December is one of the busiest months for Dubai’s evolving restaurant scene, with a flurry of new openings adding to the city's culinary landscape.
Several of these newcomers are high-profile international imports, including the much-anticipated Sexy Fish, known for its opulent design and Asian-inspired menu, and the inventive Romeo Lane, which combines Indian and Japanese flavours. At the same time, exciting home-grown concepts have made their debut, showcasing local talent and innovation.
Here are 11 restaurants welcoming diners in Dubai from this month.
Mimi Mei Fair
Cuisine: Chinese
Mimi Mei Fair, originally from London's Mayfair, offers elevated Chinese dishes in an immersive venue, with 1920s Shanghai as the prime inspiration. Think Chinese urns, vintage furniture and bold red chandeliers. The food is equally delightful – a vast mix of flavours that span regions and tastes, from delicate dim sum to the fiery dishes of Hunan and Sichuan.
Based on The National's review, must-try dishes include apple wood-fired roasted Peking duck, crispy Atlantic sea bass, crispy golden langoustines with filo pastry and colourful xiao long jewels, the restaurant's fun take on the traditional soup dumplings.
Monday to Thursday, noon-midnight; Friday to Sunday, noon-1am; Address Residences, Downtown Dubai; 04 570 0825
Manao
Cuisine: Thai
Chef Abhiraj Khatwani of Yellow Monkey and his mentor, Syrian chef Mohamad Orfali of Michelin-starred Orfali Bros, have teamed up to reimagine Thai cuisine at this restaurant at Wasl Vita Mall. The inventive use of rice is a highlight of the menu, with dishes such as lobster khanom krok – fermented rice custard with grilled lobster tail and coriander flowers – and khanom jeen – fermented rice noodles with aromatic cashew sauce and Alaskan king crab. Other dishes include duck mochi, sticky rice skewers and pomelo salad.
Tuesday to Sunday, 7pm-11pm; Wasl Vita Mall, Jumeirah 1; 04 272 2389
Sexy Fish
Cuisine: Japanese
Located in the heart of Dubai International Financial Centre, this London import specialises in modern Japanese cuisine, served in a marine-inspired setting. The eye-catching decor includes a Damien Hirst octopus sculpture, jellyfish table lamps, Murano-tentacled pillars and a school of bespoke fish lights around the Brudnizki-designed bar.
The menu includes yellowtail sashimi, takoyaki croquettes, spicy beef tenderloin and a range of maki options. The crispy truffled tofu is a must-try, even for the most dedicated carnivores.
Daily, 6pm-2am; Innovation One, DIFC; 04 381 9000
Duck & Waffle
Cuisine: Modern British and American
The UK-based restaurant also joins Dubai International Financial Centre this month with its modern British and American classics.
The restaurant is currently operating from noon to 11pm, but it will serve round the clock from early 2025, so diners can indulge in its signature duck and waffle dish (crispy duck leg confit, fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup) at 3am if they so wish. The venue spans 929 square metres with a 360-degree chef’s bar, an open kitchen and a greenhouse-inspired dining area – with views of Burj Khalifa.
Other dishes include spicy ox cheek doughnut, whole roasted poussin and slow-roasted tomato rigatoni.
24/7; Innovation One, DIFC; 04 336 9876
Romeo Lane
Cuisine: Indo-Japanese
Blending Indian and Japanese cuisines might raise some eyebrows, but this import from Goa has been doing it for years. It now brings its fusion flair to Pullman Dubai Downtown, with dishes such as miso-glazed tandoori salmon, hamachi and sol kadi ceviche and Japanese lamb meatballs with onion-tomato masala; plus Goan dishes such as cafreal tandoori tikka and seafood moilee.
12.30pm-2am; Pullman Dubai Downtown, Business Bay; 04 369 0000
La Baia by the Beach
Cuisine: Italian
The chic beach club is part of the J1 Beach complex, which effectively replaced a chunk of La Mer. The menu is a showcase of southern Italian flavours, and the venue's aesthetic is inspired by the Amalfi Coast.
On the menu are Mediterranean seafood, artisanal pastas and wood-fired pizzas with luxurious ingredients such as black caviar and truffle. Signature dishes include stuffed courgette flowers and burrata, while a dedicated dessert room serves Italian confections such as Sicilian cannoli, velvety tiramisu and creamy gelato.
10am-2pm; J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1; 04 570 2482
Siena
Cuisine: Italian
Grosvenor House's latest restaurant offers classic Italian comfort food, courtesy of head chef Alessandro Mirabelli, who brings 15 years of experience. Dishes include slow-cooked Wagyu beef cheek and home-made tagliolino with clams, seaweed and lemon zest. A seafood bar also offers fresh oysters, prawns and fish cooked your way. Great views of Dubai Marina can be enjoyed from the terrace.
Daily, 6pm-11pm; Grosvenor House, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai Marina; 04 399 8888
Jou Jou Brasserie
Cuisine: Mediterranean
The restaurant at Four Seasons Resorts Dubai aims to transport diners to southern Europe. Dishes include octopus carpaccio, gambas and a Jou Jou platter that features cured meats and aged cheeses. Pasta and risotto dishes are also on the menu, as well as sharing plates of mussels and Wagyu tomahawk. The dessert menu is also extensive, including fried churros, chocolate and olive oil cake, and apple tarte tatin.
Daily, 7am-10.30pm; Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach; 04 270 7803
Il Gattopardo
Cuisine: Italian
The restaurant, on the 51st floor of ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai International Financial Centre, offers dishes inspired by the Italian Riviera. Think arancini and creamy bufala, truffle-infused tartufo, and ricotta and spinach ravioli. Fresh seafood is also on the menu, as well as Italian desserts such as tiramisu and gelato.
Daily, noon-1.30am; ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC; 04 498 1727
Slay Bar and Kitchen
Cuisine: International
The 180-seater restaurant has an indoor lounge and outdoor terrace. Boho-inspired decor dominates the space – intricate patterns, lush greenery and warm textures. The menu is a bit free-for-all, with eclectic inspiration spanning the Mediterranean, Asia and Europe. Small plates include Korean fried chicken and malai soya chaap, while diners can also choose from a selection of burgers, pizzas, pastas and more.
Daily, 10am-4am; Burj Daman Building, Za'abeel 2; 052 684 8800
Sur. Dubai
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Coastal fare awaits diners at this Uptown business park restaurant near Jumeirah Lakes Towers. The menu is inspired by Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, with seafood options such as succulent sea bass and tender octopus. Other offerings include baby chicken and lamb chops.
Daily, noon-midnight; Uptown Tower, JLT; 055 122 7475
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MATCH INFO
Barcelona 5 (Lenglet 2', Vidal 29', Messi 34', 75', Suarez 77')
Valladolid 1 (Kiko 15')
BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
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