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Dubai's culinary scene continues to evolve at a remarkable pace, with 2026 bringing an exceptional lineup of new restaurants that span every cuisine imaginable. From refined Japanese omakase experiences to vibrant African flavours, contemporary Mediterranean bistros to authentic Mexican kitchens, these new Dubai restaurants offer something for every palate. Whether you're seeking fine dining with stunning views, casual comfort food, or innovative fusion concepts, this comprehensive guide covers all the best new places to eat in Dubai this year.
Japanese Restaurants Making Waves in Dubai
Kasumigaseki
Kasumigaseki brings a refined slice of Tokyo to Dubai with chef Keigo Abe at the helm. The kitchen focuses on Neo-Japanese cuisine, having mastered the art of 'Sumi Fire' – a traditional Japanese cooking method using charcoal to create deep, smoky flavours. Guests can choose from intimate omakase journeys starting from AED750 or shareable toriwake plates. The restaurant features a peaceful terrace for outdoor dining during cooler months, perfect for enjoying a traditional tea ceremony or light dessert.
Tezukuri
A must-visit for Japanese hand roll enthusiasts, Tezukuri is led by celebrated chefs Neha Mishra and Panchali Mahendra. The kitchen has mastered the art of temaki, focusing on the 'live moment' where rice temperature and nori crispness must be in perfect harmony the second it reaches you. The intimate counter-only experience allows direct interaction with chefs. After your meal, discover Kissa – a hidden, speakeasy-style listening room where you can enjoy vinyl records in a refined atmosphere.
Yubi
For delicious Japanese handrolls and street-style small plates, Yubi at 25 Jump Street by chef Reif Othman offers a contemporary take on this beloved street food. Made-to-order handrolls are served at the counter, featuring crisp nori, warm rice, and perfectly balanced fillings.
Ram & Roll
Located in Kempinski The Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Ram&Roll celebrates tradition with rich ramen bowls featuring slowly simmered broth, delicate sushi handrolls, and wagyu cuts. Led by Chef Serhat Karanfil in collaboration with Chef Reif Othman, the service reflects Japanese omotenashi hospitality, making it ideal for casual dinners, business lunches, or late-night bites.
Kigo
At Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, Kigo offers a fine-dining experience built around omakase and kaiseki set menus, both priced at AED2,500. Headed by chef Akinori Tanigawa with over 30 years of kaiseki mastery, and sushi head chef Daihachiro Ebata from Michelin-starred Sushi Wakon in Kyoto, this concept from chef Izu Ani delivers exceptional Japanese cuisine.
Kumo
Meaning 'cloud' in Japanese, Kumo brings Kyoto elegance to Al Wasl. Housed in a reimagined 1980s villa by the team behind SALT, this tranquil concept features 'grounded Japanese' cuisine – simple, thoughtful dishes rooted in tradition but reimagined for today. Natural woods, soft textures, and shoji patterns create a calm sanctuary.
Fine Dining Experiences
Tattu
Originally from the UK, Tattu Dubai sits atop Ciel Dubai Marina at level 74, featuring the world's highest infinity pool on level 76 and a sky lounge with 360-degree views on level 81. The modern Chinese and Japanese menu includes Shanghai black cod with hoisin, seven-spiced seared tuna with truffle aioli and caviar, and wagyu short rib mini bao.
Birch
Led by chef Arslan Berdiev from the modern wave of Russian cookery, Birch Dubai in DIFC blends techniques and ingredients from around the world. With experience at three-Michelin-starred ABaC Barcelona and Arzak San Sebastián, Chef Berdiev creates contemporary dishes incorporating European, Asian, and Oriental flavours. The original Birch in St. Petersburg has been named Best Restaurant in Russia.
Carbone
Located in Atlantis The Royal, Carbone brings Manhattan's celebrated Italian dining to Dubai. The New York-style menu features Caesar alla ZZ, linguini vongole, chicken scarpariello, and spicy rigatoni. The dining room evokes 1950s glamour with chandeliers, velvet nooks, leather banquettes, and Venetian glass mirrors.
