Exploring Dubai’s Food Scene
My Top 3 Picks This Year
Dubai has always been a second home to me. I grew up there, and even now, I make it a point to visit a few times a year, spending time with family and catching up with old friends. One of the things I love most about Dubai? The food scene. It’s constantly evolving, with new restaurants, exciting chefs, and fresh culinary ideas popping up all the time. Since 90% of the population is made up of expats, the city’s food culture is incredibly diverse, bringing together flavours from all over the world.
On my last trip, I discovered a few newer standout restaurants that absolutely blew me away, and if you’re heading to Dubai anytime soon, these should be on your radar.
Manão – Thai Flavors, Elevated
First up is Manão, my latest obsession. This place, tucked away in Jumeirah, is a beautiful mix of fine dining and casual cool. Think upscale Thai cuisine, but in a space that feels laid-back and welcoming. They’re playing old-school hip-hop, the staff are warm and friendly, the vibe is effortlessly cool and the food is unreal.
Manão is Dubai’s first specialist Thai restaurant, and what drew me in initially was the team behind it. One of the co-founders (Mohammed Orfali) also runs Orfali Bros Bistro, a Michelin-starred Middle Eastern restaurant that’s become a Dubai institution. When I heard he was involved in this new spot, I knew it was going to be something special. The restaurant offers an 11-course tasting menu, and every single dish left me impressed. Bold flavours, artistic presentation, and perfect textures—this is Thai food like you’ve never had before.
When I dined at Manão, Mohamad Orfali joined us at the table, walking us through each course and making the experience feel that much more personal. Their head chef, Abhiraj Khatwani, is of Indian origin but has a deep understanding of Thai cuisine—he’s spent a lot of time in small villages across Thailand learning from Thai families and grandmothers about traditional cooking techniques, grinding spices and balancing flavours the old-school way. And it shows.
The meal kicked off with three bite-sized starters, each bursting with complexity: spicy, sour, crunchy, soft—all in perfect harmony. Then came one of my favourite dishes: a charred cabbage and minced prawn creation with sour relish and cashew nuts. Smoky, tangy, and bursting with umami. But the real star – the fried sticky rice roti topped with coconut-smoked short rib, kaffir lime relish, and fermented sticky rice. Imagine a Thai-style taco, where the beef melts in your mouth like butter. Absolute perfection.
Another standout was the sour curry of beef, a rich and deeply flavourful dish made with slow-braised beef cheek, tamarind leaves, smoked chilies, and long peppers. Served with crunchy Thai rice, it was indulgence at its best. A flavoursome curry with so much depth and so comforting to finish with.
The restaurant also has its own dedicated fermentation room, filled with mason jars of kimchi, pickles, and spices, all aging to perfection. They incorporate these fermented flavours into their mocktails (worth noting: Manão is alcohol-free), creating some seriously unique drinks to complement the meal. If you’re in Dubai, this spot is a must-visit. I highly recommend.
Jara – A Taste of Basque Country in Dubai
Next on my list is Jara, a stunning new restaurant at The Lana, a hotel by the Dorchester Collection. Specialising in Basque cuisine, Jara brings a taste of northern Spain to the Middle East. While Basque restaurants are fairly common in London, this is the first of its kind in Dubai.
The head chef, Martín Berasategui, is a legend in the culinary world, boasting 11 Michelin stars. I hadn’t actually come across many of his restaurants before, but his reputation speaks for itself. What drew me to Jara though was my love for Basque cooking—simple, wood-fired, and focused on top-quality ingredients. The restaurant is beautiful, with an open kitchen where you can watch the chef’s grilling meat over an open flame. Their seafood display is equally impressive, featuring fish flown in fresh from San Sebastián every single day. I sat down for dinner at like 9pm and the fish had arrived from Spain that afternoon!
