The 17 Best Restaurants in Dubai

Published November 23, 2023 on Condé Nast Traveler

Dubai's best restaurants are as diverse as the city itself, from elevated Italian fare to omakase concepts.

Reif Japanese Kushiyaki is one of Dubai’s most-loved homegrown restaurants.

Reif Japanese Kushiyaki

Having led the kitchens of some of the city’s best-known restaurants, Reif Othman was at the forefront of Dubai’s chef-driven restaurant movement when he opened Reif Japanese Kushiyaki in Dar Al Wasl Mall in 2019. The restaurant, serving Asian-inspired izakaya-style small plates, became an anchor for the mall, which is now a hub for homegrown concepts. The intimate 30-seat space serves up big flavors, with dishes that have fostered a loyal following, including the pickled melon, grilled avocado, miso burrata, and Angus beef claypot rice.

Peek into the upscale Italian Il Borro, at Jumeirah Al Naseem’s Turtle Lagoon.

Il Borro

A little piece of Tuscany nestled by the Turtle Lagoon at Jumeirah Al Naseem, Il Borro serves refined Italian fare in an elegant setting. Specializing in regional classics, pici all’aglione and bistecca alla fiorentina are the must-order dishes at the Dubai outpost of the Ferragamo family-owned concept. In keeping with the Ferragamo ethos, the restaurant is committed to sustainability, using the original Il Borro estate’s own products, including its organic extra-virgin olive oil, honey, and selected vegetables from its organic farm. The wine list is also carefully curated to represent Tuscan grape varieties.

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