< Previous10 March 10 – 31 2022 timeoutdubai.com Things to do timeoutdubai.com TOP PICK A BALL OF A TIME Prepare for a fantastic one-of-a- kind experience as the Àrst Dresden Opera Ball comes to Dubai for a grand European ball. Get set for a sophisticated night of rich culture, classical music, and a star-studded line-up of celebrity guests, with a glitzy gala dinner too. O From Dhs1,300. Mar 14. Dubai Opera, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, dubaiopera.com (04 440 8888). EVENTS, DEALS & HAPPENINGS A fairytale-esque ball, look into the future, cycle-ride around Expo 2020 and heaps more fun ON YER BIKE around Expo 2020 Join scores of other riders as you cycle around the 3.5km loop of Expo 2020. Start at 7am and complete as many loops of the campus as you wish until 8.45am. Once you Ànish you can enjoy a discounted breakfast at the Australian Pavilion. O 7am, Sat Mar 13. Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub, Expo 2020, (800 3976). on the agendatimeoutdubai.com March 10 – 31 2022 11 DINE WITH THE BB SOCIAL CHEFS during an intimate dinner at Time Out Market Join Greek chefs Spero and Alex as they put on The Editor’s Table: Chef’s Edition on Tuesday March 29; an exclusive four-course dinner with drinks pairing. O Dhs550. Tue March 29, 7pm. Time Out Market Dubai, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, timeoutmarket.com. GET FILTHY at the Tough Mudder The Jeep Tough Mudder is taking place on Saturday March 19 in Fujairah Adventure Park. There’ll be action shots, great tunes and a Ànisher t-shirt you can show off. If you’ve a streak of madness running through you, this is most deÀnitely the event for you – a very muddy (possibly sandy) adult obstacle course. O From Dhs220. Sat Mar 19. Fujairah Adventure Park, Fujairah. toughmudderarabia.com JIVE WITH IRISH LEGEND Ronan Keating at the Coca-Cola Arena Expect absolute scenes at the Coca-Cola Arena on Friday March 18, as Ronan Keating takes centre stage with all his best 90s hits. O Dhs145. Fri Mar 18, 9pm, Coca-Cola Arena, coca-cola-arena. com (800 223 388). To the future If you haven’t visited the Museum of the Future yet, make it your March mission to book yourself and your family a tour of this incredible new attraction. The futuristic construction has already made it an iconic cultural landmark. O Dhs145. Open daily from 10am-6pm. motf.ae (800 2071)Incredible Jumeirah brunches Every Dubai dweller needs to try these at least once Brunch in Dubai isn’t just a meal – it’s a lifestyle, and an experience that is essential to weekends in the city. Wondering where to start? We’re glad you asked. Jumeirah is jam packed with brilliant brunches to try; from platters of fresh seafood to carefully crafted dim sum to a host of international dishes, there’s so much to try. Grab a fork and arrive ready to EAT. Jumeirah Al Qasr Brunch One of Dubai’s brunch institutions. This luxury Dubai beachfront hotel is hosting a brunch with a vintage vibe with live music and can-can dancers. The brunch serves up delicacies from The Hide and Arboretum and includes an exciting mix of international cuisines from seafood to Asian and Italian eats. The brunch ends with a mouth-watering selection of desserts and is paired with a fantastic selection of drinks. Afterwards? Continue the party on the newly opened Parisian terrace bar at Jumeirah Al Qasr: Bar Buci. This spot serves up speciality mixed drinks and incredible views. O Dhs420 (soft drinks), Dhs550 (house beverages and sparkling grape), Dhs720 (bubbly). Sat 1pm-4.30pm. French Riviera Partner contentFrench Riviera, Jumeirah Al Qasr French Riviera is a glamorous spot located on the Jumeirah Al Qasr oceanfront. For brunch it serves up a menu that is specially crafted by pioneer chef Kim Joinié-Maurin. Indulge in signature dishes including poulpe de Mediterranée, niçoise salad, agneau de lait, poulet jaune or contre-Àlet de boeuf with creamy mashed potatoes and black pepper sauce. Finish it off with a signature pain perdu and decadent Millefeuille. A live DJ sets the scene for an afternoon to remember. O Dhs390 (soft drinks), Dhs490 (house beverages), Dhs335 (vegetarian, soft drinks), Dhs435 (vegetarian, house beverages). Sat 12.30pm-4pm. Bastion, Jumeirah Beach Hotel Head to the 25th Áoor of the beautiful Jumeirah Beach Hotel on a Saturday and you’ll Ànd yourself in an elegant brunch paired with old-world tunes and contemporary Áair. The brunch is served against the backdrop of stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and includes a menu of global dishes with the Ànest meat and seafood. After brunch, visit the new luxe bar, Floor 24, for a Áoral-inspired drinks menu paired with panoramic views of the city. The bar is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 4pm until late. O Dhs390 (soft drinks), Dhs490 (house beverages), Dhs690 (bubbly). Sat 1pm-4pm. Kayto, Jumeirah Al Naseem This restaurant by chef Cristian Goya serves prime views of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah plus a blend of Peruvian-Nikkei Áavours, Japanese- inspired mixed drinks and live DJ sets. Chow OO To find out more head to jumeirah.com/brunches or call 04 432 3232 down on wagyu beef tacos, salmon tataki, chicken in trufÁe teriyaki sauce and 36-hour cooked lamb shoulder. Finish off with dessert, of course. O Dhs495 (soft), Dhs695 (house), Dhs895 (bubbly, specialty grape). Sat 1pm-3.30pm. Zheng He’s, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam The Yum Cha brunch at this much-loved waterside Chinese restaurant, Zheng He’s, invites guests to Àll up on an authentic selection of carefully crafted dim sum. Brought to life by executive chef Wong Lian You, the menu has a feast of Áavours to try including mushroom dumplings, barbecue chicken bao, crystal lobster dumplings, hand pulled noodles and more. After brunch, visit the stunning new-look Bahri to explore the silk route with early-evening mixed drinks. O Dhs325 (soft), Dhs425 (house), Dhs160 (kids aged four to 12 years). Sat-Sun, 1pm-4pm. Rockfish, Jumeirah Al Naseem Searching for a seafood brunch with Mediterranean classics? Look no further than this brunch at insta-worthy beachside location RockÀsh with views of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. RockÀsh brunch is on every Saturday with a four-course menu including a crudo selection, chilled seafood platter, yellowÀn tuna and saffron arancini, followed by orecchiette and fresh monkÀsh with salmon eggs. Polish it off with your choice of tiramisu or pavlova with strawberry and coco. All accompanied by the soulful sounds of a saxophonist and live DJ. O Dhs495 (soft drinks), Dhs695 (house beverages), Dhs895 (bubbly, speciality grape). Sat 1pm-4pm. Kayto Zheng He’s14 March 10 – 31 2022 timeoutdubai.com DUBAI’S BEST RESTAU REVEA 14-31_TOD_2203_COVER FEATURE _11972882.indd 1407/03/2022 12:35:27timeoutdubai.com March 10 – 31 2022 15 URANTS… ALED In the city’s most competitive dining scene to date, here are the very Ànest restaurants in Dubai 14-31_TOD_2203_COVER FEATURE _11972882.indd 1507/03/2022 12:35:34Dubai’s best restaurants 16 March 10 – 31 2022 timeoutdubai.com Choosing where to eat out is not a decision to be taken lightly, especially in a city jam-packed with restaurants. We want you to be able to select the restaurants in Dubai that suit your every whim and preference, in the locations you like, at the budget you set. Every time you dine. Whether you like Italian or Thai, steak or seafood, we want you to eat out and have an absolutely amazing time doing so. That’s why we take great pride in presenting you with this list of the very best restaurants in Dubai – Time Out’s deÀnitive guide to the Ànest places to eat out in Dubai, chosen after 12 months of independent and anonymous reviewing by our team. Week in, week out, we visit literally dozens of restaurants across Dubai, covering everything from family-friendly lunches to all-out fancy dinners, posh brunches to pub feeds. And we pay for every meal. We’ve been doing this for 20 years, so we know a thing or