Discovering Dubai Through Its Food: A Personal Culinary Journey

When I was in Dubai, there were several things to choose from, like indoor adventures at places like House of Hype or IMG Worlds of Adventure, cultural immersion at the Museum of the Future, and the lush, climate-controlled wilderness of The Green Planet, a bio-dome recreating a living rainforest, and more. Yet what truly enamoured me during this short but remunerative trip was how thoroughly entertained and tested my taste buds were. Dubai’s culinary spectrum is bonkers in its diversity!

As a truly cosmopolitan city, it ensures that its global dynamism shines through in its restaurants. During my brief stay, I was fortunate enough to break bread at several remarkable places, each distinct, thematic and champion of originality in its own right. For any traveller hoping to explore Dubai through food, these are the stops I would warmly recommend. 

21grams 

Meals begin with breakfast; and breakfast, in addition to being long recommended as the most important meal of the day, also happens to be my favourite. One of my memorable mornings in Dubai unfolded at 21grams, a family-style urban Balkan bistro in Umm Suqeim. The restaurant takes its name from both the mythical “weight of the human soul” and the latitude of the Balkan Peninsula, which beautifully mirrors its philosophy: soulful Balkan comfort food, thoughtfully modernised.

They bake fresh pastries daily in their in-house bakery, and their breakfast is rightly popular — from komplet eggs baked with cheese, sour cream and beef jus inside homemade bread, to flaky phyllo pies with cheese and honey. The menu draws from across the Balkans, with a strong emphasis on fresh seasonal ingredients and handcrafted dishes. Sitting there with an affogato on the side, my love for breakfast tolerably redoubled, I realised how grounding it was to start my day with something warm, honest and deeply comforting. 

Hutong 

As I made way for Hutong with the prospect of a decent lunch, the appearance of the spot directly gave rise to oriental music in my head, the kind you hear in Chinese films during a wedding scene. I sought a different atmosphere for lunch, and a different atmosphere I got, in the form of the smoky, fiery elegance of Hutong in DIFC. The restaurant specialises in Northern Chinese cuisine, known for bold, spice-forward flavours. Its interiors are inspired by traditional Chinese craftsmanship, with red lanterns, carved screens and a palette that feels both dramatic and refined. 

Hutong’s signature dishes are famous for good reason. The red-lantern crispy soft-shell crab — deep-fried with dried chillies — is one of their most recognisable plates, delivering heat with precision rather than excess. Their dim sum selection is equally notable, with handmade dumplings that blend traditional culinary techniques with contemporary flavours. Every plate felt like an interplay of texture, spice and delicacy. After the clean, ultramodern lines of the Museum of the Future, the warm glow of Hutong felt like stepping into another world entirely. 

Jun’s 

Dinner at Jun’s, located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, was one of the most invigorating gastronomic experiences of my trip. Led by Chef Kelvin Cheung, Jun’s is known for its approach to “fun and inventive cooking without borders.” Recognised by the MICHELIN Guide in multiple consecutive years, the restaurant truly justifies the coronation in its consistency which is every part equal in its creativity and execution. 

Their tasting menus that include an elaborate 13-course option bring together global techniques and flavours through a contemporary lens, often suturing experimentally, North American, Chinese and Indian influences, inspired by the chef’s own multicultural background. As a result, the dishes come together as a playful, surprising progression of flavours, with an emphasis on storytelling through food, which mirrors the narrative of a colourful journey.

I appreciated how the menu encouraged me to surrender to the experience rather than anticipate the next dish. It was an unexpectedly heart-touching meal, the kind that leaves you thinking about flavours long after you’ve left the table. If the saying that the road to the heart going through the guts is true, Jun’s surely has a pad of its within my heart. 

Khadak 

For Indians in Dubai craving for a slice of home, a contemporary Indian restaurant set in a villa on Al Wasl Road awaits by the name of Khadak. The name means “road” in Marathi and Hindi, reflecting the restaurant’s central theme: an elevated homage to India’s canteens, highways, coastal eateries and regional kitchens. 

When you enter the place, you’d find it difficult not to appreciate the hand-painted murals created by Indian artists, giving the space a vibrant, lived-in sensibility. The menu celebrates classic Indian dishes reinterpreted with masterful finesse.

