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Need Inspiration? This Is Where We're Eating This February In Dubai
Dubai’s dining scene literally doesn’t sleep, with new restaurants opening every week from fine dining to casual eateries.
This month, whether you’re craving slow morning rituals, bold new tacos, late-night energy or bomb truffle pasta, here are the restaurants worth making time for.
Kumo
In a restored villa on Al Wasl Road, Kumo feels like the kind of place you discover and then decide to return to, not only because you had a great time and food is delish, but also because they recently launched a breakfast (above) and their matcha is whispered to be the best in town. Named for the Japanese word for cloud, it frames Japanese cuisine with warmth and restraint, inviting you to slow down in a decor that seems imported straight from the streets of Kyoto. The breakfast selection- think Japanese-style sandos, pastries and carefully brewed matcha- has already become a gentle ritual for early risers.
While we've yet to try their mornig staples, we can already tell you that the dinner menu is worth the detour, from delicious handrolls to scrumptious sandos and desserts that'll make you forget the word calories. Calo who?
KUMO
19th street, Al Wasl Road
Taqueria El Primo
El Primo might feel simple on paper, but it gets the basics so convincingly right. This taqueria delivers tacos that lean into authentic technique and bold flavour: trompo al pastor sliced from the spit, brisket-style suadero, and Baja-style fish and shrimp that play between spice, smoke, and freshness. But also - and not the least- some vegan options with mushrooms, tofu and seriously good condiments.
We loved everything about our visit at El Primo (minus perhaps the harsh white lights, wishing for something a bit more dimmed to hide our friday-night-out-of- a-crazy-work-week-faces); it's casual but loud enough to be social, and the focus is simply on the food: the delicious tacos are the reason you’re there. Whether you start with one or end up with half the menu, it’s easy to understand how this little spot is becoming a favourite. Oh, and if you skip the vanilla softie with hot churros....can we really be friends?
TAQUERIA EL PRIMO
Bada'a Aswaaq Mall - 365 Al Wasl Road
Instagram.com/taqueria_elprimo_ dubai
Nobu One Za’abeel
if you live in Dubai, chances are you've been / have heard / have had on your to-do list one of the city's Nobus. But this isn’t just another Nobu opening. Nobu One Za’abeel takes a global culinary brand and roots it into Dubai’s nocturnal pulse. Set within The Link at One&Only One Za’abeel, the restaurant transforms after dinner into a late-night destination with extended bar hours and a curated DJ soundtrack, inviting guests to linger long after the plates are cleared. Designed by Rockwell Group, the space is a study in layered geometry and fluid light, anchored by a monumental installation from Rockwell and LASVIT that runs across the ceiling, shaping the mood from arrival to private dining. With classics from chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s modern Japanese-Peruvian repertoire and an atmosphere that evolves into the night, this is a dinner spot that feels as much about the experience as the food.
On the opening night, we devoured some delicious rolls while gasping at the guest of honor- Lindsay Lohan-'s beauty and finally saw Mr Nobu himself - unfortunately he didn't give us the secre† to his phenomenal spinach salad with crispy shiitake we sometimes dream about at night.
NOBU ONE ZA'ABEEL
One and Only One Zabeel
OTHER
OTHER, born from Dubai studio VERHAAL’s architectural language, feels like a restaurant you want to live among rather than just visit (can we steal these chairs?) Its saturated colours, sculptural lighting, and textured surfaces create an immersive environment that makes time feel more like a ceremonial moment (lunch with the girls is that moment.) The menu mirrors that thoughtful design: a hot dog dressed with caviar (that somehow feels right?), beef tartare with chips meant for sharing, and other dishes that walk the line between playful and precise. By day it’s pastry and coffee; by night it settles into dinner and drinks, all under interiors that look good on camera but feel even better in person.
OTHER
Dar Wasl
Gloria Osteria by Big Mamma
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Recently opened at The Ritz Carlton DIFC, Gloria brings the theatrical flair of 1970s Milan to Dubai: velvet banquettes, mirrored ceilings, a very grand entrance with liquor bottles from floor to ceiling and a terrace that frames the skyline like a stage. The menu? All of favourite from the Milan location are here: truffle-flecked mafaldine (the house's best seller) to lobster-filled pasta but also a magnificent tomato tatin, an insane warm grilled vegetables salad with ricotta and potentially the best sea bass we've ever had. There's much more we want to try including the crudos, but that only means we'll need to be back soon. Oh, and please don't sleep on the tiramisu, it's almost as good as our nonna's.
GLORIA
Ritz Carlton DIFC
Instagram.com/Gloriaosteria.dxb
Of The Earth
We kept passing by the mysterious Of The Earth sign in Alserkal Avenue that said opening soon for a while until...it actually opened. When you want food that feels grounded (literally and figuratively) Of The Earth answers the call. This new café and eatery champions farm-to-table philosophy with ingredients sourced from UAE farms and growers. The recipes, while they're definitely not basic, majorly focus on the produce quality. The space itself is also a reason the come back: softly lit, curated with natural materials and a circular seating area wrapped around a tree, sets a tone of calm before you even order. The menu keeps things simple and quality-led, featuring specialty coffee (absolutely divine and approved by the coffee snobs we are), fresh juices, pastries and croissants that feel perfect whether you’re catching up with a friend or lingering over your laptop. There’s also a small lifestyle corner with curated merchandise that echoes the space’s earthy, thoughtful aesthetic, making Of The Earth feel as much like a concept space as a place to eat.
As per what we tried, The Farmer plate as seen above but in its sweet version: think tomato-lime jam, wild berries jam, fresh nut butter, organic salted butter and this pillowy sourdough bread that got us closer to heaven with every bite.
OF THE EARTH
Alserkal Avenue, The Courtyard
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