Top dining destinations in Dubai: The hottest new restaurants for 2022

Dubai has earned its global reputation as a hub for lavish experiences and groundbreaking concepts, and its vibrant restaurant scene is no exception. A continuous influx of exciting new openings secures its status as one of the world’s top culinary destinations.

From trendy fast food chains straight out of California to the most extravagant dining experiences imported from Ibiza, Dubai offers sensational culinary options for every budget.

With so many new restaurants opening each month, we’ve rounded up 11 exciting spots that are worth discovering.

Dave’s Hot Chicken

Backed by high-profile celebrities like Drake and Samuel L. Jackson, Dave’s Hot Chicken has skyrocketed in popularity since its humble beginnings in an East Hollywood parking lot just five years ago.

The latest location at The Walk in Jumeirah Beach Residence has already seen long queues, proving the allure of their flavorful chicken. With spice levels ranging from 'No Spice' to 'The Reaper,' this fiery experience isn’t for the faint-hearted, and diners are required to sign a waiver before indulging.

Flavour and technique are key, and Chef Dave Kopushyan brings an exceptional pedigree to the table, having honed his skills at Thomas Keller’s renowned French Laundry, which has held three Michelin stars since 2007.

In addition to their signature chicken tenders and sliders, the menu features satisfying sides like crispy fries, creamy mac and cheese, and zesty kale slaw, ensuring no one leaves hungry.

Dave’s Hot Chicken, Bahar 3 Tower, The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai

Fi’lia

Born and raised in Jordan to a Palestinian family where food held a special place, Sara Aqel’s passion for cuisine led her to study culinary arts and work in renowned kitchens worldwide. At just 26, she became the global executive chef of Fi’lia, overseeing locations in Miami, the Bahamas, Paris, and Dubai. Now based in the UAE, she proudly leads the Middle East’s first restaurant with an entirely female management team.

Having collaborated with the legendary chef Massimo Bottura, Sara’s cuisine at Fi’lia on the 70th floor of SLS Dubai merges Italian classics with Mediterranean flavors, inspired by recipes passed down through generations of women. The wine list is exclusively female-produced, and dishes like seabass with a feta and herb crust, perfect pasta, and indulgent desserts are must-tries. The service is known for being among the warmest in the city.

Fi’lia, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai

Ginger Moon, W Dubai - Mina Seyahi

A new addition to the Dubai skyline, W Dubai - Mina Seyahi is located on Barasti Beach, offering stunning views of the harbor and bay. Its Ginger Moon restaurant describes itself as an ‘urban beach club,’ featuring a spacious terrace and an infinity pool that attracts visitors looking to snap the perfect Instagram shot while relaxing in cabanas to the beat of live DJ sets.

The eclectic menu at Ginger Moon features a variety of international appetizers, including marinated red snapper ceviche and hamachi, alongside beef tartare and creamy burrata with smoked peaches. For the main course, the seafood selection is particularly enticing, with dishes like fragrant bowls of mussels, crispy sea bass with tamarind, and shallow-fried squid served with a sweet chili dipping sauce.

Ginger Moon, W Dubai - Mina Seyahi, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, Dubai Marina, Dubai

L’Olivo at Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab

Though Al Mahara has been an iconic part of Dubai’s Burj Al Arab for years, it has recently welcomed a special pop-up by Chef Andrea Migliaccio from L’Olivo, the two Michelin-starred restaurant at Capri Palace Jumeirah in southern Italy. True to Dubai’s flair for the spectacular, Al Mahara offers an unforgettable setting, with diners surrounded by an impressive coral reef aquarium.

Whether opting for the tasting menu or à la carte, the dishes at L’Olivo are directly inspired by Capri’s finest, such as their signature tagliolini al limone. The homemade pasta, scented with lemon and oyster leaf, is topped with burrata cheese and a dollop of sweet red shrimp. A gilt-head fish entree is elevated with Sicilian caponata, a classic sweet and sour sauce, while dessert features an apricot sorbet and meringues, completing the five-course meal with a celebration of Italy’s best ingredients.

L’Olivio at Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai

Demon Duck by Alvin Leung, Caesars Palace Dubai

Demon Duck by Chef Alvin Leung is the newest addition to the dining scene at Caesars Palace Dubai. The moment you step inside, you’ll know you’re in the right place – the walls are decorated with quirky duck-themed art by photographer Mark Chung, and it’s clear the duck is the star of the menu.

