Sink your teeth into the foodie hotspots set to bring new flavours to Dubai’s culinary scene
Whether it’s an iconic fine dining restaurant or one of the best homegrown restaurants, Dubai’s culinary scene is one of the best in the world. And it continues to get better. From casual no-reservations concepts to icons of fine dining, here are 9 new restaurants to look forward to before the end of 2026.
Hikiniku to Come
Set to land in Dubai this September, FYTE Hospitality – who brought us Kokoro – will debut Hikiniku to Come in Al Quoz. The cult favourite concept from Tokyo lands in Dubai at CMPLX in Al Quoz, and will offer 100% Halal-certified Wagyu beef while staying true to the brand’s Japanese roots. Known across Asia for its highly focused Wagyu Hamburg dining ritual, the concept is built around freshly ground Wagyu patties grilled over custom-built equipment and served in a carefully timed sequence that highlights quality, craft and precision. This is one we can’t wait for.
ROKA The Palm
While Dubai might already have an outpost of Japanese hotspot ROKA, it’s set to get a second serving later this year. ROKA The Palm will debut as part of the culinary line-up at Six Senses The Palm, now accepting reservations from October 1. At its new location, guests can expect ROKA’s signature robatayaki to be reimagined with an alluring energy, bringing a more elevated and immersive dining experience to guests.
Taiga
The team behind one of Dubai’s most gourmet culinary experiences, Takahisa, are set to add to their culinary empire on Bluewaters with the forthcoming opening of Taiga. A modern teppanyaki experience, it will pair premium ingredients with an interactive setting, where guests can delight in a reimagined iteration of the traditional teppanyaki. Alongside the teppanyaki counter, promising front row views of the culinary action, private dining rooms promise intimate spaces to enjoy the fine dining experience.
Shinobi
It started with Kokoro in Al Quoz, then came Yubi in One Central and Tezukuri in Downtown, and now Al Wasl is getting its own hand roll bar, Shinobi. Self-described as where Tokyo attitude meets New York energy, the industrial-chic space comes to the city from the same team behind Kraken, and promises an array of signature hand rolls in a setting that’s as much about good vibes as it is great food.
Le Cafe LPM
Beloved French-Mediterranean fine dining spot Le Petite Maison is stepping into a new era, unveiling a first-of-its-kind all-day dining concept, Le Café LPM at Across H. This Riviera-inspired spot is slated to open in summer 2026, and it’s all about keeping things simple, flexible and easy to drop into any time of day. Start your morning with coffee and something light, swing by for a laid-back lunch, or settle in later for dinner and drinks. The menu follows that same rhythm, with a mix of breakfast options, lighter daytime plates and a handful of more substantial dishes in the evening. There’ll also be a strong focus on desserts, with a dedicated pâtisserie selection, filled with yummy goodies.
Gymkhana
Adding to the ever-impressive array of Michelin-lauded international concepts that have made DIFC home, Gymkhana will debut later this year in the city’s financial centre. From JKS, the group also behind the award-winning Berenjak restaurant, Gymkhana will bring the celebrated Indian cuisine that’s given it two Michelin stars in London to DIFC, where we can expect to dine on the same, tandoor-cooked meats and flavour-packed curries that have made this bold and flavourful restaurant one of the best in the British capital.
ISBA by Bagatelle
Adding to the string of beach clubs at Palm West Beach, which already includes Surf Club, Kyma and Maison de la Plage, ISBA by Bagatelle brings Bagatelle’s high-energy, French-Mediterranean experience to a seaside setting for the first time in Dubai. Slated to open before the end of the year, ISBA sits infront of the Dorchester Residences, and will be operated by 7 Management, the hospitality powerhouse also behind February 30 on the same stretch.
Jon and Vinny’s
The celebrity-beloved LA Italian-American restaurant, favoured by the likes of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, is already found in Saudi Arabia. But now it’s bringing its signature wood-fired pizzas, fluffy pancakes and iconic green pizza boxes to Jumeirah, marking its Dubai debut with an opening at First Avenue Mall Jumeirah (not to be mistaken for First Avenue Mall already open in Motor City) in the coming weeks.
Osaka Nikkei
An elevated celebration of Nikkei cuisine will add to the all-star culinary offering at Mandarin Oriental Downtown later this year. Already home to Billionaire, Lion in the Sun and Yu and Mi, Osaka Nikkei comes to Dubai from Peru by way of Miami and Madrid, bringing its bold mix of Peruvian flavours and Japanese precision to a lofty 35th-floor location.
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
