10 of the best restaurants in Dubai that will make you feel like you're on holiday

What's On

11-06-2025

When 'away' is just a table away…
Summer is here. You want out but can't go far. You didn't book a flight. You stayed. But that doesn't mean you want to feel stuck. Maybe you're just a little homesick – for a pace, a place, a feeling. So you start choosing spots that feel slightly off the map – not literally, but figuratively. A little quieter, a little slower. That kind of energy where lunch turns into golden hour and 'one glass' becomes five. It's not Greece, or Italy, or Thailand, or Brazil – but it almost could be. You get the point. Here are 10 of the best restaurants in Dubai to go to when you want out, but you're staying in. Click through the gallery 3 of 12
If you love Greece, or never made it but think about going every summer, Sirene by GAIA is where you want to go for lunch, dinner, or even a long, beach day. It's all white stone, sun-faded neutrals, and just enough bougainvillea to feel like a postcard. The dips are the kind you keep digging bread into. The seafood looks like art and tastes even better. The pasta feels like it's been made at home, with love. And every table looks out to sea. Hands down, a ten out of ten kind of spot.
Sirene by Gaia, J1 Beach, daily 10am to 1am. Tel: [phone]. @sirene_dxb
At Mirabelle, it's all blue waters, anchored boats, and that quiet kind of luxury you find along the Mediterranean. Set by the water at the new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, it's the kind of place where a leisurely lunch easily flows into sunset drinks. Laid-back yet polished just right, Mirabelle almost makes you forget you're still in the city. Inspired by the Cote d'Azur, the vibe is quietly chic and relaxed, what's not to love?
Mirabelle, ground floor, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Jumeirah 3. Tel: [phone]. jumeirah.com
If you've ever spent a summer on the Italian coast, or wished you had, Gigi Rigolatto brings the mood to Dubai's J1 Beach. The setting is lush and inviting, with Mediterranean gardens, a serene pool, a private beach, and even a boutique. Inside, the restaurant is summery, lounge-y, with high red brick archways and stunning olive trees. If that sounds like your kind of vibe, Gigi captures the essence of Italian coastal living.
Gigi Rigolatto, J1 Beach. Tel: [phone] @gigi_beach_dubai
Hidden in a pocket of jungle-like calm, The Farm feels like it shouldn't exist in Dubai, but that's the charm. It's all glass walls, tropical plants, and soft quiet in the middle of Al Barari. Water streams run through endless greenery, and the menu drifts from Thai to Mediterranean for those who like options. It's pretty, it's peaceful, and it feels like a full reset.
The Farm, Al Barari, daily 7.30am to 10.30pm. Tel: [phone]. thefarmdubai.ae
Flamingo Room is luxury in the form of art, where rich, African-inspired design meets fine dining. Hand-blown baobab glass installations hang alongside vintage gold mirrors, casting a warm, textured glow throughout the space. The menu matches the vibe with rich seafood highlights like prawns au gratin and calamari Mozambique, plus a cornflake chicken schnitzel from their business lunch selection. A solid choice for anyone craving this kind of scene.
Flamingo Room by tashas, Jumeirah al Naseem, Madinat Jumeirah. 12pm to 4pm and 7pm to 1am daily. Tel:[phone]. flamingoroombytashas.com
Sufret Maryam is for anyone homesick for the Levant, a place rooted deeply in warmth and tradition. Walking in feels like stepping into an authentic Levantine home, full of love and heart. Palestinian, Michelin-awarded Chef Salam Dakkak, who was also awarded Chef of the Year at the What's On Dubai Awards 2025 , brings passion, creativity, and skill to every dish. The food here is next level. If Levantine cuisine and the feeling of home are your vibe, Sufret Maryam should be at the top of your list.
Sufret Maryam, Wasl 51, Jumeirah 1, Dubai. @sufretmaryam
Tucked along the waterways of Madinat Jumeirah, Pai Thai is well worth the boat ride. Quiet yet atmospheric, it's a proper Thai spot that stays true to its roots, rich green curry, delicate dumplings, deep-fried prawns in red curry sauce, and mango sticky rice that's almost too pretty to eat. The setting hits the sweet spot: warm lighting, dark wood, and just enough buzz to feel alive. If you're craving Thai (and spicy) food in a holiday-like setting, Pai Thai is your scene.
Pai Thai, Jumeirah Al Qasr. @paithaidubai
Nobu needs no introduction. After 14 years at The Avenues in Atlantis The Palm, the world-famous Japanese hotspot has moved to an even more iconic location, right at the top of the resort on the 22nd floor. Taking over what was once The Royal Bridge Suite, the new space is bigger, sleeker, and comes with the ocean in full view. Think stunning sights of Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf, best enjoyed from the terrace with a plate of crispy rice and a perfectly mixed cocktail in hand.
Nobu Dubai, Atlantis The Palm, 22nd floor, The Palm Jumeirah. Tel: [phone]. @nobudubai
If you've ever dreamt of spending a slow afternoon somewhere along the French Riviera, this is as close as it gets in Dubai. Maison De La Plage sits right on the sand at Palm West Beach and has that effortless kind of beauty, soft linen tones, leafy palms, and a pool that almost glows. You can start your day stretched out on a daybed, order a glass of rose and crispy Calamri in the sun, and then wander inside for a lazy lunch of Lobster linguine or a crisp Nicoise. Chef Izu's behind it, so the food speaks for itself. It's relaxed, stylish, and hard to leave once you've settled in.
Maison De La Plage, Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Tel: [phone]. @maisondelaplage_
Located on the sixth floor of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, Tasca is a one-Michelin-starred gem from renowned Portuguese chef Jose Avillez. Known for his Michelin-starred Belcanto in Portugal, Tasca is his first international venture, bringing authentic Portuguese flavours with a modern twist to Dubai. The menu is rich in character, offering flavourful dishes, perfectly complemented by the largest selection of Portuguese wines in the city and an enticing range of craft cocktails. With stunning views of both Dubai's skyline and the Arabian Gulf, the restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining on a terrace that includes an infinity pool. For added ambiance, enjoy live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays.
Tasca by Jose Avillez, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Jumeirah Beach Rd, Jumeirah, Jumeirah 1. @tascadubai
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