Eleven new restaurants opening in Dubai in December, from Duck & Waffle to Romeo Lane

Cuisines span Chinese and Indo-Japanese to Mediterranean and Italian

Mimi Mei Fair offers a colourful take on xiao long bao. Photo: Mimi Mei Fair

December is one of the busiest months for Dubai’s evolving restaurant scene, with a flurry of new openings adding to the city's culinary landscape.

Several of these newcomers are high-profile international imports, including the much-anticipated Sexy Fish, known for its opulent design and Asian-inspired menu, and the inventive Romeo Lane, which combines Indian and Japanese flavours. At the same time, exciting home-grown concepts have made their debut, showcasing local talent and innovation.

Here are 11 restaurants welcoming diners in Dubai from this month.

Mimi Mei Fair

Cuisine: Chinese

Mimi Mei Fair, originally from London's Mayfair, offers elevated Chinese dishes in an immersive venue, with 1920s Shanghai as the prime inspiration. Think Chinese urns, vintage furniture and bold red chandeliers. The food is equally delightful – a vast mix of flavours that span regions and tastes, from delicate dim sum to the fiery dishes of Hunan and Sichuan.

Based on The National's review, must-try dishes include apple wood-fired roasted Peking duck, crispy Atlantic sea bass, crispy golden langoustines with filo pastry and colourful xiao long jewels, the restaurant's fun take on the traditional soup dumplings.

Monday to Thursday, noon-midnight; Friday to Sunday, noon-1am; Address Residences, Downtown Dubai; 04 570 0825

Manao

Cuisine: Thai

Chef Abhiraj Khatwani of Yellow Monkey and his mentor, Syrian chef Mohamad Orfali of Michelin-starred Orfali Bros, have teamed up to reimagine Thai cuisine at this restaurant at Wasl Vita Mall. The inventive use of rice is a highlight of the menu, with dishes such as lobster khanom krok – fermented rice custard with grilled lobster tail and coriander flowers – and khanom jeen – fermented rice noodles with aromatic cashew sauce and Alaskan king crab. Other dishes include duck mochi, sticky rice skewers and pomelo salad.

Tuesday to Sunday, 7pm-11pm; Wasl Vita Mall, Jumeirah 1; 04 272 2389

Sexy Fish

Cuisine: Japanese

The focus at Sexy Fish is on both flavour and presentation. Photo: Sexy Fish

Located in the heart of Dubai International Financial Centre, this London import specialises in modern Japanese cuisine, served in a marine-inspired setting. The eye-catching decor includes a Damien Hirst octopus sculpture, jellyfish table lamps, Murano-tentacled pillars and a school of bespoke fish lights around the Brudnizki-designed bar.

The menu includes yellowtail sashimi, takoyaki croquettes, spicy beef tenderloin and a range of maki options. The crispy truffled tofu is a must-try, even for the most dedicated carnivores.

Daily, 6pm-2am; Innovation One, DIFC; 04 381 9000

Duck & Waffle

Cuisine: Modern British and American

Duck & Waffle will be open round the clock by early 2025. Photo: Duck and Waffle

The UK-based restaurant also joins Dubai International Financial Centre this month with its modern British and American classics.

The restaurant is currently operating from noon to 11pm, but it will serve round the clock from early 2025, so diners can indulge in its signature duck and waffle dish (crispy duck leg confit, fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup) at 3am if they so wish. The venue spans 929 square metres with a 360-degree chef’s bar, an open kitchen and a greenhouse-inspired dining area – with views of Burj Khalifa.

Other dishes include spicy ox cheek doughnut, whole roasted poussin and slow-roasted tomato rigatoni.

24/7; Innovation One, DIFC; 04 336 9876

Romeo Lane

Cuisine: Indo-Japanese

Romeo Lane is originally from Goa. Photo: Romeo Lane

Blending Indian and Japanese cuisines might raise some eyebrows, but this import from Goa has been doing it for years. It now brings its fusion flair to Pullman Dubai Downtown, with dishes such as miso-glazed tandoori salmon, hamachi and sol kadi ceviche and Japanese lamb meatballs with onion-tomato masala; plus Goan dishes such as cafreal tandoori tikka and seafood moilee.

12.30pm-2am; Pullman Dubai Downtown, Business Bay; 04 369 0000

La Baia by the Beach

Cuisine: Italian

Vivid colours and intricate patterns dominate La Baia's interior. Photo: La Baia by the Beach

The chic beach club is part of the J1 Beach complex, which effectively replaced a chunk of La Mer. The menu is a showcase of southern Italian flavours, and the venue's aesthetic is inspired by the Amalfi Coast.

On the menu are Mediterranean seafood, artisanal pastas and wood-fired pizzas with luxurious ingredients such as black caviar and truffle. Signature dishes include stuffed courgette flowers and burrata, while a dedicated dessert room serves Italian confections such as Sicilian cannoli, velvety tiramisu and creamy gelato.

10am-2pm; J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1; 04 570 2482

Siena

Cuisine: Italian

Grosvenor House's latest restaurant offers classic Italian comfort food, courtesy of head chef Alessandro Mirabelli, who brings 15 years of experience. Dishes include slow-cooked Wagyu beef cheek and home-made tagliolino with clams, seaweed and lemon zest. A seafood bar also offers fresh oysters, prawns and fish cooked your way. Great views of Dubai Marina can be enjoyed from the terrace.

Daily, 6pm-11pm; Grosvenor House, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai Marina; 04 399 8888

Jou Jou Brasserie

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Jou Jou offers modern European fare. Photo: Jou Jou Brasserie

The restaurant at Four Seasons Resorts Dubai aims to transport diners to southern Europe. Dishes include octopus carpaccio, gambas and a Jou Jou platter that features cured meats and aged cheeses. Pasta and risotto dishes are also on the menu, as well as sharing plates of mussels and Wagyu tomahawk. The dessert menu is also extensive, including fried churros, chocolate and olive oil cake, and apple tarte tatin.

Daily, 7am-10.30pm; Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach; 04 270 7803

Il Gattopardo

Cuisine: Italian

Il Gattopardo is on the 51st floor of ICD Brookfield Place. Photo: Il Gattopardo

The restaurant, on the 51st floor of ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai International Financial Centre, offers dishes inspired by the Italian Riviera. Think arancini and creamy bufala, truffle-infused tartufo, and ricotta and spinach ravioli. Fresh seafood is also on the menu, as well as Italian desserts such as tiramisu and gelato.

Daily, noon-1.30am; ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC; 04 498 1727

Slay Bar and Kitchen

Cuisine: International

Slay combines boho interiors and an ecletic menu. Photo: Slay

The 180-seater restaurant has an indoor lounge and outdoor terrace. Boho-inspired decor dominates the space – intricate patterns, lush greenery and warm textures. The menu is a bit free-for-all, with eclectic inspiration spanning the Mediterranean, Asia and Europe. Small plates include Korean fried chicken and malai soya chaap, while diners can also choose from a selection of burgers, pizzas, pastas and more.

Daily, 10am-4am; Burj Daman Building, Za'abeel 2; 052 684 8800

Sur. Dubai

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Coastal fare awaits diners at this Uptown business park restaurant near Jumeirah Lakes Towers. The menu is inspired by Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, with seafood options such as succulent sea bass and tender octopus. Other offerings include baby chicken and lamb chops.

Daily, noon-midnight; Uptown Tower, JLT; 055 122 7475