1. Em Sherif Deli
Beirut’s beloved Em Sherif Deli is heading to Dubai this September, landing at One Central in Dubai World Trade Centre. Known for giving Lebanese comfort food a polished twist, the fast-casual concept caters to both quick lunches and leisurely bites, offering dine-in and takeaway.
Expect elevated shawarma, mezze, and house-made desserts, alongside a traditional Mouneh corner stocked with jams, pickles and spice blends that nod to home kitchens across Lebanon. Interiors keep things fresh and youthful, with blonde wood, natural textures and breezy indoor-outdoor seating.
2. YUBI Handroll Bar
Dubai now has its first homegrown handroll bar, YUBI, led by chef Reif Othman. It promises a sleek, modern space where diners can watch chefs create handrolls, tempura, yakitori, sashimi and more.
The menu blends tradition with creativity, paired with Japanese grape, while the interiors are bathed in natural light and textured design. Lebanese designer Mira Mikati has even created stylish uniforms, making YUBI as much a high-fashion experience as a culinary one.
3. Antika
Antika has packed up and moved from DIFC into DIFC’s 25hours Hotel – and trust us, you’ll want to follow. The nightlife favourite has reemerged inside the buzzy 25 Jump Street dining hub, and it’s every bit as glam as before. Think velvet banquettes, gold columns and a ceiling made for Instagram. The vibe? Levantine dining that gets louder, livelier and dancier as the night goes on.
Chef Louay Noureldine keeps things indulgent with hummus royale topped with wagyu, fisherman’s lobster and an osmaliyeh tiramisu that demands sharing. Live music, dancers, and DJ sets roll into the early hours, making this spot part restaurant, part party, all energy. For a date night with edge or a night out with the crew, Antika’s your next move.
4. Gusto
DIFC isn’t short on Italian restaurants, but Gusto keeps things stripped-back and stylish. Carlo Tinelli (of L’Amo fame) built it on Milanese principles: espresso in the morning, refined pastas at lunch, a moody, marble-drenched dining room at night.
Just 42 seats mean service is personal without being fussy, while head chef Paola Solano delivers the hits – burrata that’s silky, pizza with blistered edges, and a tagliolini al tartufo that’s pure velvet. Drinks lean concise (and classy), with a bar that nods to Italy’s stand-up espresso tradition. It’s intentionally small, quietly elegant, and all about Italian done properly.
5. Jona’s Burger
Jonas Burger has landed at Avenue Mall, Nad Al Sheba, with a menu that keeps things simple, fun and wallet-friendly — everything is under Dhs60. The focus is on quality ingredients and bold flavours, starting with wagyu patty burgers stacked just right.
Add in crisp chicken nuggets, loaded fries, creamy milkshakes, and freshly baked cookies, and you’ve got all the essentials for a comfort-food fix without the fuss. The space mirrors the menu — relaxed, approachable, and all about good vibes. Jonas isn’t here to overcomplicate burgers, just to make them seriously satisfying. The only question is: what are you trying first ?
6. Mayg
Mayg in d3 isn’t just another fancy fusion spot. Executive chef Aadel Ouaoua (ex-RSVP) has cooked his way through Paris, London, Barcelona and Rome, and now he’s bringing all that to Mayg with plates that balance French polish and Japanese restraint.
Interiors lean as hard into detail as the menu – copper flashes from the kitchen, cloud chandeliers above, and a bonsai-dotted private dining room. On the menu, you’ll find buttery escargot, crunchy calamari, and a mi cuit dessert worth trying. Currently in soft opening, Mayg’s sushi bar and terrace are still to come.
7. Ostura
Ostura is a modern Middle Eastern restaurant inspired by the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. The venue combines refined regional cuisine, contemporary design and live entertainment to create an immersive dining experience.
Interiors feature warm lighting and opulent details, while a narrative of a hidden genie adds a theatrical element. The menu spans mezze, wood-fired mains, and desserts, balancing authenticity with elevated techniques. After dinner, make sure you stay for some Oriental house music that continues into the night.
