Restaurants

Head to romantic restaurant Ossiano, housed in Atlantis, The Palm, to watch 65,000 marine creatures glide past your table as you tuck into your meal. You’ll be served Catalan-inspired seafood dishes, courtesy of famed Spanish chef Santi Santamaria. Enjoy incredible food beneath glistening chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling views of the Ambassador Lagoon aquarium, amid a formal but romantic setting. Telephone +971 [0] 4 426 2626 Email restaurantreservations@atlantisthepalm.com

For a taste of the Mediterranean in Dubai, head to the Armani/Mediterraneo and enjoy a feast of sunny flavours. This is an elegant restaurant, but casual enough to pop into for lunch or dinner after shopping in The Dubai Mall or taking in the sights of Downtown Dubai. Using traditional Mediterranean ingredients, Armani/Mediterraneo offers a tempting variety of classic creations, from fresh salads and vegetables, to grilled seafood and meat.

Hashi is one of the city’s most elegant restaurants, and you’ll like it as much for the refreshingly down-to-earth service and exquisite food as you will for the out-of-the-ordinary surroundings. Set against the sparkly backdrop of Downtown Dubai, you’ll need to book prime seats outside for much coveted views of the Burj Khalifa’s sky-piercing spire above and the romantic Dubai Fountain below.

Wingsters is the UAE’s first restaurant dedicated to Buffalo wings, located in Dubai Marina. Start by selecting your wings, from a selection of 8, 16, 24 or 32—then take your pick from a large list of different sauces with quirky names, including Machine Gun Kelly (Rich Glazed Barbecue Sauce), The Snitch (Sweet Thai Chill) and The Enforcer (Smooth Mustard Infused WIth Honey). The menu also features a choice of burgers, milkshakes and crepes.

Visit Nina at the One&Only Royal Mirage to experience an Indian restaurant that goes above and beyond all expectations. The refined menu includes delicate touches, such as roti and naan with savoury pickles and salads, seared tuna and lime vinaigrette. Drinks are served to match your dishes, whether on the meaty or light side. You’ll be impressed by the service and ambience at this impeccable fine dining destination. Telephone +971 [0] 4 399 9999 Email fb.acourt@oneandonlyroyalmirage.ae

The narrow lanes of Dubai’s Bastakiya district are home to old wind-tower houses, art galleries, breezy cafes and authentic Arabic restaurants, including Bastakiya Nights. This age-old mansion, with its decorated rooms around a main courtyard, offers a feast of Middle Eastern food. Choose from the fixed menus or a la carte offerings – either way, the food is amazing.

The Beach at JBR is an outdoor complex of shops, cafes, restaurants and public facilities, situated right on the beach. Cafes and restaurants have al fresco terraces overlooking the white sand and blue sea. There’s also an enormous outdoor cinema screen facing the beach. Kids can splash in the park and play areas, while adults can use the running track and outdoor gym equipment, not to mention everyone can enjoy the JBR public beach with changing rooms and facilities.

Situated in Wafi Pyramids in Oud Metha, Medzo’s splendid Italian food is heightened by the elegant atmosphere of the restaurant. Take in the mix of white decor, chandeliers and dreamy drapes, all of which combine to create a romantic ambience set to a soundtrack of soft piano. When the weather permits, try completing the experience by dining al fresco-style on the beautiful tree-shaded terrace. Telephone +971 [0] 4 324 4100 Email fnb.sales@wafi.com

Contemporary and futuristic in its design, Switch Restaurant & Lounge is the first restaurant in the UAE by interior architect Karim Rashid. Flick through the menu for a simple fusion of international flavours, including appetisers, burgers, pastas and sandwiches—simple, that is, until you get to the page of Camel Meat Tenderloin, Burger and Sliders. Switch Restaurant & Lounge is the perfect place to refuel after shopping in the mall. Make sure you order from the extensive mocktail menu. Telephone +971 [0] 4 339 9131 Email resto@meswitch.com