Restaurants

This bright and breezy restaurant with an ocean view is perfect for a lazy lunch or an intimate evening meal. Enjoy the stunning sea views from the outdoor terrace by day, and the sea breeze and sound of the waves crashing at the shore by night. Select from the large fish-themed menu, from classic Moules Mariniere to Arabic-inspired dishes including same nayeh, carpaccio of hammour, or the spicy oven baked pomfret.

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 

Situated in the stylish Shangri-La Hotel, Dunes Cafe is a contemporary and elegant restaurant for leisurely lunches and evening meals. The menu offers a wide selection of well presented dishes with an international flavour, including Italian, Middle Eastern and Chinese. Depending on your appetite, you can choose to order a la carte or head straight to the buffet to fill your plate from a choice of live cooking stations.

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 

Vanitas restaurant is one of eight places to eat in the Palazzo Versace Hotel, owned by the iconic fashion brand Versace. With views of the Dubai Creek, this Italian restaurant is tastefully decorated, and the Versace influence is clear on everything from the walls to the dishes. Once you’ve enjoyed lunch or dinner, you can cross over the Creek and pay a visit to Dubai Festival City mall, where you’re free to shop at over 400 stores. Tel No.  +971 4 556 8888

This chic French restaurant and lounge started out more than a decade ago on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, which has been described as one of the most fashionable streets in the world. Since then, it’s opened more venues around the world, and its Dubai location is a favourite of the city’s fashionistas. The menu includes a host of gourmet French dishes, for lunch and dinner, and if you’re feeling inspired after paying this restaurant a visit, it’s only a short distance away from The Dubai Mall. Tel No. +971 4 352 7105