Our favourite Dubai restaurants in 2021

Located in the Restaurant Village at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Mimi Kakushi is in good company, counting celebrated restaurants such as Coya and Nusr-Et as neighbours. Step inside and you’ll feel transported to another world with generous use of wood, vintage paintings and pops of green foliage creating an almost homely vibe, while the jazz soundtrack treats you to nostalgic tunes and chefs work on artfully-plated dishes at the open kitchen.

Get ready to be impressed at ZETA Seventy Seven. Perched on the rooftop of the Address Beach Resort, located 310m above sea level, you’ll be treated to incredible views of the city skyline as you dine on the finest contemporary Asian dishes. The sky-high venue presents two seafood-inspired menus – one for light snacks poolside with poke bowls, sandwiches and burgers, while the a la carte menu has signature flavours such as miso lobster, iced oysters and crispy prawns.

Straight from the lands of Australia to the shores of Dubai, Hunter & Barrel is an exciting addition to the city’s culinary scene. Located in Vida Emirates Hills, the restaurant presents an array of signature charcoal-roasted meats and vegetables – think open fire prawns, smoky chicken wings and, of course, prime steaks that are a cut above. There's even a dedicated 'Steak Programme' menu, so you can choose your dream dish across fillet, rump, sirloin and rib-eye options.

One of the city’s most exciting ramen hotspots, Kinoya is a dream come true for resident Neha Mishra, fondly known as Dubai’s very own ‘ramen queen’. Having started out with sell-out supper clubs as the chef behind @storyoffood on Instagram to spearheading her very first restaurant in Dubai, loyal fans are flocking to Kinoya for a taste of Neha's take on izakaya. Taking the everyday ramen and transforming it to a foodie revelation, everything here – right down to the noodles – is handmade with love.

A sunshine-filled spot that will brighten your day, Twiggy by La Cantine is a refreshing beach club and restaurant at Park Hyatt Dubai. Dine by the 100m infinity pool, which has its own menu complete with small plates such as poke bowls, lobster rolls, sushi and caviar, or swap the sun beds for a table on the terrace because the a la carte menu is more than worth it, filled with celebratory Mediterranean dishes.

The region’s first dining concept by Dario Cecchini takes pride of place at SLS Hotels & Residences in Business Bay. The sleek address is a fitting new venue for the enigmatic, award-winning butcher with a dining area that’s filled with welcoming tones, an open kitchen and stylish chandeliers. Visitors can expect prime cuts of the finest meats and supreme steaks, as well as a few signatures. As expected, red meat is the showstopper here, but there’s also a selection of seafood to try.

Bringing Argentinian flair to Dubai’s financial district, La Casa del Tango is part restaurant, part dance studio and part boutique. The vision of famous dancer Enrique Macan, the venue celebrates the art of tango, complemented by deliciously fluid motions in the kitchen. Designed by master asador Jorge Rivero, the menu features bestsellers such as the chorizo parrillero con provolone (grilled sausage with provolone) and huevos gramajo trufados (truffle scrambled eggs).

The name Fi’lia is derived from ‘daughter’ in Italian, and the restaurant is an ode to honest, family-style Italian food. Think housemade pastas, rustic breads and cheesy pizzas straight from a firewood oven, all served in a homely setting that delights. One bite of the classic Margherita pizza with buffalo mozzarella, and you’ll know you’re in the right place for fine flavours. Fi'lia also stands out for its talented all-female team, led by chef Sara Aqel who trained under the legendary Massimo Bottura.

ALACA impresses at The Pointe, a sun-filled destination that’s home to an incredible array of restaurants. This new Mediterranean-inspired spot transports you to the ancient region of Anatolia for culinary discoveries filled with flavour. Try the kalamar tava (fried calamari with a special chef’s sauce), Alinazik (featuring lamb, spices, smoked eggplant infused milk and yoghurt), and karisik izgara (butcher’s selection of meat treats). There’s also brilliant breakfast dishes and freshly-baked pastries.

Head to The Cinnamon Club to experience celebrity chef Vivek Singh's take on modern Indian cuisine. The setting is reminiscent of traditional Indian markets with bold patterns and hanging lanterns, and over 20 years of epicurean expertise is visible in each creative offering. Try the 'Posh Aloo Muri Caviar', in which Scottish salmon is seasoned with tamarind and served with fiery potato. For meat lovers, the famed Rajasthani lamb curry will not disappoint.