School's officially back in session, with families returning to the UAE, new residents moving in and no slowdown in tourist footfall.
As a result, it is little surprise that plenty of restaurants – from home-grown brands to internationally renowned names – are launching in Dubai in September.
Here are seven to sample.
Gimi, Dubai
Cuisine: Korean and South-east Asian
Gimi, which is the Korean word for spice, pays homage to South-east Asia's bustling street food and hawker culture, as well as K-pop.
The food is inspired by culinary traditions in South Korea, with bibimbap, tteokbokki and pancakes on the menu. There is also randang from Indonesia and khan namul, which has Korean and Chinese influences.
Open Tuesday to Friday, 6pm-midnight; Saturday to Sunday, noon-midnight; Wasl Vita Mall, Jumeirah; reservations@gimi.ae
Signor Sassi, Dubai
Cuisine: Italian
The long-awaited London restaurant – famed for having played host to British royal family celebrations – will open its first UAE outpost this month.
Located at St Regis Gardens on the Palm Jumeirah, Signor Sassi serves a range of Italian dishes, such as lobster a la Catalana with tomatoes and onions; avocado bernardo salad with prawns, lobster and cocktail sauce; veal Milanese with potato sticks; tagliolini with caviar and lemon sauce; as well as a selection of artisanal pizzas.
The decor is inspired by luxurious villas on the shores of Lake Como, featuring coloured marbles and polished timbers.
Opens September 25; St Regis Gardens, The Palm; 04 278 4848
Eugene Eugene, Dubai
Cuisine: French, European
Located at the Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, this brasserie-style venue offers lunch and dinner, plus coffee, afternoon tea and drinks.
Chef Yanis Sgard, who previously worked at La Cantine Du Faubourg and Tagomago, has curated a modern European menu. Dishes include truffle and artichoke spinach, vanilla tomato tartare, osso bucco saffron risotto, sea bream a la plancha and foie gras duck salad.
Open daily, noon-midnight; Kempinski Mall of the Emirates; instagram.com/eugeneeugenedubai
Row on 45, Dubai
Cuisine: Modern European
British celebrity chef Jason Atherton opens his third venture at Grosvenor House in Dubai this month.
The 26-seater fine-dining restaurant promises a theatrical experience, with 17 courses served in three acts. The dishes are inspired by Atherton's culinary journey and his travels around the world. Luxurious ingredients such as oysters, Norwegian king crab and A5 Japanese Wagyu feature on the tasting menu, which is priced at Dh1,145 per person.
Opens September 21; Dubai Marina; rowon45dubai.com
Soul Kitchen, Dubai
Cuisine: Levantine-Latin American fusion
The Beiruti restaurant pays homage to the Arab diaspora across Latin America, and the niche popularity of Levantine cuisine in areas such as Buenos Aires and Mexico City. Now it's in Dubai.
Its UAE outpost is located in Business Bay in Dubai, a chic-looking venue that serves dishes such as sheri fish crudo infused with tabbouleh water and jicama crudite; grilled calamari with achiote spice; tamarind-glazed lamb chops; and chicken shawarma empanadas that drive home the fusion point.
There are vegan options as well, such as lychee ceviche and mushroom kebab; as well as a range of beverages inspired by flavours from the two regions.
Open Sunday to Thursday, 5pm-1am; Friday to Saturday, 5pm-2am; Radisson Blu hotel, Dubai Waterfront; soulkitchendxb.com
The Rockpool and The Salon, Dubai
Cuisine: Wood-fired cooking and seafood
Both restaurants are part of The Guild, a multi-restaurant venue inside ICD Brookfield Place, the $1 billion office tower in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
The Rockpool specialises in seafood, including king crabs, Western Australian crayfish and an oyster shucking station. At the centre of the venue is a rock pool that houses lobsters and crabs. Dishes include Australian octopus carpaccio with caper berry and cured citrus zest; grilled Hokkaido scallops served in the shell with seaweed butter; and king crab cakes with remoulade sauce.
Meanwhile, The Salon is meant to evoke images of grand dining halls in Europe. All the food is cooked over an open fire and charcoal, and instead of a stage for performers, the area features open kitchen islands where chefs can be seen in action.
On the menu are Japanese Wagyu, USDA Prime and Australian Wagyu, roasted French chicken, black truffle risotto as well as roasted bone marrow and garlic snails.
Open daily, 8am-10.30pm; IDC Brookfield Place, the DIFC; theguilddubai.com
Joe & the Juice
Cuisine: Healthy
The Danish brand has opened its ninth outpost in the UAE at Gate Village in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Known for its healthy food offerings, the restaurant serves a variety of sandwiches, such as Joe’s Club (chicken, avocado and vegan pesto), and spicy tuna (tuna mousse, jalapenos, tomato and vegan pesto), as well as a selection of juices and shakes.
Some of its popular drinks include Green Mile, with broccoli, spinach, avocado, lemon and apple; and Go Away Doc, with carrot, ginger and apple.
The menu also has plenty of coffee options, from lattes to macchiatos, as well as salads and breakfast bowls.
Open Sunday to Thursday, 8am-11pm; Friday to Saturday, 8am-midnight; DIFC
A version of this story first appeared on September 9
