Bars and restaurants
Honeycomb Hi-Fi, Downtown Dubai
Honeycomb Hi-Fi is Dubai’s first serious listening bar and one of the city’s smartest openings. It has an impressive vinyl collection, with bartenders and DJs moving seamlessly from jazz on slower evenings to bossa nova and deep-cut soul as the weekend builds. Japanese-inspired izakaya dishes and well-judged cocktails attract a stylish crowd.
Orfali Bros, Jumeirah 1
A dynamic, family-run bistro where three Syrian brothers channel global influences through a modern Levantine lens. The menu is playful yet technical, with standout small plates and warm, personal service. Regulars include industry insiders and Dubai food lovers who trust the siblings’ creativity. It is one of the city’s most spirited, confident and original kitchens.
Teible, Jaddaf Waterfront
Set inside Jameel Arts Centre, Teible champions hyper-seasonal Emirati produce with a Nordic sensibility. Expect restrained dishes made in a kitchen focused on local agriculture. The space is calm and sunlit, and its clientele includes chefs, curators and diners seeking something quietly innovative.
Bu Qtair, Umm Suqeim 2
This long-standing Dubai institution near the beach serves everything from fresh fish and fried prawns to curry. There are no reservations or theatrics – just excellent seafood cooked to order. The crowd ranges from families to culinary professionals. An essential stop for anyone wanting an unfussy taste of the city’s coastal roots.
Soul Kitchen, Business Bay
Soul Kitchen brings a buzz to Business Bay, blending Lebanese comfort cooking with Latin-American flair in a room that hums from early evening onwards. Colourful, generous dishes define the menu, which are matched by well-made cocktails. The terracotta-hued bar sets the tone, where arak bellinis are poured and conversation flows easily. As the night builds, tables are cleared for the DJ booth and dancing.
Sirene by Gaia, Jumeirah 1
A breezy beach club and restaurant from the acclaimed Gaia team. Expect elegant Greek dishes, good wines and relaxed seaside luxury. It feels refined without being formal – ideal for long lunches and golden-hour drinks.
The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, Dubai Hills
This design-forward café, bar and concept space anchors the Dubai Hills Business Park and is equally suited to breakfast meetings, remote work or an unhurried evening meal. The Mediterranean-leaning menu is built for sharing, with steak frites that rank among the city’s best. By day, reliable coffee and light dishes draw creatives; by night, the room shifts effortlessly into a polished neighbourhood bar.
La Cantine Beach, Bluewaters Island
Part of the La Cantine family, this beach club combines Mediterranean dishes with a sporty, subtly glamorous edge. Stop by for refined beachside dining alongside families, fashion types and weekenders.
Jun’s, Downtown Dubai
Jun’s delivers one of Downtown Dubai’s more thoughtful brunches, favouring refined North American and Asian flavours over excess. Chef and partner Kelvin Cheung handles the idea of “borderless cuisine” with confidence rather than fuss, offering food that feels rooted in home cooking: try the soothing congee or pani puri filled with Macau-style curry, lifted by Portuguese spice and tamarind.
Dibba Bay Oysters, Umm Suqeim 1
The UAE’s own oyster farm presents its briny harvest at simple waterfront kiosks and casual tables across the city. The experience is unfussy: freshly shucked oysters, lemon, hot sauce and a skyline backdrop. It’s a quick, refreshing spot that feels distinctly local.
Hashmi Barbeque, Al Barsha
A cluster of unassuming residential streets behind the Mall of the Emirates is an unlikely culinary destination but if you want the best barbecued meats and zingy chilli-laced prawns, Hashmi’s is the place. The restaurant started in Nairobi and serves East African-style chooza chicken, charred by the flames of the open fire.