two about what makes a restaurant experience move from being simply good to blimmin’ brilliant. And being brilliant is what we care about. Here, we celebrate the best of the best with the 17th edition of the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards. Regional AMERICAS WINNER COYA Perhaps the most well-known Dubai haunt for excellent Latin American cuisine, one never leaves COYA feeling anything but satisÀed. Continually delighting diners with its perfect Peruvian plates and buzzy atmosphere, dishes come inÁuenced by Spain, Japan and China, bursting with exciting Áavour combinations and interesting textures. While it’s likely to set you back a fair few dirhams, the service is as Áawless as the food and you know you’re in for a super fun night, too. Boxes ofÀcially ticked. O Licensed. Restaurant Village, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, coyarestaurant.com/dubai (04 316 9600). HIGHLY COMMENDED Amazónico A regular Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards nominee, Amazónico is one of the most popular hangouts in DIFC for dinner and drinks. Think an eclectic menu of Latin American-inspired small plates, sushi, seafood and grills, all washed down with a creative mixed drinks selection, this Áora- packed restaurant is a dreamy date night spot beneath a chandelier of twinkling lights complete with 22 species of preserved plants. O Licensed. DIFC Pavilion, DIFC, restaurantamazonico. com (04 571 3999). Bull & Bear Inspired by the original steakhouse of the same name in New York’s now-closed Waldorf Astoria hotel, Bull & Bear is a sophisticated place for fantastic food and spot-on service. Boasting a menu of playful takes on American favourites – its black onyx beef steaks are some of the best in town – a grown-up crowd, carefully curated mixed drinks and regular live jazz nights are the makings for a perfect Dubai evening. O Licensed. Waldorf Astoria DIFC, DIFC, hilton.com (04 515 9888). ASIAN WINNER BB Social Dining East meets East in this quirky Ànancial district offering, which wouldn’t look out of place in downtown Manhattan. Spread over three Áoors and with a wrought iron staircase twirling through the middle, it has the feel of a New York townhouse and the menu is suitably avant-garde: a dizzying mish mash of Middle Eastern and Asian dishes. Where else would you Ànd cauliÁower popcorn with a tahini dip? O Licensed. Gate Village 8, DIFC, www.thisisbb.com (04 407 4444). HIGHLY COMMENDED Indochine Still one of the hottest spots in town, this New York import celebrates the best in French- Vietnamese cuisine in a venue so retro and slick you might be tempted to moon walk to your table. There’s a Studio 54 vibe about the atmosphere but with none of the stufÀness, so don’t be embarrassed to lean on the all-knowing waiters if you need help with the menu. Top tip: the Asian-inspired desserts are not to be missed. O Licensed. Gate Village 3, DIFC, indochinedxb.com (04 208 9333). Vietnamese Foodies Simple and unpretentious, this no-nonsense venue continually impresses because of the Long Teng COYA 14-31_TOD_2203_COVER FEATURE _11972882.indd 1607/03/2022 12:35:45Dubai’s best restaurants timeoutdubai.com March 10 – 31 2022 17 outstanding quality of its food. Vietnamese Foodies is all about vibrant, healthy cooking using the freshest ingredients, and there are plenty of healthy as well as inexpensive options: both your wallet (which will remain reassuringly fat) and your waistline (less so) will thank you for visiting here. The steaming hot pho bowls feature the restaurant’s legendary 14-hour simmered broth so make sure you come hungry – this restaurant lives up to its name. O Unlicensed. Cluster D, JLT, vietnamesefoodies.com (04 565 6088). CHINESE WINNER Long Teng They say books should not be judged by their covers, and nowhere is that more true than this superb Chinese restaurant tucked away in an unremarkable ofÀce-like building in Business Bay. An aquarium Àlled with lobster, crab and king prawns dominates the light and airy