Dubai is a city that must be seen to be believed. Record-breaking architecture stands amongst the desert landscape, while man-made islands sit beside stretches of natural coastline. Feast your eyes on all the sights the City of Possible has to offer as you fuel the body – here are our top ten places to eat near Dubai’s favourite landmarks
Burj Khalifa: An urban hideaway located in the Burj Khalifa’s back garden, Treehouse is a decadent rooftop lounge with rich Renaissance décor, lush furnishings and ornate trees. The venue’s uninterrupted views of the world’s tallest tower never fail to impress, complemented by an artful menu of Mediterranean dishes and creative beverages. Sit back, relax and enjoy the soundtrack of soulful lounge beats.
Location: Taj Dubai, Business Bay, Tel: +971 50 648 3083
Burj Al Arab: Frequently hailed as one of Dubai’s most romantic restaurants, Pierchic is located above the waves at Al Qasr hotel with captivating vistas across the Arabian Gulf. Lending itself to both daytime and evening dining (the Friday brunch is a real treat), this intimate space boasts the perfect view of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab and Madinat complex. A lounge area has been added to the pier, making for a stunning spot to enjoy sundowners before sitting down to eat fresh scallops, lobster and sashimi.
Location: Access from Al Qasr pool and beach area, Madinat Jumeirah, Tel: + 971 4 366 6705
Dubai Opera: Located in The Palace Downtown and with stunning views across The Dubai Fountain, it makes sense that Thiptara translates to “Magic at the Water”. The restaurant offers Royal Thai cuisine with an emphasis on Bangkok-style seafood and breath-taking views to complement a lavish night out. A combination of delightful flavours and meticulously executed, artistic dishes served with true Thai hospitality makes Thiptara the perfect choice for lovers of Asian cuisine.
Location: The Palace Downtown Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Tel: +971 4 423 8884
Dubai Creek: French fine dining at its best, Traiteur serves up first-class ingredients in an impressive setting overlooking the sparkling Creek. As the Park Hyatt’s signature (award-winning) restaurant, the menu is a delight, with classics such as foie gras ballotine, chateaubriand for two, crème brûlée and an extensive drinks list. Their Friday brunch offers the chance to sample the restaurant’s signature dishes, with outdoor seating overlooking the Creek.
Location: Park Hyatt, Dubai Creek, Tel: +971 4 602 1814
Palm Jumeirah: High up on the 52nd floor of the Dubai Marriott Harbour, sits The Observatory – one of Dubai’s best-kept secrets for an affordable meal. This stylish venue offers views of The Palm and Dubai Marina with a small menu that still includes much variety – grills, steak, fish and pasta. Outstanding service, quality food and a cosmopolitan setting promise an dining experience to remember.
Location: Dubai Marriott Harbour, Dubai Marina, Tel: +971 4 319 4795
Jumeirah Mosque: A favourite among Dubai’s burger connoisseurs, SALT is a food truck with a permanent spot on the northern side of Kite Beach, located a little further along the Beach Road from Jumeirah Mosque. They specialise in sliders and loaded fries, so order from the silver Airstream trailer and then pick a table – there’s an air-conditioned dining area encased in glass, or you can choose a spot on the sand under the fairy lights. Warning: this place gets busy after 9pm, so come early, before taking a walk along the track to get dessert at one of the nearby cafés.
Location: Kite Beach, Jumeirah
Dubai Historic District: An oasis of quiet and calm in one of Dubai’s oldest neighbourhoods, Arabian Tea House Café is a genuine haven of calm, where the buzz of the city is replaced by chirping birds, rustling trees and the creak of wicker furniture. Dig into healthy sandwiches, salads and dips, or treat yourself to a pastry while deciding between the mint lemonade and more than 100 types of tea, including a house special blend of black tea with fruit and herbs.
Location: Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai, +971 4 353 5071
Alserkal Avenue: One of the city’s newest hotspots, Hapi is situated in the creative art hub that is Al Quoz. Tucked away inside Alserkal Avenue itself, it’s an eco-friendly café that follows an ‘eat, move, play’ philosophy. Never skimping on flavour, HAPI’s health creds stem from its balanced view of well-being, with its delicious culinary offerings complemented by a parkour playground, consultation room and yoga room, all under the same roof.
Location: Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
CITY WALK: Butcha is a Turkish steakhouse and butcher shop in the heart of shopping precinct CITY WALK. It’s built for meat lovers and known for its relaxed vibe and unique in-house dry-aged beef offering. The first of its kind in Dubai, Butcha’s Grill Masters use only oak and charcoal grills on-site to give the meat an intense, natural flavour with incredible tenderness – perfect for those wanting to satisfy their carnivorous cravings in a laid-back setting.
Location: City Walk, Al Safa, Tel: +971 4 343 1157
The Dubai Desert: Like a scene out of a fairy tale, open-air restaurant Al Hadheerah, nestled in the desert resort of Bab Al Shams, is the perfect place to experience Arabia in all its glory. Authentic Middle Eastern cuisine prepared using ancient recipes, accompanied by lively dance and music performances, and mesmerising camel and equestrian shows, all make this a must-visit venue if you’ve spent the day exploring the desert (and even if you haven’t), leaving no stone unturned in creating a truly Arabian experience.
Location: Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, Tel: +971 4 809 6194