Outstanding restaurants in Dubai: 6 insider tips
Immerse yourself in the world of culinary delights in Dubai – with these insider restaurant tips.
Everything you need to know at a glance
Dubai offers an exceptionally diverse restaurant scene, from local specialties to Michelin-starred fine dining in spectacular locations. Insider tips include the Peruvian-inspired Coya, the romantic Italian restaurant Pierchic overlooking the sea, and At.Mosphere on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa with its 360-degree view.
The underwater restaurant Ossiano at the Atlantis The Palm hotel is also a special experience, while Gerbou serves modern Emirati cuisine including high tea. Row on 45 is absolutely top class, with two Michelin stars and an exclusive 17-course tasting menu for just 22 guests.
"Coya": intoxicating flavors of Latin America
At the Coya restaurant in the Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach resort, the walls are decorated with Latin American art and all kinds of greenery hangs from the high ceilings. Here you can enjoy the intoxicating flavors of Latin America, with the menu dominated by Peruvian cuisine.
You will find a diverse selection of light and healthy dishes such as delicious ceviches, traditional tiraditos, and hearty grilled fish, meat, and vegetable skewers. Coya is part of the popular Restaurant Village on the Dubai Creek promenade.
It also offers its guests an innovatively composed menu with typical signature dishes from the city and country of each individual restaurant in the chain. The original restaurant was opened in London, and there are now locations all over the world.
Pierchic: Italian cuisine above the sea
If you want to enjoy the finest Italian cuisine in a unique location, you should visit the Pierchic restaurant , which belongs to the Jumeirah Al Qasr hotel: this insider tip in Dubai is located on a private pier above the sea, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Chef Beatrice Segoni cooks antipasti, pasta, and risotto with Italian passion at Pierchic, along with plenty of fish, seafood, and meat. She composes menus such as the White Truffle Menu, which attracts guests from all over the city.
There is hardly a better place in Dubai for a romantic dinner: the water splashes beneath you, the view of the sky is unobstructed thanks to the glass roof, and the view of the Dubai skyline – centered on the Burj Al Arab – creates a magical culinary experience.
Row on 45: two stars for excellent fusion cuisine
One of the best restaurants in Dubai specializes in British ingredients. These are transformed into true masterpieces using French techniques, Japanese clarity, Mediterranean lightness, and Asian aromatics. Fusion cuisine at its best.
Row on 45, located on the 45th floor of the Grosvenor House Hotel, has been awarded two Michelin stars. Row stands for "Refinement of Work."
Gerbou: Emirati cuisine
At Gerbou in Dubai's Nad Al Sheba district, you can enjoy high-quality Emirati cuisine. Traditional dishes, including mezze and chicken machboos, feature prominently on the menu, with some dishes given an original twist with international influences.
A highlight of this insider tip restaurant in Dubai is the earth oven, which gives meat and seafood an intense, smoky aroma. For dessert, enjoy pastries and desserts from award-winning pastry chef Sahar Al Awadhi.
Interesting fact: During the high tea experience at Gerbou, you will be served a sophisticated menu of savory and sweet creations between 4 and 6 p.m. in the late afternoon, which is renowned throughout the emirate.
Ossiano: Michelin-starred cuisine between rays and sharks
The Michelin-starred Ossiano at the Atlantis The Palm hotel is an underwater restaurant decorated in shades of gold and blue. If you manage to get a table, you can watch stingrays and sharks glide by in a huge floor-to-ceiling aquarium while you dine on outstanding cuisine with roots in nouvelle cuisine.
The menu is clear, balanced, and precise, with every ingredient carefully considered. If you have the time and inclination, let yourself be inspired by the nine-course tasting menu. Many dishes are finished right at your table with a touch of theatricality. The focus is on fish and seafood creations.
"At.Mosphere": the highest restaurant in the world
You won't forget a dinner at the At.Mosphere restaurant in a hurry: located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, almost 450 meters above the ground, you need to have a head for heights, at least if you want a table by the window. But it's not just the 360-degree view that's spectacular.
The extensive à la carte menu offers modern dishes with a French influence that appeal to both the palate and the eyes. In true Dubai style, dishes such as foie gras, oysters, caviar, and Wagyu steak are available, as well as Australian specialties such as lamb in tonka jus. Tasting menus are also available for lunch and dinner.
Enjoy the sunset in this fine dining temple and linger in the lounge until midnight to listen to renowned DJs on certain evenings. Or drop by for breakfast – At.Mosphere is open all day.
Interesting fact. The newly designed interior of the " At.Mosphere" pays homage to the Art Deco era: rich burgundy tones, midnight blue and gilded accents, while materials and textures such as marble, mosaics and mirrors add glamour.
Which American Express credit card will accompany you to Dubai?
Restaurants in Dubai: diverse and international
Dubai's restaurant scene is incredibly diverse and international: from affordable street food spots and unusual insider tips to Michelin-starred concepts, you'll find cuisines from virtually every region of the world. At the same time, luxury, spectacular locations, and a strong "dining as an experience" concept characterize the scene.
Whenever you travel, whether to Dubai or another destination, it's always best to have your American Express credit card with you. Depending on the card model you choose, you can benefit from attractive travel advantages. These include comprehensive insurance coverage, favorable car rental conditions, and dining benefits.
And when you're not traveling, you can also enjoy outstanding dining in Switzerland. Experience unforgettable moments with your American Express Platinum Card at a GaultMillau restaurant of your choice in Switzerland. You'll benefit from an annual dining credit of up to CHF 160.
Frequently asked questions and answers
The restaurant featured here, Row on 45, is one of the best in Dubai, with two Michelin stars. With Trèsind Studio and FZN Restaurant by Björn Frantzén, there are also two three-star restaurants in the emirate (as of January 2026).
As a holder of the American Express Platinum Card or Gold Card, you benefit from a dining credit that is credited to your account after dinner at selected GaultMillau restaurants in Switzerland. With the Platinum Card, you receive additional dining benefits, such as simplified reservations or complimentary gifts when you visit a restaurant.
Dubai is located in the United Arab Emirates on the Arabian Peninsula, on the coast of the Persian Gulf. It is situated roughly between the cities of Abu Dhabi (to the south) and Sharjah (to the north) in the Middle East.
