Update: The Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2021 will take place on Wednesday March 24.
The best restaurants in Dubai are about to be revealed by Time Out Dubai – so we’re kicking off by unveiling the top ten eateries in more than 20 categories.
This year marks the 16th annual Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards, in association with Dubai Food Festival, within which there are 26 categories covering everything from Asian cuisine to steakhouses.
Although the past 12 months have been a little different, Dubai’s restaurant scene managed to demonstrate tremendous creativity and deliver world-class dining experiences.
As always, Time Out’s reviewers have spent months dining out around the city, booking tables anonymously and always paying for their own meals. This guarantees us a genuine consumer experience – and guarantees consumers a genuine, independent review.
Want to know more about our review process? Click here.
We’ve dined in all sorts of joints – from cafés to pubs, high-end lounges to streetside shacks.
We’ve been to brunches of every shape, size and price point.
We’ve been out for breakfast, lunch and dinner, made room for elevenses and saved room for late-night bar snacks.
And we’ve sought out the best outdoor and romantic restaurants Dubai has to offer.
Time Out awards are different to any other in the industry. There have been no nominations and there is no public vote.
Our two Newcomer categories are based on factors including price point, ambience, dress code, style of cuisine (and the skill that goes into making it) and the sense of occasion at the restaurant.
Venues that opened between September 1, 2020 and January 6, 2021, are eligible for newcomer awards and are not entered into any other categories.
The winners will be revealed at a glittering private ceremony on Wednesday March 24 at the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2021, in association with Dubai Food Festival, which will be held at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, Business Bay.
For event table bookings and prices, please contact tablebookings@timeoutdubai.com. For event queries, contact Joseph.Oakley@itp.com. To book a table click here.
And without further ado – here are the nominees for the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2021, and the very best restaurants in Dubai.
Stay tuned for the winners.
ASIAN
Streetery Food Hall, JLT
- 3 Fils, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour
- Asia Asia, Pier 7
- BB Social Dining, DIFC
- Buddha-Bar, Grosvenor House Dubai
- Indochine, DIFC
- Karma Kafé, Souk Al Bahar
- Mekong, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
- Shanghai Me, DIFC
- Streetery Food Hall, JLT
- Vietnamese Foodies, JLT
CHINESE
Hakkasan, Atlantis The Palm
- Chuan, The Pointe
- Din Tai Fung, Mall of the Emirates
- Hakkasan, Atlantis The Palm
- Hutong, DIFC
- Long Teng, Business Bay
- Long Yin, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
- Maiden Shanghai, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
- Royal China, DIFC
- The China Club, Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek
- Xiao Wei Yang, Dubai Marina
EUROPEAN
Hell’s Kitchen, Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai
- 21 Grams, Umm Suqeim
- BOCA, DIFC
- Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Atlantis The Palm
- carine, Emirates Golf Club
- Flamingo Room by tashas, Jumeirah Al Nassem
- folly by Nick & Scott, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- Hell’s Kitchen, Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai
- LOWE, KOA Canvas
- Marina Social, InterContinental Dubai Marina
- MasterChef, The TV Experience, Millennium Place Dubai Marina
FRENCH
La Cantine Du Faubourg, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- Bistro Chic by La Serre, VIDA Downtown Dubai
- Bistro Des Arts, Dubai Marina
- Bistrot Bagatelle, Fairmont Dubai
- Bleu Blanc Oysters & Grill, Renaissance Hotel Downtown Dubai
- Couqley Bistro & Bar, JLT
- La Cantine Du Faubourg, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- LPM Restaurant & Bar, DIFC
- STAY by Yannick Alléno, One&Only The Palm
- The Maine Land Brasserie, The OPUS by Omniyat
- Verde Dubai, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
GREEK
Taverna Greek Kitchen, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- Avli by tashas, DIFC
- Elia, Majestic City Retreat Hotel
- Fish Beach Taverna, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
- GAIA, DIFC
- Greek & Delicious, JLT
- Mythos Kouzina & Grill, Armada BlueBay Hotel
- Nammos, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
- OPA, Fairmont Dubai
