11 Best Restaurants in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Unless you've accidentally drifted away from the souks or visited the nearby Heritage House, it's very unlikely you'd ever discover Bait Alqadeem on your own. You're going to have to seek this place out if you want a well-priced Arabic meal in authentic atmosphere. The building is historic (1909) like its neighbors, with a large terrace out the front for shisha smokers, an inner courtyard for dining, and majlis with a/c for when it gets too hot. Don't be put off by the odd mannequins or the half Range Rover full of artificial flowers out the front, be welcomed by Emirati smiles and stroll in to taste authentic regag and machboos, barbecued fish in bzar spices and some of the city's best moutabel. No alcohol served.

Dubai didn't know it needed Peruvian dining until Coya opened. It's not the original, but you'd never know it; this place oozes soul. Decor is vibrant and plush; the food is exotic, service smooth, and two piscos later, you'll never want to leave. Look for special events like cocktail making, ceviche master classes, and art exhibitions, which take place almost weekly. Brunch on Friday here is one of Dubai's best. Their hidden members' club has a pricey yearly fee, which you might be able to bypass with some sweet-talking, though we wouldn't count on it. Don't miss the scallop tiradito and the sea bass cazuela, two dishes you will never forget.

It's hard to experience genuine Arabic food and ambience in the depths of the Dubai summer, but this sprawling air-conditioned and covered courtyard works a treat. It sits at the center of a modern underground souk, an incongruously classy oasis in the midst of the flamboyant pyramids that make up Wafi Mall. There are marble floors and fonts, trickling water features, roses, shisha pipes, filtered natural light, and enormous authentic Arabic ovens delivering freshly baked khubz bread and kebabs. The menu provides an excellent spectrum of Persian, Gulf and Mediterranean dishes, but it's also a lovely place to sit with a couple of baklava morsels and a Moroccan mint tea. No alcohol served.

Close to the Karama shopping district, many like to come here for thali, a south Indian meal involving bottomless refills of vegetarian curries, rice, and condiments, but we suggest you opt for their superb appams (lacy, bowl-shape rice crepes), and dip them in a mild and coconut-flavored prawn moilee. Other favorites include pandan chicken, mango fish curry, and frappes. Service is not perfect—you may have to ask for things several times, but the food makes it worth it. No alcohol served.

The original Fumés (there are now two in the city), this location is in Pier 7, a swanky tower overlooking the Dubai Marina, with seven restaurants serving seven different cuisines on seven levels. They are licensed to serve alcohol, which is done either in the bright and lively restaurant, or at the dark and brooding garage-style bar. The menu is varied, with fried foods partnered with piquant Asian flavors, pulled beef brisket, and banoffee pie. Drinking is a pleasure here—reasonably priced, with plenty of cocktails and mocktails to sample. Staff are casual and usually fairly friendly—just watch for busy times (Thursday and Friday night) when the service can't quite keep up with the crowds. Look for great business lunch and brunch deals; it's possible to eat here for less than AED50.

The Lime Tree Cafe was probably the first modern Western café to open in Dubai (2001), and although its popularity paved the way for many other similar establishments, many retain this as a favorite. Pop in for free-trade organic coffee and tea, and order superfluous salads, cakes, and other items by sight at the counter. Service is efficient and easy; its a great place for a quick, no-fuss bite, or to grab some home-made treats to take with you. No alcohol served.

Million-dollar views and fine dining without pretension, it's no surprise chef Jason Atherton's Marina Social is quickly becoming one of the most popular restaurants in Dubai. The menu is pure London, fun and fresh, with an emphasis on ingredient quality. There's an adjoining bar, and early suppers are also available if you just want a quick bite. If the food wasn't enough to get you in, then the views will. Social's terrace is smack in the middle of the Dubai Marina, and is definitely one of Dubai's top outdoor eating areas. Alcohol served.

With a German chef serving Italian cuisine at this American hotel in Dubai, Social has managed to seamlessly blend together elements of multiple cultures. Heinz Beck, head chef at Rome's Michelin three-star restaurant La Pergola, entered the Dubai scene in 2014, and often drops by Social for a visit. His stamp is obvious in the elegant and complex Italian cuisine, and the luxurious ambience. The staff is highly attentive, and each dish is delicately presented in the quiet atmosphere. Go with an empty belly—there are often in-between courses that you will receive without ordering. Alcohol served.

Positioned a short walk from Umm Suqueim seashore, Surf Cafe is always packed with smiling patrons refueling after some serious beach activity. Sand on your shoes is not a prerequisite though, and you'll also find school mums enjoying a veggie breakfast, travelers chowing down one of the only good steaks in Dubai for under 150 dirhams, and families heading in for some kid-friendly yet healthy food. Offerings include a range of burgers, salads, and sushi, great coffee and smoothies, and plenty of superfoods for those who need more than starch and caffeine. The atmosphere is clean, wholesome and lively, and service friendly, if a little slow during busy hours. No alcohol served.

This place combines mood lighting, a gorgeous crowd dressed to the nines sipping Cachaça-based cocktails, and tunes that make you want to move. Sample ceviches, empanadas, and cachapas with one hand, and hold your drink, or your partner, with the other. The restaurant features a long list of carnivorous delights including grills and churrasco, and a wine list to please high-rollers and those looking for some ethnic delights. Toro Toro is also known for their lively Friday brunch, which starts as a very classy affair but can get rowdy toward the end.

It's hard to decide what to love the most about Traiteur. The warm, geometrically bizarre interior, the terrace opening to millionaire views over the super yachts of the marina, the classic French cuisine that refuses to be tainted by regional influence, or the service, which is some of the most polite and knowledgeable in Dubai. An experience for those who love more than a little opulence, the Traiteur Friday brunch is one of the best in Dubai (and one of the most expensive). All you can eat from the exceptional buffet and free-flowing champagne from 12:30 to 4 pm will bring you close to living the superfluous lifestyle Dubai is so famous for, even if it's just for an afternoon. Alcohol served.