9 Best Restaurants in Dubai | Travel Guide 2025

Dubai's dining scene has exploded in the last few years. From Michelin-starred tastin  g menus to relaxed beachfront seafood and cultural fusion hubs, the choices can feel overwhelming. Here are nine restaurants that showcase the Emirate's culinary range — each with a distinct personality, setting, and signature dishes worth planning around.

What to expect from this list

These selections prioritize standout food, memorable atmosphere, and consistent acclaim. You'll find luxury tasting menus, modern takes on regional cuisines, live-music dining rooms, and classic seafood houses. Price ranges are provided in AED so you can match your mood and budget.

Top 9 Restaurants in Dubai

9. Estiatorio Milos

Why go: Elegant yet relaxed Greek seafood with one of the city's most coveted patios.

• Location: Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah
• Price range: 95 to 240 AED
• Highlights: Fresh whole fish on display, Athenian-style lobster spaghetti, delicate fried zucchini and eggplant stacks with saganaki cheese and tzatziki (the Milos special).
• Tip: Book ahead for patio seating to enjoy sweeping fountain and hotel views; try the champagne-based Nymph cocktail with your meal.

8. R-45 (Refinement of Work, 45th floor)

Why go: A 17-course tasting experience led by Chef Jason Atherton that chases perfection with seasonal twists and a strong Japanese influence.

• Location: 45th floor of Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina
• Price range: 445 to 1,945 AED
• Highlights: Inventive seasonal courses — think buttery bites with hot-honey glaze and a potato course finished with high-end caviar. Menus shift with ingredients like Miyazaki mangoes and Japanese strawberries.
• Tip: This is a formal tasting format; plan for a longer dining experience and let the kitchen guide seasonal choices.

7. Soul Kitchen

Why go: A vibrant community hub where Latin American and Levantine flavors meet live music and art.

• Location: Marasi Drive, Business Bay
• Price range: 12 to 800 AED
• Highlights: Hummus, chimichurri ceviche, tabbouleh, shawarma, pinadas, wagyu coffee and fluffy arepas. Cocktail program includes arak bellinis and sumac-laced peach margaritas.
• Tip: Check the events calendar — Monday jazz, Latin Sundays, and lively weekend brunches make it a social hotspot as much as a dining destination.

6. Ninive

Why go: Modern Middle Eastern cuisine presented in a lush, garden-inspired setting that channels ancient Mesopotamian influences.

• Location: Emirates Towers Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
• Price range: 29 to 6,950 AED
• Highlights: Shareable dishes drawing from Turkey, Morocco, Iran, Iraq and the wider Levant — think pumpkin and spinach dishes, regional kibbeh, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and traditional tajines.
• Tip: Go with a group so you can order several plates to share and taste the breadth of the menu.

5. Tresind Studio

Why go: A theatrical, artful exploration of India's four culinary regions through an exacting multi-course tasting menu.

• Location: St. Regis, Palm Jumeirah
• Price range: 95 to 18,375 AED
• Highlights: A 16-course menu that moves through east, south, west and north India with dishes like elevated pani puri and vibrant, meticulously plated plates such as the blossom chaat with pumpkin mash and chutney.
• Tip: The dining room is intimate (around 20 seats) and the kitchen operates like theater; reserve early for prime seating.

4. The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill

Why go: A reliable, ingredient-led seafood house with a relaxed, stylish atmosphere and some of the city's best oysters.

• Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, JBR (original beachfront terrace still beloved)
• Price range: 35 to 2,960 AED
• Highlights: DEA Bay oysters, seafood platters and a breezy terrace perfect for weekend brunch or a sunset meal.
• Tip: The JBR terrace is unbeatable for people watching and sea breezes; ideal for groups sharing platters and bubbles.

3. Ristorante at Al Mahara

Why go: An immersive, underwater dining experience where an aquarium-wrapped room elevates Italian-rooted cuisine.

• Location: Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah
• Price range: 70 to 35,200 AED
• Highlights: Italian classics reimagined with refined techniques, plus signature dishes carried over from acclaimed kitchens in Italy. The set menu provides a comprehensive experience.
• Tip: The aquarium setting transforms dinner into an event — choose the set menu for best value and breadth.

2. The Pods

Why go: Distinctive pod-style seating and a menu that fuses pan-Asian techniques with premium ingredients for a modern, memorable meal.

• Location: Bluewaters Island, near Ain Dubai
• Price range: 40 to 5,000 AED
• Highlights: Truffle-crusted rock lobster, robatayaki grills, and miso-marinated black cod — an Asian-inspired, ingredient-focused menu with skyline views.
• Tip: Pods are designed for an intimate, social experience. Book a pod for a special celebration or share several dishes to sample the menu.

1. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

Why go: A playful, historically inspired journey through British cuisine from one of the world’s most inventive chefs.

• Location: Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah
• Price range: 45 to 4,500 AED
• Highlights: Signature dishes like the legendary Meat Fruit and the Pineapple Tipsy Cake, plus theatrical touches such as a rotating golden centerpiece and live caramelizing pineapples in the kitchen.
• Tip: If a full tasting menu feels like too much formality, the restaurant also serves a classic British roast dinner on Sundays for a comforting alternative.

How to choose the right spot

If you’re deciding between these nine, match the restaurant to the experience you want:

• For seafood and seaside vibes: Estiatorio Milos and The Maine deliver fresh, sleek experiences.
• For theatrical tasting menus: R-45, Tresind Studio and Dinner by Heston offer long, memorable meals that are as much performance as food.
• For culture-driven cuisine: Ninive and Soul Kitchen are great for sharing plates and flavors rooted in real culinary traditions and migration stories.
• For unique settings: The aquarium at Al Mahara and the pod seating on Bluewaters bring atmosphere that pairs perfectly with ambitious menus.

Practical tips

• Reserve in advance: Many of these venues are small or in high demand. Book early, especially for patios, pods, and weekend evenings.
• Consider tasting menus: For the high-end spots, tasting menus showcase a chef’s range and are the best way to experience the restaurant’s signature techniques.
• Dress smart: Dubai’s dining scene ranges from relaxed to formal. Check dress codes for Michelin-style venues and hotel restaurants.
• Budget appropriately: Price ranges vary widely. Decide ahead if you want a relaxed meal, a mid-range night out, or a special occasion splurge.

Final thought

Dubai’s restaurant landscape keeps expanding, but these nine places capture the city’s current culinary spirit: ambitious, diverse and visually arresting. Whether you’re chasing a multi-course journey, fresh seafood by the water, or lively fusion food with music and art, there’s a standout table here waiting for you.