- Shimmers, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam
- Taverna Greek Kitchen, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
INDIAN
Masti, La Mer
- Armani/Amal, Armani Hotel Dubai
- Bombay Borough, DIFC
- Bombay Brasserie, Taj Dubai
- Calicut Paragon, Karama
- Carnival by Trèsind, DIFC
- Indya by Vineet, Le Royal Méridien Dubai Beach Resort & Spa
- Little Miss India, Fairmont The Palm
- Masti, La Mer
- Mint Leaf of London, DIFC
- Trèsind, voco Dubai
ITALIAN
Cinque, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
- Alici, Bluewaters Dubai
- Cipriani, DIFC
- Cinque, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
- Il Borro Tuscan Bistro, Jumeirah Al Naseem
- Marea, DIFC
- Motorino, JA Ocean View Hotel
- Scalini, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
- Social by Heinz Beck, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
- The Artisan, DIFC
- Torno Subito, W Dubai – The Palm
JAPANESE
Nobu, Atlantis The Palm
- Akira Back, W Dubai – The Palm
- Fujiya Japanese Restaurant, Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai
- Hanami, Andaz Dubai The Palm
- Kiku, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
- Netsu, Mandarin Oriental Dubai Jumeira
- Nobu, Atlantis The Palm
- Reif Japanese Kushiyaki, Dar Al Wasl Mall
- ROKA, The OPUS by Omniyat
- TOMO, Raffles Dubai
- Zuma, DIFC
LATIN AMERICAN
La Carnita, InterContinental Dubai Marina
- Amazónico, DIFC
- COYA, Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
- El Chapo’s Tacos, Studio One Hotel
- Fogo de Chão, DIFC
- La Carnita, InterContinental Dubai Marina
- La Mezcaleria, The Oberoi Dubai
- Loca, Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa
- Maiz Tacos, JLT
- Mama Zonia, Pier 7
- Maria Bonita, Umm Suqeim
LEBANESE
Babel, La Mer
- Al Hallab, Garhoud
- Al Mandaloun, DIFC
- Al Nafoorah, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- Al Safadi Restaurant, The Pointe
- Allo Beirut, Hessa Street
- Babel, La Mer
- Bebabel, The Dubai Mall
- Ibn AlBahr, Club Vista Mare
- Leila, Downtown Dubai
- Nurai, Business Bay
MENA
Kaftan, Umm Suqeim
- Al Fanar Seafood Market, Pond Park
- Asil, Rixos Premium Dubai JBR
- Baba, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
- Babaji, City Walk
- Enigma, Palazzo Versace Dubai
- Günaydin, Souk Al Bahar
- Kaftan, Umm Suqeim
- Ninive, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- Sah El Nom, Bluewaters Dubai
- Sultan Saray, Sheikh Zayed Road
NORTH AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN
Black Tap, Jumeirah Al Naseem
- Black Tap, Jumeirah Al Naseem
- Bull & Bear, Waldorf Astoria DIFC
- CLAW BBQ, Souk Al Bahar
- High Joint, Al Manara
- Miss Lily’s, Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai
- Perry & Blackwelder’s, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- Pickl, JLT
- The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – JBR
- Ting Irie, Souk Al Manzil
- Weslodge Saloon, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
THAI
Pai Thai, Jumeirah Al Qasr
- Benjarong, Dusit Thani Dubai
- Café Isan, JLT
- Charm Thai, Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina
- Khun Chai Thai, B2 Mall
- Pai Thai, Jumeirah Al Qasr
- Sticky Rice, JVC
- The Royal Budha, Holiday Inn Al Barsha
- The Thai Kitchen, Park Hyatt Dubai
- Thiptara, Palace Downtown Dubai
- Tong Thai, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
AFTERNOON TEA
Al Bayt, Palace Downtown Dubai
- Al Bayt, Palace Downtown Dubai
- Al Fayrooz Lounge, Jumeirah Al Qasr
- At.mosphere Restaurant & Lounge, Burj Khalifa
- Choix Patisserie & Restaurant, InterContinental Dubai Festival City
- Highest View Lounge, Gevora Hotel
- Mosaico, Palazzo Versace Dubai
- Raffles Salon, Raffles Dubai
- Sahn Eddar, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
- Shai Salon, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
- The Lounge, Address Downtown
BAR FOOD
Lock, Stock & Barrel, Rixos Premium JBR
- A Cappella, The Pointe
- Bridgewater Tavern, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
- folly Rooftop, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- Iris, Meydan Racecourse
- Lah Lah, Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens
- Lock, Stock & Barrel, Rixos Premium JBR
- Offside, JA Ocean View Hotel
- Perry & Blackwelder’s, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- The Penthouse, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
- ubk, Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers
BREAKFAST
Stomping Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Road
- Bounty Beets, Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
- Brunch & Cake, Wasl 51