8. Three Bros
The Orfali brothers are back at it – and this time, they’ve gone retro. Three Bros, a 22-seater right next to their Jumeirah flagship, ditches white tablecloths for ‘70s vibes, playful menus and lab-like soft drink pairings. Think pidza (pizza-pide hybrid), morel chawanmushi, adobo wings and TNT patatas, followed by a peanut-and-jam sando cake you’ll dream about. It’s loud, it’s fun, and it’s proudly “Dubai cuisine” – a mash-up of French finesse, Syrian soul and Mediterranean simplicity. Fine dining gets a cheeky remix here, proving the Orfalis aren’t just serving dinner, they’re keeping the city’s dining scene deliciously unpredictable.
9. Elaia
Perched on the fourth floor of Pier 7, Elaia is all about Mediterranean ease with just enough polish to feel special. Soft blues, low lighting and potted olive trees set the tone, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame Marina yachts and twinkling towers.
Everything on the menu is built for sharing – think crisp baby calamari, Oscietra caviar, or lobster cooked your way. Highlights include a finely sliced seabass carpaccio and the paccheri elaia – tomato, basil, butter, black pepper, pasta bliss. With vegan and gluten-free options flagged, it’s equal parts refined and relaxed – perfect for lingering dinners that spill into drinks.
10. Piehaus
Piehaus, the latest venture from the team behind 21grams, has landed in Alserkal Avenue and is already turning heads. This cosy, modern spot is all about flaky, flavour-packed pies that are as Instagram-worthy as they are delicious. Breakfast here leans Scandinavian-inspired, with light, fresh flavours and thoughtful plating. Coffee lovers will find plenty to get excited about, but it’s the matcha lattes that steal the show — from the fragrant Earl Grey matcha to the subtly floral elderflower matcha, each cup is a little moment of joy. Piehaus is a fresh, flavourful addition to Alserkal Avenue.
11. Apollo Dubai
From the creators of Rascals Deli and Za Za Slice comes Apollo, a new all-day bistro redefining comfort food on Palm Jumeirah. This stylish eatery offers a contemporary take on classic dishes, including duck arayes, beef tartare with soy-cured egg yolk, and chicken pot pie.
Indulge in the Apollo burger with dry-aged wagyu or finish with Basque cheesecake. Its interiors feature deep burgundy walls and plush sofas, complemented by panoramic views of The Palm. Perfect for any occasion, from quick bites to late-night dining. Open daily from noon to 1.30 am.
12. CHAR x Around The Block
Located in the new Nad Al Sheba Mall, this dual spot is an ‘Around the Block’ by day – an easy-going café serving speciality brews and globally inspired dishes. But as the clock hits 2 PM, the space transforms into CHAR, a grill bar. Here, the focus shifts to open flame and big flavours, with a menu rooted in heritage. Expect freshly baked bread with rich spreads, inventive cold plates, intense hot dishes and a lineup of fire-kissed meats, poultry, and fish from the grill.
13. DIME
DIME is a slick retro-style diner in Al Satwa that is all about getting one thing spectacularly right: the burger. Forget overwhelming menus; the team here are perfecting just two signature burgers, with everything made in-house – buns, sauces, the works.
Expect crispy nuggets, waffle fries and classic shakes to complete the vibe. With its 80s diner aesthetic, DIME promises a proper burger experience, served up daily from 5pm.
14. Mr. Chow
London, Beverly Hills, New York, Riyadh – and now Dubai. In June, Mr Chow opened its doors in DIFC, marking the brand’s Dubai debut. Founded in London in 1968, Mr Chow has grown into an international name, known for its mix of Chinese cuisine, theatrical service, and design-led spaces.
Signature dishes include hand-pulled noodles and Beijing duck carved tableside, staples that have made the restaurant a draw for celebrities and creatives worldwide. The Dubai location mirrors the brand’s iconic aesthetic while adding regional touches, cementing its place among the city’s high-profile dining destinations.
