Top Tables: These Are The New Dining Destinations In The UAE To Book Now
As a raft of fabulous new restaurants open their doors across the country, it’s the perfect time to champion UAE hotspots
Orizonta
The latest venue to join Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab’s growing restaurant roster brings a little Scandi flavour and philosophy to the table this spring. Its interiors are as you’d expect, minimalist yet warm drawing from both Scandinavian style as well as Levantine coastal architecture, while the menu is guided by seasonality, sustainability and a deep respect for ingredients. Plated food is artfully pared back, where a meticulous approach results in maximum impact. Comté croquettes rub shoulders with Wagyu kofta and buttery grilled langoustine. Throwing terrace views that span from Burj Al Arab to Burj Khalifa into the mix as well, this promises to be another feather in the luxury property’s hat. jumeirah.com
La Famiglia
There are many things that connect Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures – the belief that the best moments in life happen around the table is definitely one of them. New restaurant La Famiglia in Sports City takes that idea and runs with it, with plates filled with comforting classics passed through generations with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, wood-fire pizzas and homemade pasta prepared daily. Bruschetta is topped with earthy vine ripe tomatoes, tender eggplant and creamy stracciatella, while crisp salads marry the freshest tomatoes, arugula, herbs and olive oil. Seafood from octopus and Catalana lobster to calamari and crab bring coastal flavours to the city. The avocado pizza topped with a choice of black or red caviar is a must. lafamigliadubai.ae
Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi
The UAE capital will be the first international home for London’s popular Isabel Mayfair when it opens its doors. Bringing all the elegance and glamour of its British counterpart, it will have the added allure of The Galleria, Al Maryah Island’s waterfront setting. Interiors feature marble, brass, crystal and velvet, with windows hand-painted in 24-karat gold for a lesson in both precision and restraint. Expect favourites from its imaginative Mediterranean menu to make an appearance, such as its much-lauded lobster linguine, Isabel salad, pistachio dip, tuna tartare and crispy chicken. But always save room for the tiramisú. isabelabudhabi.com
Sobremesa
Chef Marco Ferreira’s duck carnita tacos, tuna tostadas and truffle quesadillas share space on the Latinaccented menu at this intimate, homegrown spot tucked away in Downtown Dubai’s Souk Al Bahar. The atmosphere gets lively as evening falls, fuelled by expertly mixed drinks served with Insta-worthy flair accompanied by a solid soundtrack. Our favourite perch? By the bar ‒ you get to watch the mixologists at work, and it’s a prime people watching spot. sobremesabar.com
Hanbok Abu Dhabi
Another anticipated spring opening is Hanbok at The Galleria Al Maryah Island ‒ a homegrown Korean restaurant reinterpreted for a bold new era, in both design and foodie approach. Entering via a tunnel formed by 1,100 handmade Korean pots, inside it’s imagined like a modern palace, where a sculptural chandelier designed like a blooming lotus takes centre stage. As for the menu, it will take you from Korean classics to plates with a modern twist, all envisaged through a fine dining lens. hanbokrestaurants.com
Bar Du Port
Following on from its phenomenal success in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Bar du Port is taking its French Riviera joie de vivre to the sun-kissed shores of Ras Al Khaimah. Bar du Port Beach on Hayat Island, Mina, is all about curating the perfect coastal day: sand beneath your feet, chilled drinks by the pool, easy beats and the best French dishes fuelling lazy afternoons that segue long into the evening. Try the red mullet bottarga, artichokes with Manchego cheese, harissa prawns, seafood paella and slow-braised beef. bdpbeachrak.com
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