BOOK NOW: Dubai’s best restaurants for Arabian Travel Market evening entertaining

Looking for the perfect restaurant for evening entertaining or inspiration after a hard fought day of doing deals at April's Arabian Travel Market ? - Dubai now boasts an impressive collection of world class power dinner destinations - here are our favourites...

Don't forget: If you have registered for #ATMDubai at #DWTC, book your hotel now via the official hotel deals for Arabian Travel Market service from HotelMap.

International visitors spend more money in Dubai than anywhere else in the world, according to the Mastercard Global Destinations Index 2017. In 2017, the city's total expenditure was over $30 billion USD, with food and beverage accounting for 15% (yep $4.5 billion).

Striking surroundings: Impressive backdrops with menus to match

Located 442 metres above ground, on the 122nd level of the Burj Khalifa - the world’s tallest building - At.mosphere is the highest restaurant in the world, taking high-end dining to a new level. The unrivalled panorama over the city is the real draw of the restaurant but, thankfully, the food is just as exciting. With a focus on top quality ingredients sourced from around the world, the menu is made up of European dishes created using classic French techniques.

Back down on Earth, Zheng He’s boasts one of Dubai’s prettiest settings. Sitting on the bank of the picturesque Jumeirah Mina A’Salam lagoon, it offers an impressive view of the surrounding waterways and the luxury Burj Al Arab hotel - currently the fourth tallest in the world. Book a table on the terrace to take full advantage of the location and settle in for a quintessential Chinese experience. Classic dishes have been revitalised with contemporary updates; the whole roasted Beijing duck is the restaurant’s signature.

Found inside Burj Al Arab, Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara has a striking backdrop of a different sort. Renowned for its floor-to-ceiling aquarium that gives the impression of dining underwater, the restaurant underwent some changes in 2016 with the appointment of British chef Nathan Outlaw. Known for his pared-down approach to seafood at his two Michelin-starred restaurant in Cornwall, Outlaw was tasked with making the plush hotel - self-promoted as the world’s most luxurious - more accessible. While there have been subtle changes to the decor, the most notable difference is found on the menu. Ingredients are flown in daily from Cornwall and around the world to create dishes such as lobster risotto, crispy oysters with caviar and a typically British sticky toffee pudding.

Michelin star magic: Exceptional restaurants from world-renowned chefs

Famed for his three-Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and the French Alps, acclaimed chef Yannick Alléno has brought first class French cuisine to Dubai with STAY by Yannick Alléno. One of two restaurants in the STAY series - the other is in Paris - the fine-dining establishment brings French cuisine to life in a modern an imaginative manner, serving world-class dishes in typically Parisian surroundings. Located at One&Only The Palm on the artificial island of Jumeirah, the Dubai branch also takes influence from its home by adding a touch of Middle Eastern flavour to the menu. Alléno regularly frequents Dubai so be sure to check whether one of his Legend Dinners coincides with your stay.

Another internationally renowned chef, Jason Atherton has also put his stamp on Dubai with Marina Social. His first venture in the emirate, the restaurant is part of the Michelin-starred chef’s Social dining concept - known for its ‘deformalised dining’ - and serves British-Mediterranean tapas dishes in a low key, stylish venue. On first glance, dishes sound simple and recognisable but true to Atherton form they’re all elevated to something special. An open kitchen, adjoining bar specialising in whiskey and beautiful views across the marina ensure the exceptional cuisine isn’t the restaurant’s only attraction.

A touch of spice: A sophisticated taste of Asia

Popular among tourists, sushi aficionados and post-workers alike, Zuma has been regarded as one of Dubai’s best restaurants since it opened back in 2008. Set over three floors, the striking yet minimalist restaurant has deservedly earned its reputation by consistently serving flawless Japanese dishes; the miso-marinated black cod is one of the most popular dishes while the robata skewers, sashimi, tempura and tataki are equally magnificent. The food is served in traditional Japanese izakaya style, with sharing plates steadily brought to the table in order to offer an informal yet sophisticated way of dining. Hidden within the Hilton DoubleTree Jumeirah Beach, Ramusake also offers an izakaya dining experience, serving playful and innovative Japanese dishes in edgy futuristic yet traditional surroundings.

Synonymous with high-end Japanese food, Nobu Matsuhisa has brought his globally recognised concept to Dubai. Located in the city’s castle-shaped Atlantis hotel - the most Instagrammed hotel in the Middle East - this Nobu branch blends Matsuhisa’s signature style with Arabian influences to create a unique dining experience. Feast on black cod with yuzu miso, wagyu spicy ponzu tacos and lobster tempura under a grand canopy of curved mesh screens and wooden beams. Originally conceived in London, Hakkasan is another internationally known restaurant and since opening in Dubai back in 2011 it has become one of the emirate’s top restaurants. An interior of wooden partitions and Chinese lattice give an authentic and sophisticated feel while the impeccable service and outstanding food add up to a memorable dining experience.

With a fusion of Chinese, Japanese and Thai, Buddha Bar serves innovative dishes in grand surroundings. The imposing dining room features soaring floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the marina, opulent red and gold chandeliers, and a huge gold Buddha statue watching over diners. The visual appeal carries through to the food with sushi platters served on bamboo mats and calamari neatly presented in little wooden boxes. One of the world’s biggest Buddha Bar outlets, the venue is also a prominent part of Dubai’s nightlife scene.

Pioneering plates: Trendsetting chefs and new cuisines

One of the first Peruvian restaurants in Dubai, it’s debatable whether Coya brought the trend to the emirate but there’s no doubting the fact that it does it best. Seated around a Ceviche Counter centrepiece and overlooking a Brassa Grill, guests are treated to a show of cooking while they dine. Vibrant Inca colours, bespoke furniture and antique Latin American artwork finish off the unique decor. The seafood dishes are the stars of the show with highlights including the grilled octopus with olive tapenade and the selection of ceviches.

Appropriately titled, Play Restaurant sees former Zuma chef Reif Othman play with Mediterranean and Asian cuisines, merging them to create a ‘Mediterrasian’ menu. Light and fresh Mediterranean flavours are married with the bold tastes of Asia in a selection of sushi, steak and pasta dishes. Found in The H Hotel, the setting is equally impressive with a dark, earthy decor and 36th-floor views of the skyline.

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A number of special hotel deals have been arranged for registered visitors and exhibitors for this year's Arabian Travel Market: Check out the hotel deals for Arabian Travel Market 2018.

CONTACT THE ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET CONCIERGE TEAM

If you are attending #ATMDubai 2018 you can access the official hotel deals from HotelMap here. Alternatively, email: [email protected] 

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