best downtown dubai restaurants

The 13 Best Downtown Dubai Restaurants You Have to Check Now

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Known as “The Center of Now” for its exquisite metropolitan features, Downtown Dubai is an urban development neighborhood in Dubai that features a wide range of culinary options from all over the world.

Boasting over 160 food establishments of local, Asian, and Western cuisines, the urban complex truly has something for everyone’s taste.

1. La Serre

Do you ever wish you could be in two different places at once? Well, you can now stop dreaming and start doing because you can actually experience some Parisian vibes in Downtown Dubai!

La Serre fuses a Parisian street cafe (La Serre Boulangerie) and a world-class French restaurant (La Serre Bistro) that allows you to enjoy a dreamy breakfast in Paris since it opens early in the morning. If you are not a morning person, worry not because you can still enjoy their food until midnight.

La Serre’s recent nomination of ‘The Best French Restaurant’ at Time Out Dubai’s 2022 Restaurant Awards speaks for their delectable food selection, which is also vegan-friendly. This restaurant is ideal for casual dates and laid-back get-togethers for the relaxed vibes it offers.

Additionally, if you’re the outgoing type, La Serre also offers regular events like French Night or Dancing Night, where you can enjoy a full course meal and complimentary drink with your ticket.

  • Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 2:00 am
  • Contact Number: +971 4 528 3779
  • Address: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard Vida Downtown, 1st Floor, Dubai 128862 United Arab Emirates
  • Website: https://www.laserre.com/ 
  • Instagram: @laserredubai

2. At.mosphere

Situated on the 122nd floor of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, At.Mosphere is named “The Highest Restaurant in the World”!

This fine-dining destination that stands 442 meters (1,450 feet) from the ground attracts local and international guests for its scrumptious food and breathtaking view of the Arabian Gulf. There are also violinists playing inside the restaurant to make the guests’ experience feel more relaxed and exquisite.

At.Mosphere is the perfect venue to enjoy the Dubai skyline while munching on world-class cuisines, so many tourists frequent the window tables to enjoy the sunset. If you want to secure a seat, booking as early as one month before heading to the restaurant is advised.

Don’t forget to read the restaurant policies before going there to avoid any inconvenience. You’d want to make sure that you’re dressed appropriately for the place (yes, there’s a dress code!) and that you follow all their guidelines. You may check their website for more details.

  • Opening Hours: Sun-Sat | 07:00 – 12:30,13:00 – 17:00,17:30 – 01:30
  • Contact Number: +971 4 888 3828
  • Address: 122nd Floor, Burj Khalifa, Downtown, Dubai United Arab Emirates
  • Tripadvisor: At.mosphere Tripadvisor
  • Instagram: @atmospheredubai

3. Social House

Serving mouth-watering cuisines inspired by the Eastern and Western regions, Social House is a modern restaurant with chic, wooden interiors located at The Dubai Mall.

The restaurant’s name is proof of what it is all about—people. Social House is an ideal place to feel at home and socialize with people over delicious fusion-style food. On top of the excellent food selection, Social House also offers delectable drinks to diners.

This restaurant features a delightful juice and coffee bar that you can enjoy while surrounded by spectacular views of The Dubai Fountain. You also have the option to book a private dining room for hosting intimate gatherings.

Social House offers a wide range of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you’re the type of person who likes alcohol, it is essential to remember that this restaurant does not offer any alcoholic beverages. Nevertheless, their food is one of the best in the city, especially the Nasi Goreng!

4. Ewaan

If you are looking for a legitimate Oriental dining experience, Ewaan is the perfect place for you!

Located in Palace Downtown, Ewaan serves an extensive range of Arabic and Oriental dishes in their all-day buffet.

Food will be served to you from the live cooking stations, but you can also choose to plate it yourself in the buffet area. Additionally, you can dine on the open-air terrace, but visitors who like privacy may also opt for private dining alcoves.

Good news for parents: If you have children ages 6 to 11 years old, they offer 50% off the total bill! Additionally, if your child is aged five or below, they can eat for free.

There are a lot of great options to choose from at Ewaan, but their house specialties are Lamb Ouzi, dumplings, and fresh seafood. Vegans can also enjoy making their own salad at the buffet station, so make sure not to miss that!