The Cullinan
This luxurious steakhouse at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab offers uninterrupted views of Burj Al Arab. The menu showcases 25 premium steak cuts including Japanese A5 Hokkaido wagyu, Kiwami wagyu ribeye, and signature prime tomahawk, alongside lobster and oysters.
Mr Chow
Founded by the late Sir David Tang, London's iconic Mr Chow brings theatrical Chinese cuisine to DIFC. From tableside Beijing duck carving to hand-pulled noodle shows, every dish feels like a performance in the dramatic Art Deco setting with chinoiserie details.
China Tang
The Dubai outpost of this legendary London restaurant sits on the waterfront of The Lana, Dorchester Collection. Known for refined Cantonese classics and elegant Art Deco interiors evoking 1930s Shanghai glamour, guests can glimpse the dedicated duck oven room on arrival.
Mediterranean and Greek Restaurants
Son of a Fish
The laidback essence of the Athenian Riviera meets Dubai's waterfront at this homegrown Greek restaurant at Harbour House. A tribute to Greek fishermen, the venue offers fresh seafood, premium meats, and vegetarian dishes celebrating the simplicity of classic Greek cooking.
Orme Osteria
Within Palace Dubai Creek Harbour, this Mediterranean-inspired restaurant elevates traditional family recipes with modern sophistication. The waterfront setting includes a terrace with panoramic Dubai Creek views for sunset dining.
Meraki
At Aloft Palm Jumeirah, Meraki celebrates Greek dining with simple, fresh, shareable dishes. The seafood market lets guests handpick the freshest catch, prepared grilled, oven-baked, folded into pasta, or nestled in traditional Greek peinirli boat bread.
Elaia
Bringing Mediterranean warmth to Dubai Marina at Pier 7, Elaia offers sharing plates, wood-fired pizzas, and comforting classics. Start with mezze-style dishes like smoked eggplant melitzanosalata before grilled octopus with harissa romesco or salt-baked red snapper.
Cetara
Named after Italy's famed fishing village, Cetara in Downtown Dubai serves authentic Southern Italian cuisine. Features include charcoal-grilled prawns, risotto all'astice with Canadian lobster, wood-fired seafood, and handmade pastas, with stunning Burj Khalifa views from the terrace.
Indian and South Asian Cuisine
Vegetarian Room
The first pure vegetarian restaurant by Address Hotels and Resorts celebrates India's rich culinary legacy. This hidden gem elevates vegetarian cuisine to an art form with classics like Punjabi paneer tikka, malai kofta, and the centerpiece fragrant subz dum biryani.
Mann Marzi
At Wafi City mall, founders Anju Gautam and chef Nimish Bhatia created this ode to the Silk Route. The meal unfolds in themed chapters like 'Routes and Roots', guiding diners through various regions and eras, transforming ancient tales into gastronomic experiences.
Romeo Lane
At Pullman Downtown Dubai, traditional Indian spices meet authentic Japanese umami. Try the tuna and avocado Pani Puri with tamarind and ponzu water, the Shroom Bomb from robata grills, or Romeo's Butter Chicken with fresh hot garlic naan.
Asian Fusion and Thai
Sip Song
Experience Bangkok's high-voltage energy at Rixos Premium Dubai in JBR. The kitchen achieves perfect balance of spicy, sweet, sour, and salty in every bite. The atmosphere explodes with neon colours reminiscent of Thailand's street-side spirit.
Mei
Set against Burj Al Arab at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Mei focuses on Chinese and Japanese cuisine artistry. Claypot creations, salmon carpaccio, beef tartare, and sashimi platters feature fresh cuts from Tokyo's Toyosu Fish Market.
HANU
Within St. Regis Gardens Palm Jumeirah, HANU offers contemporary Korean cuisine bridging South Korea's gastronomic heritage with modern innovation, presenting familiar flavours in unexpectedly delightful ways through meticulously crafted dishes.
