Dubai’s Hottest New Restaurants

The Best Date Night Spots In Dubai This Month

February is all about love and romance mamas – and while we’re not all that into booking in for a cheesy Valentines night with a million other couples, we’re all for fixing up a much needed date night or two with the hubby over the next few weeks. Need some inspo on where to go? Our pick of some of Dubai’s most fabulous new restaurants will guarantee that you’ll find that intimate little corner, candlelit table and delicious experience pronto.

A new restaurant with one of the best terraces and views in Dubai? We’re there, mamas! Babiole is perched up on the 44th floor of the Westin, Al Habtoor City and serves up modern Mediterranean food with flair (think deliciously creamy burrata, perfectly marinated prawns and a heavenly Truffle Pizza with Black Truffles, Parmesan, Cream Cheese Sauce & a touch of Truffle Oil. Seriously yum.). The cocktails are perfect, the ambiance super chilled and the lighting low – and if you go on a Wednesday night you’ll even get live opera thrown in the mix.

Babiole
Tel: + 971 (0)4 437 00 77
www.facebook.com/babioledubai 

Since opening its doors last December, BB Social Dining in DIFC has seriously wowed with its menu and vibe (and prices too – at last somewhere that won’t break the bank!). First up, BB is like escaping to Paris for the night – the décor is gorgeous (think three levels connected by spiral staircases, hanging balconies and a beautiful colour scheme). And then there’s the food. BB is all about customizing your own menu, allowing you to choose from Baos, Bowls, Bbq and Bites combining Middle Eastern influences with the East and the West. Casual yet chic, fun and eclectic – the restaurant is located on ‘Happiness Street’ and we can totally see why.

BB Social Dining
Tel: + 971 (0)4 407 4444
E-mail: hello@thisisbb.com
www.thisisbb.com

It all begins from the moment you step through the rustic blue doors. A blue so vivid it evokes memories of endless stretches of azure skies and mesmerizing backdrops associated with the alluring French countryside – ROMANTIC! Once inside the restaurant, the layout is open plan and the decor in the style of a charming French countryside home. Chef David Myers along with Chef Alex have created a real taste of the South of France, a place to have great food and a delicious experience. Oh and Bleu Blanc is one of the few restaurants in Dubai to have a seriously fine collection of wines (if that’s your thing). The French know how to do food and they know how to do love – it’s match made in heaven!

Bleu Blanc
Renaissance, Downtown Hotel
Tel: + 971 (0)4 512 5533
E-mail: Rhi.dxbbb.rr@renhotels.com
bleublanc-dubai.com

A hip restobar serving fusion tapas, Emirati and Asian-inspired flavours, Cuisinero Uno is the love child of young and award-winning Chef John Buenaventura. Industrial-style décor, a laid back atmosphere, a greenhouse for growing their own vegetables (so cool!) and surprisingly light on the wallet (the most expensive food on the menu costs Dh55, hooray!), this hot new restaurant has got all the ingredients to keep us coming back for more (we do love a good bargain and a seriously yummy one at that). The menu features a really interesting line up of dishes (think Vegan Carpaccio, burnt leeks and DXB shortribs to name a few) and their outdoor setup is perfect for a quiet romantic evening with your beau.

Cuisinero Uno
Steigenberger Hotel, Business Bay
Tel: +971 (0) 4 431 7816
www.facebook.com/cuisinerouno/

Located at Dubai’s One&Only Royal Mirage, DRIFT will soon be one of your favourite new spots for a perfect beach chic staycation. Infinity pool, views over the Palm, Provençal cuisine under the direction of Chef Maxime Le Van, this laid-back Private Beach Club is effortlessly cozy and all kinds romantic! Sun Loungers, panoramic views of the Palm Island Bay, bikini’s, beach hats accompanied by cracking cocktails and a DJ on the deck …what’s not to love?! Date days are the new date nights!

Drift Beach Club
One & Only Royal Mirage
Tel: +971 (0) 4 315 2200
E-mail: info@driftbeachdubai.com
www.driftbeachdubai.com

Japan is right at the top of our wanderlust list, mamas, so this new gem of a restaurant is just one step towards reaching our destination. Dubai’s first and only Kaiseki restaurant offers a fine dining experience based entirely on the most authentic ingredients and dishes all sourced from Japan, paired with the centuries old tradition of Omotenashi – the spirit of Japanese hospitality. Stepping into Kohantei is just like stepping into the heart of Japan, from the authentic sliding shoji doors and tatami flooring to the artwork, the food to the service – this is as close to The Land Of The Rising Sun as you’ll get without booking a flight.

