The samsa at Donaza Uzbek restaurant is a favourite of Arva Ahmed's. Photo: Donaza
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Motorino in JBR is one of chef Nick Alvis's top off-the-beaten-track places to go in Dubai. Photo: Motorino
Nick Alvis says Motorino has perfected its diavola pizza. Photo: Motorino
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Chef Nick Alvis is a big fan of Orfali Bros in Wasl 51, where this red umami prawns dish can be found. Photo: Orfali Bros
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Kimuraya at The Oberoi, Dubai offers an authentic izakaya-style dining experience, says Howard Ko, executive chef of Ce La Vie. Photo: Kimuraya
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Enjoy Japanese cuisine at Kimuraya. Photo: Kimuraya
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Kimuraya serves all-you-can-eat Wagyu for Dh300 for two people. Photo: Kimuraya
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Howard Ko loves to go to Kimuraya for Japanese shabu shabu. Photo: Kimuraya
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Sonamu is a Korean barbecue restaurant at Asiana Hotel in Deira that comes highly recommended by Howard Ko. Photo: Sonamu
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Sonamu's grilled black cod fillet. Photo: Sonamu
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Sonamu's K-fried chicken. Photo: Sonamu
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Sonamu's grilled marinated beef short rib. Photo: Sonamu
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Vegetarian Indian restaurant Saarangaa Bhojan Shala in Business Bay is one of Howard Ko's top spots. Photo: Howard Ko
A dish from Oriental Dining in Al Barsha, a restaurant recommended by Frying Pan Adventures founder Arva Ahmed. Photo: Arva Ahmed
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Moroccan restaurant Tajin wa Tanjiah is based in Abu Hail. It's one of Arva Ahmed's favourite restaurants in Dubai. Photo: Arva Ahmed
The samsa at Donaza Uzbek restaurant is a favourite of Arva Ahmed's. Photo: Donaza
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IHDG35NJYZG6NHD6LYAK5GDFNI.jpg?smart=true&auth=873d91b889c5d048e64873de290ba2a24a0c856aabf1b48566cd7d09fb6d36ce&width=400&height=225)
Motorino in JBR is one of chef Nick Alvis's top off-the-beaten-track places to go in Dubai. Photo: Motorino
Nick Alvis says Motorino has perfected its diavola pizza. Photo: Motorino
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VP7IQ7IANRG63GZZL2MEJQYRDU.jpg?smart=true&auth=81c07fb502efddf87de02d7550b43f4d020bd2f487ba22c50836e15455687306&width=400&height=225)
Chef Nick Alvis is a big fan of Orfali Bros in Wasl 51, where this red umami prawns dish can be found. Photo: Orfali Bros
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LPNEDY6P3ZBFPJ6BAPP2RZPOJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9dfa9326ae0ac5641a5bfae9f171f672726b2aa1fb733a87e5a6b26ca1ff3bec&width=400&height=225)
Kimuraya at The Oberoi, Dubai offers an authentic izakaya-style dining experience, says Howard Ko, executive chef of Ce La Vie. Photo: Kimuraya
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4OWOQDIT3BAXXF4KSPB6X2RMKA.jpg?smart=true&auth=acec5dee51674eb63eac1d4d4ff4e2adde25e4497e94b0124d8d353e0eadb44a&width=400&height=225)
Enjoy Japanese cuisine at Kimuraya. Photo: Kimuraya
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3WF2DCNKJBC2JKET57AJOTKZNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=23a6e468f69c9b16f61f66a4982fc8b375f6abfac2a740e8cd516cdccfe36708&width=400&height=225)
Kimuraya serves all-you-can-eat Wagyu for Dh300 for two people. Photo: Kimuraya
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WUPQCXNUCFEDVO5PGX7673WDSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=48d50c4dfb6f04f60df45c91e522205342e7191777bff82c03ccf7d8dead95af&width=400&height=225)
Howard Ko loves to go to Kimuraya for Japanese shabu shabu. Photo: Kimuraya
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7MDP5KO2YND7HBHIMV54PUODXM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f75a99e305c91c9533287c5254ddf4ffdf8469dfc6d28edbddefe41e7151a9a2&width=400&height=225)
Sonamu is a Korean barbecue restaurant at Asiana Hotel in Deira that comes highly recommended by Howard Ko. Photo: Sonamu
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U3XK5BF47JF2JLE365IB5JCCHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9fbfcb0c633aafa05c7edc81d1de869e6223f3d527bc78589720f4902003f78c&width=400&height=225)
Sonamu's grilled black cod fillet. Photo: Sonamu
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D76KLAR2QFHMFNJ55K2LGS66Y4.jpg?smart=true&auth=cb2bee5f4ef8897622ccd09d62bea1d4ab09724ef49e4ec6511eae59fc8b5ea7&width=400&height=225)
Sonamu's K-fried chicken. Photo: Sonamu
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6ACVPAQVTRFQZO7XHRXGGB6TEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=534d62d03c2d2bb85f7bbde54f83f4b40f3ae9fa0162f1b1f686b65d9a393884&width=400&height=225)
Sonamu's grilled marinated beef short rib. Photo: Sonamu
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7USCJMQQ3ZDW5LPKVFTBURLW7Y.jpeg?smart=true&auth=123effbf71ecd2bc7e8763247d4c1ad6617bf666720c05f742846124dfc24914&width=400&height=225)
Vegetarian Indian restaurant Saarangaa Bhojan Shala in Business Bay is one of Howard Ko's top spots. Photo: Howard Ko
A dish from Oriental Dining in Al Barsha, a restaurant recommended by Frying Pan Adventures founder Arva Ahmed. Photo: Arva Ahmed
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JG5AJJHMIND5BC3M76XE47JG4U.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d387ef1333ea00c270d58d5a621db542df9056c947f2f5c373399251a1f5399d&width=400&height=225)
Moroccan restaurant Tajin wa Tanjiah is based in Abu Hail. It's one of Arva Ahmed's favourite restaurants in Dubai. Photo: Arva Ahmed
The samsa at Donaza Uzbek restaurant is a favourite of Arva Ahmed's. Photo: Donaza
Hidden gems of the UAE: lesser-known Dubai restaurants where chefs and foodies go to eat
From all-you-can-eat Wagyu to sugar-sprinkled chicken pies, the experts reveal their favourite places for a grub in the emirate
Emma Pearson
15 December, 2021
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