5. Armani/Amal

Along with Indian-inspired interiors and performances of traditional musicians, Armani/Amal takes you to the beautiful country of India through its authentic North-Indian recipes. This Indian restaurant offers a set of exotic curries and regional dishes like its best sellers:

  • Lamb Biryani
  • Nawabi Chicken Tikka
  • Dal Makhani

You can also pair these recipes with world-class beverages while enjoying the magnificent scenery of The Dubai Fountain and Downtown Dubai complex from the terrace.

Armani/Amal also has various options for vegetarians like the seasonal mixed salad and North Indian lentil soup, both of which are must-tries!

Aside from the delectable food, their staff are also friendly and accommodating. They will offer alternatives based on your dietary preferences and assist you with your requests with a smile.

Book your reservations now through Restaurant.Reservations@Armanihotels.com.

6. Taikun Dubai

Craving Asian food but no idea what you want to eat in particular? Look no further because Taikun Dubai is the right place to be!

Taikun Restaurant & Lounge is a dining destination that offers mouth-watering East Asian cuisines through its all-encompassing list of dishes. Whether your taste buds are looking for something sweet, savory, or you want a flavorful shisha, Taikun’s menu truly satisfies every guest’s appetite.

With a remarkable restaurant, bar, lounge, and an extensive garden overlooking Burj Khalifa, Taikun offers diners a lot of options to get the best out of each dining experience. As if serving decadent food is not enough, this restaurant also holds live shows every night to make your social gatherings more fun and memorable.

You can book your reservations at reservations@taikundubai.com.

  • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 4:00 pm – 4:00 am
  • Contact Number: +971 4 528 3780
  • Address: Vida Downtown, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai United Arab Emirates
  • Website: https://taikundubai.com 
  • Instagram: @taikundubai

7. Claw BBQ

If you’re on a hunt for a bar with energetic vibes for your next weekend hangout with friends, Claw BBQ is the answer.

This American-themed diner located next to Burj Khalifa takes you back to the 1950s with its classic American menu and retro-looking interior. Expect seafood buckets, giant burgers, and barbecued briskets in the food selection. Milkshakes are also served for a true old-fashioned vibe!

Guests can opt to dine outdoors for people-watching or have fun indoors by playing a game of pool, watching sports clips on the giant screens, and listening to the DJ play some upbeat music. If you’re a huge gamer, be sure not to miss out on the CLAW Barn, a room that has retro arcade slots and a jukebox to enjoy with a glass of beer or two.

CLAW is a place not just of great food but, more importantly, of fun! To make things more exciting, the bar organizes an event called LOCO Mondays, where patrons can enjoy unlimited margaritas and tacos–the two best things in the world if you ask me!

  • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
  • Contact Number: +971 4 432 ­2300
  • Address: Souk Al Bahar, Dubai Dubai United Arab Emirates
  • Website: https://www.clawbbq.com/ 
  • Instagram: @clawbbq

8. ROKA

If you’re in the mood for some contemporary Japanese cuisine, ROKA (in The Opus by Omniyat) could be the answer to your culinary wishes. This restaurant offers a variety of robatayaki dishes, making it an ideal dining spot for meat lovers.

After all, the standard lunch menu features fried squid, teriyaki salmon, and beef filet. If you’re willing to spend a little more, you can access the premium lunch menu, which includes lamb cutlets and roasted chicken.

Vegetarians can also fill their bellies with delicious dishes while enjoying lunch at ROKA, as this restaurant also offers a vegetarian lunch menu. Some of the star meals on this menu include grilled Japanese vegetables and a rice hot pot topped with mushrooms.

There’s also a wealth of side dishes to suit every palate, including steamed edamame, beef dumplings (gyoza), and miso soup with king crab. If you’re dining with a group, you may want to opt for the ROKA tasting menu, as it’s essentially a shareable feast of Japanese delights!

  • Opening Hours: 
    • Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm | 6:30 pm to 12:00 am
    • Friday to Saturday: 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm | 6:30 pm to 1:00 am
  • Contact Number: +971 4 439 7171
  • Address: Level 1, The Opus by Omniyat – Al A’amal St – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
  • Website: https://www.rokarestaurant.com/restaurant/roka-dubai/
  • Instagram: @rokadubaiofficial

9. The Meat Co.

The Meat Co. is a steakhouse located in Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai. It is heavily influenced by its South African heritage, which is evident in its menu and interior designs.

Featuring the finest, premium meats such as Mayura Station Signature Wagyu and Prime Steak Tartare, meat takes the spotlight on this restaurant’s menu.

