Dubai’s restaurant and bar scene keeps moving fast, and 2026 has brought a fresh wave of openings worth knowing about — from Michelin-pedigree chef debuts to beach clubs, steakhouses and hidden speakeasies. Some of these landed in late 2025 and are still very much the ones to book; others are true 2026 arrivals. Either way, this is Dubai’s hospitality scene doing what it does best: importing global concepts and giving them a distinctly Dubai-sized upgrade.
A quick note before you dive in: this list is updated to reflect current status, including a couple of high-profile venues that have since had temporary closures or delays. Book ahead where you can, dress the part, and expect competition for tables at the buzziest names below.
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. It remains one of Dubai’s most prestigious restaurant debuts.
Riviera by Jean Imbert
At The Lana, Business Bay (not East Park, as sometimes reported), French chef Jean Imbert’s Riviera brings Mediterranean-inspired dishes and Provencal character to a marina-facing dining room. Note: Riviera has been temporarily closed for a refresh since mid-2026, per the venue’s own social channels — worth confirming current status before booking.
Sexy Fish
London’s iconic Sexy Fish opened in DIFC in December 2024 and remains one of the buzziest tables in town heading into 2026. Known for surreal interiors of bronze and coral hues, and for attracting a celebrity following at its Mayfair original, Sexy Fish brings Japanese-inspired seafood, sushi and robata dishes to a room built for spectacle.
KIGO
Located at Four Seasons DIFC, KIGO 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, KIGO 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.
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. The concept builds on the original Sakhalin’s reputation in Moscow, adapted here for a beachfront Dubai setting.
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. Its concept draws on Giannotti’s reputation for immersive, story-driven bar programmes at previous openings.
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.
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 2026 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 and 2026 fit into these patterns. They enhance the city’s cultural calendar and arguably make this one of the boldest dining years Dubai has seen.
