From new cafes to Michelin Guide-recognized restaurants, here are all the places to visit in Dubai and Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Photo: Courtesy of Qabu by Paco Morales
Qabu by Paco Morales
Located at The Link in One&Only One Za’abeel, Qabu by Paco Morales stands out from other restaurants in the city with its offering of fine Andalusian cuisine. Renowned Spanish chef Paco Morales makes his Dubai debut with the restaurant, collaborating with chef Paola Gualandi to bring the Spanish-meets-Arabian flavors of the Al Andalus era to the city in two carefully curated menus.
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The Qurtuba menu offers five courses while Al Andalus features seven. Highlights of Qurtuba include turmeric toast with salt-cured lamb loin and ras el hanout mayo, and those of Al Andalus include red prawn crisp, with cúrcuma cream, turnip, and caviar. Attentive staff with deep knowledge of the cuisine and the restaurant’s Moorish architecture-inspired decor transport guests to Andulasia, as the view of Dubai’s skyline enchants.
Thelinkdubai.com, 04 666 1617
Smoked Room
Photo: Courtesy of Smoked Room
Tucked away inside Leña, Smoked Room is not only a new addition to Dubai but also to the 2024 Michelin Guide. The restaurant’s Madrid location holds Two Michelin Stars, and is renowned for its ‘Fire Omakase’ cuisine, led by chef Dani García. Seated at the table that serves only 14 guests at a time, it doesn’t take long to learn why Smoked Room Dubai earned its One Michelin Star only six months after its opening.
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It’s also hard to miss the fire crackling in the open-style kitchen behind the busy chefs, as the dimly-lit cozy space ensures that it is the star of the show—just until the food arrives. Given that it offers omakase dining, there is no set menu, however, Smoked Room describes the preparation as: “Skill and expertise are fundamental elements in the creation of each dish; smoke plays the role of essential seasoning and a crucial detail in every menu preparation.” The service is overseen by head chef Jesus Lobato, who won the Young Chef of the Year award at the 2024 Michelin Guide Ceremony.
Grupodanigarcia.com, 04 453 7548
Zuma
Tucked away in the heart of Dubai International Financial Centre, Zuma is an absolute must-visit — and for good reason. With its ambient lighting and classically luxe interiors, the restaurant serves as the perfect example of quiet luxury. After all, who needs OTT interiors when the food is impeccable? With its wonderfully fresh produce, authentic cooking methods and incredible flavor profiles, Zuma’s contemporary Japanese menu hits the spot every single time. Among its many bestsellers are the chu toro tartar with oscietra caviar and miso bun, along with the ridiculously crispy, yet feather-light prawn tempura and seared salmon with lime shiso soy.
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For vegetarians, the eggplant and spinach gyoza packs quite the punch, while the spicy fried tofu and avocado salad is a forever winner. For traditionalists, Zuma has a wide range to choose from. Here, even the simplest of dishes, from the humble miso soup, to salted edamame and sashimi seem to taste better — beautifully balanced, with authentic flavors at the heart of each bite. Guests are inviting to order as they please — the restaurant’s izakaya style encourages all to order small plates to share between friends to enjoy the full spectrum of its culinary offerings.
To complement your meal, make sure to look through Zuma’s drinks menu, which stands out for its blend of fruity mixes featuring unexpected notes like almond, yuzu and ginger. Of course, no meal is truly complete without dessert, and here, Zuma makes sure to deliver. Ask for the pecan pie sundae — you can thank us later.
Zumarestaurant.com, +971 4 425 5660
Onda
Photo: Courtesy of Onda
Taking over TikTok and Instagram soon after its launch for its pleasing interiors, Onda is one of Dubai’s newest culinary hotspots. Inside Canal House on Al Wasl Road, Onda enjoys a quaint location, attracting guests to its picture-worthy flavored matches, speciality coffee, and more. The cafe dubs itself a “neighborhood replenishment bar” aiming to be a community hub for creatives, and not just a dining destination.
