Hidden Gem Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Ruya

This award-winning restaurant offers a taste of Anatolia’s rich culinary history. Led by Executive, Chef Colin Clague, one of the region’s respected culinary talents...

Using plant-based, local, seasonal and ethically sourced ingredients, this is a no additive, no GMO, no gluten, dairy or refined sugar, no messin’ joint; with two recently opened branches in Paris and more set to roll-out...

Yui

This ramen joint is a modern café catering to the D3 creative crowd and swiftly serving up some of the best casual Japanese food in town...

BB

This petite venue located over three floors, makes for an interesting setting and can hold its own amongst the DIFC's big hitters...

Flamingo Room by Tasha's

Situated next to Jumeriah Al Naseem's Turtle Lagoon, this salmon pink paradise is one of the city's most beautifully designed restaurants...

Salt

One of Dubai's first popup food concepts, with somewhat of a cult status, Salt serves up some of the best damn burgers in the city...

Comptoir 102

Acquainting Jumeirah with Parisian bohemian chic, this peaceful environment and 'Yummy Mummy' hangout focuses on interior design, fashion accessories and food...

Folly by Nick & Scott

Tucked among the heaving stalls of Souk Madinat is a magical location, a restaurant that has most angles covered; spot an area you like and inevitably stumble across another.

Toro & Ko

This upmarket tapas restaurant serves an outstanding menu of hot and cold dishes created by Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette, bringing a taste of Barcelona to City Walk...

Al Ustad Special Kabab

This Iranian restaurant (formerly known as, Special Ostadi) is one of Dubai's best kept secrets, serving some of the most outstanding, traditional Persian food in the city.

Betawi

A family owned restaurant in Bur Dubai with only nine tables. Born 2007, this little diamond in the rough serves truly authentic Indonesian food and boasts a loyal following.

China Sea

This gem has been going for over a decade and is one of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in the city. Don't expect Molton Brown washroom products.

Calicut Paragon

Is it Calicut Paragon, or just simply the later, we're really not sure… Either way this staple South Indian restaurant produces good, inexpensive food and is held dear by many.

Mythos

A much yearned for addition to Dubai's restaurant scene, this unpretentious, home-from-home brings authentic Greek dishes in a traditional taverna setting...

Shogun

This unassuming eatery is a diamond in the rough. Revered amongst many of Dubai's East Asian expats in search of classic cuisine. The menu consists of Japanese, Thai and Korean dishes...

Pierchic

Walk down the promenade and enjoy exceptional views of Dubai's most iconic building, Burj Al Arab and the surrounding Gulf...

Pai Thai

Pull up to the enchanting entrance of golden horses and giant palatial fountains. Make your way through the hotel and down to the restaurant via boat, buggy or foot...

Al Fanar

Al Fanar is a good place to take Dubai newcomers interested in sampling a true taste of Emirati cuisine.

Al Hadheerah

Desert dining in an Arabian oasis.

Arabian Tea House Café

The quiet green courtyard tucked away in Bastakiya is a perfect place to saver some serenity and shade.

Asha's

Still going strong, Asha's combines North West Indian cuisine with an innovative twist, red and amber hues, and a relaxed open-air terrace...

The China Club

What this old favourite may lack in atmosphere it makes up for in good food; a generous mix of authentic Cantonese, Peking and Szechuan cuisine, along with a charming team...

Cocoa Room

Quirky breakfast bistro by day, bustling, top-drawer burger joint by night, Cocoa Room is a kind of in-house popup, only open from 8.30am-11.30am...

Kaftan

This unassuming Turkish restaurant neighbours the bombastic Burj Al Arab (the sail watches over you while you dine on a juxtaposed terrace, decorated in white-washed furniture and trees adorned with colourful lanterns)…

Mezza House

Truly Eastern Med with a strong local following, celebrating culinary heritage and recipes passed down through generations.

Sukhothai

A hidden gem in the Méridien Village, with traditional décor and hand carved wooden interiors. Your experience is enriched by thoughtful touches...

Zagol

Don't underestimate this pint-sized gem. Like walking into someone's living room, Zagol offers some of the best home cooked Ethiopian food in Dubai.

Demoiselle by Galvin

The words chocolate-box spring to mind when you enter this pretty café/bistro; a mix of Wes Anderson allure, French culinary flare and old British empire...

The Farm

A tranquil haven set in Al Barari, the city's first eco-conscious development landscape...

The Hamptons Café

A family-owned restaurant on Jumeirah Beach Road, The Hamptons Café was a single sumptuous townhouse, with a terrace overlooking the city's rooftops and iconic Burj Al Arab...

Elia

This attractive and authentic restaurant is owned by Greeks, ran by Greeks and frequented by…yes, you guessed it...

Rhodes W1

With a quintessentially British menu from famous Brit chef Gary Rhodes, this restaurant, bar and terrace is beautifully designed...

The Dinner Club by No.57

Emirati duo Buthaina Al Mazrui and Alamira Noor Bani Hashim created The Dinner Club 57 in November 2012 and brought something new and exciting to the city.