Restaurants

Enjoy the fresh taste of Mexican-Californian street food with tacos and burritos from this casual eatery. The easy-going atmosphere is welcoming to families, and the “build-your-own” menu allows customers to fill their burrito with only the ingredients they love. Perfect for a post-shopping pit-stop, the portion sizes at Tortilla are big enough to fill a rumbling tummy. Tel No. +971 4 437 6062 

One of the best Emirati restaurants in the city, Al Fanar offers a glimpse into Old Dubai as you wander along the waterfront. Homemade Emirati bread (khameer) and pancakes (chebab) are a must-try, as are the fish cakes (koftat samak) and meat-filled pastries (samboosa). Don’t forget to leave room for the ever-popular sweets such as ferni (rice pudding) and sticky luqaimat (fried dough in date syrup). Tel No. +971 4 600 524 646 

Known for its generous portions that are ideal for sharing, The Cheesecake Factory has a vast menu featuring everything from pasta to seafood, steak, salad and pizza. Be sure to save space for dessert so you can sample one of 30 legendary cheesecakes. Tel No. +971 4 203 7555 

Get a taste of colonial era India at this popular new restaurant, decked out with palatial interiors and serving timeless sub-continental recipes. Tandoori chicken and chicken tikka remain a hot favourite, but the menu also invites you to venture outside the box with dishes like Calcutta-styled giant prawns steeped in ginger soy marinade. Tel No. +971 4 288 1587 

With branches in New York, Chicago and Italy, Oscar Farinetti’s food emporium will not disappoint. The generous seating configurations are ideal for family outings and the venue is constantly buzzing with happy customers. Savour authentic pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and delicious salumi and burrata – but don’t skip the stand-alone Nutella bar, which will tempt your taste buds with croissants, warm crêpes and other sweet treats. Tel No.   +971 4 224 1083 

This romantic Parisian dining room is the home of French chef Pierre Gagnaire’s molecular mastery in Dubai. This purple-carpeted offering from the three-starred Michelin chef is as decadent as it gets. Baroque-inspired glass chandeliers matching the carpet hang overhead as a series of seven amuse bouches are served before the meal even begins. The menu is seasonal and the four- and seven-course sample menus might include everything from sea bass with celeriac ravioli to beef cheeks. +971 4 701 1111

Enjoy International Cuisine At Anise After some retail therapy at Dubai Festival City Mall, the Anise restaurant offers a chance to relax and refuel. This charming eatery offers eight cooking stations, the same number as the points of the star Anise. Designed to deliver a sensory experience, you can watch the chefs in action as they prepare your food with passion. The terrace boasts beautiful views over the Dubai Creek.