Restaurants

In the bustling culinary scene of the UAE, Il Forno stands tall as a testament to two decades of passion for authentic Italian cuisine. Born and raised in Abu Dhabi in the year 2000, Il Forno has become a household name. From its humble beginnings in the capital, Il Forno’s culinary journey has spread far and wide. The journey began with Abu Dhabi, and now, with branches in Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah. Il Forno has become a true ambassador of Italian gastronomy across the Emirates. Now, bringing the taste of Italy closer to you is…

Tub of Butter, a home-grown casual all-day eatery, has opened on Sheikh Zayed Road, next to the Metropolitan Hotel, in Dubai. The venue’s counters are filled with pastries, desserts, Italian cold cuts, olives, jams and an array of Mediterranean cheeses. Rotisserie chickens are served up daily and pizzas are baked in a Mediterranean-style oven. Breakfast, served from 7am to 11.30am on weekdays and until 2.30pm on weekends, offers bites such as eggs benedict and crushed avocados with chilli chia seeds and lime on toasted sourdough bread, while the list of pizzas on offer includes a crispy smoked turkey pizza with…

An iconic restaurant in Dubai’s luxurious Burj Al Arab, Al Mahara by Nathan Outlaw whisks guests under the sea for an experience that’s about as close as it comes to dining underwater. A floor-to-ceiling aquarium takes centre-stage, arching over the tables with its schools of hypnotically swirling fish. Splash out when ordering from the menu (obviously, we recommend the fish), for a truly memorable date. Be sure to book ahead, as this once-in-a-lifetime venue is in hot demand with Dubai residents and hotel guests alike. Tel No.   +971 4 301 7600

Dining at The Talk in the Jumeirah Beach Residence is about more than food. The restaurant is designed with an open kitchen — as well as having several cooking platforms throughout the space—making every meal, whether breakfast, lunch or dinner a theatrical event. In addition to full buffets and themed-dinner nights, The Talk offers a complete à la carte menu, with specialties from a variety of cuisines from around the globe. Whether you dine inside among the soft earthy colours and wooden textures with modern steel accents, or outdoors on the private terrace, you’re sure to enjoy a unique experience…

Filipinos flock to Tipanan for a true taste of home. The restaurant is in the bustling Satwa area, on Al Diyafa Road (also known as 2nd December Street), which is a great spot for cheap eats and people watching. They serve everything from breakfast, lunch and dinner to desserts. They also provide a takeaway and delivery service too. If you’ve never tried Filipino food, this is a great place to start. Telephone +971 [0] 4 295 7411

Perched high atop the Emirates Grand Hotel on the 43rd floor with stunning views of the Arabian Sea and of the city, Panorama Restaurant is a casual spot to grab a bite at wallet-friendly prices. Using fresh ingredients from around the Middle East, the eatery presents starters such as kibbeh, sambousek and chicken wings, as well as salads, sandwiches, burgers and more thoughtful a la carte choices like grilled shrimp, mixed grill and pasta. Telephone +971 [0] 4 323 0000 Email fb@emiratesgrandhotel.com

With a menu that serves cuisine to suit pretty much anyone’s fancy, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a visit to Oceana, a multi-cuisine restaurant located in the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort. Designed with elegant decor inspired by 1920s cruise ships, the restaurant welcomes families, groups of friends, and business dates alike. Choose from buffet breakfast, weekend brunch, and themed dinners. Telephone +971 [0] 4 318 2530 Email reservations.dubai@hilton.com

The name of this restaurant, Al Barza, means ‘a gathering place’ and conveys a coming together of people who want to try Emirati food. Now that the weather is perfect, you can have breakfast in the extensive garden under shady umbrellas. There’s a whole area of the menu dedicated to sweet things including a selection of items to share like khan faroush (cakes with cardamom and saffron) and the irresistible lugaimat – the Emirati equivalent of freshly fried doughnut holes dipped in date molasses. Tel No.   +971 4 343 5310

While there’s a relaxed vibe inside the light flooded interior of this quirky cafe, you may just hear the revving of some pretty powerful machines outside. Bike lovers congregate on this eatery dedicated to petrol-heads on two wheels to enjoy their menu of eclectic delights. Feast on their ‘Flavor of Arabia’ breakfast platter and tuck into khameer, chebab, balaleet and muhalla (a date and wholewheat crepe). Tel No.   +971 4 349 3585