Dubai’s dynamic culinary scene continues to evolve, with an impressive 19 Dubai restaurants securing spots on Middle East & North Africa’s (MENA) 50 Best Restaurants list for 2025. From innovative bistros to fine dining establishments, these restaurants showcase the emirate’s diverse gastronomic landscape.
The top five MENA 50 Best Restaurants (in Dubai)
Orfali Bros Bistro (No.1)
Securing the top position for the third consecutive year, this unpretentious bistro has redefined what it means to be the best restaurant in the region. The Syrian brothers Mohammad, Wassim, and Omar Orfali have created something truly special in Dubai’s Wasl 51 neighbourhood, seamlessly blending their Aleppian heritage with contemporary innovation.
Head chef Mohammad leads the main kitchen, crafting dishes that tell a story of cultural fusion. The OB croquettes and shish barak à la gyoza exemplify the restaurant’s creative approach to traditional flavours. Meanwhile, brothers Wassim and Omar oversee a dedicated pastry kitchen, visible from the dining space, where they create boundary-pushing desserts that have earned cult status among Dubai’s food enthusiasts.
What sets Orfali Bros apart is their ability to maintain authenticity while pushing culinary boundaries. Their menu reflects Dubai’s multicultural essence, offering dishes that are both innovative and deeply rooted in Middle Eastern culinary traditions.
orfalibros.com, @orfalibros_bistro
Trèsind Studio (No.2)
Chef Himanshu Saini’s intimate dining space at Palm Jumeirah has evolved from a modest backroom experiment to one of the world’s most acclaimed Indian restaurants. The 17-course tasting menu takes diners on a sophisticated journey through India’s diverse culinary landscape, challenging preconceptions about Indian cuisine.
Each dish at Trèsind Studio tells a story of India’s rich cultural heritage, presenting traditional flavours in contemporary forms. The restaurant’s elevation of Indian cuisine goes beyond mere modernisation, offering thoughtful interpretations that respect authenticity while embracing innovation.
tresindstudio.com, @tresindstudio
Kinoya (No.3)
Chef Neha Mishra’s ramen haven has rapidly become one of Dubai’s most sought-after dining spots. What began as a supper club has transformed into a celebration of Japanese cuisine, with a particular focus on meticulously crafted ramen and izakaya dishes.
The shio paintan ramen, featuring a rich, creamy chicken broth and house-made noodles, has become legendary among Dubai’s food enthusiasts. Mishra’s dedication to authenticity and technique has elevated Kinoya beyond a typical ramen shop, creating an experience that rivals Tokyo’s finest.
Ossiano (No.5)
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This underwater dining destination at Atlantis The Palm offers one of Dubai’s most theatrical dining experiences. The restaurant’s dramatic setting, with floor-to-ceiling views into the Ambassador Lagoon aquarium, provides an otherworldly backdrop for its sophisticated tasting menu.
Despite recent changes in leadership, Ossiano maintains its position as one of Dubai’s most ambitious restaurants, offering an immersive dining experience that combines culinary excellence with theatrical presentation. The restaurant continues to push boundaries in fine dining, making it a standout in Dubai’s luxury dining scene.
atlantis.com/dubai/dining/ossiano, @ossianodubai
Jun’s (No.7)
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Chef Kelvin Cheung’s Jun’s has quickly established itself as one of Dubai’s most exciting dining destinations. Located with stunning views of Burj Khalifa, the restaurant presents a harmonious fusion of North American, Indian, and East Asian flavours that reflect Cheung’s diverse culinary journey.
The menu at Jun’s tells a personal story through food, with each dish representing a chapter in the chef’s life and travels. This approach has resulted in unique combinations that somehow feel natural and cohesive, earning the restaurant its well-deserved place among Dubai’s culinary elite.
Additional Dubai restaurants in the MENA 50 Best
Moonrise (No.10)
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Within the landscape of Dubai restaurants focused on intimate dining experiences, Moonrise stands apart with its deliberately small scale. While many Dubai restaurants aim for grandeur, chef Solemann Haddad‘s 12-seat counter concept strips away pretense, placing the focus entirely on the craft of cooking. Each evening, two seatings of guests witness the careful assembly of an eight-course menu that weaves together Middle Eastern heritage with Japanese techniques. The close proximity to the kitchen allows diners to engage directly with Haddad and his team, creating an atmosphere more akin to a private dining experience than a traditional restaurant service.
