If there’s one place where you can eat well and find amazing restaurants, it’s Dubai. When we lived in Dubai, we used to go out often and explore the city’s best restaurants. Now, every time we return, we’re ready to enjoy all the newest hotspots in town. The list of fantastic places is long, and if you love trying different cuisines, Dubai is definitely the place for you!

This time, we visited some old favorites and discovered new places that we absolutely loved. So why not put everything together into a Food Guide? My Dubai Food Guide is ready for you—enjoy and try your favorites when you’re in the city!

Scalini Cucina

Scalini Cucina is a fast-paced rendition of the Scalini brand. We’ve been to Scalini Restaurant at the Four Seasons Jumeirah and absolutely loved the food, so this time, we decided to try Scalini Cucina. Located in Dubai Mall, the restaurant was super convenient for us, just a 10-minute walk from our hotel.

As we arrived in the early morning, we decided to enjoy a delicious breakfast at the Cucina—and it did not disappoint! The restaurant continues Scalini’s mission to connect guests to Italy’s rich culinary culture. The Cucina is inspired by the charm of traditional Italian eateries, featuring contemporary interiors with iconic blue accents, warm materials, and brass design pieces.

The menu focuses on classics from Italy’s gastro regions, with a dedication to quality ingredients and generational recipes.

Our favorites: the Avocado Toast and the Cornetto Benedettino are sooo good.

Luna Dubai at the Four Seasons DIFC

If you love a good Burj Khalifa view, this is the place for you! Luna Dubai is located in the vibrant DIFC area, known for its fantastic restaurants and views. This spot is perfect for sunset drinks and snacks.

At Luna, they’ve created a signature menu of cocktails inspired by the moon, stars, and galaxies. While you sip your drink, you can enjoy the dazzling view of Dubai from the iconic terrace and marvel at the beauty of the Burj Khalifa. Luna also offers an exquisite Asian-inspired menu crafted to elevate your experience.

We only had cocktails and snacks as we had a reservation at MINA Brasserie, also located in the Four Seasons DIFC. Which brings us to our next recommendation.

MINA Brasserie

MINA Brasserie is a proud Michelin-selected modern brasserie serving French and Mediterranean classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu, created by award-winning Chef Michael Mina, features hearty dishes made with carefully sourced ingredients, including seasonal seafood, meat, and fish, all complemented by decadent desserts.

This was our second time at this amazing restaurant, and we loved it even more than the first!

Our Favorites: The Truffle Gratinée and the Tuna Steak are absolutely delicious! And promise me this—you must forget your diet and try the Cookie for dessert. We did, and we don’t regret it one bit!

Jamavar Dubai

Jamavar Dubai, located in the Address Residences Opera District, is a must-visit for Indian food lovers. Drawing inspiration from the Viceroy’s home in New Delhi, Jamavar brings the essence of palatial Indian dining to Downtown Dubai. The glamorous dining hall, intimate bar, and outdoor terrace create a truly luxurious ambiance.

Led by Culinary Director Surender Mohan, Jamavar offers pan-Indian flavors inspired by the royal kitchens of the North and the coastal cuisines of the South. We had an amazing lunch here, and not only was the food incredible, but the service was outstanding. Both of our waiters were exceptionally friendly and attentive, which made the experience even more memorable.

Our Favorite Dishes: The Ajwaini Paneer Tikka and Lamb Seekh Kebab were absolutely delicious. At the recommendation of our wonderful waiter, we tried the Kesar Mango Rasmalai for dessert—and we loved it! Be sure to try this when you visit!

The Lobby Lounge at the Kempinski The Boulevard

For those who love a good Burj Khalifa view, The Lobby Lounge is an elegant retreat. This chic spot is ideal for enjoying exquisite teas, freshly brewed coffees, and tempting pastries in a serene ambiance.

We had a delightful afternoon tea here, bathed in golden light with stunning views of the Burj Khalifa. Highly recommended!

La Brasserie Sur Le Boulevard

Also located at the Kempinski Boulevard, La Brasserie Sur Le Boulevard offers delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. You can choose to sit inside in an elegant setting or outside to enjoy the weather and incredible Burj Khalifa views. We had breakfast and lunch there, absolutely delicious!

Shanghai Me

Shanghai Me is an old favorite. This restaurant blends the vibrant essence of Oriental and Chinese flavors with Japanese culinary artistry, creating a unique and harmonious dining experience. It’s a celebration of good music, gatherings, and fine ingredients.

Every visit is amazing, and we always leave looking forward to coming back.

Our Favorites: The Steamed Edamame and the Crispy Duck Salad.

Mercury Rooftop at Four Seasons Jumeirah Beach

Mercury is one of our favorites! Located atop the Four Seasons Resort, this rooftop bar offers stunning views of Dubai’s skyline and is renowned as one of the top rooftop bars in Jumeirah Beach.

We absolutely loved the sushi and drinks here!

Our Favorites: Their Asian selections are the best! The Salmon Cream Cheese Maki and Wagyu Rolls are so good!

Sea Fu at Four Seasons Jumeirah

Sea Fu offers fine dining with Asian-inspired seafood flavors right by the beach. We had a fantastic outdoor lunch here, and every dish on the menu comes with unbeatable beach views.

Favorites: The Seared Scottish Salmon Roll and the Black Cod are absolutely amazing!

La Mar by Gastón Acurio

For an unforgettable experience, visit La Mar by Gastón Acurio in the new Atlantis The Royal. This Peruvian restaurant celebrates South American flavors with authentic dishes like cebiche, tiraditos, and anticucho.

We were fortunate to attend the dinner preview party, where Chef Gastón himself prepared a stunning menu. This is a must-visit spot in Dubai!

Favorites: We honestly can’t choose a favorite from this amazing menu—we loved every single dish! However, the Arepas de Langosta and Cebiche were exceptional, and the Peruvian Chocolate Mousse was truly something else.

Enjoy exploring these incredible restaurants and let me know your favorites!