room, which should prove a hit with little ones, although it performs the much more serious function of allowing you to pick your own food. The menu is extensive and authentically Chinese. O Unlicensed. U-bora Towers, Business Bay, www. longtengseafood.co (04 241 1666). HIGHLY COMMENDED Hutong It would be easy to make a series of pun-laden jokes about Hutong being a real hotspot, but we would not stoop to that level. The chilli infused dishes do make this a destination for spice-lovers intent on challenging their ability to withstand the heat, however. The menu is modern Northern Chinese and when the restaurant was originally launched in Hong Kong ten years ago, it was one of the Àrst to be awarded a Michelin star. O Licensed. Gate Building 6, DIFC, hutong-dubai.com (04 220 0868). Maiden Shanghai Spread over three Áoors and with an organic, MSG-free menu that draws inÁuence from four regions – Cantonese, Sichuan, Shanghai In order to maintain Time Out Dubai’s core values of editorial independence, honesty and integrity, the brand’s reviewers always dine anonymously and always pay for their meals. They are not inÁuenced in any way by Time Out advertisers, partners or friends. They experience every meal as a regular paying customer, and receive no special treatment. They always judge an outlet against a set criteria based on: Quality of food Level of service Restaurant setting Ambience and atmosphere Selection of beverages Overall value for money HOW WE REVIEW 14-31_TOD_2203_COVER FEATURE _11972882.indd 1707/03/2022 12:36:12Dubai’s best restaurants 18 March 10 – 31 2022 timeoutdubai.com and Beijing – this hotspot clearly does not do things by halves. It boasts one of the best outdoor terraces in Dubai where you are guaranteed a sea or marina view from every table, and there’s also a private karaoke room. Famed chef Luo Bing runs the kitchen, while the 1920s-inspired décor adds even more to the wow factor. O Licensed. FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, palmjumeirah.Àvehotelsandresorts.com (04 455 9989). EUROPEAN WINNER 21grams Restaurants like 21grams are few and far between in Dubai – not only is it the city’s only Balkan bistro, it’s also an independent gem with a community focus, favouring excellent, fuss-free food over glamour and theatrics. The menu is sharing style, inspired by the likes of Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian and Montenegrin cuisine, so expect plenty of baked goods, salads, meats and seafood served in a swanky new and fortunately much larger dining room. O Unlicensed. Meyan Mall, Al Thanya Street, Umm Suqeim 2, 21grams.me (050 841 5021). HIGHLY COMMENDED Marina Social The baby of acclaimed Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton, Marina Social is the perfect spot to take visitors or a date you’re looking to impress. The modern British cuisine is consistently good – a given with it being a two-time Time Out Dubai Best European restaurant award winner – and we love its ‘feed me’ option, which gives the chef carte blanche to serve up four or six courses depending on your hunger. We’d highly recommend the latter if budget allows. O Licensed. InterContinental Dubai Marina, marinasocialdubai.com (04 446 6664). Twiggy by La Cantine Given that it’s one of the glammest places to drink and dine in Dubai right now, it’s likely you’ve seen Twiggy paraded proudly all over your Instagram feeds. And with good reason, too – its golden sands, picturesque inÀnity pool and menu of fresh Mediterranean fare are a recipe for success. Nestled on the banks of the Creek in Old Dubai, slink into a plush corner lounger and Àll up on everything from fresh seafood and sushi to grills and salads. O Licensed. Park Hyatt Dubai, Dubai Creek Club St, twiggy.ae (04 602 1105). FRENCH WINNER LPM Restaurant & Bar Ask for recommendations for a French restaurant in Dubai and it’s likely LPM will be thrown at you. And for good reason. As much an upscale spot for city slickers who like to do business over good food and grape