In a city never short of new arrivals, finding a truly stand-out restaurant can be tricky and for every opening that delivers great food, service and surrounds, another will prove that a blaze of Instagram glory does not guarantee a fine dining experience.
These five spots, however, are proving that sometimes, it’s worth breaking out of your comfort zone to try somewhere new.
Chic Nonna
With its eye-catching interiors and extensive wine cellar, Italian restaurant and lounge Chic Nonna has been out to impress since its opening in August – and its growing popularity suggests it is succeeding.
The brainchild of Mine & Yours Group, the creators of L’Amo Bistro Del Mare, the two-storey standalone eatery in DIFC has its sights set on big things in 2023. One to watch – and to book.
Jun’s
A third-generation chef, Chinese-Canadian Kelvin Leung grew up in the kitchen and today, his multi-cultural menu draws inspiration from his North American and Asian roots.
Uniquely, Jun’s menu uses only gluten-free soy and oyster sauce in all of its dishes, and more than half of the menu is either suitable or adaptable for allergy sufferers – making this a prime spot for those with health requirements who don’t want to compromise on flavour.
RSVP
Created by the team behind 11 Woodfire, Marea and Mohalla, unlicensed Box Park newcomer RSVP describes itself as fun, rather than fine, dining – though the menu is not short on ambition.
Far from a traditional French eatery, executive chef Aadel Ouaoua’s approach fuses classic French techniques with global flavours to create dishes such as lamb chops with teriyaki and steak tartare with caviar. Pastry, however, takes a distinctly Parisian approach, so be sure to save room for dessert.
TakaHisa
A Japanese restaurant that takes its produce and craftsmanship extremely seriously indeed, TakaHisa’s sushi master, chef Takashi Namekata, sources his kitchen’s sushi-grade seafood from Tokyo’s famed Toyosu Market, while the eatery’s wagyu master, chef Hisao Ueda, focusses solely on top quality A5 Kobe beef with a marbling score of 12.
Add in some spectacular views from the restaurant’s Caesar’s Palace location and this is one spot that’s bound to impress even the most discerning guests.
The Nice Guy
The younger sibling of a West Hollywood favourite, and boasting similarly retro interiors, restaurant and lounge The Nice Guy opened its doors in Dubai in October.
Created by LA’s The H.Wood Group in collaboration with MKIA Hospitality, the kitchen serves up classic American Italian dishes amid a louche, quirky environment that’s ideal for a night out with friends.