< Previous20 APRIL 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM decorated with works from Middle Eastern artists and rustic knick-knacks. Nostalgic Palestinian and Jordanian dishes are elevated to the level you’d expect from such a renowned chef, beautifully presented and executed. Splash out on the la’moshet Maryam, a slow-cooked lamb shoulder marinated in chef Salam’s special spices. O Open daily noon-midnight. Wasl 51, Jumeirah 1, sufretmaryam (050 417 2272). HIGHLY COMMENDED Alaya Meaning ‘sublime’ in Arabic, Alaya comes from acclaimed chef Izu Ani. It has plenty of flair, as you’d expect, while there’s also a ‘hidden’ underground bar, Ly-La, boasting Bedouin vibes, on-trend tunes and creative mixed drinks for when you want to continue the evening. The restaurant itself is set in a former art gallery, and it’s a sleek setup. There’s an open kitchen showing off a giant rotisserie, while the menu boasts a selection of classics with Middle Eastern touches. Don’t miss the tender, rich lamb shank or indulgent seafood manti, while the kunafa for dessert is fantastic. O Open Sun-Wed 12.30pm-11.20pm, Thu- Sat 12.30pm-midnight. Gate Village 4, DIFC, alayarestaurant.com (04 570 6289). Orfali Bros. Consistently excellent, Orfali Bros. is renowned as one of the best restaurants in the city. Helmed by celebrity chef Mohamad Orfali and his siblings Wassim and Omar, the menu here is fresh, fusion and with plenty to talk about, with the Orfali bayildi, umami éclair and OB croquettes being just three of the incredible creations that are in store. It’s a casual yet brilliant eatery that absolutely needs to be visited. O Open daily noon-6pm, 7pm-11pm. Wasl 51, Jumeirah, orfalibros.com (04 259 2477). Best Thai WINNER Café Isan The winner of Time Out Dubai’s best Thai restaurant on multiple occasions, Café Isan really is the most authentic, fun and friendly spot to enjoy Thai food in the city. Found in JLT, the mis-matched plastic furniture, Thai market-style bar, pop tunes and affordable prices make it oh-so popular, while the food is utterly delicious. Coming from the Isan region of Thailand, expect punchy flavours (Thai spicy really means spicy) with curries, stir-fries, noodles and more. Take a seat out on the large terrace in winter (or pop by its Time Out Market Dubai location), the city’s Thai food fans love it as much as we do. O Open Sun-Thu noon-midnight, Fri-Sat noon-2am. Armada Avenue Hotel, Cluster P, JLT, cafeisan.co (058 529 1003). Café IsanBest Restaurants 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM APRIL 2025 21 given an upmarket touch. You can choose your spice levels and dishes are indulgent – they’re also large so order a few to share and get stuck in. The dim sum is top-notch, while you won’t want to miss the curries. O Open daily 6pm-midnight. JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, Business Bay, @tongthaidubai (04 414 3000). Best Turkish WINNER Sirali This Turkish import is one of the most authentic spots in town and also one of the nicest. Sirali opened in 2022 and is still up there as the best thanks to its skillful cooking, creative presentation and top-notch ingredients. Tucked away in Al Habtoor City, the dishes at this elegant restaurant are modern, with fun twists, and every meal starts with delicious freshly baked simit bread. The signature rolled adana kebab is a must-try. O Open Mon-Fri noon-1am, Sat-Sun 10am-1am. Al Habtoor City, siralikebap.com (058 582 7092). HIGHLY COMMENDED The Thai Kitchen This longstanding spot at Park Hyatt Dubai has open show kitchens inside and a beautiful terrace for the winter months. Overlooking Dubai Creek, the yachts and beyond to the Dubai skyline and Burj Khalifa, it’s a picture-perfect spot in the north end of the city. Service is friendly and dishes are authentic and tasty. Spice levels are tailored to how hot you can handle, while you can wash the curries, satay, stir-fries and more down with Thai-inspired mixed drinks and enjoy the view. O Open Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight, Sun 12.30pm-4pm, 6pm-midnight. Park Hyatt Dubai, Deira, hyatt.com (04 602 