Where FooDiva dines in Dubai: The 2026 restaurant guide.
The eleventh edition. 40 homegrown, locally developed concepts make the cut.
Welcome to my annual Dubai restaurant guide, the eleventh edition, with a personal headline of where I dine out.
This is NOT one of those contentious ‘best of’ lists, but simply a round-up of the restaurants I have chosen to frequent socially, for my reviews, or for my dining experiences over the last year - and that I hope to continue to visit.
Whether you’re a UAE resident or a visitor, I have crafted this guide as a bucket list round-up to inspire your next breakfast, lunch or dinner. That’s how I use it.
With Dubai’s unbearable traffic coupled with prioritising a healthy lifestyle, I promised myself that I would be very selective on where I dine out over the last year - and when I do, mostly on weekends - so this guide is by no means exhaustive.
As always, all 40 featured restaurants are homegrown, locally developed concepts serving every cuisine under the sun, including several new openings and new entries.
These predominately chef-led and owner-operated, independent establishments tick every box in equal measure - food, service, interior, atmosphere, location and value for money – in line with my no-freebies editorial policy where I always pay the bill.
Sometimes I don't even snap photos - typically an indicator of a bloody good time!
They have all consistently impressed across the whole à la carte dining experience, allowing you to eat as much or as little as you want, according to your budget. And hence you won't find tasting menu concepts here.
A handful of restaurant experiences disappointed, and needless to say, don't feature.
Entries are categorised by licensed (with alcohol) and unlicensed (dry/ sans booze), sub-divided into districts, and then alphabetically.
Grab a cuppa or your favourite tipple and click on my website HERE for this free-to-read guide.
Paying subscribers also receive this guide as a downloadable PDF, as well as my personal Google Maps link with all 40 restaurants mapped out - and as the year progresses, updated with new discoveries. All linked below. Feel free to upgrade to a full subscription, if not already.