as it is for groups of friends or partners in the mood for a romantic night out, its staple dishes may be pricey, but always overwhelmingly excellent – so go on and blow the budget. O Licensed. Gate Village 8, DIFC, lpmrestaurants.com/ dubai (04 439 0505). HIGHLY COMMENDED Bagatelle A Àrm favourite with Dubai’s party people who like to kick off their night with a good meal, Bagatelle is one of the best restaurants in the city for a late-night dinner. We recommend booking a table no earlier than 10pm to get the full Bagatelle experience, which includes a menu of standout French dishes (be sure to sample the garlicky escargot), live music and plenty of dancing on tables. Fun, French and fancy-free. You’ll love it. O Licensed. Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, bagatelle.com/venues/dubai (04 354 5035). La Cantine du Faubourg Brassy, energetic and classily cosmopolitan, La Cantine du Faubourg is a bona Àde Dubai institution that consistently remains one of the city’s nattiest and most pleasurable dining rooms. Following an eight-week refurbishment last summer, the venue still keeps the same Parisian Áair but with swanky new artwork and interiors from Kokian. The food, as always, oozes well-heeled French class, with an extensive grape list to boot. O Licensed. Jumeirah Emirates Towers, lacantine.ae (04 352 7105). GREEK WINNER OPA You’ll have a smashing good time at the legendary OPA – quite literally, as you’ll regularly be invited to smash plates on the Áoor as is custom at Greek weddings or during traditional dancing. Cheesy, yes? Great fun? Even more so. Blue and white interiors plus a smattering of greenery simply add to the magic, while Áavours are reassuringly authentic with progressive presentation. Greek food, Greek vibes, Greek greatness. O Licensed. Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, opadubai.com (04 332 5555). HIGHLY COMMENDED GAIA Named after the Greek Goddess of Earth, GAIA is a fashionable gaff in the business of reinterpreting Greek classics to impressive effect. A predominantly white colour palette, marble detailing and black-and-white photography provide a stylish backdrop to this Masti 21grams 14-31_TOD_2203_COVER FEATURE _11972882.indd 1807/03/2022 12:36:19Dubai’s best restaurants timeoutdubai.com March 10 – 31 2022 19 contemporary taverna. The menu comes courtesy of chef Izu Ani and talented chef de cuisine Orestis Kotefas, with tremendously fresh seafood the star of the show. Be sure to check out the ice market, where seasonal produce is hand-picked and cooked to order. O Licensed. Gate Village 4, DIFC, gaia.com (04 241 4242). Mythos Kouzina & Grill All white-stone walls and cave-like ceilings, the stalwart that is Mythos Kouzina & Grill comes modelled on an intimate Greek taverna, despite being in the densely populated Jumeirah Lake Towers. Its gorgeous dining room makes for a prime date spot, but it’s the al fresco terrace that really shines come winter months, where you can sit and enjoy everything from casual seafood dishes to gyros and traditional Greek salads with cheese imported directly from Naxos Island. You’ll be amazed at what good value it is, too. O Licensed. Armada Avenue Hotel, Cluster P, JLT, mythoskouzina.com (04 399 816). INDIAN WINNER Masti A restaurant with a name that roughly translates to fun, you’re always in for a good time with an evening at Masti. This much- lauded restaurant scores highly on everything, from décor and atmosphere to divine food (what else would you expect from award winning chef Prashant Chipkar?), with modern interpretations of traditional Indian small plates. If you’re looking for a standard curry, you might want to look elsewhere. A quirky list of funky eats presented with Áair, however? You’re in the right place. O Licensed. La Mer, mastidubai.com (04 327 7889). HIGHLY COMMENDED Indya by Vineet The funkier sibling of big-hitting Indego by Vineet, Indya by Vineet lives up to its lively OPA 14-31_TOD_2203_COVER FEATURE _11972882.indd 1907/03/2022 12:36:28Next >