Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Restaurants
Expensive
AlMahara
Making a fair stab at being the most expensive restaurant in Dubai, the Al Mahara often divides local opinion. Some say it is overpriced for what you get, but others swear by it, especially if someone else is paying. The experience begins with a three-minute mock submarine ride to the restaurant, located alongside a giant aquarium. This puts diners in the mood for savouring the high-quality seafood that has won the restaurant numerous awards, including the What's On category for Best Seafood Restaurant in 2008.
Burj Al Arab Hotel, Jumeirah Beach
Tel: (04) 301 7600.
Website: www.burj-al-arab.com
AlMuntaha
Al Muntaha, meaning ‘The Ultimate' or ‘The Top', in Arabic, has the best location in Dubai, suspended 200m (656ft) above the Arabian Gulf, at the top of the Burj Al Arab hotel. Service is immaculate and the slanted glass windows give the restaurant the feel of a great ocean liner heading out to sea. Al Muntaha also delivers on the plate: try the roasted prime beef rib with mustard crust. Reaching the restaurant in one of the world's fastest panoramic elevators is almost - but not quite - enough to put you off your dinner.
Burj Al Arab Hotel, Jumeirah Beach
Tel: (04) 301 7600.
Website: www.burj-al-arab.com
LaBaie
This fine dining restaurant would not be out of place in a major European capital, with its mellow piano music, unfaltering service and elegant table settings. One of the most exotic starters is the marinated sturgeon carpaccio with caviar and yogurt sauce, while a highlight among the mains (and rumoured to be the chef's favorite) is the grilled hammour fish on a bed of green lentils.
Ritz Carlton Dubai, Jumeirah Beach
Tel: (04) 399 4000.
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
Verre
Gordon Ramsay's Dubai venture has proved a resounding success and is firmly established as the best place to eat in Dubai. The minimalist décor might not suit all tastes but the simple surrounds and the well thought-out lighting help focus deserved attention on the food. A nice touch is the chef's specialties - tasty morsels of food that come between the impressive courses. Mains include ravioli of lobster, salmon with a fricassee of peas and horseradish or poached chicken on a bed of tagliatelle. The desserts are divine. The three-course lunch specials offer excellent value.
Hilton Dubai Creek, Beniyas Road
Tel: (04) 212 7551.
Website: www.gordonramsay.com/dubai
Moderate
Café Chic
Top quality ingredients, smooth service and a menu that cuts deftly between the classics and some daring variations make this is a top dining choice. Relax afterwards in the cigar bar for supreme decadence.
Le Méridien Hotel, Garhoud
Tel: (04) 217 0000.
Website: www.dubai.lemeridien.com
IndiaPalace
The emphasis at this popular restaurant is on Rajasthani cooking backed up by themed décor and artifacts shipped in from the region. The open kitchen is a nice touch, as are the family booths upstairs, with privacy available at no extra charge. The excellent-value menu features starters such as lentil soup and prawn bisque with fresh vegetables, while mains include chicken and vegetarian kebabs and a range of delicately spiced curries. Alcohol is not available but the lassis (yogurt-based drink) are excellent, especially the unusual lassi seasoned with salt.
Opposite Dubai Marine Hotel, Bur Dubai
Tel: (04) 286 9600.
Pierchic
Seafood-loving trendies are flocking to Pierchic, in the glamorous Madinat Jumeirah development, the place to be in Dubai at the moment. Located on a wooden pier, with views of the expansive Arabian Gulf, the venue is perfect for trying some local and international seafood dishes. Mains include the likes of poached Atlantic lobster with snow peas, enoki mushrooms and passion fruit dressing, or Arabian chilled seafood platter laced with Iranian caviar.
Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah
Tel: (04) 366 6730.
Website: www.madinatjumeirah.com
Cheap
CactusJacks
It may never win any culinary awards but Cactus Jacks seldom disappoints a hungry stomach. A Mexican theme for the décor includes Aztec fabrics and bright designs, as well as multicolor tiled pillars. The restaurant has a live DJ at weekends and things can turn quite wild after 2300, when the spicy Tex Mex food and the tequila kick in. Parties of eight diners or more receive a 30% discount on their bill.
