With cuisines to take you around the world…
If, like us, you’ve said farewell to dining outdoors until the summer temperatures subside, you’re probably on the hunt for top indoor restaurants in Dubai. Luckily, there’s plenty of them: here’s 24 of our favourites.
Alici
While the pretty sea-facing terrace of this award-winning Italian seafood restaurant may close for the summer, the Amalfi-inspired interiors still serve as a stunning setting for a long, lazy lunch or romantic date night. There’s two floors of dining space, finished in calming creams with pops of nautical blue, pretty pictures on the walls, and a crudo bar downstairs filled with the freshest catches.
Alici, Bluewaters Island, daily noon to 4pm and 7pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 275 2577. alici.com
Amazonico
Step out of the urban jungle and into a real jungle at Amazonico, the three-storey restaurant in DIFC. Decoration is a big part of what makes the venue so show-stopping, with teal crushed velvet, orange leathers and mariposas (Amazonian butterflies) found all around the venue. While the terrace may be closed during the summer, the stunning interiors more than make up for it.
Amazónico Dubai, DIFC Pavilion, Dubai, daily 12pm to 3am. Tel: (0)4 571 3999. amazonicorestaurant.com
Asia Asia
A firm favourite on the Dubai Marina dining scene is Asia Asia. Pan-Asian dishes are served up in a spacious dining room, with cosy alcoves, dark woods and dim lighting that all create a sultry setting for a meal. While you may not be able to enjoy the terrace during the summer, a window table allows you to benefit from the pretty Dubai Marina views as well as an Instagrammable indoor setting.
Asia Asia, Dubai Marina Mall, 6th Floor, Pier 7, 6pm to 1am Mon to Fri, 2pm to 1am Sat and Sun. Tel: (0)4 276 5900, asia-asia.com
Avli by tashas
Chic, elegant and stylish, Avli by tashas provides a contemporary setting in which to enjoy refined Athenian dishes inspired by restauranteur Natasha Sideris’ upbringing. Make sure you try one of their signature cocktails, inspired by Grecian history such as The Spartan Cave or Trojan Horse at the adjacent Galaxy Bar before dinner.
Avli by tashas, Building 9, Gate Village, DIFC, 12pm to 1am. (04) 359 0008. avlibytashas.com
Bagatelle
If you are looking for a French restaurant with finesse then Bagatelle is a must-visit. Light and bright walls offset against luxurious blue velvet sofas, with dim lights and live music creating an instant party vibe whether you go on a weekday or weekend.
Bagatelle, Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, daily 8pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 354 5035. bagatelledubai.com
Basko
Bright and beautiful Basko is one of a number of new additions to the Business Bay dining scene in recent months. and while its pretty terrace is closed you can enjoy the stunning interiors that are bound to catch your eye. Designed by Lazaro Rosa Violan, Basko has distinctive indoor dining area with prints-upon-prints, and clashing colours in all the right ways. Mediterranean-inspired cuisine delivers dishes such as langoustine risotto, frog Provençal, prime rib and lobster fregola.
Basko, The Opus by Zaha Hadid, Business Bay, daily 12pm to 1am. Tel: (0)58 542 4208. baskorestaurant.com @baskodxb
Bleu Blanc
This Southern French farmhouse-style bistro offers a comfortable yet sophisticated setting for indoor dining in Dubai. It specialises (but is not limited to) in oysters and seafood and has an extensive wine list to pair beautifully with your palette. Beach-chic interiors come with whitewashed tables, cool wooden chandeliers, huge ornate or distressed mirrors, a huge lavender wall and hues of sea blue and white. There’s a cool sit-up bar area, cute small tables and long bench seating for larger parties.
Bleu Blanc, The St. Regis Downtown Dubai, Dubai, open daily 6pm to 12am. Tel: (0)4 512 5533. bleublanc-dubai.com
Canary Club
An instant smash hit brought to the city earlier this year by Joey Ghazal is Canary Club, a swish spot in JLT’s Banyan Tree Residences. Cosy booths are finished in dark leather and woods, there’s botanicals climbing the stone walls, and an open-kitchen is a welcoming invitation to watch the culinary team making magic before your eyes. Intricate details are everywhere you look, and no corner is without something interesting to look at.