1814). Tong Thai This swanky Thai spot at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai serves high-end Thai food and is an established eatery that’s popular with lovers of Thai food. The restaurant itself is a cavernous space, with moody red lighting, hanging lanterns and swish interior design. The menu is also suitably high-end, with all the classics present and correct, but Best Family Brunch WINNER Imagination Entertainment is at the heart of Imagination, with all sorts of mythical creatures doing the rounds to entertain little ones. Think unicorns, singing princesses, magicians and dancing wizards alongside activities including glitter face paints, arts and crafts, bouncy castle and a crazy magic potion show. The food is great too, with an abundant buffet and even a chocolate fountain. O Dhs299 (soft drinks), Dhs399 (house beverages), Dhs499 (sparkling), Dhs100 (kids aged six-11), free (kids under six). Sun 1.30pm-4.30pm. Hilton Palm Jumeirah Dubai, @imaginationbrunch (04 230 0073). HIGHLY COMMENDED FamilyFest New to the family brunch Dubai well, family, is this absolute banger of a family brunch at Address Beach Resort. It follows the now well- established formula of keeping the kids entertained so the parents can amuse themselves. Activities include balloon bending, slime- making and face painting plus shows from a singing princess and even Magic Phil. O Dhs350 (soft drinks), Dhs450 (house beverages), Dhs550 (sparkling), Dhs750 (bubbly), Dhs150 (kids aged four-11), free (kids under four). Sat noon-4pm. Address beach resort, the walk, jbr, @familyfestdubai (04 879 8888). The Roast by Bubbalicious A smaller version of the famed Bubbalicious brunch, The Roast, as the name suggests, focuses on serving a slap-up Sunday roast dinner. The entertainment is fantastic too – expect live music, a magician, juggler, face painter, arts and crafts and more. O Dhs295 (soft drinks), Dhs350 (house beverages), Dhs450 (English bubbly), Dhs175 (kids aged six-12), free (kids under six). Sun 1pm-4pm. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, minaskitchendubai.com (04 511 7373). Imagination Best Restaurants 2025 22 APRIL 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM HIGHLY COMMENDED Çesme Bazlama Kahvaltı If you want to experience a real Turkish breakfast, Bazlama is the place to go. There are six branches of this family-run restaurant in Turkey and now one in Dubai, set within a charming Jumeirah villa. Order the set menu at just Dhs116 and delight as plate after plate is served to you by some of the friendliest waiters we’ve ever met. Moreish Turkish cheese, menemen, aubergine shaksuka, beef sucuk, burek bites, cinnamon balls and home-made dips and jams to smear over the ridiculously delicious bazlama and pisi breads. O Open daily 11am-8pm. Al Safa, @bazlamakahvalti.ae (04 236 4056). Günaydin This fancy Turkish steakhouse has prime views of Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain show, so it’s an impressive place to tuck into the tasty grills. Having started life as a butcher’s shop in Istanbul there are plenty of meaty mains including steaks and a separate lamb menu. Pick on hot and cold mezze while you ponder which cut you want. O Open Mon-Fri noon-1am, Sat-Sun 9.30am-1am. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, gunaydindubai.com (04 554 0700). Best Afternoon Tea WINNER The Royal Tearoom For afternoon tea connoisseurs who have been there, done that, this is a must-try. Served in the huge lobby of the world- famous hotel, next to the water droplet sculpture and just back from the fire walls on entry, there’s a lot to catch your interest at this one. But the afternoon tea that arrives is guaranteed to keep your attention. Served with flair – and explanations about the tea-brewing process – there’s a selection of high-quality sandwiches and a generous selection of cakes. O Dhs560 (two people). Daily 2pm-5pm. Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, atlantis.com (04 426 2626). HIGHLY COMMENDED The Gallery Held in its striking lobby with views over Marasi Bay Marina, afternoon tea at The Lana is a sophisticated event created by award-winning pastry chef Angelo Musa. Begin with an assortment of six traditional finger sandwiches, including coronation chicken, lobster and prawn and truffled egg. These are followed with raisin and plain scones served with Devon clotted cream and the chef’s signature jams. Pastries are the highlight, including a rich chocolate ganache tart, with everything presented on the most delicate porcelain. You won’t pour your tea out of a finer pot than this. O Dhs600 (per person). Daily 1pm-6pm. The Lana – Dorchester Collection Dubai, Business Bay, dorchestercollection.com (04 541 7755). Bijou Patisserie Served in a vault, this is another occasion that has a fun twist on a classic tea setup. Being at a French patisserie the cakes, as you’d expect, are exceptional, though there aren’t any scones (word for the purists). You’ll not feel like you’re missing out those as the pastries and sweet treats are so delightful. Expect canelé, madeleines, millefeuille and more, as well as savoury stuffed croissants, brioche and éclair. O Dhs195 (per person). Daily 2pm-6pm. Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, Oud Metha, sofitel-dubai-theobelisk.com (04 281 4111). Best Bakery WINNER bkry In a modern-looking space, newcomer bkry’s approach to baking is both experimental and artisanal, with an emphasis on sourcing the finest ingredients and prioritising suppliers with sustainable farming practices. Grains are processed in-house and used to elevate the humble croissant and other traditional bakes to new levels. You’ll need several visits to try them The Royal TearoomBest Restaurants 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM APRIL 2025 23 all, but the pecan salted caramel croissant is our current top tip, along with a pumpkin sourdough and fresh rosemary and sea salt focaccia. Founded by three Emirati friends, also behind archers speciality coffee roaster, this is already one to watch. O Open daily 8am-10pm. Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, @bkry.space (04 832 2433). HIGHLY COMMENDED Kneaded Bringing together traditional baking techniques with local flavours is Kneaded, a grab-and-go concept in Al Khawaneej. Signature items include the raspberry pistachio cruffin (dreamy), tahini croissant, jalapeño cheese croissant and date and fennel loaves. Cosy and community-focused, this new Dubai bakery is fast becoming a go-to for bread-lovers, with its freshly baked sourdough front and centre. If you prefer something sweeter, order one of the cruffins, filled with smooth, silky pastry cream. There’s also coffee, hot chocolate, matcha and a refreshing cold hibiscus tea to go with them. O Open daily 6am-10pm. Al Khawaneej Street, @alwayskneaded (04 557 1205). Pekoe Tea & Bread Bar A modern Japanese bakery, Pekoe is a top shout if you’re after a chilled out weekend morning in Dubai. Nestled away in the hip Alserkal Avenue, this excellent bakery impresses diners with its slick interiors and joy-bringing baked goods. Don’t miss the bread and spread – to choose your own slices and toppings, while unique takes on classic croissants are fun and tasty. It’s a must-try when you’re in the mood for carbs. O Open daily 7am-9pm. Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, mypekoe.com (04 359 3553). Best Bar Food WINNER Paradiso Funky interiors including life-sized carousel horses and carnival lights, a spacious rooftop with sweeping views of the Palm and Bluewaters and world-class DJs made Paradiso an instant hit with Dubai’s coolest bar crowd. Add to the mix some seriously flamboyant drinks and fun, flavour-packed bar bites and it’s easy to see why this place is so popular. Order a selection of modern tapas, with the crunchy octopus cracker, truffle brioche, wagyu beef meatballs and paella croquettes all very well presented and extremely moreish. O Open Sun-Thu 5pm-2am, Fri-Sat 5pm-4am. FIVE LUXE JBR, @paradisodubai (04 275 9999). HIGHLY COMMENDED Agora It may be famed for its exclusive juniper selections and mixology by Simone Caporale, but Agora is also a bar with a pretty extensive and well thought- out nibbling menu. There’s a variety of