Millennium Airport Hotel, Al Garhoud
Tel: (04) 282 3464.
Website: www.millenniumhotels.com
DeiraCityCenterFoodCourt
Of the many food courts that are dotted all around Dubai, this is one of the most popular. On sale is the full smorgasbord of international foods, with the only unifying feature being that all the stands are cheap. The most popular stands serve up simple Chinese and Indian specialties accompanied by boiled rice. They also have a play area for kids.
Deira City Center Mall, Deira
Tel: (04) 295 1010.
Thattukada
The excellent South Indian restaurant at the Palm Beach Rotana Inn serves great-value food. Diners sit on long, wooden benches and are surrounded by film posters on the walls. The Kerala-influenced dishes include kappaerachi (tapioca and chicken curry) and karimeem porichathu (fish fry) and are guaranteed to fill diners up without breaking the bank.
Palm Beach Rotana Inn
Tel: (04) 393 1999.
Nightlife
The new heart of Dubai nightlife is in and around the swish Madinat Jumeirah complex. A string of trendy bars recline by the water's edge of this expansive leisure zone. Many of the best bars are in the big tourist hotels situated throughout the city. For a cheaper and livelier option, try the independent bars that are dotted around town.
Increasingly, big name DJs are being attracted to Dubai, as a Western-style clubbing scene starts to develop. Dress codes for bars are generally relaxed, although some bars and all clubs insist on no jeans, trainers or sandals.
A more mellow night out can be had at one of Dubai's coffee houses, where you can smoke apple-flavored tobacco from a shisha pipe.
Time Out Dubai, which can be found in many hotels or online (www.timeoutdubai.com), offers a full rundown of what is happening at night in Dubai.
Bars
Buddha Bar
A new favorite with the local ‘beautiful people' is the Buddha Bar, with its stunning décor, fantastic cocktails and free servings of pretension.
Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina
Tel: (04) 399 8888.
Website: www.grosvenorhouse-dubai.comorwww.buddha-bar.com
Carter's
Housed in a replica pyramid with colonial-style décor and staff in leather waistcoats, Carter's is a more recent, stylish haunt of the 20- and 30-something brigade. Daily happy hour 1800-2000 and ladies' nights on Tuesdays and Sundays offering two complimentary drinks.
The Pyramids, Wafi Center
Tel: (04) 324 4100.
Website: www.wafi.com
Ginseng
Minimalist Ginseng, with its mood lighting, Asian-themed décor and first-rate cocktails, is another popular choice. The music is a mixture of chilled, funky, Asian lounge music with more upbeat selections later in the night and a DJ on Thursdays.
Wafi City
Tel: (04) 324 4777.
Website: www.wafi.com
Left Bank
Highlights in the swish Madinat Jumeirah complex include the buzzing Left Bank where you'll find a little slice of chic with moody lighting and music, leather banquettes and an inspiring drinks list.
Madinat Jumeirah
Tel: (04) 368 6171.
Website: www.jumeirah.com
Clubs
Boudoir
This swanky, wannabe Parisian club is one of Dubai's top nightclubs and one the most exclusive venues in the city. Dress to impress or you won't get past the door staff. Different nights play host to various music genres.
Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa, Jumeirah
Tel: (04) 345 5995.
Website: www.myboudoir.com
Cavalli Club
Roberto Cavalli's new luxurious nightspot in Dubai is opulent and fabulous. Expect decadent, lavish interior with gold-colored glass, crystal-encrusted walls and dramatically lit staircases. Recession, what recession?
Fairmont, Sheikh Zayed Road
Tel: (04) 332 9260.
Website: www.cavalliclubdubai.com
The Apartment Lounge & Club
The Apartment is one of Dubai's leading night venues with its blend of urban sounds and local and international DJs. Friday hip hop and R&B nights are always packed.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah
Tel: (04) 406 8000.
Website: www.jumeirah.com
Live Music
The Irish Village
One of the oldest expat bars, The Irish Village is still going strong, with a good range of beers and an outdoor seating area. It also hosts many live acts.
Dubai Tennis Club, off Al-Garhoud Road
Tel: (04) 282 4752.
Website: www.theirishvillage.ae
