Restaurants

Hot on the tails of Beefbar, another Monaco export has opened in Jumeriah Al Naseem’s stylish Turtle Lagoon. Injecting some fun into Dubai’s thriving dining-cum-nightlife scene, MayaBay offers traditional Asian cuisine with a contemporary twist. The interiors are dressed in deep, evocative colours and the menu features dishes like caviar dim sum, wok-fried lobster and MayaBay beef tartare – all overseen by head Shane Macneill. Unlike many Pan-Asian restaurants, there’s also a fantastic vegetarian and vegan menu. Jumeirah Al Naseem; +971 4 275 2500; @mayabaydubai

This spot is serious about its fried chicken Popular delivery restaurant Jailbird now has its first dine-in spot, and it’s in Jumeirah. Dishes on the menu include Nashville chicken melt sando, the richie-rich burger with black truffle mayo, kale, and truffled gouda, and the Korean barbecue with bean sprout slaw, pickles, Korean barbecue sauce, sesame and miso mayo. There are six bun’d chicken styles to choose from, two types of “nuggz,” three styles of fries, a little birds meal for kids, and a giant cookie filled with Nutella for dessert. Open Sun-Thu 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat 11am-1am. Al Wasl, Jumeirah 2 (056…

After popping up for more than a year across Dubai, fans of INKOGNITO were delighted to find out it has found a permanent home in Jumeirah at Wasl 51. While most burger joints only have one or two options for plant-based eaters, INKOGNITO has flipped the script, offering one burger for meat-eaters, three options for vegans, and one option for vegetarians. We can’t wait to try the vegan Korean-style not-chicken burger with a fried patty, wasabi peas, romaine and oak leaf lettuce, mixed herbs, onions, and vegan gochujang mayo on a vegan sourdough bun. It’s vegan, so it counts as…

Ready for some unique fusion fare? Travelling may be slightly more challenging at the moment but the newly opened DISHTRICT is promising to take diners on a “culinary adventure” around the world via its jam-packed menu of fusion (and slightly wacky) dishes. From the Middle East to Malaysia and India to Italy, the menu features a fusion of foodie favourites from across the globe including tahini nachos chaat aside, charcoal hummus, Thai green curry risotto, butter chicken baos, baked mac ‘n’ cheese maki, spicy Sriracha sashimi, and chicken wrapped in 24 karat gold (fancy). Vegan? There’s plenty for you to…

Just Vegan has several branches in the city but the Jumeirah outpost is especially popular thanks to its ‘private dining’ concept. The cosy spot reflects a back-to-nature theme that’s evident as soon as you walk in. Promoted as a place where nature and veganism comes together, the menu is filled with colourful and flavourful signatures, including the Thai yellow curry pizza, plant-based bunless burger, rustic country curry, and truffle mac and cheese stacks. The café takes great pride in preparing all the food in-house too, which means that all the sauces and dips are also produced by the expert chefs,…

A tasty-sounding new Indian restaurant is now open in Dubai’s JBR. Chilli & Chutney is housed at Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort and is promising a modern take on Indian classics. Chilli & Chutney describes its menu as “gastronomically curious”, and has everything from biriyani, butter chicken and naan to kachumbur salad topped with burrata, pani puri, Mirinda chaat and saffron cottage cheese. Open 6pm-11pm. Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, The Walk, JBR (04 315 3838).

Despite having been on the scene for a while, Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse has recently been reimagined by Sunset Hospitality Group, the brand behind destinations including DRIFT Beach, Ammos Greek and Luigia, into a new dining, lifestyle and leisure hub. It now houses two casual dining outlets: a homegrown Italian, Isola (pictured), and a new outpost of gastropub Joe’s Backyard. Taking its culinary inspiration from the iconic Mediterranean islands of Sardinia, Capri and Sicily, Isola Ristorante will present a menu of modern Italian classics in a charming and inviting atmosphere, while Joe’s Backyard Gastropub will serve diners with a menu of…

The place where great food meets a fun time, Joe’s Backyard Gastropub offers an exciting new take on the casual eatery with a menu that specializes in a delicious range of international comfort food classics. A fun and welcoming venue, it’s a firm favourite with foodies, families and groups of friends thanks to a great selection of weekly events and F&B treats, as well as a foosball table, pool table, darts and large screen TVs showing live sports. With a laid-back atmosphere, variety of food options and a wide range of craft drinks available, Joe’s Backyard Gastropub is the perfect…

The latest venue to launch at Club Vista Mare, a lively and dynamic atmosphere awaits those who step in the traditional Entradas of Rumba Cuban Bar & Kitchen, which is designed to look like a classic Havana of the 1950s. The casual bar and restaurant is authentically Cuban throughout the property, from its cuisine and extensive range of beverages to fine cigars, intricate Cuban-inspired interiors, and pure energetic Hispanic vibes, making Rumba the new hotspot in the city. The menu, displayed in the form of an old newspaper, includes favourites such as fresh Empanadas, Guajillo Prawns, Enchiladas and Skirt Steak…