Canary Club, Banyan Tree Residences, JLT, 12pm to 1am Sun to Thurs, 12pm to 2am Fri and Sat. Tel: (0)4 584 5999, canaryclub.com
Clap
Originally from Beirut, Clap is the rooftop Japanese restaurant, and the highest spot in DIFC. The terrace looks out across the glimmering Downtown Dubai, but when you’re dining indoors, the view is just as delightful. With an open-kitchen on one side, giving an insight into the culinary experts at work, and a large 360 degree bar on the other, Clap is always a hive of activity.
Clap Dubai, Gate Village 11, DIFC, daily 12pm to 5pm and 6pm to 3am. Tel: (0)4 569 3820. claprestaurant.com
Clay
New Bluewaters hotspot Clay blends ornate, 19th Century Japanese and Peruvian styles together. Sleek marble table tops juxtapose with rich fabrics, from orange velvet to plush mahogany leather. Leafy green plants are everywhere you look. In the restaurant area, there are plenty of cushy booths for larger parties or smaller tables for a more intimate setting.
Clay Dubai, Bluewaters Island, Dubai, Sun to Thurs 12pm to 12am, Fri and Sat 12pm to 2am. @clay_dubai
Coya
Peruvian hotspot Coya is one of those Dubai restaurants everyone needs to visit. It’s colourful interiors: think crushed sapphire blue chairs, mustard yellow cushions and wow-worthy installations at every turn, are matched only by its tropical menu of Peruvian flavours. Afterwards, be sure to head to the members lounge for a fruity tipple mixed by the master mixology team.
Coya, Four Seasons Restaurant Village, Four Seasons Jumeirah, 12.30pm to 3.30pm Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 11.45pm Sun to Weds, 6pm to 12am Thurs to Sat. Tel: (0)4 316 9600, coyarestaurant.com
Flamingo Room by Tashas
This has to be one of Dubai’s most prettiest restaurants – you’ll spend more time looking at the sumptuous decor than your dining companion, such is the attention to detail. Marble floors, floral light installations, and a pretty blush pink colour palette combined with pops of punchy zebra print… can we say, heart eyes emoji?
Flamingo Room by Tashas, Jumeirah Al Naseem, daily 12pm to 4pm; 7pm to 11.30pm (until 12.30pm on Thurs & Fri). Tel: (42) 447 278. flamingoroombytashas.com
Gaia
If Gaia was a person, it would be a gorgeous Grecian goddess. This acclaimed DIFC restaurant does have an outdoor terrace, but the warm, welcoming vibe found inside makes it one of our favourite indoor dining spots in DIFC. Interiors are light, soft and inviting, with a fresh fish counter and long bar to be found upstairs. If you’re heading out for a late-night dinner, be sure to sneak into NYX, the secret club downstairs, afterwards.
Gaia Restaurant, DIFC, Gate Village 4, Dubai, daily 12pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 241 4242. gaia-dubai.com
Indochine
This sultry French-Southeast Asian eatery in DIFC is one of our favourite Dubai date night spots, and an evening in the lounge here is all about perfectly mixed tipples and an excellent soundtrack. The decor is just as impressive: the exquisite main dining room filled with decorative colonial furniture, jewel-tones and tropical palm trees.
Indochine, Gate Precinct Building 3, DIFC, 12pm to 1am weekdays, 12pm to 3am weekends. Tel: (04) 208 9333. @indochinedxb
La Cantine
Oozing with Parisian flair, La Cantine du Faubourg has a certain charm and je ne sais quoi, with fresh, modern interiors that include some pretty bold artworks. For an elegant evening in front of the DJ booth, book a table for dinner and enjoy the full menu of a la carte treats.
La Cantine du Faubourg, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai, Sun to Thurs 12pm to 2am, Fri & Sat 12pm to 5pm, then 7pm to 2am. Tel: (0)4 352 7105. lacantine.ae
Little Miss India
Designed to look like a home, the Little Miss India ‘mansion’ comes complete with an atrium, lounge and dining room with open-style kitchen. Eccentric interiors: hues of sapphire, teal, magenta, canary yellow and all miss-matched together are complimented by an eccentric menu of regional Indian flavours.