Kohantei
Dubai Opera House
Tel: +971 (0)4 243 4951
E-mail: reservations@kohantei.ae
www.kohantei.ae

Fancy an Indian feast, mamas? Head down to Little Miss India at Fairmont The Palm – the latest unconventional, eclectic Indian restaurant in town. The ‘Mistress’ of the mansion, Little Miss India herself, takes diners on unique journey through her worldly travels and eccentric menu in a setting which is created to seem like her very own home. The beautiful glasshouse is decorated with ornate chandeliers and layered plants and the eclectic cocktail lounge features a tribal spice truck which has been converted into a seriously cool and colourful bar. Diners can eat al fresco in the private courtyard or in the rich and classy dining room – a perfect venue for a romantic dinner a deux.

Little Miss India
Fairmont The Palm
Tel: +971 4 457 3457
e-mail: palm.dining@fairmont.com
www.fairmont.com

Read more: Date Night at Little Miss India: Dubai’s Cool New Indian Restaurant

Masti – meaning ‘fun and mischief’ (two things we think make for a pretty awesome date night) is the first licensed menu at gorgeous beach development La Mer. Sip a cocktail before dinner (If gin is your thing then Masti houses one of the biggest collections in Dubai) before tucking into Indian inspired sharing plates mixed with touches of Peru and Africa – and then go for a waterfront stroll along La Mer’s fairylit paths.

Masti
Tel: 800-MASTI(62784)
E-mail: info@mastidubai.com
www.mastidubai.com

Read more: Dubai Has A New Beach Area & This Is Why You Need To Check It Out

Dubai’s coolest new Asian street food eatery transports you to the bustling streets of Bangkok faster than you can say “tuk tuk” (speaking of which, there’s a real neon one in the middle of the restaurant). This place is casual, it’s fun, it’s kitsch and we love it! From Japanese sushi and sashimi to Thai curries, Korean BBQs, Chinese noodles, and much, much more. You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Miss Tess herself during the evening (yup, she’s the hostess with the mostess) – and, without spoiling any surprises, you can expect a few fun performances from giant sumo wrestlers no less…

Miss Tess
Taj Dubai, Business Bay
Tel: +971 (0) 4 438 3121
www.misstessdubai.com
www.facebook.com/MissTessDubai

Read more: Miss Tess, Dubai’s Coolest New Asian Street Food Eatery

Want dinner with a view? You’ll get it here, mamas! Created by award-winning Aussie based chef (Sean…), you can be eating in style high up among the twinkling lights of downtown Dubai or on the terrace with incredible views of the Burj Khalifa. And if you love top quality oysters, sashimi and steak then you’ll get those plus a whole lot more on a produce-driven menu where only the very best will do. How about combining dinner with the opera? A pre-theatre menu will let you do just that. Perfect!

Sean Connolly
Dubai Opera
www.seanconnollydubai.com

Whether you want a date night or a date day Cote d’Azur style, Summersalt Beach Club can do it all (in fact you could just go for lunch and stay for dinner too, mamas?!). Located at Jumeirah Al Naseem, one of our absolute favourite Dubai hotels, Summersalt has everything from delicious drinks (there’s Whispering Angel rose on the menu..) to freshly shucked oysters, caviar, a lobster salad to-die-for and scrummy Mediterranean inspired mains. The décor is French Riviera chic and the vibe totally dreamy – plus that view of the Burj Al Arab across the sand and the sound of crashing waves? Totally worth a visit alone.

Summersalt
Jumeirah Al Naseem
Tel: +971 (0)4 432 3232
E-mail: Restaurants@jumeirah.com
www.jumeirah.com

Looking for little Spanish fun for date night, mamas? Then head to Toro +Ko where renowned Barcelona inspired tapas from Boston by Jamie Bissonnette & Ken Oringer  is now here at City Walk. Moody lighting – perfect for Valentine’s dinner and three bars  should please the hipster mamas out there. Martinis are an art form with their own dedicated menu (and bar) here – and food is all kinds of awesome. Ingredients are sourced from Spain wherever possible -it really can’t get anymore authentic!  If you’re not a fan of Tapas (we’re sure you will become one after eating here) just go for their Churros and red velvet dipping sauce – the stuff of foodie dreams.

Toro +Ko
The Square, City Walk
Tel: +971 (0) 4 590 5433
www.torodubai.com
www.facebook.com/torodubai

Read more: Date Night at Toro + Ko: Dubai’s Cool New Tapas Restaurant