Restaurants

Occupying a prime spot in the shiny new Dubai Harbour development, swanky Italian Riviera-inspired restaurant L’Amo Bistro Del Mare brings the charms of southern Italy to Dubai. Guests can dine in the bright indoor dining room clad in soothing neutral and earthy tones or the show-stopping terrace with views of the harbour and skyline. Terrazzo style tiles, reminiscent of local trattorias, and a fish counter displaying the freshest catch of the day are all interior highlights, while the menu focuses on fresh seafood: L’Amo Bistro Del Mare meaning “love for the sea”. Dubai Harbour; +971 4 278 4800, @lamobistrodelmare, lamorestaurant.com

Embracing the ever-growing trend for privacy and space, The Pods has opened on the enticing Bluewaters Island. Offering a unique and intimate way of dining, The Pods is comprised of 22 individual private pods of different sized, along with a separate indoor area seating up to 30 people. Pods are air conditioned and stylishly decorated with an abundance of greenery, plush seating and a large central table on top of fantastic views over city skyline. As for the food, the menu features the best of Pan-Asian cuisine such as black cod miso, Chinese dim sum and rendang beef curry. Bluewaters…

Those visiting Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue this summer will delight in a chic new dining addition serving up Japanese fusion cuisine in a minimalist and seductive setting. Origami, a fixture on Dubai’s dining scene for eight years, has opened its third brand, and perhaps its most stylish one to date. It’s easy to walk right past (a simple plaque marks the entrace), and once inside guests are treated to a contemporary, minimalist interior and a dimly-lit an sultry atmosphere – transporting them away from the bright lights of Fashion Avenue. Dishes include Origami classics like sushi rolls and Japanese and…

With its impressive exterior and hosting some of the best performances to come to the region, Dubai Opera is the perfect location for a superlative dining destination. Just as well, then, that Belcanto has opened its doors – a sophisticated new Italian dine dining restaurant with a scenic rooftop. Immersing guests in the drama of opera, interiors are bold and theatrical – think striking crystal chandeliers, dramatic pillars and heavy velvets – while the menu features Italian classics like pizza created by world champion of the Neapolitan Pizza Chef Vincenzo Palermo and creamy primavera alla fragola. Cocktail highlights include the…

Situated on the 23rd floor of The St. Regis Downtown, Tabu is a stylish new addition to Dubai’s high-end Japanese dining scene. In a sultry red and black Tokyo-inspired dining room with lots of decorative Oriental touches, the restaurant serves dishes like O-toro tartare in sesame cones, steamed buns, Chilean seabass claypot and Hibachi Konro lobster, alongside a 6-8-course Omakase menu. Offering something a little different, the restaurant has many staging areas where low-key acts appear throughout the night, adding a theatrical element without detracting from dinner and conversation. The outside terrace boasts spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa and…

Those who know Amelia in its guise in Beirut would have had doubts when hearing about the beloved restaurant opening in Dubai. In the Lebanese capital, it occupies a spot in an atmospheric 500-year-old Gothic building with industrial-style interiors that encourages partying until the wee hours. However, the team has managed to pull it off, securing a location (which few people knew existed) at the base of Address Sky View and delivering the same feeling and style, but with a glossy upgrade. A soaring double-height ceiling, gigantic gyrating plane (Amelia Earheart’s, of course) mounted on the wall, delicious Japanese-Peruvian menu and…

The DIFC area is Dubai’s glitzy restaurant hotspot, so naturally, it’s always exciting when a new restaurant opens. The latest addition is Alaya, a new concept by pioneering Dubai restauranteur Evgeny Kuzin and star chef Izu Ani blending Mediterranean with Middle Eastern cuisine. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, with marble design touches, a coved ceiling, wall tapestries and parquet floors: the work of design firm Richard Saunders & Sagrada. As delightful as the interiors, dishes – largely prime meat and seafood – are flavourful and packed with ingredients like pine nuts, pistachios, almonds, sesame and fresh herbs and spices like…

This British pub has found its home in the Sofitel Dubai Downtown, boasting a massive terrace with those all-important Dubai skyline views, pool tables, table football tables, drinks pong and more. The menu is jam-packed with both international dishes and favourites from the UK including burgers, steaks, pizzas and sharing-style platters, plus bar-style snacks like black calamari, spicy prawns, and triple-cooked chips, plus there’s an extensive vegan and veggie menu too. With brunches, roast dinners, ladies’ nights, happy hours and more, this new spot is pulling in the expat crowd. For Time Out Dubai’s review, click here. Open Sun-Wed 5pm-2am, Thu…

This new gastropub in DIFC has a menu from chef Enrico Paiola and promises charcuterie, slow-cooked ribs lathered in smoky barbecue sauce, croquettes and much more. For Time Out’s review click here. DIFC, reservations@thehiddenhog.com (04364 0126).