Here’s something to make your travel planning scroll-stopping: Dubai’s extraordinary food scene.
Understanding the best time to visit Dubai for foodies, whether you’re after Dubai food festivals, Dubai brunch season, Dubai restaurant week deals, or cultural iftar experiences, means more truffle dishes, more rooftop sunsets, and more reasons to press that ‘book now’ button.
From celebrity chef restaurants at Atlantis The Royal to authentic street food at Global Village, there are innumerable restaurants in Dubai offering culinary adventures that span continents. But savvy food lovers know that timing transforms a great trip into an unforgettable gastronomic journey.
So without wasting much time, let’s start our journey.
Dubai’s Culinary Calendar 2025
The food scene in Dubai is vital all year round, yet the best time to visit Dubai for foodies is guaranteed to give extraordinary food. An open-air gastronomy festival, the Dubai Food Festival takes over February and March and makes the city an open chef staging area with restaurant pop-ups and food trails to all the districts. Hotels and restaurants in Dubai also offer extravagant sunset meals with local and international spreads of traditional Middle Eastern dishes to both locals and tourists during the Ramadan Iftar Season in March-April. Dubai brunch season is flourishing between October and April, when the weather is good and people are able to enjoy their meal outside, and on weekends, the association of bottomless drinks and multi-course feasts at the best restaurants in the city is synonymous.
Best Restaurants in Dubai by Season
Winter Dining: Outdoor Terraces and Rooftop Experiences
The months between October and April are the best time to visit Dubai for foodies, as the weather ranges between 20°C – 30°C, which is suitable for alfresco dining. Outdoor terraces and rooftop areas of restaurants are open and provide breathtaking panoramas of the skyline as well as gourmet dining experiences. This time of the year also coincides with the Dubai restaurant week, wherein high-end restaurants provide menus at affordable prices, which makes luxury dining surprisingly affordable to travellers with a fondness for food.
1. CÉ LA VI Dubai
CÉ LA VI Dubai is a rooftop restaurant situated on the Address Sky View, which serves Asian fusion food and views of the Burj Khalifa. Dine on the large terrace on Japanese, Chinese, and Thai food on winter evenings. The restaurant will blend high-class dining with an environment of nightlife, and thus, sunset bookings will be very popular during the colder seasons.
2. Tomo at Raffles Dubai
Tomo at Raffles Dubai is a true Japanese rooftop dining together with skyline views over the Dubai Creek. Specialises in kaiseki-style meals, teppanyaki and robatayaki grilling using seasonal ingredients. The interior is boldly designed and visually minimalistic with the use of seating on a winter terrace, which produces an intimate ambience.
3. Pierchic at Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah
Pierchic at Al Qasr is located in an overwater seafood restaurant in Dubai with Burj Al Arab views and is reached by a romantic pier. Serves fresh catches inspired by the Mediterranean, in an open-air location that is ideal in winter. Peak season bookings in the Sunset are many months in advance. Offers sustainable seafood and changing seasonal menus in a dreamy Arabian Gulf setting.
4. 3Fils in Jumeirah Fishing Harbour
3Fils is an informal Asian fusion restaurant, designed with an industrial chic design, with a terrace looking at the dhows and the yachts. Famous small plates with an innovative approach, tacos inspired by Japan and creative cocktails. Appeals to younger generations through a walk-in-friendly policy and medium pricing. Exquisite winter holiday resort, dress code not required.
5. Thiptara at The Palace Downtown
Thiptara is a Thai restaurant where the terrace has views of Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain. Offers the Bangkok cuisines such as green curries and tom yum soups. The traditional wooden construction provides exotic moods. Outdoor winter dining offers the best view of the front fountains, hence it can be ideal during romantic evenings and special occasions.
Summer Fine-Dining in Dubai: Indoor Culinary Excellence
May to September changes the food focus to the indoors since the weather rises above 40°C. This season brings to the world-class air-conditioned restaurants in Dubai, where celebrity chefs utilise new menus in comfortable climatic conditions. To get customers, many restaurants also create special summer offers and longer happy hours and provide enormous discounts on tasting menus and high-quality drinks. If you book early, the smaller number of tourists will make it easier to book into exclusive venues, allowing you to have a taste of gourmet dining Dubai at its finest.
1. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at Atlantis The Royal
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is one of the best one Michelin starred restaurants in Dubai that offers British cuisine using contemporary methods. Food Signature dishes such as Meat Fruit, based on the 1300s recipes. Open kitchens helps the customer to see live cooking in a luxurious air-conditioned environment. During the summer, there is a simpler booking of this internationally known restaurant, where the best time to visit Dubai for foodies seeking world-class experiences will be rewarded.
2. Zuma in DIFC
Zuma in DIFC is a modern Japanese izakaya with robata grills, sushi bars and an urban, cool environment. Special sake matches and seasonal menus are offered during the summer. The place is near the Dubai International Financial Centre, which is ideal when taking business lunches and fine dinners throughout the year.
3. Trèsind Studio in DIFC
Trèsind Studio in DIFC is an Indian restaurant in Dubai that is progressive and has an intimate 20-seat environment, recognised by Michelin. Tasting menus revive the old-time flavours with the new methods and innovative presentation. Every course narrates regional food stories with the interaction of the chefs. Summer bookings are less complicated to make at this exclusive place.
4. Stay by Yannick Alléno at One&Only The Palm
Stay by Yannick Alléno at One&Only The Palm is a french restaurant with two Michelin stars, with Chef Alléno’s revolutionary method of extracting the classic sauces. Luxurious Gulf view dining room offers multi-course tasting menus. Displays seasonal European products with fine artistry. There is one of the best French restaurants in Dubai with an extensive collection of rare wines to accompany elegant French cuisine in the perfect comfort of air-conditioning.
5. Hakkasan Dubai in Atlantis The Palm
Hakkasan Dubai in Atlantis The Palm is a Cantonese upscale restaurant with a theatrical blue-lit interior, carved with wooden screens. Dim sum and signature Peking duck are consistent across the world. Dark atmosphere is appropriate in business parties and celebrations throughout the year. An ample cocktail list and late-night meals are available. It is ideal for summer coolness as it offers luxury and air-conditioned comfort.
Top Culinary Experiences and Food Festivals in Dubai
1. Global Village Food Street
Global Village Food Street is open from October to May, and has 30 or more cultural pavilions and authentic street food representing 6 continents. Budget-friendly Pakistani biryanis, Turkish gozleme, Filipino sisig and Egyptian koshari. Evening tours are a blend of cultural entertainment and food tour in thematic areas featuring traditional meals and theatrical productions.
2. Chef-Led Dining at Atlantis The Royal
Hosts eight celebrity chef restaurants such as the Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and the Nobu by the Beach. Characterises the fusion of molecular gastronomy with Japanese cuisine by highly acclaimed icons of culinary art. Provides chef-table, kitchen tours and seasonal partnerships. Needs months-in-advance reservations, during periods of peak Dubai brunch season.
3. Traditional Emirati Dishes at Al Fanar Restaurant
Al Fanar Restaurant keeps Emirati traditional culture using machboos, harees, and luqaimat in a 1960s-themed background. Breakfast consists of balaleet and khameer bread, which is of Bedouin and coastal influence. Several Dubai venues are easily accessible with regard to local hospitality. Brings cultural understanding, which is usually lost following the global cuisine in the city.
Also read: Best Emirati Restaurants in Dubai
4. Friday Brunch Circuit at Jumeirah Beach Hotels
Friday Brunch Circuit at Jumeirah Beach Hotels is a four-hour dinner that consists of unlimited international buffets and the finest drinks, and live shows. The restaurants have sushi, Mediterranean mezze, Indian curries, and luxurious desserts in various stations. Cooking shows, DJs, and children’s entertainment make the meals daylong social occasions that must be booked in advance during the season.
5. Dubai Marina Waterfront Dining
Dubai Marina Waterfront Dining is a 7km boardwalk with 50 or more restaurants and never-ending international food selections. The choices span between Lebanese shawarma and fine Italian trattorias on the strip. Diversity appeals to groups that have varying tastes in either casual or romantic meals. Perfect for outdoor and winter dining in Dubai.
6. La Mer Beachfront Food Hall
La Mer Beachfront Food Hall follows a combination of beach relaxation with modern restaurants based on Soluna Restaurant and Salt Burger concepts, made of fresh products. Offers Artisan ice-cream, speciality coffee grab-and-go foods that are beach-friendly. Younger audiences are attracted by family friendly restaurants in Dubai environment that is accompanied by Instagrammable presentations. Direct access to the beach will enable one to move between swimming and dining easily.
