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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
