Restaurants

Hot new Japanese restaurant Gonpachi is now open in Dubai. The restaurant is famed for being in Quentin Tarantino’s 2004 film Kill Bill, and the Dubai branch boasts a nostalgic vibe, promising to bring you back to a Japan of bygone times. Gonpachi is also known for being the location of former-US President Bush and former-Prime Minister Koizumi’s Izakaya Summit. The speciality dishes are whipped up by the Japanese chefs and will include a range of starters, mains and desserts including maki rolls, edamame, tuna tataki, popcorn shrimp, karaage, prawn tempura, California rolls, spicy tuna rolls, black cod and more.…

This cool new restaurant promises authentic Japanese flavours and has a casual setting at its home at The Galleria Mall on Al Wasl Road. Expect plenty of super-fresh sushi and tasty grills, with interesting ingredients sourced from Japan. Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori comes from White Rice Consultancy’s Akmal Anuar and partner Inez Tantyanna along with Sunset Hospitality Group. Foodies in the city will know Anuar well, as the chef founded Time Out award-winning restaurant 3 Fils at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour. For Time Out’s review click here. Open daily noon-midnight. The Galleria, Al Wasl Road (04 886 4966).

Big fan of super-authentic Japanese restaurant Fujiya? There’s now a second branch of the Time Out Dubai Award-winner. The new restaurant is at Swissotel Al Murooj in Dowtown Dubai. Outdoor seating is the star of the newly opened Fujiya Downtown branch, so roll on winter, as we’re ready to dine al fresco. Owned by former sumo wrestler Akio Hayakawa, the restaurant aims to provide authentic, affordable food. Dishes on the menu include tataki, sushi, sashimi, ramen, Japanese barbecue and more, so get ready for traditional eats in a casual setting. For the best Japanese restaurants in Dubai click here. For Time…

Looking for gastogrub? Foxglove is the latest addition to Dubai’s mega nightlife complex Soho Garden, and we’re promised a “gastronomic experience”. The pub is promising authentic British cuisine, as well as 74 different types of hops. Dishes include quail scotch eggs, salmon, crab and parsley fishcake, fish and chips, Lancashire hot pot, and chicken tikka balti, along with wagyu rib-eye and striploin, sea bass and more. And if you’re a fan of pud then you’re in for a treat by the sounds of things. Desserts include double chocolate brownie, stick toffee pudding and Belgian waffles. Open daily noon-3am. Meydan Racecourse,…

Calling all herbivores; we have a new restaurant that you’re going to love. Featuring an upscale all-vegetarian menu and handcrafted mixed drinks, music, and views of the Dubai skyline, Epitome has finally landed in Dubai. Its opening follows a successful stint in Mumbai and it has brought all the veggie goodness with it. The menu is inspired by Indian, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, and Chinese cuisines with a wide variety of dishes that make the best of all things green. The interior is decorated with art deco style sculptures, hand-painted walls, and an indoor and outdoor terrace. In Mumbai the restaurant…

Ready for some unique fusion fare? Travelling may be slightly more challenging at the moment but the newly opened DISHTRICT is promising to take diners on a “culinary adventure” around the world via its jam-packed menu of fusion (and slightly wacky) dishes. From the Middle East to Malaysia and India to Italy, the menu features a fusion of foodie favourites from across the globe including tahini nachos chaat aside, charcoal hummus, Thai green curry risotto, butter chicken baos, baked mac ‘n’ cheese maki, spicy Sriracha sashimi, and chicken wrapped in 24 karat gold (fancy). Vegan? There’s plenty for you to…

You’d be forgiven for doing a double take as your walk past WAWA Dining. Located on the ground floor of the Golden Tulip Hotel in Al Barsha, its entrance is straight out of Tokyo and designed to resemble a traditional storefront with lanterns, handwritten signs, and warm colours. The food is just as authentic with some of the best sushi, sashimi and ramen you’ll have the pleasure to taste in Dubai.

A sunshine-filled spot that will brighten your day, Twiggy by La Cantine is a refreshing beach club and restaurant at Park Hyatt Dubai. Dine by the 100m infinity pool, which has its own menu complete with small plates such as poke bowls, lobster rolls, sushi and caviar, or swap the sun beds for a table on the terrace because the a la carte menu is more than worth it, filled with celebratory Mediterranean dishes. Start with the wagyu beef carpaccio, burrata pizza with truffle, and marinated salmon with zingy yuzu, before delving into the many sushi choices – our favourites include…

Just Vegan has several branches in the city but the Jumeirah outpost is especially popular thanks to its ‘private dining’ concept. The cosy spot reflects a back-to-nature theme that’s evident as soon as you walk in. Promoted as a place where nature and veganism comes together, the menu is filled with colourful and flavourful signatures, including the Thai yellow curry pizza, plant-based bunless burger, rustic country curry, and truffle mac and cheese stacks. The café takes great pride in preparing all the food in-house too, which means that all the sauces and dips are also produced by the expert chefs,…