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Where to eat

Al Fresco

 For a truly unique Arabian experience, why not enjoy a dune dinner? With drinks at sunset, Arabic music and entertainment, and a traditional barbecue under the stars, this will probably be one of the most memorable evenings you’ll ever spend. Many dinners also include traditional falconry displays.

Celebrity Chefs

 Along with top cuisine comes a growing list of international names in gourmet cooking. Gary Rhodes heads up Mezzanine, the British restaurant at the Grosvenor House, Gordon Ramsay is at the Hilton Dubai Creek, Viktor Stampfer at the Ritz-Carlton, and John Wood at the Burj Al Arab. And in Atlantis The Palm eateries include Nobu, the restaurant chain favoured by celebrities around the world, as well as Rhonda Locatelli in the innovative hands of Italian master chef Giorgio Locatelli.

The Ivy and Le Caprice, two bastions of London’s culinary scene, and amongst the city’s most popular celebrity haunts, have recently announced that they will be marking their international debuts by opening in Dubai.

Casual Dining

 Dubai is not limited to restaurants offering fine dining – there are numerous restaurants where you can enjoy a more casual dining experience. One such place is the Latino themed Cactus Cantina where food is served with a generous helping of fun. No tourist destination would be complete without its own branch of Planet Hollywood and TGI Friday’s and Dubai is certainly no exception. Seafood lovers will enjoy Mahi Mahi which calls itself the ‘ultimate seafood market’ – the restaurant, situated in Wafi City mall, serves the freshest crabs, lobsters and fish.

Fine Dining

 Dubai boasts some of the world’s most sophisticated and refined fine dining experiences. It would simple be impossible to list all the fantastic restaurant offerings, but here are a few to give you a flavour of what’s on offer in the emirate’s burgeoning restaurant scene:

Celebrities, at One&Only Royal Mirage, is a landmark restaurant, offering a modern interpretation of Western and Middle Eastern fusion cuisine, with outstanding views over the Arabian Gulf.

Vu’s, at Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, is an award-winning favourite in the heart of the city. The restaurant serves the best in modern European cuisine in a stylish setting. Located on the 50th floor, Vu’s has stunning panoramic views of Dubai’s cityscape.

Almaz by Momo’s, in Harvey Nichols at the Mall of the Emirates, has had fantastic reviews. Mourad Mazooz brings a gourmet experience in a legendary North African-Maghrebian style of cuisine.

Family Friendly

 Fridays in Dubai can provide families with fun-filled buffet brunches, complete with table entertainers, face painters and kids’ play areas.

Al Dawaar at the Hyatt Regency is a good place for a Friday brunch, for not only the food but also for the 360-degree panoramic views from the revolving restaurant. Other popular Friday brunch venues include Scarlett’s at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Marketplace at JW Marriott and the Antigo Global Restaurant at Le Meridien Dubai.

Romance

 With Nobu and Rhonda Locatelli opening their doors in September 2008, and with The Ivy and Le Caprice announcing that they will be marking their international debuts by opening in Dubai, the city is ideal for couples looking to indulge.

There are many companies offering dinner cruises along the Dubai Creek where guests are served an evening meal onboard traditional sailing dhows or modern boats. Couples can enjoy a romantic moonlight rendezvous on Dubai Creek aboard the glass-enclosed Bateaux Dubai. While taking in stunning views over the creek you can indulge in freshly prepared gourmet cuisine, an extensive selection of beverages and contemporary classic music played by the Bateaux’s resident DJ in elegant surroundings.

There is also the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Arabian dune dinner with your partner. With drinks at sunset, Arabic music and entertainment, and a traditional barbecue under the stars, this will probably be one of the most romantic evenings you’ll ever spend. Many dinners also include traditional falconry displays.

Floating Restaurants

 For a different dining experience there are many companies offering dinner cruises along the Dubai Creek where guests are served an evening meal onboard traditional sailing dhows or modern boats. The modern glass-enclosed Bateaux Dubai, harboured opposite the British embassy, provides five-star cuisine and stunning views of the Creek. The Danat Dubai, a sleek white catamaran, offers dinner as well as a belly-dancing show to visitors. You can also enjoy an evening on the Al Mansour Dhow which is owned and managed by the Radisson SAS hotel. This traditional sailing vessel is moored opposite the hotel and offers nightly dinner cruises.

On a Budget

 The cost of eating out varies considerably, but generally the city’s independent restaurants are less expensive than the hotel’s signature fine-dining establishments. Dubai is packed with small, no-frills dining places that serve good food at a very affordable price.

Shawarma is a traditional and cheap snack to be enjoyed in Dubai. Slices of tender lamb or chicken are marinated for several hours and then packed tightly on to a vertical spit. The spit turns automatically and slowly over a hot flame. Slices are cut off as required, mixed with salad and a thin garlic mayonnaise, and then rolled inside a pocket of Arabic bread. Most of the city’s small cafes sell shawarmas, and for a few dirhams, they make a tasty and filling snack.

Another local and cheap snack to look out for is spit-roasted chicken. Served whole with a handful of flat Arabic bread and a tub of hummous, this is a favourite late night snack to be shared with friends and family.

International fast-food chains are represented too by famous restaurants such as McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Pizza Inn, Subway, Burger King, Wimpy, Dunkin’ Donuts and Hardees.

Cafés

 Dubai has cafés and distinctive coffee shops in almost every corner. There are a number that are definitely worth stepping into. Situated on the terraced decking outside the Mövenpick hotel, the Espresso Café strikes a balance between a peaceful setting and the cacophony of sounds from the streets beyond.

Another exciting place worth visiting is the Basta Art Café on Al Fahidi Street. With its gnarled tree, quaint courtyard and vintage architecture, this is a firm favourite for those looking for the traditional touch and some respite from the outside world. Fresh lemonade with lime and mint are the darlings of the drinks board, while the food mainly comprises of sandwiches, salads and light meals.

Elements café in Wafi City offers an eclectic gamut of international food and a hefty selection of drinks but the main talking point is the walls, adorned with oil paintings from more than 70 international artists.

Vegetarians will also be pleased to know that Bastakiya’s XVA offers healthy, tasty, vegetarian food. Situated in a pretty, old courtyard, the XVA has an old world charm and provides a break from the beat of the city.

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