Culinary excellence: Dubai's internationally celebrated restaurants

For delectable Balkan-style cuisine, head to 21 Grams, a homegrown neighbourhood bistro. Nestled within the cosy suburban neighbourhood of Umm Suqeim, the local hotspot is always bustling with good food, delightful coffee and cheerful banter. Trendy and upbeat, the bistro serves speciality coffees and freshly baked goodies. Whether entertaining family or friends, you can spend hours in conversation and memorable catch-ups over comforting food.

Awards: Michelin Bib Gourmand 2024, MENA 50 Best 2024 (#32)

Boasting Mediterranean flavours and local ingredients, this Michelin-lauded European restaurant in bustling DIFC is known for plating super-creative dishes with a big emphasis on sustainability. The staff can guide you through a selection of their tapas-style plates. Options start with signature iced citrus olives and move onto octopus carpaccio, rosemary Padron peppers, kombucha-glazed local beetroot and mini pizzas. Don't forget to order the paella, known to be among the best in the city — the black squid ink version is an umami-filled crowd pleaser.

Awards: Michelin Green Star 2024, MENA 50 Best 2024 (#17)

The acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud has set up shop in Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. Boulud may have put his name to several other restaurants, but this is his first to open in the Middle East. Wondering what to order? The dishes at this art deco-style spot celebrate fine, modern French signatures but with signature flair – think spiced lamb terrine, hearty burgers slathered in raclette cheese, and a spectacular duck leg confit.

Awards: Michelin Bib Gourmand 2024, Gault&Millau 1 Toque 2023

Award-winning chef Vineet Bhatia's eatery is a spice emporium with a decidedly modern twist. The culinary genius has taken the recipes of his home and given them an update, plating them up beautifully at Indya by Vineet at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa. It's a labour of love for the Mumbai native, as the 70-strong dishes showcase a very personal story. Everything feels familiar yet is, at the same time, completely fresh with unusual ingredients and unique preparations.

Awards: Michelin Bib Gourmand 2024, Gault&Millau 1 Toque 2024

Drawing on celebrity chef Kelvin Cheung's French training, Canadian roots and Asian heritage, Downtown Dubai-based Jun's has a prime location and proven pedigree. Expect North American comfort food, combined with Asian flavours, served up in a chic setting. Top plates include the tempura and sweet potato chaat, sitting alongside his take on a carrot, labneh and furikake 'bagel', spiced garlic prawns with Korean kimchi served on khichdi rice, and the Macau-sauce lobster.

Awards: MENA 50 Best 2024 (#21), What's On Award 2024, Time Out Award 2024

With amazingly creative concoctions, the dishes at LOWE fuse flavours and cuisines to produce delicious plates that'll keep you coming back. Alongside chef Kate Christou's commitment to sustainability, the venue has gained not just a loyal following, but also a place on several 'best of' lists including MENA's 50 Best Restaurants list and now the coveted Michelin Guide.

Awards: Michelin Green Star 2024, MENA 50 Best 2024 (#37)

Known for his kitchen performances at Zuma and PLAY among other top eateries, the Dubai-based chef Reif Othman has set up shop on his own to massive acclaim. His casual dining spot in Jumeirah's Dar Wasl Mall has won a slew of awards, serving up his take on Asian street food with a strong Japanese influence. Take your seat in the relaxed, wood-accented interiors and enjoy a plethora of sharing plates. Fans return for The Experience (a curated tasting menu) and Singaporean breakfasts on weekends.

Awards: Michelin Bib Gourmand 2024, MENA 50 Best 2024 (#30)