After my Date Night Ideas listicle the next ‘in demand’ listicle was THIS! I personally LOVE long lists as I treat it as my checklist, so… that’s what I’m giving you too 💖😂
I’ll be honest, yes, Jakey and I visit at least 2 to 3 restaurants per week (a date spot – casual or fine dining is defo ideal 😂) and that’s what I post. Responding to each and every DM almost every single day gets a bit tedious. I get asked to give recommendations to the minute detail, not just cost, but then there’s so much more to it you know? (i.e. cuisine, area, affordability, vibe preference, occasion, al fresco, gluten, seating, sheesha, alcohol, brunch, etc. Yes, I actually get asked those many questions hahaha) so to help myself, and you, here’s a checklist 🙏 IF this list still doesn’t help you, I recommend visiting Zomato and ‘Filter’ your needs, it is an AMAZING tool that I use myself.
Few things to note;
- You can have a budget of AED400 and STILL go to an expensive place. Majority of the fancy places here don’t really have a minimum spend, so don’t base your decision on the ‘price for 2’. Visit Zomato and check the menu well in advance to decide if it’s within your budget.
- We have easily visited over 800 restaurants in Dubai. The fine dining and casual options are ENDLESS and reducing our recommendations to just 35 was TOUGH, believe me. So we have either intentionally skipped out some super popular joints (as you all know those already), they probably weren’t in our Top 35 or we just didn’t like em you know?
- Not every category below has a picture of the food AND the ambiance, your fingers would be running 300 miles then just on this blog post 😆
Fine Dining options:
1. Ossiano
Put Aquaman to shame by dining in this underwater restaurant. Surrounded by sea life, enjoy a romantic dinner in a giant and very luxurious aquarium. 🐠
Location: Atlantis the Palm
Price for 2: ~AED 500+
2. Fish Beach Taverna
Prettiest outdoor setting by the beach, enjoy dinner in their teepees, under twinkling fairy lights. Don’t forget to take a picture for the gram because it’s seriously beautiful! 😍
Location: Le Meridien Mina Seyahi
Price for 2: ~AED 350-500
3. Shimmers
This is that place everyone has on the insta stories overlooking the Burj Al Arab. By the beach 🏝, sit back with your feet in the sand, enjoy some sheesha and light Greek food making the most of this weather and your company.
Location: Mina A’ Salam
Price for 2: ~AED 300+
4. Zheng He’s
Add in some flair to your Chinese date nights by checking out Zheng He’s. Overlooking the canal to Burj Al Arab if you choose outdoor seating or a more private dining experience if you choose indoors, Zheng He’s is going to make you want to spend dim sum time there with your loved one. 💑
Location: Mina A’ Salam
Price for two: ~AED 600
5. Pai Thai
Choose the abra to get to this place as that’s romantic enough before you’ve even gotten to the restaurant! Offering oriental Thai food, enjoy your favorite curries under an uber-romantic setting, 😻
Location: Jumeirah Al Qasr
Price for two: ~AED 440
6. Thiptara
Offering al fresco dining by the Dubai Fountain, enjoy luxurious Bangkok style Thai cuisine overlooking the Burj Khalifa. If the timing’s right, you could always get away with saying you got the fountains to play solely for your other half? 😉
Location: Palace Downtown
Price for two: ~AED 600
7. Pier Chic
Out at sea, this beautiful setting lets you soak in the views of your partner, Burj Al Arab and the vast Arabian sea. Ideal place to pop the question? Or at least pop a bottle of Champagne. 🍾
Location: Jumeirah Al Qasr
Price for two: ~AED 500+
8. Carnival by Trèsind
Contemporary Indian food served with all the show and flair. Don’t be fooled, the quality and taste are not compromised with the extravagant show the food usually comes with. A great option if you want to have classic Indian dishes with a twist. 🤩
Location: Burj Daman, DIFC
Price for two: ~AED 385
9. Mint Leaf of London
Indian food with influences from around the globe. Mint Leaf of London does not fail to impress with flavorful food, good portions and great service. 👌
Location: DIFC
Price for two: ~AED 450
10. La Petite Maison
“Je t’aime” is a great phrase to use when dining at La Petite Maison with your other half. A delicious interpretation of fine French food. 😋
Location: Gate Village 8, DIFC
Price for two: ~AED 600
11. Hakkassan
Chinese cuisine served in style at the Atlantis. Enjoy traditional tastes at an extraordinary location. 🍜
Location: Atlantis the Palm
Price for two: ~AED 700
12. Wakame
Another Asian dining experience – whoever is in charge of venue selections for Asian restaurants really knows the secret behind having a good venue! Sushi is a must have and even their molten chocolate cake is to die for! 🤤
Location: Sofitel Downtown Dubai
Price for two: ~AED 530
13. Zuma
Start at the bar for a few drinks and then head down to dinner. Zuma, as you know, is in the list of Top 100 restaurants in Dubai 😎
Location: Gate Village, DIFC
Price for two: ~AED 500
14. Maison Rouge Dubai
Fancy live performances? This is your place! The food didn’t compensate for the hefty price tag, but it defo is an entertaining place!
Location: Conrad Dubai
Price for two: ~AED 800
15. Kohantei
At Kohantei, you’re not allowed to enter with your shoes. The ceilings are low-rise and you can expect the same with the seating. The hospitality is the best I’ve had in Dubai and the Japanese food is oh-so-delish and authentic!
Location: Dubai Opera District
Price for two: ~AED 800
Casual Date options:
16. 3in1
Picnic Brunch with sheesha + dip in the pool? Yes please!
