New restaurants in Dubai are already stealing the spotlight in 2026
We’re only a few weeks into 2026 and new restaurants in Dubai are opening thick and fast. From sky-high dining rooms and London favourites to bold Latin American spots and lively late-night lounges, there’s plenty to add to your must-book list. Here are the new restaurants in Dubai everyone’s talking about so far this year.
Swipe through to see inside the new restaurants
Nobu One Za’abeel
One month in and Nobu One Za’abeel is already one of Dubai’s hottest tables. Opened on January 17, this is the brand’s third Dubai venue, but it feels like a whole new chapter.
You’ll find it 230 metres up inside The Link at One Za’abeel, pairing those iconic Nobu dishes with big skyline views and a proper late-night vibe. Expect favourites like black cod miso and yellowtail jalapeño, plus a few Dubai-exclusive plates. After dinner, it shifts into a lively lounge with DJs and extended bar hours. Very Dubai.
There was also a star-studded list at the opening, see who showed up here.
When: Open daily, Bar and lounge: Sunday to Wednesday 5pm to 2am, Thursday to Saturday 5pm to 3am, Restaurant: Sunday to Wednesday 6pm to 12am, Thursday to Saturday 6pm to 12.30am
Where: The Link, One Za’abeel
Contact: (04) 666 1617
Barrafina DIFC
Just a few weeks in and Barrafina DIFC is already drawing a crowd. The London-born Spanish favourite opened in Gate Village on January 26, marking its first international launch in almost 20 years.
With just 55 seats, it’s an intimate counter-dining spot where chefs cook right in front of you. Expect the classics that made Barrafina famous, from tortilla and gambas rojas to chicken thighs with romesco, plus a few Dubai-only dishes like daily clams with salsa verde and Galician dry-aged beef. There’s also a para picar snack menu for laid-back afternoons, and a strong Spanish drinks list packed with wines, vermouth and cava.
When: Daily, 12pm to 11:30pm
Where: Gate Village 1, DIFC
Contact: (04) 234 1543
ZEA
Now open in DIFC, ZEA launched on January 22 at Emirates Financial Towers, bringing a relaxed Mediterranean lounge feel to the district.
Inside, it’s all olive tones and soft golden lighting, setting the mood for easy lunches and laid-back dinners. The menu leans Mediterranean with a twist – think vibrant starters, fresh seafood, ceviches with subtle Peruvian touches, fire-cooked mains and handmade pastas. The drinks list is just as considered, with herb and citrus-led cocktails and wines from France, Italy, Spain, Lebanon and North Africa.
When: Daily, 5pm to 2am, closed Sunday and Monday
Where: Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC
Contact: (056) 402 6633
Paris Paradis
Now open at Taj Dubai in Business Bay, Paradis Latin has brought its iconic cabaret flair to the city with Paris Paradis. The show launched on January 10, taking over the former Billionaire space and adding a fresh spin to Dubai’s dinner-and-a-show scene.
Expect a high-energy line-up of singers, dancers and performers in couture-style costumes, all set against dramatic staging. The original Paris cabaret has been dazzling audiences since 1889, with shows created by renowned French choreographer Kamel Ouali, who also leads the creative direction here in Dubai.
Reservations start from 8.30pm, with minimum spends of Dhs800 per person for standard view tables and Dhs1,000 for premium view.
When: Open now (launched January 10, 2026)
Where: Taj Dubai, Business Bay
Contact: (056) 705 7075
Yù & Mì
Opened on January 15, Yù & Mì brings a slice of 1960s Hong Kong to the city. The new Chinese spot serves up Cantonese and Sichuan favourites, from dim sum and seafood to Peking duck, all in a moody setting with sweeping skyline views.
There’s also a solid cocktail list and regular DJ nights, so it’s just as good for a lively dinner as it is for a late one.
When: Daily, 6pm to 11pm
Where: Mandarin Oriental Downtown
Contact: (04) 777 8895
Amaru
Image: Supplied
Opened on January 28, Amaru has brought bold Latin American flavours and late-night energy to Souk Madinat Jumeirah.
The space flows from a central bar into warm, fire-lit dining rooms, made for long dinners that turn into lively nights. Cocktails focus on agave and cane spirits, alongside a well-thought-out zero-proof “Sober Whispers” list.
In the kitchen, Chef Carlo Valentino leads a fire-driven menu inspired by Latin American street food and coastal cooking. Expect bright ceviches, lobster tacos, smoky anticuchos and live-fire lamb chops. It’s vibrant, high-energy and built for settling in.
When: Daily, 6pm to 3am
Where: Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Contact: (050) 263 7060
