Guide to the Best Restaurants in Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai covers approximately two square kilometers, is adjacent to the Business Bay neighborhood and the DIFC financial center and features an impressive array of top-notch restaurants and cafes in a various styles. Here are the best dining options in the downtown area and within a short drive.

Urla

This seafood restaurant and nighttime bar is located in the heart of downtown, offering an excellent view of the Burj Khalifa and the dancing fountains show. It is the perfect place to spend an evening surrounded by the city’s two main landmarks while capturing impressive photos. The menu features a fusion of Spanish, Greek, and Turkish cuisines, with an extensive selection of fresh fish and seafood dishes prepared on a coal grill. Additionally, there are classic Mediterranean appetizers such as tartare, carpaccio, and more, along with an exceptional cocktail menu. If you plan to visit during dinner or on the weekend, it is advisable to book a table in advance.


La Maison Ani

Offering a refined take on classic French cuisine, this restaurant is among the finest in the smart casual dining category at the Dubai Mall. It captures the essence of a charming Paris café with a nostalgic 1990s atmosphere, featuring white tablecloths, intimate tables for two, custom-engraved porcelain, and warm lighting in the evenings. The establishment is the brainchild of the talented young British-Nigerian chef Izu Ani, a devotee of Mediterranean culinary traditions and already one of the region’s most seasoned restaurateurs. It is a prime downtown destination for enthusiasts of timeless French gastronomy.

Krasota

This is more than a restaurant; it’s an attraction, and it’s best to arrange a visit here for a special occasion. People come to Krasota not just for dinner but to participate in a unique culinary show for 20 guests and enjoy a variety of unusual visual and sensory experiences. When booking tickets, you can choose between two regular shows: Imaginary Future or Imaginary Art. The shows occur on different days of the week and are paired with special tasting menus. The tasting sets are crafted by Russian chef Vladimir Mukhin, a winner of numerous culinary awards.

Josette

This sophisticated Paris brasserie is just a six-minute taxi ride from downtown. In the mornings, it offers one of the best spots for romantic breakfasts, featuring crab omelets and authentic French crepes. In the evenings, it is one of the city’s few restaurants offering nighttime burlesque and cabaret shows along with high-quality classic dishes of contemporary French cuisine. The menu includes tartare, onion soup, lobster Thermidor, and an abundance of sparkling wine. Tables at Josette even feature special buttons for instant champagne orders. All of this can be enjoyed in the beautiful interiors created by the renowned British artist and designer Luke Edward Hall. For dinner and weekends, table reservations are highly recommended.

Jun’s

This restaurant offers a fusion of Mediterranean, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines, also known as third culture cooking. At Jun’s, the blend of these three artistic cuisines is enhanced by the flamboyant culinary style of chef Kelvin Chang, a Canadian with Asian heritage. He grew up in Chicago, studied in France, and traveled extensively in search of inspiration. This is one of Dubai’s most intriguing and successful recent openings. Jun’s opened in 2022 and quickly became one of downtown’s top spots due to its open ambiance and creative cuisine. It is a ten-minute walk from the Burj Khalifa or Dubai Mall.

Moonrise

This place provides the best view of downtown from the rooftop of the Eden House skyscraper located in the Al Satwa neighborhood, Dubai’s oldest area. It is one of the city’s most intriguing omakase-style restaurants. Moonrise offers a tasting menu with 12 courses, where each dish is an ingenious combination of European and Asian culinary techniques and an original take on the traditional cuisine of the Middle Eastern region, where the establishment’s chef Soleman Khaddad grew up and gained experience. The location is a ten-minute taxi ride from the Dubai Mall, and advance booking is required.