Little Miss India, Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, 6pm to 11pm Mon to Thurs, 2pm to 11pm Fri and Sat. Tel: (0)4 457 3457, fairmont.com
The Maine Land Brasserie
With its soaring ceilings, glittering chandeliers and gleaming marble surfaces, the Maine Land Brasserie has serious style cred. Long rows of tables are the space to sit for socialising, or book one of the more intimate booths if you’re looking for a group get together. The menu’s equally enchanting, with a raw bar, seafood-focused starters and fresh fish or steaks straight off the grill.
Maine Land Brasserie, ME Dubai, The Opus, Business Bay, daily 12pm to 10.30pm. Tel: (04) 577 6680. themaine.ae/landbrasserie
Mimi Kakushi
Mimi Kakushi transports you to 1920s Osaka, a glamorous homage to the avant-garde oriental era, with a sultry amalgamation of big round leather booths, a large mahogany-esque bar with a cool jazz soundtrack playing in the background. Enjoy sharing plates boasting signature dishes such as sashimi, sushi, tempura and gyoza. For mains try the beautifully tender Kagoshima Wagyu beef.
Mimi Kakushi, Four Seasons Resort Restaurant Village, daily 6pm to 2am. Tel: (0)4 379 4811. mimikakushi.ae
Mura
No attention to detail has been spared when it comes to the aesthetics of beautiful Italian restaurant, Mura. The Amalfi coast-inspired restaurant is decked out in hues of dark blue and white, with stunning lemon trees forming to create a leafy ceiling effect. Upstairs, there’s an outdoor terrace once again lined with lemon trees, making for a truly Mediterranean dining experience.
Mura, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, open 6pm to 1am daily. Tel: (0)4 575 5097. @mura_restaurant
Mythos
If you’re looking for a place with all of the authenticity of a traditional Greek tavern, Mythos is definitely worth a visit. Widely regarded by the city’s foodies as one of Dubai’s most underrated restaurants, the authentic Greek cooking is matched by the decor, with earthy tones, whitewashed walls and ceramic pots filled with plants, fresh fruit and veggies.
Mythos Kouzina & Grill, Armada BluBay Hotel, Cluster P, JLT, Dubai, daily 12pm to 11.45pm. Tel: (04) 399 8166. Facebook.com/mythosdubai
Opa
Opa is an absolute must visit for a lively Greek dining experience. When arriving, you’ll step into a Mediterranean oasis with white mosaic flooring underfoot and beautiful flowers and fauna reaching up to form a dramatically beautiful entrance hall. Florals are a prominent feature, and you’ll find them scattered throughout the traditionally whitewashed restaurant.
OPA, Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed, Dubai, Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed 7pm to 2am, Thurs & Fri 7pm to 3am, Sat 7pm to 1am, . Tel: (04) 357 0557. Facebook.com/opadubai
Sushisamba
If you don’t make a reservation at SushiSamba for the incredible Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian fusion cuisine masterminded by chef Moon, let it be for the stunning interiors that make this one of the most wow-worthy indoor restaurants in Dubai. Finished in rich colours of burnt orange and brass, this is a seriously glamorous spot. Coupled with lots of leafy foliage and double height ceilings, it’s one of Dubai’s most photogenic restaurants.
SushiSamba Dubai, Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah, Saturday to Tuesday 7pm to 2am, Wednesday to Friday 7pm to 3am. @sushisambadubai
Taverna Greek Kitchen
With a fresh fish counter, plentiful mezze dishes and meats cooked from a charcoal grill visible from the walkway, dining inside at Taverna Greek is a rustic culinary experience that feels like you’ve transported out of the Madinat into a family-run restaurant in the Greek isles.
Taverna, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, weekdays 12pm to 12am daily. Tel: (04) 589 5665. Facebook.com/tavernagreekkitchen
Torno Subito
At Torno Subito, modern, neutral colours and furnishings are forgone in favour of gelati-coloured hues of green, yellow, pink, blue and red, mismatched together with monochrome stripes that give the restaurant a retro, Italian-Riviera feel. The menu features pastas, pizzas, antipasti, mains and desserts, all available for lunch and dinner, and the restaurant was recently awarded its first Michelin Star.
Torno Subito, W Dubai – The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Mon to Fri 12.30pm to 3pm then 6.30pm to 11.30pm, Sat & Sun 12.30pm to 4.30pm then 6.30pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 245 5800. tornosubitodubai.com
