Dubai’s restaurant landscape continues to expand through carefully positioned openings rather than rapid saturation. From harbour-front seafood dining to precision-led Japanese counters and technology-driven concepts, A Taste of What’s New in Dubai is defined by variety and location-led intent. These recent arrivals span established dining districts and emerging waterfront hubs, offering a clear snapshot of how the city’s culinary direction is evolving.
Canary Beach
Canary Beach extends Canary Club’s coastal identity to Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah, introducing an open-air restaurant shaped around relaxed, shoreline dining. The menu focuses on seafood-led plates designed for sharing, supported by a flexible format that moves easily from daytime lunches to early evening service. Terrace seating and direct beach access place the setting at the centre of the experience, this contribution to A Taste of What’s New in Dubai prioritises location-driven dining over formal structure.
Quick Summary:
- 📍 Location: Palm Jumeirah, Club Vista Mare
- 🍽 Focus: Coastal plates and open-air dining
- ✨ Setting: Beachfront terrace with shoreline access
Gloria Osteria
Gloria Osteria marks Big Mamma Group’s arrival in DIFC, bringing its Milan-born Italian concept to Dubai’s financial district. The restaurant centres on hand-rolled pasta, seasonal produce, and a menu designed for generous, social dining. A large dining room and open kitchen anchor the space, while the interiors reference Italian design influences from the 1970s.
Quick Summary:
- 📍 Location: DIFC
- 🍝 Cuisine: Italian, pasta-led
- 🪑 Setting: Large-scale dining room with open kitchen
gloria-osteria.com, @gloria.osteria
Kraken
Kraken opened in Jumeirah 2 with a tightly defined focus on seafood prepared through charcoal grilling and raw techniques. Fire-driven cooking underpins the menu, supported by regional produce and restrained presentation. The dining room follows the same pared-back approach, allowing attention to remain on cooking method rather than décor. Kraken stands out for its singular culinary direction and emphasis on technique over scale.
Quick Summary:
- 📍 Location: Jumeirah 2
- 🔥 Focus: Charcoal-grilled and raw seafood
- 🍽 Style: Fire-led cooking with regional produce
Lion in the Sun
Located at Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Lion in the Sun centres on open-fire cooking shaped by Mediterranean influences. The restaurant operates across day-to-night service, combining skyline-facing views with a menu focused on flame-led preparation. Its elevated setting and hotel context place it among the list in A Taste of What’s New in Dubai where destination dining increasingly blends strong culinary identity with city-facing locations.
Quick Summary:
- 📍 Location: Downtown Dubai
- 🔥 Cuisine: Mediterranean with open-fire cooking
- 🌆 Setting: Rooftop dining with skyline views
lioninthesundubai.com, @lioninthesundubai
Maison Mer
Maison Mer brings Mediterranean-led dining to Pearl Jumeira, focusing on simplicity, setting, and a slower coastal rhythm. A sea-facing terrace anchors the restaurant, while the menu highlights familiar flavours delivered through straightforward execution. Its waterfront location places it slightly removed from traditional dining districts, contributing to A Taste of What’s New in Dubai shaped by emerging neighbourhoods rather than established hubs.
Quick Summary:
- 📍 Location: Pearl Jumeira
- 🍽 Cuisine: Mediterranean
- 🌊 Setting: Sea-facing terrace dining
maisonmerrestaurants.com, @maisonmerdubai
Sobremesa
Sobremesa introduces Mexican-Spanish flavours to Souk Al Bahar, with a format designed around lingering evening dining. The menu focuses on shareable plates supported by agave-led cocktails, encouraging a slower, social pace. An indoor-outdoor layout frames views across the area that favours atmosphere-led dining alongside structured menus.
Quick Summary:
- 📍 Location: Souk Al Bahar
- 🍹 Focus: Agave-led cocktails and shared plates
- 🪑 Setting: Indoor-outdoor dining
sobremesabar.com, @sobremesadubai
The Maine Beach House
The Maine Beach House marks the brand’s fourth Dubai location, extending its seafood-led approach to Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah. The menu builds on familiar coastal dishes, paired with terrace seating and beach beds that frame the shoreline setting.
Quick Summary:
- 📍 Location: Palm Jumeirah, Club Vista Mare
- 🦞 Cuisine: Seafood-led coastal dining
- 🏖 Feature: Terrace seating and beach beds
Tezukuri
Tezukuri brings Japanese craftsmanship to Downtown Dubai through a quiet, precision-led dining experience. Counter seating places focus on technique, while premium ingredients and restrained presentation define the menu. The minimal interior supports an atmosphere shaped by control and consistency.
Quick Summary:
- 📍 Location: Downtown Dubai
- 🍣 Cuisine: Japanese
- 🪑 Setting: Minimal dining with counter seating
Nammos Dubai 2.0
Following renovation, Nammos Dubai returns with an updated beachfront setting in Jumeirah. Mediterranean seafood remains central to the menu, supported by Mykonos-inspired dishes served throughout the day. Rather than a full reinvention, the reopening contributes to A Taste of What’s New in Dubai through refinement, reaffirming the venue’s position within the city’s beach dining landscape.
Quick Summary:
- 📍 Location: Jumeirah
- 🐟 Cuisine: Mediterranean seafood
- 🌴 Format: Beachfront, all-day dining
Son of a Fish
Son of a Fish anchors Dubai Harbour with a seafood-led concept influenced by Greek coastal dining. The menu centres on fresh fish and shareable plates, designed to suit marina-side lunches and early evenings. Its harbour-front location reflects an emerging from residential waterfront developments rather than traditional dining zones.
Quick Summary:
- 📍 Location: Dubai Harbour
- 🐠 Cuisine: Seafood with Greek influence
- ⚓ Setting: Marina-facing dining
sonofafishdubai.com, @sonofafish
WooHoo
WooHoo Dubai introduces a technology-driven dining concept to Downtown, blending data-led menu development with human-led cooking. An immersive interior supports the experience, positioning innovation as a central theme rather than a supporting feature.
Quick Summary:
- 📍 Location: Downtown Dubai
- 🤖 Concept: AI-assisted menu creation
- 🧠 Setting: Immersive, technology-driven interior