Leung’s signature slow-roasted Peking duck is a showstopper, created through a meticulous process involving brining, blanching, aging, and slow cooking, before a quick blast at high heat to achieve that perfect crispy skin and tender meat. Served on calamansi-scented bao buns with 'demon sauce,' diners can also opt for the classic Peking duck presentation with pancakes, scallions, cucumber, and hoisin sauce.

Demon Duck by Alvin Leung, Caesars Palace Dubai, Bluewaters Island, Dubai

Orfali Bros

Three Syrian brothers – Mohammad, Wassim, and Omar Orfali – have turned their modern bistro into one of the most talked-about dining spots in town, showcasing their diverse culinary influences. The open kitchen allows diners to watch Mohammad craft dishes like 'Guess What?', a creative combination of lacto-fermented local tomatoes, cucumber, herbs, sourdough, and feta, or 'Come with Me to Aleppo,' a kebab featuring sour cherry, pine nuts, and cinnamon.

Upstairs, Wassim and Omar create stunning pastries and desserts that have become a social media sensation. But the impressive presentation is matched by quality, as Orfali Bros was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in Dubai’s inaugural guide, and they also rank 87th on the extended list of the controversial World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Orfali Bros, D92, Jumeirah 1, Dubai

Maya Bay

Maya Bay brings together two vibrant Asian cuisines, first opening in Monaco in 2005 and now making its debut at Dubai’s Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel. The menu blends Thai and Japanese influences, offering a variety of dishes from sushi and sashimi to curries, salads, and unique desserts like Japanese mochi and Thai pandan cake.

British Head Chef Shane Macneill leads the team at Maya Bay, serving up a mix of traditional and innovative dishes, with some extra indulgence like the wagyu and caviar uramaki sushi roll. Signature dishes include black cod in sweet miso sauce, grilled over charcoal, and the classic Pad Thai stir-fried noodles. On the drinks menu, tropical-inspired cocktails complement a selection of sakes and teas.

Maya Bay, Jumeirah Al Naseem, Umm Suqueim 3, Dubai

Inti, The Dubai EDITION

Boasting a terrace with breathtaking views of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, Inti is set to be a popular spot, especially during Dubai’s cooler fall and winter months. The restaurant, which specializes in Nikkei cuisine (a blend of Peruvian and Japanese flavors), also features live Latin entertainment, including dancers and DJs.

Named after the Quechua word for 'sun,' Inti draws inspiration from the language of the Incas, still spoken in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia today. The menu starts with tempura-style eggplant, gyoza filled with black cod, or a wide variety of ceviches and salads. For the main course, choose from steaks and seafood grilled in the Josper oven, or sample the popular anticuchos skewers, available with marinated chicken, jumbo shrimp, or corn.

Inti, The Dubai EDITION, Dubai Fountain Street, Downtown Dubai

Sublimotion, Mandarin Oriental, Dubai

At this one-of-a-kind dining experience, guests enjoy a tasting menu of up to 20 interactive courses, turning each meal into a piece of culinary theater. With projections and music setting the stage, diners will be taken through environments such as the ocean and forest, while VR headsets lead the way to new and unexpected ways of eating.

Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeira 1, Dubai

TABŪ, St. Regis Downtown

Expect the unexpected at TABŪ on the 23rd floor of The St. Regis Downtown, where surreal theatrical performances are part of the dining experience. Sumo wrestlers, human ‘wolves,’ magicians, and geishas appear throughout the evening on various stages, all set to the rhythm of the resident DJ, as they mingle with guests.

Executive Chef Roberto Segura curates a Japanese-Peruvian fusion menu at TABŪ, featuring sushi, ceviche, fresh salads, Ishiyaki stone bowls, and a selection of steaks.

Start with small bites like tuna tartare in sesame cones or sea urchin topped with caviar, followed by hearty mains such as a clay pot of Chilean seabass, king crab leg with yuzu, or tender braised beef short ribs. They also emphasize their vegan-friendly options, which extend to their dessert offerings.

TABŪ, 23rd Floor at The St. Regis Downtown, Downtown Dubai

Avatāra

Avatāra offers a fully vegetarian fine dining experience focused on the vibrant flavors of northeast India. Chef Rahul Rana, hailing from Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills, brings his heritage and culinary expertise to the table, challenging perceptions of vegetarian cuisine.

Signature dishes include steamed momos filled with jackfruit, mimicking the texture of pulled pork, paired with thukpa, a lemongrass-infused noodle soup. Also featured are fried lentil fritters served with fermented carrot, a dish traditionally enjoyed during festive celebrations. To end on a light note, coconut kheer – a fragrant pudding – rounds off a health-conscious tasting menu.

Avatāra, Second Floor, Voco Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai