Dubai’s Hottest Restaurants

No longer a desert outlier, Dubai has earned a well-deserved post on the global epicurean circuit. With a hefty catalog of celeb-chef offer­ings – Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Michael Mina’s Firebird Diner and Nobu Matsuhisa’s ubiquitous Nobu, not to men­tion familiar faces like Cipriani and Catch – you might check your passport to ensure you’ve actu­ally left New York or London. But the mouth­watering options in this gourmand gateway are as diverse as they are bountiful from traditional Middle Eastern feasts to exquisite sushi, over-the-top seafood spectacles and contemporary Peruvian delicacies.

Enigma. You never know what you’ll get at this shape-shifting spot – and that’s the point. Tucked inside the gilded Palazzo Versace Dubai ho­tel, Enigma rethinks its entire menu, chef and concept every three months. Three-Michelin-starred chef Quique Dacosta set a high bar with his inaugural Mediterranean stint earlier this year, followed by Nordic interactive dining from two-Michelin-starred genius Björn Frantzén.

Atmosphere. Bucket-list time: Book the 122nd-floor private dining room at the world’s highest restaurant inside the world’s tallest building for an unpar­alleled experience. The 12-seat jewel box here affords jetliner views of the city along with world-class foodie fusion. High tea in the lounge is also an extravagant undertaking, where pas­tries are stacked to the sky and a Champagne cocktail is flecked with real gold.

Zuma. This Dubai-by-way-of-London -by-way-of-Tokyo sushi star has outposts around the globe, but it remains one of the buzziest spots in the desert. The multilevel space in the downtown financial center draws a beautiful crowd with its vibrant bar scene, izakaya-style small plates and inven­tive sushi, like a mackerel-cucumber roll drizzled with ginger and vinegar.

Play Restaurant & Lounge. With serious kitchen pedigree (Zuma’s former toque Reif Othman oversees the 40 chefs on staff) and art deco-inspired decor, this “MediterrAsian” newcomer has shot to the top of every must-eat list. Snag a table near the 36th-floor windows of the H Hotel and order Black Cod Two Ways (teriyaki-skewered and Spanish cro­quette-inspired) or the Pita Surprise, a wagyu- draped pita shell that drips with truffle butter. An exclusive private dining space, Reif’s Room, will soon join the big-night fun.

Amaseena. Haunting music from Arabic oud and tabla play­ers – along with the occasional belly dancer – drifts through this tented village, set up each eve­ning on the seaside grounds of the Ritz-Carlton. A vast, alfresco caravan of regional masterpieces from Syrian chef Rami Almaket (you’ll crave his spiced lamb and secret-recipe chicken shawarma) have been luring in-the-know locals and exalted guests for more than a dozen years.

Coya. Peruvian plates are having a moment, and this contemporary Incan den more than exceeds the hype with its ceviche counter, traditional anticuchos and fiery grilled meats. The Pisco Lounge, inspired by the oldest bars in Lima, stocks a li­brary of infused brandy and has quickly become one of the most coveted cocktail lairs in the city.

Pierchic. What could be sexier than supper at sunset, floating over the Arabian Gulf? Perched on the edge of a pier at the Al Qasr Madinat Jumeirah resort, this elegant seafood showcase is con­sidered the most romantic hideaway in Dubai. Soak in the dramatic views of the Burj Al Arab and the shoreline while sharing a crustacean- heavy tasting menu.

La Petite Maison. It’s rare to find consensus when anointing the best restaurant in town, but top tastemakers in the Emirate (and several “best in the world” lists) point to LPM as the unrivaled victor. A spin-off of the famed French Riviera brasserie, this beau­tifully appointed bistro serves unfussy Niçoise fare. Think escargots in garlic butter, tuna car­paccio, burrata and scrambled duck eggs.

Indego by Vineet. With two Michelin stars up his sleeve, chef Vineet Bhatia seriously elevates modern Indian in this celebrated and richly ornamented indoor-outdoor Grosvenor House destination. Secure one of the private, wood-screened dining nooks, decked out with glass lanterns, for more-intimate refined dining.

Eauzone. A floating wooden dock snakes its way over turquoise pools, delivering you to your red- striped tent at this retreat along the shore of the lush One&Only Royal Mirage resort. The Marrakesh-on-the-beach ambience is complemented by a deep roster of pan-Asian starters and fresh seafood catches.

Al Nafoorah. The terrace of this secluded oasis at the Jumei­rah Emirate Towers is one of the best places to order authentic Lebanese fattoush salad, lamb kibbe and mixed grill – among the most tempt­ing cuisine in the Middle East. The impeccable hospitality is only enhanced by the team of belly dancers swirling by.

Underwater Dining. Dubai’s reputation for splashy meals may be unrivaled, but two restaurants take that con­ceit to dizzying depths. Outlaw’s at Al Mahara, officially opening this fall inside the Al Arab Jumeirah hotel, and Ossiano, at Atlantis, The Palm, both serve sumptuous, white-tablecloth seafood against the backdrop of floor-to-ceiling aquariums stocked with marine life.

Private Chefs. For true indulgence in the City of Gold, try a custom feast whipped up in your own hotel suite. Dubai’s ChefXChange keeps an exclusive Rolo­dex of private cooks to feed your every craving. Scroll through their epicurean masters, like top-rated Chef Maxime, who specializes in BBQ and French cuisine, or Chef Vanessa, who prepares Caribbean and Italian bites.