Also read: Instagrammable Restaurants in Dubai
7. Spice Souk and Old Dubai Food Tours
Exploring the food roots of Dubai with 8-10 tastings, guided walking tours of the spice souk in Deira. Taste Iranian tea, Pakistani samosas, Yemeni mandi and Levantine kunafa in the family restaurants. Get to know about immigrant people influencing the identity of multicultural cuisine. Early mornings are cool, and they are characterised by the hustle and bustle in the market.
8. Desert Safari Dinner Experiences
Evening safaris where the safari finishes at Bedouin-like camps with buffet dinner and grilled meats, and Arabic salads. Involves cultural shows, camel riding, and henna under the desert stars. Premium packages will have exclusive tables that have champagne service. Invents memorable theatrical moments when eating, in spite of simpler cuisine as compared to urban restaurants.
9. DIFC Restaurant Week Participation
Michelin-known restaurants have their three-course menus at reachable prices when there are special events called Dubai restaurant week. The signature styles are involved in participating venues such as Zuma, La Petite Maison, and Coya. A walkable neighbourhood promotes restaurant-hopping and pre-dinner cocktails. When bookings are made several weeks in advance, the few seats get reserved fast.
10. Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Serves traditional Emirati breakfast and lunch in a traditional majlis with cultural guides who explain traditions. Food is served like Arabic coffee, dates, and camel biryani, with discussion allowing questions. Non-profit brings about cross-cultural communication with the help of food, establishing learning experiences in the form of dinners. High bookings are required in small groups.
11. Taste of Dubai
Taste of Dubai is an annual food festival in Dubai which is held in March at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. It is an open air food event featuring top restaurants, live cooking shows, and celebrity chefs. You can sample signature dishes, enjoy live music, and explore the culinary workshops.
12. Dubai Food Festival (DFF)
The Dubai Food Festival (DFF) is also one of the best annual food festivals in Dubai. It shows Dubai’s diverse dining scene with restaurant week offers, beachside dining, celebrity chef diners, and street food stalls. DFF unites all food lovers across the city for delicious discoveries.
Foodie Tips & Restaurant Deals in Dubai
The Entertainer app provides buy-one-free-one deals in hundreds of restaurants, both casual and fine dining joints, and costs only after two visits. Zomato Gold offers free meals and drinks at affiliated restaurants, especially during the time of summer when the promotion has increased. Most restaurants in Dubai provide a noontime discount during brunch season instead of afternoon 1 PM reservations. Reservation websites such as OpenTable have bonus point promotions on occasion, and credit cards affiliated with either Emirates Skywards or hotel loyalty rewards earn miles on their dining costs.
The next thing to follow restaurants on social media are flash sales and last-minute reservations for the sought-after experiences. The Dubai Food Festival is an opportunity to find offers in the neighbourhood and short-term partnerships that can be planned ahead of time, and Ramadan offers a specific value in the form of lavish iftar buffets that are valued in the community due to their competitive price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the Dubai Food Festival held each year?
A: The Dubai Food Festival runs in February annually, featuring three weeks of chef demonstrations, food trucks, and culinary celebrations across Dubai.
Q: What is the best month for brunches in Dubai?
A: January through March is peak Dubai brunch season with perfect weather, though October to April offer consistently excellent outdoor brunch experiences at beachfront venues.
Q: Are Dubai restaurants open during Ramadan?
A: Most restaurants close dining areas during daylight hours but serve delivery and takeaway. Hotels offer discreet daytime service, while evening iftar experiences become spectacular.
Q: How much should I budget for dining in Dubai?
A: Budget AED 15-25 for street food, AED 150-300 for mid-range dinners, and AED 1,500+ for gourmet dining.
Q: Where is Dubai Food Festival 2025?
A: The Dubai Food Festival 2025 will take place across the city, including JBR, City Walk, Global Village, and Dubai Mall.
Q: How much does the Dubai Food Festival cost?
A: Entry to most Dubai Food Festival events is free, but some workshops, tastings, and pop-ups have paid tickets.
Q: How much are tickets to the Dubai Food Festival?
A: Tickets to the Dubai Food Festival usually range from AED 25 to AED 200, depending on the experience.
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