Dubai Insider

As a centuries-old trading
hub, Dubai’s culinary scene
has been exposed to a
smorgasbord of influences,
from Indian to European and Levantine
flavours. Today, homegrown gems
sit happily alongside glamorous
international imports, meaning
there’s something for every taste.
If fine dining is a passion, you’ll
be pleased to know that a parade
of top-notch venues have made
their way through the city’s kitchen
doors, drawing a dedicated following
for their stand-out dishes, often
crafted by famous fingers. You can
get a photo of Salt Bae cascading a
flourish of salt from the palm of his
hand onto perfectly seared steak
(cue the clapping) at his flagship
restaurant Nusr-Et Steakhouse in the
Restaurant Village at Four Seasons
Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.
Meanwhile, multi-Michelin-starred
chef Alain Ducasse has found a fitting
“MASSIMO BOTTURA’S EXPERTLY
CRAFTED DISHES WILL
TRANSPORT YOU TO THE ITALIAN
RIVIERA OF THE 1960S”
home at Kempinski Emerald Palace
Hotel for his miX Dubai by Alain
Ducasse, which sees the culinary
maestro show off his signature style
of melding classical French with
the contemporary, while adding a
hint of local flavour. The draw card
for serious foodies here, however,
is the chef’s table, hidden away and
accessed only by private elevator.
Add a pinch of Yannick Alléno’s
Gallic flair to your gourmet itinerary and
head to STAY by Yannick Alléno at
One&Only The Palm, where opulence
is the order of the day, both on the
plate and in the restaurant design.
Venture to the other side of the
Palm’s crescent and you’ll find
Social by Heinz Beck at Waldorf
Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah. A Willy
Wonka of molecular gastronomy,
the three-Michelin starred chef is
known for his impeccable ability to
implement innovative techniques that
transform simple ingredients into
highly evocative dishes – and this is a
great venue at which to discover it.
Acclaimed Korean American chef
Akira Back has his eponymous Middle
Eastern outlet at W Dubai – The Palm,
where he showcases his unique blend
of modern Japanese and Korean
influences. Arrive in good time for a
drink at the floating bar and lap up
the stellar views of Palm Jumeirah.
At the very same hotel is Torno
Subito, Massimo Bottura’s first venue
outside of Italy. Here, his expertly
crafted dishes will transport you
to the Italian Riviera of the 1960s
for some good old fashioned fun.
25 Restaurants