Restaurants
Super-sleek sushi restaurant Okku is famous in Dubai for delivering Japanese cuisine that the city’s foodies go absolutely mad for. Headed by executive chef, Hugo Sato Gardiner, the restaurant has won a clutch of awards – including most recently the prestigious Caterer Award for Restaurant of the Year and TimeOut Dubai’s award for Best Japanese – which brings with it a distinctly A-list clientele. It’s not cheap – but with caviar and black truffle in the sushi, it’s certainly memorable. +971 4 501 8777
With a kitchen team lead by executive chef Himanshu Saini, who was crowned ‘Best Young Chef’ at the 2014 Delhi Gourmet Club’s Top Chef Awards, Tresind serves up classic Indian flavours, elevated to levels of modern brilliance using molecular gastronomy. The “textures of mushroom” dish is truly out of this world. +971 4 308 0440
The hipsters of Dubai have long since been banging the drum for Al Quoz coffee house Tom & Serg which now has a cult following in the city, and in The Sum of Us, the talented duo behind Tom & Serg have struck gold once again. With 20 different blends of coffee and a food menu that changes daily to accommodate the fresh local produce, The Sum of Us is every bit as cool as its Al Quoz counterpart. +971 56 445 7526
Lemonade is a unique cafe serving both hearty and healthy meals, and a few sugary treats, too. The cafe serves six types of lemonade, hence the name, including tangy guava and lime, and the surprisingly delicious combination of watermelon and rosemary.
This Provence import and share-style dining concept has come a long way since it opened as a bistro in Nice 20 years ago, where it was awarded a Michelin star. La Petite Maison now has branches from London to Istanbul, with two more set to open in Abu Dhabi and Miami this year. The menu is seasonal, the service slick and they manage to turn the stuffy reputation of French cuisine on its head, with contemporary share plates of everything from green breams with foie gras to scallop carpaccio. +971 4 439 0505
If you’re looking for a fun, cheerful spot for sushi lunches or evening meals, head to ET Sushi at Emirates Towers to fill up on Japanese delights. You can choose to dine at the sushi bar or on the terrace. At the bar, a conveyor belt displays individually prepared sushi, sashimi and tempura dishes to select as they move past. Those dining on the terrace can have a la carte meal of soup, hot and cold noodle dishes, teppanyaki and ice cream. Telephone +971 [0] 4 319 8088 Email JETrestaurants@jumeirah.com
If you love Indian cuisine, Mint Leaf of London should be on your list of restaurants to try. Perched on the 15th floor of Emirates Financial Tower in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the eatery boasts amazing views of Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa. Turning the attention back to the menu of contemporary fine dining cuisine, it is guaranteed to impress. Try the Kadai Spiced Crispy Soft Shell Crab, Adraki Lamb Chops or Duck Pepper Fry. Telephone +971 [0] 4 706 0900 Email reservations@mintleafdubai.com
Watching chefs armed with Samurai-like knives prepare your food at the restaurant’s teppanyaki tables is part of the show at Sakura, but the food is just as impressive, with a menu of classic Japanese dishes including Salmon-Skin Maki Rolled in Spring Onions and Shabu Shabu (Japanese hotpot). Ideal for dining with a group of friends or entertaining colleagues, the stylish and elegant interior is decorated with framed calligraphy and elaborately adorned walls. Telephone +971 [0] 4 331 1111 Email fbreservations.cpdubai@ihg.com
Treat Yourself To A Meal At Shang Palace If you fancy Chinese, head to this award-winning restaurant. Located on a balcony overlooking Shangri-La Hotel’s lobby, the setting feels quite grand and the food definitely lives up to expectation, with a wide choice of classic dishes to satisfy your taste buds. Expect attention to detail when your food arrives, with well thought out flavours and a beautiful presentation.
