Where to feast in Dubai

Dubai’s culinary scene has come of age with innovative cooking. And there are hoards of places to eat from. The choices can get daunting. Where should you go? Where to feast in Dubai, And what should you order? We list the essentials. Eat here, or you’re missing out.

Al Mahara, one of the best places to feast in Dubai.Located underwater, this refined restaurant has an amazing floor-to-ceiling aquarium right in the middle, surrounded by lively marine animals and plants, including sharks. Regal shades of blue, red and gold add to its appeal.

Dish to try: Line-caught sea bass with jus piperade

PARS IRANIAN KITCHEN | Persian

At the Satwa branch of this restaurant, skewers of delightful meat are cooked in your presence for you to see. The generous portions and soothing atmosphere win you over. It’s a great place to enjoy local culture away from the gloss of the ski slopes and the dancing fountains.

Dish to try: The mixed-grill platter (+971 4398 4000; meal for two from AED200 or Rs. 3,500)

THE RIVINGTON GRILL | British

The Rivington Grill at Souk Al Bahar is most preferred with British expats, who tuck into its fish cakes, burgers and sticky-toffee puddings. The outside terrace, with its gorgeous views of the Burj Lake, Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain, dubai holiday packages makes the experience even more memorable.

Dish to try: Traditional Fish ‘n’ Chips

TABLE 9 BY NICK AND SCOTT | International

Gordon Ramsay protégés Scott Price and Nick Alvis stayed on in and continued the tradition of fine cooking in Dubai after Ramsay left. They put together a European fine-dining restaurant, introducing a chef’s table, with a more casual style and one of the most ground breaking menus in the city.

Dish to try: Crispy egg

AL REEF LEBANESE BAKERY | Lebanese

This tiny, 24-hour eatery on Al Wasl Road is famous for its manakeesh, folded Arabic flat bread with different toppings (cheese being a favourite). Apart from the hordes of locals who throng the eatery in the mornings, Dubai’s partygoers can also be seen here at 3am. The sweets’ section is not to be missed, especially because of the baklava.

Dish to try: Manakeesh

JUNOON | Indian, Amongst best places to feast in Dubai

Junoon, the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant by chef Vikas Khanna is the place for you if you’re a fan of goat meat and seafood. The menu consists of five Indian cooking elements: tandoor, tawa, digri, handi and pathar. Khanna has also created several locally inspired dishes (mutton rose biryani, date cakes) using ingredients sourced from the Middle East itself.

Dish to try: Chocolate date with milk chocolate parfait, date cake, hibiscus purée, chilli glass and Scotch braised dates

NOBU | Japanese fusion

If the name Nobu Matsuhis does not suffice, then we really don’t know what does. The exceptionally talented Japanese celebrity chef has 32 restaurants across five continents.

Dish to try: Black cod yuzu miso

QBARA | Contemporary Middle Eastern

What Manish Mehrotra and Gaggan Anand are doing for Indian food is what chef Colin Clague is attempting at Qbara. The menu is a contemporary take on Middle Eastern cuisine, with scrumptious dishes like crispy raw vegetables, truffle-scented labneh, and lobster kibbeh with fresh herbs, avocado labneh.

Dish to try: The Qbara Experience set menu

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We suspect this article has left your taste buds drooling. Which restaurant are you tempted to try? Tell us in the comments section below!

Special thanks to Ms. Alisha Patel for the original excerpt.