carpaccios and salads but also a selection of more substantial options too, including pizzetta tartufo, burrata ravioli and Josper tiger prawns. If you prefer picky bits with your drinks, the croquettes with manchego and chorizo are a very good shout. All this in a chic spot decked out in rich green velvet that hosts live music and DJs. O Open Mon-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri-Sun 6pm-3am. The Dubai EDITION, Downtown Dubai, agora-dxb.com (058 592 5823). Honeycomb Hi-Fi This brilliant speakeasy bar not only promises a top night out, it also serves some of the most delicious and creative bar food. One of the coolest spots in town, Honeycomb Hi-Fi is a hit with music-lovers. With a music listening station, a vinyl record store and roster of top DJs, it’s a popular spot for a hip evening with your friends, with creative mixed drinks, too. When it comes to food, it’s an izakaya-style idea so try chicken karaage, lamb gyoza, garlic prawn udon and stuffed wings. It’s a top place for a bite to eat while you enjoy the music. O Open Sun-Thu 7.30pm-2am, Fri-Sat 7.30pm- 3am. Pullman Dubai Downtown, Business Bay, honeycombhifi.com (04 412 6666). Best Budget WINNER Dampa Seafood Grill Nothing could dampen (ahem) the passion Dampa has for delivering its legendary Filipino seafood to the masses. After a fire caused the Deira restaurant to close in Paradiso24 APRIL 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM 2023, it reopened in February 2024 and quickly re-established its vibrant energy with queues of hungry diners out the door. With a menu crammed with all manner of catch, from whole grilled squid to baked mussels, your best bet is to try it all with the signature seafest dump. At just Dhs176 and enough for three people, watch as the freshest haul is pretty much chucked on the table in front of you, sauce and all (top tip: go for the Cajun, it’s finger-licking good, literally). Tuck in with your hands and devour the lot. The more mess the better. O Open daily 12.30pm-11.30pm. Deira, @dampaseafoodgrill (04 299 0884). HIGHLY COMMENDED Calicut Paragon If authentic Keralan cooking, packed full of flavour and spice, is what you’re searching for, Calicut Paragon is for you. An excellent restaurant specialising in Southern Indian cuisine, this has been one of the top budget restaurants in Dubai for many years. With dishes that sing with spice, dig into chicken Malabari, fish tikka, moilee, masala mushrooms and more, all served with piping hot naan. You’ll be back again for sure. O Open daily 7am-midnight. Karama, @calicutparagon (04 335 8700). San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles Tucked away in an unassuming corner in JLT, San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles is popular to say the least. Service is friendly and there’s a concise menu of Northern Chinese classics that you don’t want to miss. Serving affordable, authentic Shaanxi cuisine, the main order here is, as the name suggests, those deliciously moreish noodles – which you can watch the chefs pulling in the kitchen. The chicken wontons are a must-try too. In short, don’t miss it – it’s a mighty find in a low-key location. O Open daily noon-10.30pm. Cluster F, JLT, @sanwan.dxb (050 759 9584). FZN by Björn Frantzén Restaurant of the Year FZN by Björn Frantzén Named Time Out Dubai’s Restaurant of the Year 2025, FZN stands out not only for its incredible food and service but also for its immersive atmosphere and unique dining experience. A true elevation of what fine dining can be in Dubai, this restaurant sets a new benchmark for the city’s culinary scene. FZN is the sister restaurant to the acclaimed Frantzén in Stockholm and Zén in Singapore. Located at Atlantis The Palm, the intimate 27-seat restaurant features an open kitchen, allowing diners to interact with the chefs while enjoying a personal, immersive experience. Highlights include dishes like duck barbecue with yuzu, kampot pepper and foie gras, and turbot with cecina de wagyu. The restaurant’s extensive grape cellar, with 1,300 labels, offers curated pairings for every course. It sits at Dhs2,000 per person, so it’s one you’ll want to save up for, but for a blend of Nordic and Japanese influences it’s an experience like no other. Book FZN for a special occasion, it will be worth it. O Open Tue-Sat 7pm-1am. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, restaurantfzn.com (050 107 6322). Grand PrixBest Restaurants 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM APRIL 2025 25 Best Burger WINNER Smash and Sear at Maxzi The Good Food Shop Hungry for a smashed burger? This is the place for you. Maxzi was originally an online grocery store, before setting up shop in the hip Al Quoz in 2018. And since then its awesome burgers have drawn in a loyal following. Burgers are made with wagyu beef and smooshed into squidgy potato buns, smothered with onion, pickles and house sauce. Hungry? Go for the double cheeseburger. Extra-hungry? Go large with the triple patty. Pair it with tater tots and you’re onto a good thing. O Open daily 8am-3am. Al Quoz, maxzi.ae (04 395 3988). HIGHLY COMMENDED Eleven Green The brainchild of husband and wife duo Sultan and Kinda Chatila – aka supperclub stars Tanos At 8 – there was great anticipation when Eleven Green opened in 2023. And this brilliant burger bar fulfilled all expectations. With Art Deco-style décor and green banquettes, the interiors contrast with the stripped-back metal trays the burgers come on and it’s a cooler-than-cool place. And the burgers themselves are excellent. Don’t miss the double trouble, with cheese, onion, pickles and signature 11g sauce in a potato bun, or the signature bull burger smothered in melted cheddar, onions, house-made bacon jam and the team’s famed bull sauce. O Open Mon-Thu 2pm-2am, Fri-Sun 1pm-3am. Umm Suqeim, eleven-green.com. Pickl Everyone’s heard of Pickl – and with good reason, it’s a giant when it comes to serving up burgers in Dubai. A multiple winner of this particular award, you can look forward to a perfectly seared patty, smothered in special sauce and snuggled into a pillowy bun. Not only are the beef versions lip- smackingly good, Pickl’s chicken sando has become the stuff of legend, so make sure you order one of each – you won’t regret it. Morning, noon, night – there’s never a wrong time to dig into a Pickl burger. O Open daily 11am-4am. One JLT, JLT, eatpickl.com (04 584 6859). Best Café WINNER NAC This Mayfair import, officially known as North Audley Cantine, is a rather fancy café, with a modern French menu and bistro vibes. There are separate menus for the day-time and evening, as well as a breakfasty-brunch type menu available Friday to Sunday. Small sharing plates are the focus, with winners including flamed aubergine with miso, popcorn chicken, crushed burrata and a torched cauliflower. Don’t be disheartened by the small selection of desserts – the crushed milk chocolate cookies with Frosties soft serve is all you need. It’s a deliciously nostalgic sweet treat, perfect to share, that you’ll be going back for time and again. O Open Mon-Thu noon-12.30am, Fri-Sun noon- 1.30am. The H Residence, Al Safa, nacdubai.com (04 373 0000). HIGHLY COMMENDED Brix Café Brix Café and Dessert Bar comes from the team behind 3Fils and is a cute spot for a lazy meal and moreish coffee. The setting is charming, at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, making it a relaxed spot for a catch up with friends. If you have a sweet tooth you’re in the right place as the wide ranging dessert and pastry menu is absolutely excellent. From carrot cake to lemon and basil sponge, Basque cheesecake and millefeuille, each treat has a quirky twist on the original and they look as good as they taste. O Open daily 8am-11.30pm. Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 1, brixdessert.com/café (054 515 7861). One Life Kitchen & Café For home-roasted coffee with a hip crowd, this Dubai Design District café should be on your radar. Having opened back in 2016, it’s a go-to café for those who live and work in the area for many years now. The creative, fun menu spans the globe – from Turkish eggs to Tokyo fluff and a full-English in a New York-style bagel. Later in the day you’ll find steaks, tacos, salads, kofte and poke making up the world eats. And don’t miss the barbecue, it’s ace. With happy hours (it’s licensed) and breakfast deals there are plenty of excuses to return, too. O Open daily 8am-11pm. Dubai Design District, onelifedxb.com (04 513 4727). Smash and Sear at Maxzi The Good Food Shop26 APRIL 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Best Family Restaurant WINNER Reform Social & Grill Reform is always buzzing, not least because of the amount of activities and deals it runs. From parent and baby sessions to happy hours and family brunches, there’s always good reason to return. The food is tasty, especially the belly-busting breakfasts, and kids will be happy with their choice. The pub garden is also excellent. Expect a refurbed and updated play area with slides and a climbing frame all on a giant sandpit. It’s dog-friendly too, so the entire family can come along for an afternoon out. O Open daily 8am-midnight. The Lakes Club, The Lakes, reformsocialgrill.ae (04 454 2638). HIGHLY COMMENDED The Byron Bathers Club Coming from the team behind Common Grounds and Tom&Serg, this place knows how to cater to families. With a swimming pool to dip into (with a minimum spend you can get a lounger and pool access) as well as the beach to play on and a beach playground area with swings and a climbing frame, the kids will be occupied for hours. Food ranges from grills and seafood selections to pizzas, burgers and fish and chips so all bases are covered there. The space is chic too – all blues, whites and neutral tones – as well as being licensed, so parents will be as happy as the kids. O Open daily 9am-11pm. Shoreline 4, Palm Jumeirah, byronbathers.com (04323 7378). Twiggy Family The younger sister of Twiggy, this second lagoon pool at Park Hyatt Dubai is about as chic as they come when it comes to family- friendly beach clubs. With views over the Creek, yachts and Dubai skyline beyond, it’s a picture-perfect spot and the lagoon pool itself is stunning too. With sugar-soft sand and comfy loungers, plus a splash pad for the kids and plenty of pool toys, it has all the holiday feels. The cover charge is non- redeemable, but there’s an à la carte menu of salads, pasta, pizza and more for when you and the gang get peckish – and as you’d expect the food quality is high. O Open daily 9am-sunset. Park Hyatt Dubai, Deira, twiggy.ae (04 602 1105). Best Pizzeria WINNER Pitfire Pizza It’s done it again. New York-Neapolitan- style pizzas are the order of the day here at Pitfire. We really don’t need to tell you that Pitfire is firmly a Dubai institution. Its latest outpost in Dubai Hills now gives you the chance to enjoy the best pizza in town, alongside a fully stocked bar serving up a variety of grape and hops, as well as some pretty creative mixed drinks. There’s everything from traditional pepperoni and margheritas to turkey ham and pineapple and even potato or dates, meaning whatever your jam you’ll find it here. The crusts are puffy and blistered and the garlic knots (IYKYK) are compulsory. O Open Sun-Wed noon-11pm, Thu-Sat noon-midnight. Dubai Hills Business Park, pitfiredubai.ae (04 553 0465). HIGHLY COMMENDED Pulcinella If you live anywhere near Sports City, you’ll have heard of Pulcinella. A neighbourhood eatery that’s one of the busiest pizzerias in the area. It has casual, family-friendly vibes and pillowy-crusted pizzas that are perfect for sharing. Pepperoni, margherita, capricciosa – all the classics are on the star- studded line-up at Pulchinella, while there are also white bases, calzone and more to take a bite out of. Portions are generous, the vibe is family-friendly and it’s a top spot. One for your Friday night pizza list. O Open daily 11am-midnight. Dubai Sports City, pulcinelladubai.com (04 277 6281). Za Za Slice Starting life as a pop-up at Sole DXB, Za Za Slice comes from the co-founder of popular sandwich spot Rascals. Found at Jumeirah Garden City, Za Za Slice has established itself as one of the most popular and lined- Reform Social & GrillBest Restaurants 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM APRIL 2025 