The New Restaurants & Bars in 2025 are shaping Dubai into an even more global food and nightlife capital. Already renowned for pushing boundaries, Dubai’s hospitality scene thrives on constant reinvention. The year 2025 is no different. The city is set to welcome Michelin-starred chefs, daring new bar concepts, and unique venues that embody both Dubai’s appetite for luxury and its taste for the avant-garde. As someone who has walked through DIFC on a Thursday evening, the energy is palpable — and these new openings will only amplify that buzz.
I’ve been walking into new openings in Dubai for years now — some become instant favourites, others fizzle out after the hype dies down — and honestly, 2025 feels like one of the bigger waves we’ve seen. I remember queuing outside Sexy Fish in London a couple of years back and thinking “this energy could only work in Dubai,” and now it’s actually happening here. The city’s got this habit of taking global concepts and cranking them up: bigger views, bolder flavours, longer nights. I’ve already heard friends buzzing about reservations for Jara and Riviera — the WhatsApp groups are full of “who’s got a table?” messages. If you’re in Dubai, don’t sleep on these — book early, dress the part, and go with an open mind. Some nights you walk out thinking “that was just another meal,” others you leave planning your next visit before you’ve even paid the bill.
Culinary Icons Arrive
Jara by Martín Berasategui
Martín Berasategui, the Spanish chef with 12 Michelin stars, makes his Middle Eastern debut at The Lana Dorchester Collection in Business Bay. Jara offers Basque-style pintxos reinvented with contemporary flair. Expect a blend of rustic tradition and meticulous plating. The cocktail menu complements the cuisine with inventive pairings. Berasategui has said, “Cooking is giving joy.” In Dubai, that joy takes shape in a social dining format perfectly suited to the Business Bay crowd. This could be Dubai’s most prestigious opening of 2025.
Riviera by Jean Imbert
In East Park, French chef Jean Imbert brings Riviera. It pays tribute to his Mediterranean roots while embracing modern Dubai glamour. East Park itself is becoming a destination district, and Imbert’s Riviera is positioned as a centrepiece. Diners can anticipate dishes infused with Provençal character, served in a setting designed for long evenings of conversation. Food critics already call it “arguably the most ambitious Riviera-style dining outside France.”
Sexy Fish
London’s iconic Sexy Fish finally arrives in Dubai in 2025. Known for surreal interiors of bronze and coral hues, and for attracting celebrities in Mayfair, Sexy Fish translates that spectacle to DIFC. Asian cuisine meets bold architecture. Here, every dinner feels like theatre. Walking past its glowing entrance in London once felt like stepping into a dream; Dubai’s version pushes that fantasy further.
Kygo
Located at Four Seasons DIFC, Kygo is a Japanese omakase concept that emphasises intimacy. Seasonal ingredients are flown in weekly, with the chef curating each diner’s journey. In contrast to DIFC’s larger venues, Kygo positions itself as exclusive and serene, serving only a handful of guests each night.
Shoku
Also in East Park, Shoku embodies the precision of Japanese cooking with the energy of modern dining. Led by chef Nic Watt and co-founded with the acclaimed ROKA, it promises a fusion of authenticity and contemporary flair. Shoku builds on Dubai’s long love affair with Japanese cuisine, bringing a distinct neighbourhood dining culture to East Park.
Mr Porter
From Amsterdam and Barcelona, Mr Porter arrives in Dubai as both steakhouse and lounge. Located in a high-rise setting, its modern design merges with a lively soundtrack. This dual identity makes it ideal for Dubai diners who expect steak followed by late-night cocktails without leaving the venue.
Sakhalin
Opening at J1 Beach, Sakhalin brings a Michelin-starred Moscow concept to the Gulf. Mediterranean and Asian flavours meet under one roof, reflecting Dubai’s position as a city of blends. Expect seafood with bold presentations and a beachfront ambience tailored to Dubai’s leisure culture. One UAE critic described it as “a daring collision of seas and cultures.”
Ronin
At FIVE LUXE JBR, Ronin offers contemporary Japanese cuisine in sleek interiors. Its concept bridges fine dining with nightlife, a combination that defines many of Dubai’s most successful venues.
IT Restaurant
Known for its global hotspots in Ibiza and Tulum, IT Restaurant comes to East Park. Its mix of Mediterranean plates and party-driven atmosphere make it more than a dining space: it is an evening that transitions naturally into nightlife.