With its fresh seafood, meat, and wine collection on top of specialty dishes inspired by traditional South African cuisine, The Meat Co is a must-visit restaurant for tourists and locals alike. It even received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor in 2019, which says a lot about this restaurant’s reputation.

Despite its name, don’t be confused because they also have a wide salad selection as well as other items on the menu that are vegan-friendly. You should be able to find something to eat there, even if you don’t like meat!

If you’re planning to go here for a celebratory meal, take note that food not prepared in The Meat Co.’s kitchens is prohibited, so just buy a cake from them if you want to.

10. Tribes Carnivore

Tribes Carnivore is an African restaurant situated inside the Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall.

Aside from its exquisite ambiance and excellent service, it is the unique flavors of Africa present in the menu that maintain Tribe Carnivore’s 5-star review on Tripadvisor. From their high-quality steaks and burgers to fresh seafood, the highly diverse menu of exotic flavors keeps people from different places coming here.

If you want a taste of Africa in metropolitan Dubai, you can make an advanced reservation by emailing info@tribesrestaurant.com.

  • Opening Hours: 
    • Monday to Thursday and Sunday – 12:00 pm to 11 pm
    • Friday to Saturday – 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
  • Contact Number: +971 4 395 0660
  • Address: Level 2, Star Atrium, The Dubai Mall – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
  • Website: https://www.tribesrestaurant.com/ 
  • Instagram: @tribesdubai

11. The Courtyard

The Courtyard Restaurant, situated in the center of the Courtyard Culture Village, has become one of the most famous Mediterranean restaurants and shisha lounges in the city. This restaurant does not just serve delicious food but also provides a picturesque sight of the Dubai skyline in a chic-looking al fresco setting.

If you’re a tourist, make sure not to miss this destination because aside from its great ambiance, The Courtyard is also a walking distance of many cultural attractions worth visiting.

Because The Courtyard is highly popular among tourists, the queue is usually long, especially on weekdays. If you want to secure an ideal spot, don’t forget to book an advanced reservation by emailing totalart@eim.ae. 

12. Treehouse

Considered one of the best al fresco bars in Dubai, Treehouse is an urban hideaway that can be found in the world’s tallest tower’s back garden. With Renaissance interior and cozy furnishings, this rooftop bar provides a relaxing vibe ideal for a weekend night out with friends!

Treehouse regularly holds different themed parties that give you a fun opportunity to meet locals and tourists. And you know what’s better than parties? Unlimited wine! Yes, you read that right. Treehouse offers unlimited wine for a low price.

However, this bar is strictly for 21+ adults. They won’t permit entry for people 20 years old and below. So if you belong to that age group, my alternative suggestion would be a nearby Five Guys or The Cheesecake Factory.

In Treehouse, where all the fun happens, you are absolutely in for an incredible experience!

For reservations, you can email reservations@treehousedubai.ae.

  • Opening Hours: 
    • Sunday-Thursday: 6 PM-2 AM
    • Friday: 6 PM-3 AM
    • Saturday: 1 PM-3 AM
  • Contact Number: +971 4 438 3100
  • Address: Taj Dubai, Burj Khalifa Street – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
  • Tripadvisor: Treehouse Tripadvisor 
  • Instagram: @treehousedubai

13. Karma Kafe

Karma Kafé is an award-winning restaurant and lounge which you can find inside the famous Souk Al Bahar in Downtown Dubai. This dining venue is an ideal destination for first-time travelers because of the extensive Asian recipes available on its menu. Here you can enjoy various Asian dishes on an outdoor terrace offering a view of the iconic Burj Khalifa.

Signature dishes include Maguro salad and prawn tempura, which are perfect for all-day meals. If you love the nightlife, you can also go here for sake cocktails while taking in the breathtaking view of the city lights.

Karma Kafe hosts an event called Ladies’ Night every Tuesday, from 6 to 11 pm, where guests can avail themselves of a three-course set menu with three complimentary beverages for a fixed price.

  • Opening Hours: 
    • Sunday – Thursday: 5 pm – 1 am
    • Friday: 1 pm – 1 am
    • Saturday: 4 pm – 1 am
  • Contact Number: +971 4 423 8306
  • Address: Souk Al Bahar, Downtown, Dubai United Arab Emirates
  • Website: https://karma-kafe.com/ 
  • Instagram: @karmakafedubai

Written by DUBAILOVEYOU

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