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Home / Features / 8 Of The Best New Restaurants To Try In Dubai

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8 Of The Best New Restaurants To Try In Dubai

Dubai is an ever-evolving city. Its food scene perfectly reflects that restless energy. This year, world-renowned brands are planting their flags here for the first time, acclaimed chefs are pushing creative boundaries and entirely new dining concepts are redefining what a night out in this city can look like.

The result? A restaurant landscape that rivals the great dining capitals of the world.

Here are eight of the best new restaurants in Dubai.

1. Nobu One Za’abeel

From globally-renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Nobu is one of the more revered restaurants in Dubai. This new dining spot is the third one in the emirate. Located in The Link, this Nobu opened its doors in January 2026.

Step into a massive and stylish dining room and savour a Japanese-Peruvian meal or get a few cocktails at the elegant lounge and bar, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. And enjoy skyline views of the city. For groups celebrating events, there are private dining spaces to book.

Nobu One Za’abeel is open from Sunday to Wednesday 6 pm-1 am, and Thursday to Saturday 6 pm-3 am.

2. ZEA

Located at the Emirates Financial Towers, ZEA serves Mediterranean cuisine with subtle touches of Peruvian flavours. The Dubai restaurant serves delicate crudos of fresh seafood, flame-frilled meats, handmade pastas, and the occasional caviar and truffles. Expect a menu that’s both comforting and elevated.

The dining space is warm and sophisticated with curated music and a social energy that’s unmistakably Dubai.

The restaurant is closed from Sunday and Monday. ZEA opens its door at 5 pm and closes at 2 am, from Tuesday to Thursday, and at 3 am, from Friday to Saturday.

3. AVLU

Love seafood? Head to AVLU in the East Palm Views at Palm Jumeirah. The new Dubai dining spot combines authentic Turkish and Greek flavors in a seafood-forward menu. Although AVLU brings Aegean coastal cuisine to Dubai, you can still enjoy your favourite Wagyu rib eye.

AVLU’s waterfront location makes this dining destination the ideal place for a sunset dinner with family or friends.

The restaurant is open all week at 9 am and closes at 10:30, from Sunday to Wednesday and 11 pm, from Thursday to Saturday.

4. Yù&Mì

When you crave really good Chinese food, Yù&Mì is the right place to satiate that appetite. Perched on the 36th floor of the Mandarin Oriental, this new Dubai restaurant channels the glamour of 1960’s Hong Kong.

Think speakeasies and supper clubs, with a moody dining room and amazing skyline views, DJ nights and expertly crafted Asian-inspired cocktails. The menu is a symphony of authentic Cantonese and Sichuan flavours, with dishes that are elegant but electric and polished but playful.

Yù&Mì opens Wednesday to Sunday, from 6 pm to 11 pm.

5. Barrafina DIFC

A London favourite comes to the emirate, and can quickly fill up on most days. Barrafina, located in Green Gate DIFC, is a modern Spanish tapas counter dining restaurant. With just 55 seats, you’ll want to make your way here early if you adore arroz de mariscos, marinated olives, tortillas, chipirones and other Spanish tapas staples.

Here, chefs prepare dishes right in front of you while you savour a sangria, cava or a classic cocktail.

Reservations are open for the main dining room, and counter dining is available for walk-ins.

Barrafina DIFC opens daily, from 12 to 12 pm.

6. L’Avenue

L’Avenue brings Parisian chic to Dubai Mall. If you’re planning a Parisian lunch with the ladies or want to impress a client, this is the place to take them for that sophisticated meal. Although the restaurant combines timeless elegance and modern sophistication with Parisian flair, the French menu is still approachable. Looking for a unique family dinner? Book a table at L’Avenue.

The restaurant opens daily, from 10 am to 1 am.

7. Cocina Tres

When you want good quality Mexican food, try Cocina Tres. The coastal Mexican restaurant is located in Business Bay and serves handmade Oaxacan tortillas and wood-fire-grilled specials like Spanish octopus with chilemeco sauce and roasted cauliflower with pistachio togarashi and pipianverde.

Try their artisanal drinks with selections from their starters or ceviche bar.

Cocina Tres open Sunday to Thursday, at 7 pm to 1 am, and Friday to Saturday, at 7 pm to 2 am.

8. Gloria Osteria

We round out this list of 8 of the best new restaurants in Dubai with one of the swankiest locations for dining: The Ritz-Carlton. Gloria Osteria is a vibrant Italian restaurant, serving classic dishes with playful twists. Dishes are cooked in authentic Italian tradition with artisanal products sourced directly from Italy.

Enjoy a light calamari fritti, a spaghetti cacio e quattro pepi or a branzino alla Mediterranea. Don’t leave without sampling some of their desserts, from a classic tiramisu to a chocolate souffle.

The restaurant offers tea time, Saturday brunch and aperitivo hours.

Gloria Osteria opens daily from 12 to 2 am.

From sky-high Japanese-Peruvian dining rooms to buzzy London imports landing in DIFC, the city's latest wave of restaurant openings is arguably its most exciting yet. All you have to do now is pick a spot.

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