Location: VIDA Downtown
Price for two: ~AED 400 if you want to brunch but if you want to sit in the cabanas it could exceed a lil over AED900 in total.
17. 3 fils
Overlooking the docks, the food here is simple but extremely flavorful. Volcano sushi is a must and if you don’t finish off your meal with their Karak ice-cream which they literally throw onto the plate, did you even go to 3 fils? 🤭 PS: Take a walk around the fishing harbor after, to burn calories and share another moment 😉
Location: Jumeirah Fishing Harbour
Price for two: ~AED 170
18. Maiz Tacos
An uber cute place for some good Mexican food. Think tacos, CHURROS, tortillas and… did I mention churros? 🤤
Location: Dar Wasl Mall
Price for two: ~AED 140
19. Chicago Meatpackers
For one of those nights when you’re super hungry and don’t mind the sauce dripping down your arms. Great American food with your classic steaks, burgers and grills. 🍔
Location: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah
Price for two: ~AED 300
20. Kaftan
Right before we started dating, we visited this restaurant. If you fancy casual Turkish cuisine, this one’s for you 🤤 The ambiance adds THE BEST TOUCH and may just turn a crush into something more hahahaha
Location: Opposite Burj Al Arab
Price for two: ~AED 300
21. Luigia
Known as the best of Italy, this is the best Italian restaurant there is! 🍝 Enjoy the traditional pizza and pasta and you’ll find yourself actually questioning if you’re in Italy because everything is made using ingredients flown in all the way from Italia!
Location: Rixos Premium Dubai
Price for two: ~AED 210
22. Masti
This contemporary Indian restaurant serves you fancy on a dish! The food is excellent and so is the service. 👌
Location: La Mer
Price for two: ~AED 430
23. Barbary
Not in the mood to have heavy food? Barbary has the best finger food served! Great ambiance if you want to have finger food, drinks and just catch up with your other half after a busy day. 💏
Location: Barsha Heights
Price for two: ~AED 355
24. BB Social
With three floors and nestled in the heart of DIFC, BB is a hidden social dining experience that whips up Asian and Arabic fusion dishes. 🍴
Location: DIFC
Price for two: ~AED 250
25. Parker’s
Make it a casual date night and order burgers and truffle fries and finish it off with dessert, Lotus Drama – the only drama you need in your lives. 🤣
Location: Dubai Mall and La Mer
Price for two: ~AED 160
26. Eve Penthouse
Everything under one roof with sheesha, drinks, and good food! The views are spectacular as well. It’s a huge place so pick a different spot each time and surprise yourself with a new view! Their charcoal vada pav – 10/10! 😍
Location: Hyatt Regency
Price for two: ~AED 440
27. Tomo
Sushi heaven 🍣, literally giving you the view of the entire Dubai skyline! Enjoy some sushi served in the traditional outdoor, floor seating.
Location: Raffles Dubai
Price for two: ~AED 350
28. Tong Thai
Authentic Thai food never fails to impress and Tong Thai does just that! Super romantic with the red lighting and private seating at Tong Thai. Their signature cocktails are amazing, some even served in tender coconuts! 🥥
Location: JW Marquis
Price for two: ~AED 360
29. Mythos
If you’ve wanted to take your partner to Greece but wanted to do it on a budget, check out Mythos. An authentic, cute and romantic Greek resto that serves great tzatziki, hot pita bread and mixed grills. Grab a glass of wine, enjoy their cozy seating and remember to not throw your plate at the end! 🤪
Location: JLT
Price for two: ~AED 300
30. Akiba Dori
If you and your other half can’t really decide on what to eat, head over to Akiba Dori where they serve some good Japanese options 🍣 and some darn good pizzas as well! 🍕 Go down memory lane playing some of their old school video games while you wait for your food at this Tokyo-esque resto.
Location: Dubai Design District
Price for two: ~AED 210
31. Black Tap
Down to dig into the food and drinks? Black Tap is your place. With massive portions where the concept is you’ll have to use your hands, have fun the true New York way with impressive burgers and shakes. 🍔
Location: Dubai Festival City, Rixos the palm and Jumeirah Al Naseem
Price for two: ~AED 310
32. The Farm
Of course, you can imagine a farm in Dubai to be luxurious but still tranquil and beautiful. This is a great option if you and your loved one cannot decide on what to eat as they serve different cuisines in a lovely botanical landscape. 🌲
Location: Al Barari
Price for two: ~AED 345
33. Asado
If you’re a fan of argentian cuisine, steak and a SICK VIEW, this place is defo for you!
Location: Al Barari
Price for two: ~AED 400
34. Cu aka Copper
The ONLY restaurant I’ve seen in Dubai serving free water! Cu serves Asian, Arabian and Middle Eastern cuisine. The food is delicious and majority of the dishes are super healthy! After you’re done, don’t forget to take a picture on the swing at the hotels lobby and then go for a walk at Al Seef.
Location: Zabeel House
Price for two: ~AED 200
35. Logma – outdoor seating
If you want to try Emirati cuisine with a phenomenal view, this is your place. I can’t begin to tell you how affordable Logma is, especially if you take into consideration the view, hospitality and quality of food you get in return. You must try to believe me.
Location: City Walk
Price for two: ~AED 150
Written and Researched by Serena Sibi and Naomi D’Souza
4 comments
I love the Kohantei, It is the UAE’s only Japanese fine dining ‘Kaiseki’ experience. Located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, our traditional Japanese restaurant serves up delicate and elegant dishes using the finest produce, personally sourced from Japan.
Glad you liked it!
Soooo many favourites on this list! 🙂
Yes yes 🙂 Thanks for stopping by xx