Dubai International Financial Centre, more popularly known as DIFC, is a bustling trade hub. However, there’s more to this vibrant business centre than meets the eye. From shopping at luxury retail outlets to exploring art galleries, there’s plenty to do here. But the area is also home to some of the finest eateries in town. We’ve put together the most popular DIFC restaurants in Dubai for you to check out – perfect for comfort food or fine-dining fare.
BEST CASUAL DINING RESTAURANTS IN DIFC
If you’re looking for a restaurant to hang out with friends over the weekend, visit these casual dining restaurants in Dubai International Financial Centre. They are also perfect for those looking for DIFC restaurants with delivery.
Gazebo
Gazebo is a popular Indian restaurant chain in the UAE with a branch in Dubai International Financial Centre. This North Indian eatery is popular as one of the best takeaways in Dubai too.
The DIFC Indian restaurant is best known for its rich and flavourful Mughlai dishes. For those who love biryani, Gazebo will not disappoint. Don’t miss out on their stuffed mushroom biryani, which is a favourite with patrons!
- Average cost for two: AED 135
- Location: Ground Floor, The Marble Walk, Building 5
- Timings: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-358-5550 | +971-4-526-9051
1762 The Gourmet Deli Co.
If you’re looking for guilt-free dishes, you won’t be disappointed with the plethora of healthy food choices on the 1762 DIFC Dubai menu. Customer favourites here include polenta cakes and sandwiches. Additionally, this rustic deli offers a range of delicious gourmet salads and sandwiches.
- Average cost for two: AED 145
- Location: Level 2, Gate District 2, Building 5, DIFC, Dubai
- Timings: Monday to Friday 08:00 am – 06:00 pm | Saturday and Sunday 09:00 am – 06:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-255-1762
Poke and Co.
Try out delicious varieties of Poké bowls at this popular DIFC restaurant. Poké and Co. is one of the well-ranked gluten-free restaurants in Dubai that allow diners to customise their bowls with a choice of base, mix, toppings and sauces! If you can’t decide, you can always order the signature Poké bowls, such as Aloha, Spicy Maui and Shrimply the Best.
Aside from Poké, this top restaurant in DIFC offers healthy salads, breakfast as well as a selection of vegan, paleo, gluten and dairy-free desserts!
- Average cost for two: AED 170
- Location: Gate Building 5, Marble Walk
- Timings: Sunday to Wednesday 08:00 am – 10:00 pm | Thursday and Friday 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-570-6636 | +971-800-7653
Krave
If you’re looking for healthy restaurants in Dubai, check out Krave! Regular patrons will know it for its industrial-chic vibe. The establishment has an extensive breakfast menu and a wide choice of vegan soups and salads. Popular items here are Beyond Burger, Chilli Bowl, Spaghetti Al Pomodoro and Wok Noodles.
- Average cost for two: AED 190
- Location: Level Ground, Central Park Towers, DIFC
- Timings: 08:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-295-2041
Buffalo Wings & Rings
The Buffalo Wings & Rings restaurant has been making sports fans happy since 1984 — when the first branch opened in Cincinnati Ohio. Nearly four decades later, this restaurant chain has gone global. And it’s one of the best American restaurants in Dubai as well. Savour their delicious and juicy chicken wings and other comfort food right here in DIFC.
This popular sports bar in DIFC has an outdoor terrace with superb views of the Dubai skylines. As the name suggests, this DIFC restaurant specialises in chicken wings; offering options such as traditional, breaded and boneless.
- Average cost for two: AED 230
- Location: Level C, Liberty House, DIFC
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 03:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-359-6900
ROYAL CHINA
Royal China brings authentic flavours of the Far East to Dubai’s financial hub. Tuck into delectable prawn crackers, pickles, dumplings, sweet corn, noodles and much more from the extensive Royal China DIFC menu. You will also know why Royal China is among the top dim sum restaurants in Dubai once you order this dish.
- Average cost for two: AED 260
- Location: Level 2 & Unit GD Level 2 Retail Unit 11, External Area, Level POD, Gate Precinct Building 4, Dubai International Financial Centre
- Timings: Sunday to Tuesday 11:30 am – 01:00 am | Wednesday to Saturday 11:30 am – 01:30 am
- Contact: +971-4-354-5543
BB Social Dining
This is among the best female-led restaurants in Dubai. Prepare your palate with a delightful fusion of Arab and South-East Asian cuisines. Highlights from BB Social Dining DIFC’s menu include bao, pho and ramen varieties, which make this particular restaurant stand out.
BB Social Dining is popular for its Big Rainbow Brunch. The menu includes specialities such as cauliflower popcorn and chicken bang bang bao.
- Average cost for two: AED 270
- Location: Gate Village 8, DIFC
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am | Thursday and Friday 12:00 pm – 01:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-407-4444
Bombay Borough
Another Indian restaurant in DIFC is Bombay Borough. This sleek and trendy restaurant is spread across two floors and is a branch of an award-winning establishment in India. It is also one of the best birthday restaurants in Dubai.
