The MENA 50 Best Restaurants list celebrates culinary excellence across the Middle East and North Africa, showcasing establishments that define the region’s dining scene. While the list features many deserving venues, several of the best Dubai restaurants consistently deliver experiences that warrant recognition among the region’s finest.
At the heart of MENA 50 Best’s criteria lies a commitment to culinary excellence, service innovation, and memorable dining experiences. These Dubai restaurants not only meet these benchmarks but often exceed them, offering unique perspectives on fine dining in the emirate.
Setting the standard: ROKA Dubai
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Nestled within ME Dubai, ROKA exemplifies the precision and artistry of contemporary Japanese cuisine. The restaurant’s robata grill takes center stage, producing what many consider the city’s finest beef fillet, accompanied by a perfectly balanced black pepper sauce. Each visit reveals the kitchen’s unwavering commitment to consistency, particularly evident in their miso-marinated sea bass, a dish that showcases their mastery of both technique and flavour.
What truly sets ROKA apart is their attention to fresh, quality ingredients. The wagyu tartare maki with karashi mustard demonstrates their innovative approach to traditional Japanese flavours, while their sushi selection maintains the high standards expected of premium Japanese dining among the best Dubai restaurants.
rokarestaurants.com, @rokadubaiofficial
A taste of Portugal at Tasca by José Avillez
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Perched atop Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Tasca brings Michelin-starred Portuguese cuisine to Dubai’s shores. Their Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá transports diners straight to Portugal, while the tenderloin with golden fried egg, truffle, and potato mille showcases Chef Avillez’s ability to elevate traditional flavors with contemporary techniques. While Tasca stands among Dubai’s most acclaimed restaurants, its absence from the MENA 50 Best list highlights how even Michelin-starred establishments can be overlooked in regional rankings. The restaurant’s breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf create an unmatched setting for experiencing refined Portuguese gastronomy.
The restaurant’s commitment to authentic ingredients, coupled with its innovative interpretation of classic dishes, demonstrates why it deserves greater recognition in the region’s culinary scene. Each visit reveals new layers of culinary mastery, from the perfectly executed seafood dishes to the warm, knowledgeable service that makes every guest feel like they’re dining on the Portuguese coast.
mandarinoriental.com, @tascadubai
Latin passion meets culinary precision at Sucre
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Sucre’s presence in DIFC represents more than just another fine dining venue. Their dedication to wood-fired cooking techniques results in extraordinary dishes like their signature ribeye steak with smoked paprika butter. The restaurant’s bread service, accompanied by that same exceptional butter, demonstrates their commitment to excellence at every level. Their truffle rigatoni and dulce de leche fondant with fried pecans prove that attention to detail extends well beyond their grilled specialties.
As one of the best Dubai restaurants that deserves wider recognition, Sucre’s dedication to authentic Latin American flavors and wood-fired cooking techniques sets it apart in the city’s competitive dining scene. The restaurant’s sophisticated ambience, combined with its masterful handling of both traditional and contemporary dishes, showcases why it should be considered among the region’s finest dining establishments.
Coastal elegance at Flamingo Room by Tashas
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At Jumeirah Al Naseem, Flamingo Room by Tashas offers sophisticated dining with a view. Their calamari Mozambique stands as one of Dubai’s most remarkable seafood dishes, featuring perfectly cooked calamari and squid heads with roasted cherry tomatoes, crowned with crispy shoestring fries. The alfresco dining experience and polished service add to its deserving status among Dubai’s finest.
The restaurant’s attention to detail extends beyond its culinary offerings to its meticulously designed interiors, where soft pastels and gold accents create an atmosphere of timeless elegance. Whether seated in the glamorous indoor dining room or enjoying the breeze on the terrace, guests find themselves immersed in an environment where every element, from the table settings to the carefully curated wine list, contributes to an exceptional dining journey.
flamingoroombytashas.com, @flamingoroomae
Michelin heritage at Konjiki Hototogisu
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This gem at Mall of the Emirates brings Michelin-starred ramen expertise to Dubai. Their Shoyu ramen, featuring Japanese dashi, black truffle, and porcini oil in a chicken broth with beef chashu, demonstrates why their Tokyo origins earned such prestigious recognition. The precision in their broth preparation and noodle consistency sets new standards for ramen in the region.
Among the best Dubai restaurants worthy of regional acclaim, Konjiki Hototogisu stands out for elevating mall dining to an art form with its exceptional craftsmanship. The restaurant’s success in bringing Michelin-calibre ramen to a casual setting while maintaining unwavering quality standards reflects the city’s evolving culinary landscape, where extraordinary dining experiences can be found in unexpected places.
konjikihototogisu.com, @konjiki.uae
Hidden excellence at Gohan
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Concealed within La Cantine du Faubourg, Gohan offers an intimate Japanese dining experience that prizes quality over quantity. Their bluefin tuna otoro and wagyu truffle maki represent the pinnacle of sushi craftsmanship in Dubai. The fried avocado bacon showcases their creative approach to Japanese cuisine, while maintaining authenticity in execution, making it one of the best Dubai restaurants.
Often overlooked by Dubai restaurants lists despite its exceptional offerings, Gohan’s carefully curated menu and sophisticated cocktail program create an atmosphere that transcends typical Japanese dining. The restaurant’s dedication to precise preparation techniques and premium ingredients, combined with its hidden location and intimate setting, makes it a favourite among Dubai’s most discerning diners who appreciate the art of Japanese cuisine without the need for flashy presentation or excessive portions.
Why these restaurants deserve recognition
Each of these Dubai restaurants brings something extraordinary to the emirate’s ever-evolving culinary landscape while maintaining the consistent excellence that MENA 50 Best celebrates. From ROKA’s masterful robata offerings to Tasca’s sophisticated Portuguese cuisine, these venues demonstrate the diversity and quality that make Dubai a global dining destination.
Their commitment to excellence is evident not just in their signature dishes, but in every aspect of the dining experience – from the moment guests arrive until their final bite. The precision of Konjiki Hototogisu’s ramen craftsmanship, the bold flavours of Sucre’s wood-fired creations, and the elegant coastal dining at Flamingo Room by Tashas all contribute to Dubai’s reputation as a culinary powerhouse.
These overlooked gems consistently deliver exceptional dining experiences that rival – and often surpass – those of their MENA 50 Best-listed counterparts. Their absence from the list represents not a reflection of their quality, but rather the incredible depth of Dubai’s dining scene. As the city continues to evolve as a gastronomic hub, these restaurants stand as testaments to the innovative spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence that defines Dubai’s finest dining establishments.