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While most visitors go to Onda for its viral pink matcha (Strawberry Cloud) served in a fun glass, the food menu curated by chef Jesse Blake is also worth trying. Highlights include the Avocado & King Crab Toast, the Wagyu Steak Sandwich, the Brulee Brioche French Toast. and the Spiced Buckwheat & Candied Walnut Waffle.
04 264 3688
Bacha Coffee
Photo: Courtesy of Bacha Coffee
In great news for coffee enthusiasts in Abu Dhabi, Bacha Coffee has now arrived in the UAE capital. Located in the bustling Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island, Bacha Coffee is a cult favorite for its 100% Arabica beverages, and over 200 types of coffee sourced from more than 35 countries. For the uninitiated, Bacha Coffee was founded in Marrakesh in 1910, at the Dar el Bacha palace, and has since grown into a globally-loved spot with over 20 branches around the world.
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The bright interiors, walls stacked with naturally flavored and fragrant coffee, beautiful teapots, coffee mugs, and more, are just some of the highlights of the boutique. Bacha Coffee’s newest location in Abu Dhabi also offers takeaway service, with a handy cup-holder housing everything from the beloved vanilla-flecked chantilly cream, and sugar stick, to a reusable glass straw. For nibbles, visitors are spoiled for choice with the selection of croissants, which includes Raspberry & Cinnamon, Pistachio, 1910 Coffee & Chocolate, Comte Cheese, Tomato and Wagyu Beef, Mushroom, and more.
Le Bistro by Salmontini
Photo: Courtesy of Le Bistro by Salmontini
Scottish salmon meets French flair at Le Bistro by Salmontini in DIFC, Dubai, and its new location in Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi. A contemporary twist on three decades of sourcing the best smoked salmon means an array of egg-and bread-based dishes where the fish weaves its way in seamlessly. Cue the Salmontini Benedict: poached eggs florentine with three types of salmon – wood-smoked, light smoked, and roasted – and a side of creamy spinach, shaved fennel, and mustard hollandaise. Or the Eggs Royale, which adds smoked salmon to crumpets, wilted spinach, and salmon roe. These are classic yet inventive dishes – Le Bistro by Salmontini is all about carefully sourced ingredients uniting with a symphony of tastes and techniques for a delicate curation – impeccably seasoned for flavors that enhance each other. There is a concerted effort towards bringing the ancient craft of smoking salmon under the spotlight.
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Le Bistro by Salmontini takes its salmon seriously, but this is definitely not at the cost of traditional breakfast staples. Rounding up the offering are a fluffy blend of dishes such as Egg White Burrata with wild mushrooms, baby spinach, and leeks topped with a generous dollop of fresh burrata and tomatoes; slow-cooked Chorizo eggs; Turkish eggs; and shakshouka. Stuffed croissants range from the savory to the sweet, all equally decadent, be they truffle eggs or chocolate – plus bottomless coffee, of course. For a weekend of excesses, Le Bistro by Salmontini caters wholly.
Breakfast from 8am to noon.
Lebistro.salmontini.com, 04 388 2468
StreetXO
Photo: Courtesy of StreetXO
Pumping music. Neon lights. Cheeky modern art. StreetXO is a unique space, to say the least. With its vibrant interiors and infectious energy, this hotspot has become a favorite for day-long brunches, where dancing and singing is as much a part of the experience as the food.
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Curated by Madrid native Dabiz Muñoz (winner of the World’s Best Chef Award in 2023), the menu at StreetXO is all about bold flavors and playful presentation, with street food-inspired dishes taking centerstage. Get ready to try kimchi croquettes with tuna sashimi, soba noodles with seabream sashimi, calamari served with bread sponge cake, and deep fried wonton kebabs with mint yogurt cream. Wagyu is another favorite at this restaurant, along with Pekinese dumplings and not-so-basic versions of ramen, lasagne, and other favorites.
Streetxo.com, 04 666 1617
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