Their Khadak Raan, a slow-cooked goat leg basted in aromatic spices, is one of their centrepieces—a must-try! The Bheja Akuri, a traditional scramble made with lamb brain and eggs, is another doff of a hat to timeless Indian breakfasts. Their coastal Chicken Sulkka, cooked in coconut masala with curry leaves, captures the exotic warmth of southwestern Indian cooking. Even the desserts have character, from a rich bread-and-butter pudding made with chillia roti to a chocolate mousse layered with peanut toffee and cardamom. 

The restaurant feels nothing less than a rush of nostalgia without being derivative; instantly familiar, yet entirely its own. 

The Lighthouse 

On a hot late evening one day, having spanned the vast length and breadth of the Mall of Emirates, languishing and in dire need of a bite, I stopped at what was called The Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is a hybrid culinary and design concept, part restaurant, part retail space, part creative hub. The interiors are understated and airy, anchored in a Mediterranean sensibility. The outer seating space is a great goldmine for a flaneur to eat in languor and observe the rush of the extensive mall. 

Their food reflects that same ethos: bright, clean flavours built from high-quality seasonal produce. Some branches offer exclusive dishes such as grilled octopus with hummus, Parmesan risotto with short rib, and uplifts of spelt, artichoke and citrus. My meal there was unfussy but deeply satisfying: their Lighthouse Burger, a double beef patty affair with American cheese knocked together with a Diet Coke; easy. Upon reflection, The Lighthouse is just the sort of place where one can pause, eat slowly and breathe a little before stepping back into the swirl of shopping. 

BRIX Café 

As I’ve mentioned before, I enjoy leisurely breakfasts to the marrow. However, what I enjoy more is a leisurely breakfast in a salubrious, picturesque setting. In the instance of BRIX Café, assisting on set design was the natural body of an ocean; the cafe is situated by the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour. On a lighter morning, salty breeze blowing from the ocean and surfers getting to glide and all the beach schbang, in need of simplicity and comfort, I found myself at BRIX; inside, a serene, almost meditative dessert-led space crafted by the team behind the acclaimed BRIX Desserts.

The café is known for its refined approach to sweet plates, and I found myself lingering over one of their beautifully balanced pastries paired with a perfectly brewed coffee. The menu leans minimalist but precise, with flavours that are clean, confident and meticulously composed. Sitting by the large windows facing the harbour, watching the water ripple under the afternoon light, I realised how rare it is to find a dessert café that feels both indulgent and calming. It was one of those stops where time slows down just enough to let you savour every bite. 

Special Mention: Meda – Taj Dubai 

Before I close, I must slide in as a special mention Meda at the Taj Dubai. Meda is the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired tapas bar and restaurant, drawing from the shared culinary cultures of the Mediterranean basin. The atmosphere feels warm and contemporary, with an emphasis on sociable dining: small plates meant for sharing, crafted cocktails, and an inviting, elegantly styled interior.

It is a perfect setting to unwind after a long, sensory-rich day in Dubai. Even beyond Meda, the Taj’s breakfast buffet remains one of the most polished I enjoyed on the trip, with an expansive spread that reflects the hotel’s impeccable hospitality. 

FAQs

1. What makes Dubai a great destination for food lovers?

Dubai’s cosmopolitan character is reflected in its restaurants, offering global cuisines, inventive menus and immersive dining spaces—from Balkan bistros to modern Indian kitchens and Michelin-recognised restaurants.

2.  Which restaurant is best for breakfast in Dubai?

21grams is an excellent choice for breakfast, offering soulful Balkan comfort food, freshly baked pastries and hearty signature dishes inspired by regional traditions.

3. Where can I try high-end Chinese cuisine in Dubai?

Hutong in DIFC is known for its Northern Chinese menu, dramatic interiors and signature dishes such as the red-lantern crispy soft-shell crab and handmade dim sum.

4. What is unique about Jun’s?

Jun’s offers boundary-pushing, multicultural cooking led by Chef Kelvin Cheung. Its tasting menus blend global techniques with personal storytelling, earning consistent MICHELIN Guide recognition

5. Is there a good contemporary Indian restaurant in Dubai?

Yes. Khadak reimagines regional Indian dishes with refined technique. Signature plates such as Khadak Raan and Bheja Akuri celebrate India’s culinary heritage in a modern setting

6. Where can I enjoy a café with a scenic setting in Dubai?

BRIX Café at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour offers beautifully crafted pastries, coffee and a tranquil harbour view, making it ideal for relaxed, scenic mornings. 

Read more: Gastronomic Glamour In Dubai: Where Every Meal Tells A Captivating Story

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