical considerations will make choosing and booking restaurants easier:
- Reserve ahead for sunset and weekends: Rooftop, beachside and waterfront tables are the first to fill.
- Ask for outdoor seating when you book: It depends on availability and the weather, especially in the hotter months.
- Check the dress code: Many upscale venues ask for smart casual dress, and some beach venues have their own rules.
- Look at the bill: A service charge is often included, which affects how much extra you tip.
- Alcohol is served in licensed venues only: Check that a restaurant is licensed if that matters to you.
- Expect changes during Ramadan: Opening hours and menus can differ, so confirm before you go.
Dubai's best restaurant depends on what you're looking for. Whether it's a memorable skyline dinner, an affordable local meal or a relaxed afternoon by the water, there's no shortage of places worth exploring.