Dubai’s DIFC area has long been the city’s F&B hotspot, with international brands and homegrown favourites vying for the attention of discerning foodies.
There are 11 venues in the area with one or more toques and 15 more listed in the Gault&Millau UAE Guide 2023 without toques.
From world-famous names like to local success stories, the options are varied. Below we list them all.
Three toques
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
L’Atelier du Joël Robuchon is one of the culinary highlights in Dubai’s buzzing DIFC district. While many of the venues deliver an exciting experience, most include food as just one part of the overall offering, with drinks, music and entertainment just as important.
Two toques
The Artisan Il Ristorante
Found at the foot of the Waldorf Astoria DIFC, the restaurant is anything but raucous. Instead, there’s an elegant and romantic feel, which is only tempered by its quiet nature.
Service is attentive and knowledgeable. The staff really know what they’re talking about and can give proper suggestions.
The drink selection is also well-thought-out, offering sophisticated cocktails.
One toque
BB Social Dining
BB Social offers a unique Asian-Mediterranean fusion menu created by a German chef, Alexander Stumpf, and his Greek-Australian business partner Spero Spanagakis. Stumpf spent some time working at Zuma in Dubai, which influenced the Far Eastern dishes featured in BB’s menu.
The restaurant’s offerings are divided up into barbecue, bites, bao, bowls, and katsu.
Carnival by Trèsind
This establishment’s tireless creativity, demonstrated by its menu’s quarterly transformation, ensures a fresh and singular experience with each visit.
Indulging in the tasting menu, available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, is the ideal way to immerse yourself in the Carnival experience.
Chic Nonna
The restaurant is buzzing, but is relaxed despite its high-end setting – think swathes of greens and golds, crisp white tablecloths, waiters in bow ties and sparkling chandeliers.
The menu is fairly to-the-point, and prices are within the norm for the area. Dishes are simple and well executed, with pastas, risottos, salads and pizzas.
A signature plate is the playful tomato carpaccio with buffalo figliata, where
a large mozzarella splits open to reveal bocconcini inside.
CLAP
CLAP is no longer the new kid on the block and has built an impressive reputation over the past year. While the main draw may be the vibe and the drinks, the food deserves your attention, too, as there are many gems to be found.
Gohan
Inspired by izakaya-style dining (small dishes and snacks served alongside drinks), Gohan takes things to another level by incorporating a whiff of French influence, and with a menu from the mind of multi-talented chef Gilles Bosquet, you’d expect nothing less.
Hutong
Hutong’s striking dining room and cosy terrace offer two contrasting ambiences, both equally enchanting, from which to relish the culinary adventure that awaits. The dishes here are famed for their fiery chilli kick and the fragrant warmth of Sichuan peppers.
La Cantine du Faubourg
The Parisian restaurant has a loyal following, and whether for business lunches, elegant dinners, lively brunches or post-work drinks, there’s always an occasion for this spot. La Cantine draws in a chic crowd, looking for an upbeat atmosphere and modern, delicious French plates. The restaurant is split into three areas: a lounge, bar, and the main restaurant with the latter having a Mediterranean feel. The staff, predominantly French, are knowledgeable about the menu and make some excellent recommendations.
LPM Restaurant & Bar
The high-end menu at this favourite focuss on quality ingredients. The perfectly pink lamb chops and garlicky escargots de Bourgogne still impress as much as ever, while grilled aubergine with mozzarella and prawns and marinated baby chicken are crowd-pleasers. The gratin dauphinois is one of the best around – creamy, rich and with a subtle hint of nutmeg.
The bar aspect of LPM has had more of a focus in recent years, with a menu that’s relatively reasonably priced and ranges from classic cocktails with a twist to a selection of creative mocktails.
Zuma
The menu at Zuma is a masterclass in Japanese cooking, with plates that are executed perfectly every time.
Dishes such as sliced seared tuna topped with chilli daikon and tangy ponzu sauce burst with flavour, while the buttery, sweet black cod and the sesame-strewn beef tenderloin live up to the hype.
The sushi is, as expected, excellent, too. The simple California roll is one of the best in town, offering fresh crab meat and creamy avocado.