Best Places To Fine Dine In Dubai

DUBAI DOESN’T LACK FOR OVER-THE-TOP LUXURY. You can dine inside an aquarium, sip gold-dusted cappuccinos, or enjoy a dessert served with fireworks.

But the newly opened Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab offers something different. Designed by Shaun Killa—the architect behind the Museum of the Future—it completes the oceanic trilogy with Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. It also signals the group’s bold ‘Mission 2030’ to double its global footprint.

The hotel resembles a super yacht—curved, gleaming, slightly futuristic. There’s the inevitable infinity pool, the palm-lined pathways, the scent of salt and oud in the air. But you don’t go for just that. Yes, the rooms are palatial, the view is phenomenal and the service is incomparable. But what’s truly interesting about the property is its smashing food and drink.

The food here isn’t just good—it’s sharp and curated. There are 11 restaurants and four bars, and in our opinion, these three new spots, from Asia to Greece, are reflecting Dubai’s global appetite. At Madame Li, there’s a decadent Cantonese menu. At Iliana, the Mediterranean meets minimalism (it’s a Pinterest dream, really). And at Rialto, you’ll find pasta made from scratch in a glowing white “pasta room” that looks like a scene straight out of Stanley Tucci’s dreams. So prepare to savour the hotel’s showstopping offerings, on the plate.

MADAME LI

Housed in a moody, silk-lined dining room, Madame Li is where Pan-Asian dining grows up. It’s moody without being try-hard. The menu hits that sweet spot where East Asian staples get reworked just enough to be interesting. Turkish chef Mehmet Ipar, trained in some of the world’s most exacting Cantonese kitchens, orchestrates a menu that cuts through Dubai’s fusion fatigue with genuine clarity.

The flavours stretch across China and East Asia: Honey-Glazed Short Ribs that are sticky and tender, Lobster Cheung Fun that’s soft and savoury in equal measure, and Crispy Duck Salad that nails contrast. Miso Cod comes with dramatic tableside pours. Spring rolls arrive tight, hot, crisp. The XO Beef Ribs are bold but not loud. Even the plating holds back, letting the balance of flavour do the work. It’s the perfect dinner destination—luxe, yes but incredibly homely and warm.

The bar at Rialto

ILIANA

Iliana sits right on the shoreline, the kind of place that feels like it was built for golden hour selfies. Whitewashed walls, stone floors, low lighting. here’s a rooftop, a pool exclusive to suite guests, a terrace that practically demands rosé. But the best thing about Iliana is Chef Andreas Gkipalis demands rosé.

But the best thing about Iliana is Chef Andreas Gkipalis. Gkipalis, who trained in Michelin kitchens but grew up with Greek home cooking, brings both heritage and polish to the menu. Dishes like Sea Bass Carpaccio, grilled catch of the day and Chicken Souvlaki are familiar, but mouth-wateringly good. A feta-laced summer salad hits the table chilled and sharp. The seafood is fresh, lightly dressed and cooked just enough. The Grilled Octopus is a must-have.

By day, Iliana is sun-kissed poolside fare and private beach access. By night, it turns into something slower, sexier—especially the rooftop bar that you wouldn’t want to miss.

Tuna carpaccio at the Italian restaurant

d the Crispy Duck Salad on the menu;

RIALTO

Named after Venice’s most iconic bridge, Rialto is a rare thing in Dubai: Italian fine dining. The place could’ve gone big, instead it walks the line between vintage and theatrical. You’re surrounded by chandeliers and velvet, inspired by 1950s Italy with clean lines and soft jazz tunes playing overhead.

Michelin-starred chef Roberto Rispoli knows better than to reinvent the wheel. His Tagliatelle with White Veal Ragù is rich but balanced. His Grilled Langoustine hits with citrus oil and restraint. The pasta’s hand-cut. The sauces are deep. The adjoining Rialto Bar is where the place gets looser: aperitifs from northern Italy, bitter spritzes and negronis poured without fuss.

Sunset and shoreline, and Whole Seabream Sashimi, at Iliana

SO, IF YOU’RE WONDERING WHAT Dubai tastes like now, it’s this: nuanced, ambitious and globally fluent. And Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab isn’t just keeping up with the city’s evolving culinary scene, it’s helping define where it goes next

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