The highlight of the evening was without a doubt the txuleta. This is arguably the crown-jewel of beef in Spain. Stepping into the kitchen, I watched as the chef pulled out a massive, dry-aged 15-kilo rib of beef—an absolute beast. He measured my portion with his fingers before slicing it down with an axe, a spectacle in itself. This Basque-style steak, sourced from mature, grass-fed cows, is prized for its deep, umami-rich flavour and incredible marbling. It’s got a rich red colour and really robust, beefy character that comes from the natural ageing. Unlike younger cuts, which prioritise tenderness, this Basque-style steak is all about rich umami, subtle nuttiness, and a slightly mineral finish.
Cooked over a roaring wood fire, the txuleta developed a beautifully caramelised crust while staying juicy and tender inside. It can be served in different ways but here, it was sliced SUPER thin. Each bite delivered a smoky, nutty richness, with just the right amount of chew to savour the meat’s full depth. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt was all it needed—it was pure, primal, and unbelievably tasty. Loved this with their marinated and smoked red peppers on the side.
We also went for the turbot, grilled to perfection and served with a classic San Sebastián-style sauce. What sets this dish apart is the technique—whisking the fish’s natural collagen and fat with butter, sea salt, lemon juice, and tarragon to create an insanely creamy emulsion that coats each bite. It’s simple but the way the flavours danced in my mouth... man, so good.
Jara isn’t fine dining as such, but you can expect real attention to detail and use of the very best ingredients. High quality cooking and traditional recipes from the Basque country. If you appreciate top-tier ingredients treated with care and respect, this is your spot.
Hashmi Barbeque – A Hidden Gem for Tandoori Lovers
Finally, I need to shout out Hashmi Barbeque, a place I go to every single time I’m in Dubai. To be honest, I think I’m in here a few times a week at least. It’s legit. Originally from Kenya, Hashmi has been around since the 1970s and has a cult-like following. The menu is simple, the atmosphere is no-frills (plastic menus and very casual vibes), but the food is next level.
Their specialty is cooking everything in a traditional tandoor oven, giving the dishes that signature smokey char. The must-order item here is the chooza chicken—an entire spring chicken marinated in a top-secret spice blend. I don’t know exactly what’s in it, but if I were to guess, I’d say it’s a mix of Kashmiri red chili, lime juice, garlic, ginger, black pepper + a bit of red food colouring for that vibrant orange glow. It arrives glistening and charred, with a crispy exterior and ridiculously juicy centre. This is what Nando’s aspires to be. There is really nothing quite like it. It’s spicy, tangy, acidic and fragrant. The flavours really linger, and it just goes down so well.
The owners are always in there too, just hanging out, greeting customers and keeping things running smoothly. The vibe is lively, with a mix of people from all over the world packed into this tiny, unassuming spot. There’s usually a queue on weekends but trust me, it’s worth the wait. If you go mid-week though, it should be all good.
For me, the real star of the menu is the chicken tikka leg. The way the marinade soaks into the meat, combined with that tandoor char, creates something truly special. You won’t find anything like it anywhere else. Also make sure you order their masala fries, the tandoori paneer and the king prawns.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it — these are three of my favourite spots in Dubai right now. Whether you’re craving elevated Thai, Basque flavours, or unbeatable tandoori, these spots should have you covered. But I’m always on the hunt for new places to check out, so if you’ve got recommendations, let me know and I’ll add them to my list for my next trip! Any other questions on Dubai food, let me know, happy to help!
Love watching your cooking videos! I'm heading to Dubai in October
Hashmi is already on the list for my trip in March because of your insta feed. :) it’s truly a delight to follow you on your foodie journeys!
We’ve lived in DXB for almost 4 years, returned to Germany in 2016. Food scene is changing so quickly there, it’s hard to keep up with the restaurant scene. Especially when you’re on a budget!! So the caviar and dry aged steaks places unfortunately won’t make it to my personal list - but any recommendations for no frills places for lovely Lebanese food are highly appreciated. Any ideas?