Harummanis
This Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient in Wasl 51 brings traditional Malaysian cuisine to Dubai. Chef Akmal Anuar's menu spans fragrant nasi lemak, rendang tok, char kway teow, and creamy lontong showcasing Malaysia's multicultural heritage.
MAYG
Combining French cooking methods with delicate Japanese flavours and local ingredients, MAYG offers dishes like sashimi-cut salmon ceviche, crispy short ribs risotto, and handmade ravioli with langoustine.
African Cuisine
Savryn
At Wasl Vita Mall in Jumeirah 1, Savryn's menu reads like a tour of Africa. Helmed by Top Chef Arabia winner Shehab Medhat, the intimate 28-seater features inventive dishes like kuky paka tartlets, ostrich sambousek, and fufu crab croquettes. The 10-course tasting menu is priced at AED465.
Mexican and Latin American
Cocina Tres
At Pullman Dubai Downtown, Cocina Tres transports you to coastal Mexico. Mexican chefs champion traditional techniques with handmade tortillas ground daily on a custom molino mill using imported Oaxacan corn. The menu features fresh seafood and woodfire grilled specials.
Girl & the Goose
At Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel, Nicaraguan chef Gabriela Chamorro brings bold Central American flavours. Inspired by her supper club that welcomed over 5,000 guests, the menu blends traditional recipes from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama.
Middle Eastern and Arabic Dining
Ostura
Inspired by 1001 Arabian Nights, this fine-dining destination on the 16th floor of Emirates Financial Towers features live entertainment and culinary theatrics. The menu honours traditional Middle Eastern cooking with delicate mezze, wood-fired mains, and desserts.
Gerbou
A collaboration between 11 Woodfire and Tashkeel teams, Gerbou blends traditional Emirati flavours with global influences. Chef Ionel Catau uses locally sourced ingredients and underground pit cooking for rich, smoky flavours. Award-winning chef Sahar Al Awadhi creates Emirati-inspired pastries.
Casual Dining and Comfort Food
Middle Child
In Alserkal Avenue, Lebanese chef Lynn Hazim leads this concept built around good food, great books, and hard-to-find groceries. The communal eight-seat counter encourages conversation while offering elevated comfort food done exceptionally well.
Junk Smash Burgers
At 25 Jump Street in One Central, founders Majed Mansour and Wissem Ben Ammar have mastered the smash technique. Choose from modest M (two patties) to towering XXL (five patties), plus shareable panko chicken bites and Puffy cookies – Paris-born New York-style treats.
Apollo
This all-day eatery on Palm Jumeirah reimagines the classic bistro. Expect chicken pot pie, duck confit with arroz Nikkei, the Apollo burger with dry-aged wagyu, lobster roll, Basque cheesecake, and pain perdu with vanilla Anglaise.
Three Bros
In Wasl 51, Jumeirah, Three Bros offers global comfort food in a cosy, 70s-inspired setting. Enjoy wagyu patty cheeseburgers and sourdough pizzas crafted in an open kitchen where fine dining expertise meets laid-back atmosphere.
A Normal Day
At Dar Wasl Mall, this cosy bistro by chef Illia Andriushyn offers reimagined breakfast classics and approachable comfort dishes. Every plate embodies simple yet thoughtful charm that makes guests feel at home.
Rowley's
This British steakhouse in DIFC offers a simple menu: steak, unlimited fries, and salad at AED138. After a six-month selection process, only the finest cuts make it to the plate, with rotating daily cake specials.
French Cuisine
CQ French Brasserie
Formerly Couqley French Bistro, CQ brings true Parisian brasserie culture with a modern fine-casual approach. Enjoy steak frites, escargots, pain perdu, poisson frites, and croquette de short ribs et comté.
Le Relais de L'Entrecôte
This beloved Parisian institution has arrived at ME Dubai Downtown. For over 65 years, the family-owned restaurant has served its signature single-course menu – tender entrecôte steak, crispy French fries, walnut salad, and iconic secret sauce.
