Food diaries: DIFC restaurants you shouldn’t miss out on!
Dubai International Financial Centre, more popularly known as DIFC, is a bustling trade hub. However, there’s more to this vibrant business centre than meets the eye. The area is home to some of the finest eateries in town. We’ve put together the most popular DIFC restaurants perfect for comfort food or fine-dining fare, for you to check out.
BEST CASUAL DINING RESTAURANTS IN DIFC
If you’re looking for a restaurant to hang out with friends over the weekend, visit these casual dining restaurants in Dubai International Financial Centre. These are also perfect for those looking for DIFC restaurants with delivery.
GAZEBO
Gazebo is a popular Indian restaurant chain in the UAE with a branch in Dubai International Financial Centre. The popular eatery is known for its dum pukht style of cooking, rich flavours and delectable Mughlai dishes. You can try biryani, kebabs, curries and desserts there.
- Average cost for two: AED 160
- Location: Ground floor, Building 5, The Marble Walk
- Timings: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-358-5550
1762
If you’re looking for guilt-free dishes, you won’t be disappointed with the plethora of healthy food choices on the 1762 DIFC Dubai menu. Customer favourites here, however, include polenta cakes and sandwiches. Additionally, this rustic deli offers a range of delicious gourmet salads and sandwiches.
- Average cost for two: AED 145
- Location: 2nd floor, Building 5, Gate District 2
- Timings: Monday to Friday: 08:00 am – 06:00 pm | Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 am – 06:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-255-1762
POKE AND CO.
Poké and Co. is one of the popular gluten-free restaurants in Dubai that allow diners to customise their bowls with a choice of base, mix, toppings and sauces! If you can’t decide, you can always order the signature Poké bowls, such as Aloha, Spicy Maui and Shrimply the Best.
Aside from Poké, this top restaurant in DIFC offers healthy salads, breakfast as well as a selection of vegan, paleo, gluten and dairy-free desserts!
- Average cost for two: AED 150
- Location: Central Park Towers
- Timings: 08:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Contact: pokeandco.com
KRAVE
If you’re looking for healthy restaurants in Dubai, look no further than Krave! The restaurant features an industrial-chic vibe and serves food that is deliciously nutritious.
The establishment has an extensive breakfast menu and a wide choice of vegan soups and salads. Popular items here are the chilli bowl, spaghetti al pomodoro and wok noodles.
- Average cost for two: AED 160
- Location: Ground floor, Central Park Towers
- Timings: 08:00 am to 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-295-2041
BUFFALO WINGS AND RINGS
The Buffalo Wings & Rings restaurant has been making sports fans happy since 1984 — when the first branch opened in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nearly four decades later, this restaurant chain has gone global. And, it’s one of the best American restaurants in Dubai as well. They offer delicious and juicy chicken wings and other comfort food right here in DIFC.
- Average cost for two: AED 230
- Location: Liberty House
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 03:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-359-6900
ROYAL CHINA
Royal China brings flavours of the Far East to Dubai’s financial hub. Tuck into delectable prawn crackers, pickles, dumplings, sweet corn, noodles and much more from the extensive Royal China DIFC menu.
You will also know why Royal China is among the top dim sum restaurants in Dubai, once you order their dishes.
- Average cost for two: AED 260
- Location: Level 2 & Unit GD Level 2 Retail Unit 11, External Area, Level POD, Gate Precinct Building 4, Dubai International Financial Centre
- Timings: 11:30 am to 01:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-354-5543
BB SOCIAL DINING
This is among the best female-led restaurants in Dubai. Prepare your palate with a delightful fusion of Arab and South-East Asian cuisines. Highlights from BB Social Dining DIFC’s menu include bao, pho and ramen varieties, which make this particular restaurant stand out.
- Average cost for two: AED 280
- Location: Gate Village 8
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, Thursday: 12:00 pm to 01:00 am, Friday-Saturday: 12:00 pm to 01:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-407-4444
BOMBAY BOROUGH
Bombay Borough is a sleek and trendy Indian restaurant that promises an exciting culinary journey across the vast landscapes of India — with meals made from handpicked ingredients, complemented by a unique bar menu!
- Average cost for two: AED 405
- Location: Gate Village
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, Friday-Saturday: 12:00 pm to 01:00 am
- Contact: bombayborough.com
TOP FINE DINING RESTAURANTS IN DIFC
There are plenty of upscale DIFC restaurants that are known for their ambience, spectacular views and excellent menus. A number of these restaurants are considered to be amongst the best fine dining restaurants in Dubai as well.
INTERSECT BY LEXUS
Looking for fine dining restaurants in DIFC? Reserve a table at Intersect by Lexus, a stunning space that offers an exemplary dining experience by the brand.
Intersect DIFC offers a stylish cafe setting on one floor and a sleek restaurant on the other. Every aspect of its decor is inspired by the Lexus brand. The eatery offers fresh and healthy dishes that are created with organic ingredients.