Boca (No.12)
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Standing as a pioneer in sustainable dining within Dubai’s financial district, Boca has carved a unique position in the city’s culinary landscape. Under Omar Shihab’s leadership, this homegrown restaurant combines Spanish-inspired cuisine with a strong commitment to local sourcing. Their early adoption of UAE-grown Dibba Bay oysters and partnerships with local farms and desert foragers showcase their dedication to sustainability.
3 Fils (No.14)
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As the inaugural winner of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2022, 3 Fils continues to impress with its unpretentious approach to Asian fusion cuisine. The restaurant’s casual waterfront setting in Jumeirah Fishing Harbour provides a refreshing contrast to Dubai’s typically glamorous dining scene, while its innovative menu keeps diners returning.
Bait Maryam (No.15)
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Chef Salam Daqqaq’s tribute to Levantine home cooking has earned widespread acclaim for its authenticity and warmth. Located in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, the restaurant’s vintage crockery, traditional ceramic tiles, and family recipes create an atmosphere that feels genuinely homely while maintaining high culinary standards.
Row on 45 (No.17)
British chef Jason Atherton’s return to Dubai has made a significant impact, earning the Highest Climber Award by rising 24 spots in the rankings. The 22-seat restaurant offers a theatrical three-act dining experience that draws from Atherton’s global culinary journey, making it one of Dubai’s most exciting new additions.
rowon45dubai.com, @rowon45dubai
Zuma (No.19)
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When ranking Dubai restaurants by their influence, Zuma has helped shape the city’s appreciation for Japanese cuisine since its opening. While many Dubai restaurants have come and gone, Zuma’s interpretation of the izakaya concept continues to draw crowds to its DIFC location. The restaurant balances precise Japanese techniques with bold flavours, offering everything from precisely cut sashimi to robata-grilled dishes. Its bustling atmosphere and consistent execution have made it a benchmark against which new Japanese restaurants in Dubai are measured.
zumarestaurant.com, @zumadubai
LPM (No.23)
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Among Dubai restaurants specialising in French Mediterranean cuisine, LPM stands as one of the most established names. Since opening its DIFC location, it has maintained its position as a cornerstone of Dubai’s restaurant scene through masterful execution of classic dishes and attentive service. The restaurant’s ability to consistently fill its tables after more than ten years speaks to its deep understanding of Dubai’s dining preferences, offering a refined but unpretentious approach to French Riviera cooking.
lpmrestaurants.com/dubai, @lpmdubai
Gaia (No.25)
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Chef Izu Ani’s Mediterranean concept has become a celebrity favourite since its 2018 opening. The restaurant’s relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere, combined with its consistently excellent Greek-inspired cuisine, has made it a staple in Dubai’s competitive dining scene.
gaia-restaurants.com, @gaia_dxb
21 Grams (No.26)
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Under the leadership of Stasha Toncev, this Balkan bistro has introduced Dubai to the rich flavours of southeastern European cuisine. As one of the few women-led establishments in the city’s fine dining scene, 21 Grams stands out for its innovative presentation of traditional Balkan dishes.
11 Woodfire (No.28)
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This specialist in wood-fired cooking has earned recognition for its masterful use of different wood types to create distinct flavour profiles. The restaurant’s approach to open-flame cooking, applied to both premium meats and vegetables, demonstrates technical excellence and creativity.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (No.33)
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Since its 2023 opening at Atlantis The Royal, this Dubai outpost of Heston Blumenthal’s historical British cuisine concept has quickly established itself among the city’s elite restaurants. The menu’s creative interpretation of historical British dishes offers a unique dining perspective in Dubai’s international culinary landscape.
atlantis.com/dinner-by-heston, @dinnerbyhb
Mimi Kakushi (No.37)
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Under chef Vladimir Kim’s guidance, this Japanese restaurant at Four Seasons Jumeirah has evolved beyond the typical Dubai lifestyle venue. The establishment combines authentic Japanese techniques with contemporary presentation, creating an experience that appeals to both serious food enthusiasts and scene-seekers.
TakaHisa (No.41)
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The collaboration between wagyu master Hisao Ueda and sushi master Takashi Namekata has resulted in one of Dubai’s most authentic Japanese dining experiences. Located at Banyan Tree Dubai, the restaurant’s commitment to premium ingredients and traditional preparation methods sets it apart.
Smoked Room (No.45)
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Chef Dani García’s intimate 14-seat venue represents the latest evolution in Dubai’s fine dining scene. The restaurant’s ‘Fire Omakase’ concept and rapid achievement of a Michelin star demonstrate the sophisticated palate of Dubai’s dining audience and the city’s ability to attract global culinary talent.