La Môme
From Cannes, La Môme opens in East Park. Art Deco interiors, glamorous cocktails, and a lively soundtrack evoke Riviera evenings. For Dubai’s cosmopolitan set, La Môme represents a nostalgic yet modern dining journey.
Unique Bar Experiences
Paradiso
At FIVE LUXE JBR, Paradiso introduces experimental cocktails guided by award-winning mixologist Giacomo Giannotti. Drinks here are liquid performance art, designed to intrigue as much as refresh. One mixologist whispered during a preview, “Paradiso may be the boldest bar opening Dubai has ever attempted.”
BCH:CLB
W Dubai – The Palm hosts BCH:CLB, a beach club that combines Mediterranean food, immersive art, and live music. It embodies Dubai’s beach-to-nightlife culture, where afternoons of lounging evolve into dance-filled evenings. The transition from sundowner to DJ set is what defines Dubai’s weekends.
Gold on 27
Perched atop the Burj Al Arab, Gold on 27 re-opens with breathtaking skyline views. The new cocktail list is premium yet playful. In a city defined by rooftop bars, this remains one of the most iconic.
O Beach
From Ibiza to JBR, O Beach brings legendary pool parties and international DJs. Its arrival strengthens Dubai’s role as a hub for global club culture.
Moonshine
A new speakeasy hidden behind a sandwich shop, Moonshine offers fermentation-driven cocktails and a 1920s aesthetic. Its mystery appeals to Dubai’s audience of explorers who enjoy discovering hidden gems.
Fresh Entrants to Dubai’s Dining Scene
The Rare
Located in City Walk, The Rare is a steakhouse with a New York brasserie atmosphere and Parisian Art Deco touches. Its centrepiece is a custom charcoal grill. The vibe suits Dubai’s love for experiential steakhouses.
Caro
In Fairmont Sheikh Zayed, Caro by chef Carson Hill blends flavours from Japan, Argentina, London, and Paris. This steakhouse promises a global dining experience in one space, echoing Dubai’s role as crossroads of culinary cultures.
Maison De La Plage
By chef Izu Ani, Maison De La Plage at West Beach, Palm Jumeirah channels the South of France. With Izu’s reputation in Dubai and beyond, this promises to be a major draw.
The London Project Marina
Expanding from Bluewaters to Dubai Marina, The London Project offers London’s eclectic spirit with creative cocktails and vibrant dining. Its expansion reflects the appetite for hybrid restaurant-lounge venues.
The Wharf
Also on Bluewaters Island, The Wharf is jungle-inspired and leans into theatrics. Cuisine is European with Asian touches. The bar features artisanal cocktails, creating a playground for both food and drink lovers.
Ribambelle
Family-friendly but sophisticated, Ribambelle combines indoor play areas with elevated dining. Located on Bluewaters, it gives families the option of a refined restaurant without sacrificing children’s entertainment.
Sobremesa
Opening in Souk Al Bahar, Sobremesa brings Spanish dining to the heart of Downtown. Its focus is on tradition: tapas, paella, and vermouth-driven cocktails. For Dubai residents, it offers a relaxed counterpoint to more high-energy venues.
Bulgari Yacht Club Restaurant
Reimagined by Michelin-lauded Niko Romito, Bulgari Yacht Club focuses on Italian seafood. Its oceanic inspiration connects dining directly with Dubai’s coastline.
SHIMA
At One Palm Jumeirah Dorchester Collection, SHIMA serves contemporary Japanese dishes with an avant-garde twist. It adds to Palm Jumeirah’s growing reputation as a destination for culinary experimentation.
DuangDy
Authentic Thai food at Bluewaters Island, DuangDy is sustainability-focused with handmade décor. It introduces fresh Thai flavours in a setting aligned with Dubai’s eco-conscious aspirations.
Dubai’s 2025 Dining Culture in Context
Dubai is not only importing global names; it is reshaping its cultural identity. East Park is rising as a dining district. Bluewaters continues to expand its portfolio. DIFC tightens its grip on high-end dining. Palm Jumeirah strengthens its beachside dining credentials. Each opening reflects Dubai’s global ambition and its role as a city that consumes experiences, not just meals.
Dining in Dubai is also about rhythm. Mid-week business lunches at DIFC, Friday brunches at Palm Jumeirah, Saturday night rooftop cocktails in Downtown. The new restaurants and bars of 2025 fit into these patterns. They enhance the city’s cultural calendar and arguably make 2025 the boldest dining year Dubai has seen.