- Average cost for two: AED 290
- Location: Gate Village 7
- Timings: 08:00 am to 08:00 pm, Friday: 08:00 am to 10:00 pm, Saturday: 01:00 pm to 08:00 pm, Sunday: closed
- Contact: +971-4-355-9524
LA PETITE MAISON (LPM)
La Petite Maison in DIFC, also known as LPM, exemplifies French Mediterranean and Niçoise cuisines — making it one of the best French restaurants in Dubai.
Some of the highlights from the menu of this DIFC French restaurant include pasta, risotto, burrata and melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake.
- Average cost for two: AED 350
- Location: Gate Village 8
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 01:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-439-0505
ZUMA
Zuma has carved a niche for itself in Dubai’s culinary scene for its ‘Izakaya’ dining style. The Zuma Dubai DIFC menu is extensive, with dishes that are known for their intense and bold flavours.
Apart from an exemplary menu, an elegant setting puts it on the list of best restaurants in Dubai.
Some of the popular dishes at this Japanese restaurant in DIFC are sushi, sashimi, chocolate fondant, mushroom rice and tempura prawns.
- Average cost for two: AED 550
- Location: Gate Village 3
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, Friday-Sunday: 12:00 pm to 01:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-425-5660
CARNIVAL BY TRÈSIND
This multi-award winning eatery offers an unforgettable dining experience for patrons. Among its highlights is a seasonal menu that changes every few months.
Carnival by Tresind DIFC is a celebration of modern Indian cuisine. This Indian DIFC restaurant is known for its amazing cocktails, succulent lamb chops, spicy chaat, butter chicken, vada pav and biryani.
Be sure to try their tasting menu. It comes with over 12 courses and is widely considered among Dubai’s best tasting menus.
- Average cost for two: AED 300
- Location: Podium, Burj Daman
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 11:30 pm
- Contact: +971-52-242-4262
MINT LEAF OF LONDON
Mint Leaf of London is another fine dining Indian restaurant in DIFC Dubai. Their menu showcases traditional Indian cuisine with a contemporary twist.
The restaurant is counted among the best Indian restaurants in Dubai thanks to its reimagining of iconic Indian dishes. Diners are also treated to stunning views of the surroundings.
- Average cost for two: AED 535
- Location: 15th floor, South Tower
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 01:00 am, Monday, Thursday-Friday: 12:00 pm to 02:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-706-0900
GAIA
Our next pick is Gaia, which serves Greek specialties. Gaia is home to one of Dubai’s finest private dining areas, known as the ”Chef’s Table”. Here, guests can watch their meals prepared live.
The Greek restaurant results from a collaboration between Evgeny Kuzin and Chef Izu Ani. Highlights on their menu include sea bass ceviche, baked feta cheese, fried calamari, grilled octopus as well as classic Greek specialities such as moussaka.
- Average cost for two: AED 450
- Location: Gate Village
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-241-4242
ROBERTO’S
Roberto’s DIFC promises a delightful culinary experience even for the most discerning diners. Under the direction of the Group Executive Chef, Francesco Guarracino, Roberto’s has established itself as a favourite for contemporary Italian cuisine.
The menu draws from traditional Italian cooking techniques while adding a contemporary touch. This Italian restaurant in DIFC has won several accolades for outstanding service and cuisine — ranking it among our top 10 restaurants in DIFC Gate Village.
It is also a good option for corporate meet-ups, being a popular business lunch restaurants in Dubai.
- Average cost for two: AED 550
- Location: First floor, Gate Village 1
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 03:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-386-0066
HUTONG
Our next mention for the best dining places in DIFC is Hutong — popular for Northern Chinese cuisine and an imaginative cocktail menu!
The highlights from the menu at Hutong DIFC Dubai include their roasted Peking Duck as well as their dim sum platters. As one of the relatively newer fine dining restaurants in Dubai, it checks all the boxes for taste, quality and presentation.
- Average cost for two: AED 680
- Location: Gate Building 6
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:45 am
- Contact: +971-4-220-0868
FAQs
WHAT ARE THE BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANTS IN DIFC?
One of the top Italian restaurants in Dubai, The Artisan Il Ristorante in Waldorf Astoria is located in DIFC. You can also enjoy Italian food in DIFC at Cipriani, Roberto’s and Marea Restaurant.
WHERE TO GO FOR DINNER IN DIFC?
If you’re looking for restaurants for dinner in DIFC, we suggest Mint Leaf of London, Al Grissino Restaurant and Lounge, AER Restaurant and Lounge and Al Mandaloun. They offer breathtaking views of the Dubai skyline!
WHERE TO GO FOR SHISHA IN DIFC?
If you’re looking for shisha places in DIFC, establishments such as Al Mandaloun, AER Restaurant and Bar and Flair 5 should be on your list.
That concludes our list of best restaurants in DIFC Dubai! If you’re looking for restaurants in other neighbourhoods, restaurants in Business Bay are ideal for an impeccable dining experience in the emirate.
The nearby neighbourhood of Downtown Dubai is also known for its wide range of upscale restaurants, bars and lounges. Explore some of the best fine dining restaurants in Downtown Dubai.
Dubai is a foodie’s dream destination, so if you need further information about the city’s culinary scene, feel free to leave your questions in the comments section.
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