I’m always being asked which restaurants I’d choose for a special meal out so here is my pick of some of Dubai’s fine dining restaurants. Real pictures based on meals that we’ve experienced and paid for ourselves (unless stated)
Note the points about outside dining and location. Remember many of these high end places have good value Business Lunches that cost a fraction of what you’d pay for an evening meal so that’s worth remembering.
These restaurants are in no particular order. These pictures were all taken in 2021, please remember sometimes consistency of quality is an issue in Dubai.
Roka Dubai
Located in Business Bay Roka Dubai has a large outside terrace and is in the ME hotel. We’ve visited for lunch and dinner and would definitely recommend the excellent value Business Lunch. Good choice for vegetarians too, generous portions at this Dubai Fine Dining Restaurant.
Sushi Samba
Opened in November 2021, the first Sushi Samba in the UAE, we loved our dinner here. Located at the top of the St Regis hotel in the Palm Jumeirah adjacent to the Nakheel Mall. Only open for dinner so far, it has a vibrant, chic ambience with incredible views of the Palm. Plse note we were invited for this meal but I would definitely go again with my own money.
Lowe Dubai
A bit of an out the way location, this excellent restaurant is definitley worth a visit. We’ve visited twice for lunch and once for breakfast. High quality food prepared by accomplished chefs from New Zealand. Great outside seating. Lowe Dubai is located just beyond Al Barari.
Maineland Brasserie
A smart high end brasserie with chandeliers inside located in Business Bay. It also has an outside terrace for cooler months. We loved our snails and lobster rolls here. They also have branches in the Marina at the Hilton Double Tree and in Studio One hotel near Arabian Ranches.
The Bay Mandarin Oriental
I’ve had lunch, breakfast and dinner a few times at this restaurant but this particular lunch (lobster salad and the mezze selection) was by far my favorite meal and I wold definitely recommend it. I had this meal with a friend who is a regular guest at the hotel so honestly I’m not sure if this is how they normally serve this dish, but show them it and say this is how you’d like your lunch! The Bay is best experienced sitting outside. There is a beautiful, large al fresco dining area overlooking a very cool pool. The Mandarin Oriental is located in Jumeirah 1.
Akira Back
We visited this restaurant for dinner to celebrate a friends’ 50th birthday. We really liked all our food and there is excellent choice for vegetarians too. There is also a large outdoor terrace with great views of the Palm, BUT I found this restaurant quite dark. Their cocktails were good. Akira Back is located at the W hotel on the Palm Jumeirah, so it’s a bit of a trek from anywhere except the Palm Jumeriah itself.
Netsu – Mandarin Oriental Hotel
SItuated on the ground floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Jumeirah 1, Netsu is billed as a steak house. But there is plenty to eat for those like me (who don’t eat beef) and vegetarians. The setting is lovely especially on their terrace in the cooler months. It’s on the ground floor of the hotel. Cocktails are also good. Service could be a little better, if you order carefully, it’s good value. We’ve been 2 or 3 times for dinner.