- Fibber Magee’s, Saeed Tower One
- Hillhouse Brasserie, Dubai Hills Golf Club
- Kaftan, Umm Suqeim
- Leen’s Casual to Gourmet, Bluewaters Dubai
- LOWE, KOA Canvas
- Myocum, Jumeirah Beach Road
- Stomping Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Road
- tashas, Umm Suqeim
BRUNCH
Zuma, DIFC
- Alici, Bluewaters Dubai
- Brasserie 2.0, Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa
- Bubbalicious, The Westin Dubai Beach Resort & Marina
- Bull & Bear, Waldorf Astoria DIFC
- COYA, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
- La Cantine du Faubourg, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- ROKA, The OPUS by Omniyat
- STK JBR, Rixos Premium Dubai JBR
- Traiteur, Park Hyatt Dubai
- Zuma, DIFC
BUDGET
Project Chaiwala, Al Quoz
- Al Ustad Special Kebab, Bur Dubai
- Allo Beirut, Hessa Street
- Calicut Paragon, Karama
- Chef Lanka, Karama
- Kaffe Bloom, The Greens
- Maru Udon, Business Bay
- Project Chaiwala, Al Quoz
- Ravi Restaurant, Satwa
- Streetery Food Hall, JLT
- Vietnamese Foodies, JLT
CAFÉ
Boston Lane, Al Quoz
- Boston Lane, Al Quoz
- Brix, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour
- Brunch & Cake, Wasl 51
- Kulture House, Jumeirah Beach Road
- maisan15, Al Barsha South
- Nightjar, Al Quoz
- Stomping Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Road
- tashas, Umm Suqeim
- The Hamptons, Jumeirah Beach Road
- Tom&Serg, Al Quoz
OUTDOOR
Palm Grill, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
- carine, Emirates Golf Club
- folly by Nick & Scott, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- Il Faro Trattoria, Azure Residences
- La Cantine du Faubourg, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- Nammos, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
- Ninive, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- NOÉPE, Park Hyatt Dubai
- Palm Grill, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
- Shimmers, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam
- ZETA, Address Downtown
PUB FOOD
The Duck Hook, Dubai Hills Golf Club
- Belgian Café, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- Crown & Lion, Byblos Hotel
- Fibber Magee’s, Saeed Tower One
- JB’s Gastropub, Amwaj Rotana – JBR
- McGettigan’s JLT, Bonnington JLT
- The Dubliner’s, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
- The Duck Hook, Dubai Hills Golf Club
- The Eloquent Elephant, Taj Dubai
- The Irish Village Studio City, Studio One Hotel
- The Underground, Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection
ROMANTIC
At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa
- At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa
- carine, Emirates Golf Club
- Il Borro Tuscan Bistro, Jumeirah Al Naseem
- La Cantine du Faubourg, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- LPM Restaurant & Bar, DIFC
- Ninive, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- NOÉPE, Park Hyatt Dubai
- Ossiano, Atlantis The Palm
- Pai Thai, Jumeirah Al Qasr
- Thiptara, Palace Downtown
SEAFOOD
Alici, Bluewaters Dubai
- Alici, Bluewaters Dubai
- Cast, Umm Al Sheif
- Hook & Cook, The Pointe
- Ibn AlBahr, Club Vista Mare
- Long Teng, Business Bay
- Marea, DIFC
- NOÉPE, Park Hyatt Dubai
- Ossiano, Atlantis The Palm
- Rockfish, Jumeirah Al Naseem
- The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – JBR
STEAKHOUSE
Seafire Steakhouse & Bar, Atlantis The Palm
- Baba, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
- Berkan Steakhouse, City Walk
- Doors Freestyle Grill, Al Seef
- Fogo de Chão, DIFC
- Nusr-et, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
- Prime68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
- Rhodes Twenty10, Le Royal Méridien Dubai Beach Resort & Spa
- Seafire Steakhouse & Bar, Atlantis The Palm
- STK JBR, Rixos Premium Dubai JBR
- The Meat Co., Souk Madinat Jumeirah
CASUAL NEWCOMER
SLAB, Mercato Mall
- Al-Beiruti, Umm Al Sheif
- Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori, Galleria Mall
- Kimura-Ya, Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection
- Lana Lusa, Wasl 51
- Lola Taberna Español, Tryp by Wyndham Dubai
- SAL, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
- Señor Pico, Palm West Beach
- SLAB, Mercato Mall
- The Pangolin, The Els Club
- Trattoria by Cinque, FIVE Jumeirah Village Hotel
FINE DINING NEWCOMER
99 Sushi Bar, Address Downtown
- 99 Sushi Bar, Address Downtown
- Amber Hall by Vii, Conrad Dubai
- Bella, Grand Millennium Business Bay
- Brasserie Boulud, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
- CLAP, DIFC
- Il Pastaio, Al Habtoor City
- L’Atelier De Jöel Robuchon, DIFC
- Taiko, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
