Best New Restaurants in Dubai to Try This Year (2026 Guide)

“People who love to eat are the best people,” said the iconic chef Julia Child. And those who love to eat are always on the lookout for the best new dining spots to try. It’s a good thing Dubai has one of the best food scenes in the world, with unforgettable culinary experiences.

And each year, Dubai reinvents its dining scene, opening its doors to innovative concepts. It is home to so many Michelin-starred chefs and homegrown talents who push the boundaries of taste and creativity.

The year 2026 is no different. From Japanese fine dining to Mediterranean escapes and casual street-food-inspired eateries, new restaurants in Dubai promise something for everyone.  

Here’s your full guide to new restaurants to try in Dubai in 2026. 

In this guide:

• Sana
• Amaru
• MEI
• Gymkhana
• Kinugawa
• Siena
• Taiga
• Coffeemania
• Culinara
• Athar
• Lion in the Sun
• El Primo
• Chotto Matte
• Quick comparison: New restaurants in Dubai 2026
• Key takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

Our top picks

1. Sana

Sana is Dubai’s first dedicated Uzbek restaurant, bringing the bold, spiced flavours of Central Asia to Madinat Jumeirah. The menu draws on Uzbek culinary traditions, with fragrant slow-cooked rice dishes, fire-grilled meats, and freshly baked flatbreads served in a relaxed neighbourhood setting. It is a distinctive addition to the Madinat dining cluster, offering a regional specificity that is hard to find elsewhere in the city.

• Phone: +971 58 814 2936
• Location: Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim 3

2. Amaru

Amaru brings the citrus-forward cooking of Latin America to Souk Madinat Jumeirah. The menu is built around sharing plates that draw on Peruvian, Brazilian, and Mexican culinary traditions, with an emphasis on bold flavours and vibrant presentation. It is a lively, sociable venue, suitable for group dinners, set within an atmospheric outdoor dining destination.

• Location: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim 3

3. MEI

MEI sits at the intersection of Chinese and Japanese cooking, offering a refined menu of dim sum, wok-fired dishes, and Japanese small plates under one roof. Located at Mina Al Salam, the restaurant has a polished, elegant feel that works equally well for a business lunch or an evening meal. The kitchen navigates both culinary traditions with care, balancing bold umami with Japanese restraint.

• Phone: +971 4 435 6888
• Location: Mina Al Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim 3

4. Gymkhana

Gymkhana is the most talked-about addition to new Indian fine dining restaurants in Dubai this year. The London original holds two Michelin stars, and its DIFC branch brings that same commitment to refined, produce-led North Indian cooking to Gate Village. The place serves deeply spiced curries, tandoor-fired breads, and game dishes that showcase the range of India’s culinary regions.

• Reservations: via website
• Location: Gate Village 7, Podium Level, DIFC

5. Kinugawa

Kinugawa is a Paris-born Japanese restaurant that made its Dubai debut at the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. The concept blends French culinary art with Japanese technique, producing a menu of sushi, sashimi, and delicately composed small plates. The interiors are sleek, consistent with the hotel’s broader design aesthetic. It is one of the more refined new restaurants to try in Dubai on the Jumeirah strip.

• Phone: +971 800 323232
• Location: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Jumeirah Road, Umm Suqeim 3

6. Siena

Siena is a modern Italian restaurant in DIFC that opened in April 2026, quickly becoming one of the most-visited new restaurants to try in Dubai for those who value classic European cooking. The menu is rooted in Italian tradition, with house-made pastas and wood-fired dishes. The setting is sophisticated without being formal, making it equally suited to business and leisure dining.

• Phone: +971 4 570 9391
• Location: Gate Village Building 7, DIFC

7. Taiga

Taiga is a Japanese teppanyaki and wagyu restaurant on Bluewaters Island, where tableside cooking theatre meets premium Japanese produce. The menu centres on teppanyaki-grilled cuts of beef and seafood, with a strong focus on Japanese wagyu. 

• Location: Bluewaters Island, next to Maison Shibuya

8. Coffeemania

Coffeemania is a European and Russian-influenced all-day dining concept that opened at Dubai Hills Mall in late November 2025. The extensive menu spans breakfast, brunch, and dinner, covering house-baked pastries, hearty mains, and desserts. It is a family-friendly space that gives Dubai Hills residents a reliable all-hours dining option in the heart of the neighbourhood.

• Location: Dubai Hills Mall, Al Khail Road, Dubai Hills

9. Culinara

Culinara is Dubai’s most unconventional new opening: a multi-cuisine food hall placed on the 24th floor of The Link at One Za’abeel. Since opening in mid-2025, it has drawn diners with its rotating selection of culinary concepts, impressive views across Downtown Dubai and Zabeel Park, and a style that suits groups with varied tastes. 

• Phone: +971 50 152 8341
• Location: Level 24, The Link, One Za’abeel, Za’abeel

10. Athar

Athar is an Emirati restaurant by the Chef’s Society team, dedicated to the traditional flavours of the UAE. Opened in August 2026 at City Centre Mirdif, it offers a menu built around slow-cooked rice and meat preparations, aromatic spiced dishes, and regional desserts rooted in Emirati culinary heritage. It is a great option for those who want to try authentic local cuisine.

• Location: City Centre Mirdif, Mirdif

11. Lion in the Sun

Lion in the Sun sits on the 62nd floor of the Mandarin Oriental Downtown in the Wasl Tower, providing skyline views along Sheikh Zayed Road. The menu focuses on Mediterranean open-fire cooking, with dishes that rely on char, smoke, and seasonal produce. 

• Phone: +971 4 565 5811
• Location: 62nd Floor, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Wasl Tower, Al Banna Street, Sheikh Zayed Road

12. El Primo – Mexico City street food vibes

El Primo is a Mexican taqueria in Dar Wasl run by chef Jonathan Colin, with a focused menu of trompo al pastor, suadero tacos, Baja-style fish and shrimp, aguas frescas, and a vanilla cheesecake to finish. It is a neighbourhood restaurant suitable for those craving Mexican comfort food. 

• Location: Dar Wasl, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1

13. Chotto Matte – Nikkei Cuisine

Chotto Matte brings its Nikkei concept to The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, fusing Japanese and Peruvian cuisines across a menu of sushi, sashimi, raw plates, and robata grill dishes. The London and Toronto branches built a strong reputation for high-quality dining, and the Dubai venue follows the same footsteps. 

• Location: The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC

If you are craving Italian food, check our guide on the best Italian restaurants in Dubai.

Explore the Available Properties for Rent in DIFC

Quick comparison: New restaurants in Dubai 2026

Key takeaways

This year has produced a strong range of new restaurants in Dubai with a variety of cuisines and price points.

DIFC is the focal point for fine dining openings, with Gymkhana, Siena, and Chotto Matte all launching within the financial district. Madinat Jumeirah continues to build its reputation as a dining destination, with Sana, Amaru, MEI, and Kinugawa all opening in the area.

For the best new Indian fine dining restaurants in Dubai, Gymkhana’s arrival at DIFC is the most significant opening of 2026. Athar at City Centre Mirdif is one of the few restaurants in Dubai to centre its menu entirely on traditional Emirati cuisine. Culinara at One Za’abeel and Lion in the Sun at Wasl Tower both offer sky-high dining experiences, which make them suitable if you’re planning a special celebratory dinner. Check out the best restaurants in Dubai.

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