The Beam
At Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, chef Nick Alvis leads this European-inspired bistro. The menu features whipped salt cod, artichoke risotto, truffle-braised beef cheek, and indulgent desserts like baked custard tart with nutmeg.
Contemporary and International Concepts
People
At Al Khawaneej Walk, People blends Italian technique, Asian flavours, and Emirati influence. Highlights include okami crab salad, wagyu carpaccio tostada, billionaire's wagyu crispy rice, and Josper-grilled Australian lamb chops.
Culinara
Inside The Link at One Za'abeel – the world's longest cantilevered building – 12 original homegrown concepts unite. Highlights include The Dish by Chef Sperxos, SIO Ramen House by Reif Othman, and Joumana's Table for family-style comfort food.
FORMA
Inside Al Safa Art & Design Library, Forma blends culinary expression with artistic inspiration. Light, crispy pizzas include miso corn, beef bacon pistachio, and hot chicken alongside burrata poppers and crispy prawns with samyang dip.
Specialty Coffee and All-Day Cafes
Julith
This Al Quoz multi-concept space houses a brew lounge, roastery, omakase experience, and social hub. Competition-grade beans from high-altitude farms are roasted in-house, with specialty coffee brewed using concentrated milk for rich beverages.
The Growhouse
In Alserkal Avenue, this sustainable cafe doubles as an indoor farm, growing ingredients for true zero-mile meals. Enjoy pulled-beef Benedict and shakshoumi in a space combining industrial elements with lush greenery.
Piehaus
This Alserkal Avenue cafe specialises in phyllo pies with savoury and sweet fillings. Golden, buttery layers melt in your mouth – try the goat cheese, beef bacon, honey, and thyme pie after gallery hopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best new fine dining restaurants in Dubai for 2026?
Top fine dining options include Tattu at Ciel Dubai Marina with jaw-dropping views, Birch in DIFC featuring modern Russian cuisine, Carbone at Atlantis The Royal for Italian-American classics, Kigo at Four Seasons DIFC for Japanese omakase and kaiseki, and The Cullinan at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab for premium steaks.
Which new Japanese restaurants should I try in Dubai?
Must-visit Japanese restaurants include Kasumigaseki for Neo-Japanese cuisine and Sumi Fire cooking, Tezukuri for hand rolls and the hidden Kissa listening room, Kigo for fine dining omakase and kaiseki, Yubi and Ram & Roll for ramen and handrolls, and Kumo for grounded Japanese cuisine in a tranquil setting.
Are there any new vegetarian restaurants in Dubai?
Vegetarian Room by Address Hotels is the first pure vegetarian fine dining restaurant, celebrating Indian culinary heritage. The Growhouse in Alserkal Avenue offers plant-forward meals from their indoor farm, and many restaurants like Middle Child and Elaia feature substantial vegetarian options.
What new restaurants have the best views in Dubai?
For stunning views, visit Tattu at Ciel Dubai Marina with 360-degree vistas from level 81, Cetara in Downtown Dubai overlooking Burj Khalifa, Meraki at Palm Jumeirah with sea views, Orme Osteria at Dubai Creek Harbour, and Mei at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam facing Burj Al Arab.
Which new budget-friendly restaurants opened in Dubai?
Rowley's in DIFC offers quality steak with unlimited fries for AED138, Junk Smash Burgers at 25 Jump Street serves affordable gourmet burgers, and casual spots like Three Bros, Piehaus, and The Growhouse provide excellent value with creative menus.
What are the best new restaurants for groups in Dubai?
Great group dining options include Son of a Fish at Dubai Harbour for shareable Greek plates, Elaia at Pier 7 for Mediterranean sharing dishes, Sip Song at JBR for family-style Thai, and People at Al Khawaneej Walk for international sharing plates.
Which new Dubai restaurants serve authentic regional cuisine?
For authentic experiences, try Savryn for African cuisine from across the continent, Harummanis for traditional Malaysian dishes, Cocina Tres for coastal Mexican with handmade tortillas, Girl & the Goose for Central American flavours, and Gerbou for refined Emirati cuisine.
