Eat in Downtown Dubai, Dubai

Jamavar Dubai 1 ★ ★ 4.4

Jamavar Dubai in the Opera District, Downtown Dubai, holds one Michelin star for regional Indian cooking, with a weekday lunch and all day menu.

Karam Beirut ★ 3.9

Karam Beirut bakes manoushe and rolls shawarma on the lower ground floor of The Dubai Mall, a Lebanese street food counter dressed for Downtown Dubai.

OrderZaatar manoushe with a side of shawarma and a glass of jallab.

TipThe branch sits on the lower ground floor, entered from the Fashion Avenue car park, P1 and P2.

Apricot ★ 4.0

Apricot bakes European deli plates and cakes at Souk Al Manzil in Downtown Dubai, just off the Boulevard, with a cosy covered terrace outside.

DrinkFilter coffee

TipThe terrace tables have a partial Burj Khalifa view, worth requesting if you're there for sunset.

852 Bakery ★ 4.0

852 Bakery bakes Hong Kong-style bagels and pineapple buns inside Jun's restaurant in Downtown Dubai, chef Kelvin Cheung's daily love letter to Hong Kong.

Worth the queuePineapple bun

TipIt trades inside Jun's from noon to 23:00 every day, and the bakery also delivers through Deliveroo.

Hampstead Bakery and Cafe ★ 3.9

Hampstead Bakery and Cafe bakes an English-style menu and afternoon tea in Fountain Views, Downtown Dubai, just steps from the Burj Khalifa.

Worth the queueBrioche French toast

TipBook ahead for afternoon tea on weekends; walk-in tables are limited during that sitting.

CE LA VI ★ 3.9

CE LA VI spans the 54th floor of the Address Sky View hotel in Downtown Dubai, combining a restaurant, sky bar and pool deck above the skyline.

DrinkContemporary Asian-leaning cocktail list

FoodContemporary Asian sharing plates

TipThe terrace looks straight onto the Burj Khalifa, so ask for it when you book.

Nobu One Za'abeel ★ 4.0

Nobu One Za'abeel occupies level 24 of The Link tower in Dubai, pairing its Japanese-Peruvian menu with a bar and lounge above Downtown Dubai.

DrinkNobu house cocktails

FoodNobu's Japanese-Peruvian menu

TipAsk for lounge seating rather than the main dining room if you plan to linger over cocktails after the meal.

Operation Falafel ★ 3.8

Operation Falafel fries chickpea falafel to order around the clock at the foot of 29 Boulevard, a quick Lebanese counter near The Dubai Mall.

TryFalafel wrap

TipThe falafel sandwich is the cheap order; the counter runs 24 hours.

Karma Kafe ★ 3.8

Karma Kafe runs a Saturday brunch at Souk Al Bahar in Downtown Dubai, its terrace facing the Dubai Fountain show and the Burj Khalifa skyline.

OrderThe four course Asian sharing menu on the terrace

TipAsk for a terrace table when booking; it faces the Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa.

CE LA VI ★ 4.0

CE LA VI runs its Skyline Brunch every Saturday on the 54th floor of Address Sky View in Downtown Dubai, directly opposite the Burj Khalifa.

OrderThe burrata salad and the black truffle sushi rice risotto

TipBook the SkyBar side of the floor rather than the indoor restaurant tables for the clearest Burj Khalifa sightline.

Tezukuri ★ 3.4

Tezukuri pairs a hand roll counter at Dubai Opera with a small speakeasy-style listening room tucked away at the back.

TipBook the listening room separately; it is designed for a small number of guests.

Double Decker Pub ★ 2.5

Double Decker Pub at the Swissotel Al Murooj leans on London bus stop signage and traditional pub food for residents chasing a taste of home late at night.

TipThe outdoor terrace fills fastest on Friday brunch, so arrive early if you want a seat outside.