A foodie's guide to dining in Dubai
Dubai's love for diverse cultures shines brightest in its vibrant and endlessly interesting culinary landscape. From street food spots cherished by insiders and homegrown restaurants where the city's chefs are crafting a new culinary narrative through bold, experimental concepts, to celebrity chef-helmed fine-dining establishments offering indulgent experiences in luxurious settings, here's my insider guide to navigating the city's remarkable dining scene.
Celebrity chefs
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is the celebrity chef's sophisticated Michelin-starred restaurant where he reimagines historical British cuisine, from medieval times to the present, with his typically audacious artistic flair. The storytelling element comes to life through knowledgeable staff that share the origins and creative inspiration behind the dishes, and captivating design elements. Its striking Dinner Escapement is a nearly seven-foot pineapple clock that intrigues with its mechanics while powering the rotisserie for the 19th-century tipsy cake. Signature dishes, such as meat fruit (chicken liver parfait in a mandarin gel), and powdered duck breast (sous vide duck breasts with duck hearts, pickled cherries, braised red cabbage and red cabbage gel) showcase his famously innovative techniques and avant-garde presentations.
Powdered duck breast with pickled cherries is a signature dish at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Akira Back
Renowned celebrity chef Akira Back presents contemporary Japanese dishes with Korean and global influences in a sleek setting with views of the Dubai skyline from the W Hotel on Palm Jumeirah. Dishes are prepared with a focus on seasonal and artisanal ingredients, while never shying away from eclectic experimentation. Celebrated serves include the A5 Wagyu gyoza with truffle and pickled lotus root, and the truffle oil-drizzled AB Tuna Pizza. For a real surprise, choose the nine-piece Mystery Box, presented and unveiled at your table.
Akira Back's Japanese-inspired dishes are seasonal and experimental, such as Wagyu gyoza with truffle
Homegrown concepts
21grams
Family-friendly neighbourhood bistro 21grams serves Balkan soul food prepared from generational recipes in a chic, cosy space made even more inviting by the warm service. The pindjur eggs – poached eggs in an intensely flavourful slow-roasted tomato and pepper relish, with chilli oil-drizzled yogurt – taste even better than they look. The freshly-baked goat cheese and honey phyllo pie is always a good choice, no matter the time of day.
Balkan brunches abound at 21 Grams, a chic and cosy family-friendly bistro
Orfali Bros
At the one Michelin-starred Orfali Bros, helmed by Syrian chefs and brothers Mohammad, Wassim and Omar Orfali, a marriage of Levantine influences and Mediterranean flavours combine with global inspirations to create unique, avant-garde dishes that transcend conventional labels. In its bright and simple wood, marble and concrete interior, chefs work with precision in a watchtower-like open kitchen. To give you a taste of what's in store when you take your seats at this family-friendly restaurant, the 'eat H' is a spicy burghul salad with Aleppo chilli paste and puffed burghul served on shiso leaves, and it delivers both tang and crunch. The shish barak a la gyoza with wagyu beef, yogurt sauce, and a drizzle of sujuk oil (sausage oil) is a contemporary Sichuan-inspired take on traditional Levantine meat dumplings.
Casual eats
Hashmi Barbeque
Hashmi Barbeque originated in Nairobi and has been dishing out African-style grilled meats marinated with Indian spices since 1978, and quickly rose to fame after it arrived on Dubai's shores in 2020. At this wildly popular family-run spot, the service is prompt and friendly, the roasted chooza sauce-spiced spring chicken is gloriously spicy, and the minced meat kebabs are perfectly succulent.
Operation Falafel
With several branches around Dubai, Operation Falafel serves classic Levantine street food. Dipped in luscious tarator sauce (sesame seed-based sauce), their satisfyingly crispy falafel are a must-try, while the stuffed version with onions, pine nuts, and shatta (chilli sauce) deliver a kick. Their juicy shawarma sandwiches with slivers of chicken or beef, slow-roasted on a turning vertical pit and wrapped in soft pita or thin saj bread, are delightful.
Enjoy lavish, post-sunset Iftar buffets during Ramadan in Dubai
Credit : Shutterstock
Try the beloved Ramadan dessert of ferni at Arabian Tea House
Arrive in style by flying with Emirates
Award-winning Emirates has flights to Dubai from eight UK airports: Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow. With comfortable cabins and only a four-hour time difference between the UK and Dubai, you'll arrive refreshed. Economy passengers can settle in to enjoy the acclaimed food and entertainment (there are 6,500 channels).
Premium Economy guests can recline further thanks to the extendable leg rests. And Business-Class passengers can snooze in lie-flat comfort and stretch their legs in the onboard lounge. All while Emirates' cabin crew give you a taste of the warm hospitality you'll experience in Dubai.
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THIS MORNING LOCAL HERO For an individual or group that goes to remarkable lengths to help people around them in their local area LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT To recognise far-reaching achievement, possibly on a national or international scale. For police, fire, ambulance, paramedics or air, sea or mountain rescue who have gone beyond the call of duty. For adults who risk their own safety to help others in danger. For battling against the odds to help others, or a courageous act to save someone in danger.