27 up-for pizzerias in town. Pizzas boast thin and crunchy bases slathered with gourmet Italian ingredients and are sold by the slice, so expect a flavour-packed experience that belies its unassuming location. There aren’t many seats at this pizza bar – which only serves six types of pizza – so be prepared for a wait, which will be worth it. O Open Sun-Thu 1pm-1am, Fri-Sat 1pm-4am. Jumeirah Garden City, @zazaslice (04 337 6679). Best Pub Food WINNER The Coterie This cool pub not only lays on top deals and shows a vast range of sport, the food is top- notch, too. Marmite roasties deserve special mention, while the wings are some of the best in town. Cumberland Scotch eggs are another prime pick, while burgers, pies and fish and chips make for hearty mains. Located in Ibn Battuta Mall, it’s fast become a popular choice for residents in the area and for those further afield, too. The sports bar section is over-21s only, but there’s a family-friendly dining area for when the whole gang is in the mood for a homely roast dinner with huge Yorkshire puddings. There are plenty of events like quizzes, brunches and more, too. If you haven’t been yet, book this spot in for the next matchday. O Open daily 8am-2am. Ibn Battuta Mall, coteriegroup.com (04 570 8072). HIGHLY COMMENDED Goose Island Tap House If you love sport and pub grub, you’ll love this one at FIVE LUXE JBR. This gastropub hails from Chicago, from the brewery of the same name. Having opened its first outpost in 2021 in JVC, its JBR location has become the spot for residents and tourists to get their hands on some pretty amazing pub grub. With plenty of deals including happy hours and ladies’ nights, as well as a golf simulator, there’s a lot to help you work up an appetite. The menu boasts all the staples you’d want – from wings to pizza, burgers, fish and chips and more. The craft hops list is also one of the best out there, so it ticks a lot of boxes. O Open Mon-Thu noon-2am, Fri-Sat 11am-3am, Sun 11am-2am. FIVE LUXE JBR, gooseislanddubai.com (04 455 9989). Pitfire Pizza28 APRIL 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Best Seafood WINNER Ibn AlBahr This spot at Club Vista Mare is run by Lebanese fishermen, so if you like your catch fresh as can be you’re in the right place. Take a seat on the beach for a toes- in-the-sand dining experience. Dig into a selection of mezze to start before opting for your seafood prepared in a style of your choosing. We say keep in simple and enjoy grilled fish with a view of the sea. O Open daily noon-2am. Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, ibnalbahr.me (04 553 9575). The Black Sheep You’ll find classic pub favourites perfect to pair with a drink at this British gastropub in JLT. Think pan-seared salmon, braised beef casserole, shepherd’s pie, sausage and mash and even a good ol’ spag bol. The Sunday roast is well worth trying, served with roast potatoes, carrots, parsnips, braised red cabbage, broccolini, Yorkshire pudding, gravy and either mac ’n’ cheese or cauli cheese. Everything is cooked with a side of nostalgia, giving expats a real taste of home. There’s even a pie and a pint deal, for when only comfort food will do. O Open daily noon-2am. Pullman Jumeirah Lakes Towers, JLT, theblacksheepdubai.com (058 599 5664). Restaurant of the Decade La Petite Maison Dubai This superb French restaurant has been a Dubai institution for more than 15 years. Despite the constant flow of newcomers, it has not only stood the test of time but thrived, maintaining its reputation and loyal following since its opening. Named Time Out Dubai’s Restaurant of the Decade, it continues to excel with a dedicated and well-trained front-of-house team, a fine selection of independent grape and a menu of consistently exceptional Niçoise cuisine. It’s a staple of Dubai’s dining scene, always packed and still one of the most recommended spots for any occasion. O Open Mon-Fri noon-1am, Sat-Sun 12.30pm-1am. Gate Village 8, DIFC, lpmrestaurants.Com/dubai (04 439 0505). LPM Grand PrixBest Restaurants 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM APRIL 2025 29 Ibn AlBahrNext >