Bombay Borough promises an exciting culinary journey across the vast landscapes of India — with meals made from handpicked ingredients and a unique bar menu!
- Average cost for two: AED 370
- Location: Gate Village 3, DIFC, Dubai
- Timings: 11:30 am – 11:30 pm |Thursday and Friday 11:30 am – 01:30 am
- Contact: +971-4-327-1555
Top fine dining restaurants in DIFC
There are plenty of upscale DIFC restaurants that are known for their ambience, spectacular views and excellent menus. A number of these restaurants are considered to be amongst the best fine dining restaurants in Dubai as well.
Intersect by Lexus
Looking for more options when it comes to DIFC fine dining restaurants? Reserve a table at Intersect by Lexus, a stunning space that offers an exemplary dining experience by the brand.
Intersect DIFC offers a stylish cafe setting on one floor and a sleek restaurant on the other. Every aspect of its decor is inspired by the Lexus brand. The eatery offers fresh and healthy dishes that are created with organic ingredients.
- Average cost for two: AED 290
- Location: Gate Village 7, DIFC
- Timings: 08:00 am to 08:00 pm | Closed on Saturday
- Contact: +971-4-355-9524
LA PETITE MAISON (LPM)
La Petite Maison in DIFC, also known as LPM, exemplifies French Mediterranean and Niçoise cuisines — making it one of the best French restaurants in Dubai.
Some of the highlights from the menu of this DIFC French restaurant include pasta, risotto, burrata and melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake. Diners will love the elegant and airy ambience.
- Average cost for two: AED 350
- Location: Gate Village 8, DIFC
- Timings:
- Monday to Friday 12:00 pm – 03:00 pm | Saturday and Sunday 12:30 pm – 03:30 pm (Lunch)
- Monday to Sunday 06:00 am – 11:00 pm (Dinner)
- Contact: +971-4-439-0505
BOCA
BOCA is among the most popular casual dining restaurants in Dubai DIFC. Apart from Mediterranean specialities, the BOCA DIFC Dubai menu is known for Spanish delicacies.
Some of the most popular dishes at BOCA are their tapas, oysters and calamari. Other dishes have a local twist to them such as the sweet potato hummus. Additionally, the eatery is known for having some of the best fries in Dubai. The laid-back vibe makes it a popular venue for those who live here.
- Average cost for two: AED 450
- Location: First Floor, Gate Village 6, DIFC
- Timings 12:00 pm – 03:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-323-1833
ZUMA
Zuma has carved a niche for itself in Dubai’s culinary scene for its ‘Izakaya’ dining style. The Zuma Dubai DIFC menu is alluring and comprehensive. The dishes are known for their intense and bold flavours.
Apart from an exemplary menu, an elegant setting puts it on the list of best restaurants in Dubai.
Some of the popular dishes at this Japanese restaurant in DIFC are sushi, cocktails, sashimi, chocolate fondant, mushroom rice and tempura prawns.
- Average cost for two: AED 550
- Location: Podium Level, Gate Village 6, DIFC
- Timings:
- Monday to Friday 12:00 pm – 03:30 pm | Saturday 01:30 pm – 04:00 pm (Lunch)
- Sunday to Wednesday 07:00 pm – 12:00 am | Monday to Sunday 12:00 am – 02:00 am (Dinner)
- Contact: +971-4-425-5660
CARNIVAL BY TRÈSIND
This multi-award winning eatery offers an unforgettable dining experience for patrons. Among its highlights is a seasonal menu that changes after every few months.
Carnival by Tresind DIFC is a celebration of modern Indian cuisine. The Indian DIFC restaurant is known for its amazing cocktails, succulent lamb chops, spicy chaat, butter Chicken, vada pav and biryani. Be sure to try their tasting menu. It comes with over 12 courses and is widely considered among Dubai’s best tasting menus.
- Average cost for two: AED 550
- Location: Podium Level, Burj Daman, DIFC, Dubai
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-52-242-4262 | +971-4-526-0737
MINT LEAF OF LONDON
Another fine dining Indian restaurant in DIFC Dubai is Mint Leaf of London.
The Mint Leaf Dubai menu showcases traditional Indian cuisine with a contemporary twist. Furthermore, the restaurant is counted among the best Indian restaurants in Dubai thanks to its reimagining of iconic Indian dishes. Diners are also treated to stunning views of DIFC.
- Average cost for two: AED 535
- Location: Level 15, South Tower, Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC, Dubai
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 01:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-706-0900
ROBERTO’S
Roberto’s DIFC promises a delightful culinary experience even for the most discerning diners. Under the direction of the Group Executive Chef, Francesco Guarracino, Roberto’s has established itself as a favourite for contemporary Italian cuisine.
The menu draws from traditional Italian cooking techniques while adding a contemporary touch. The Italian restaurant in DIFC has won several accolades for outstanding service and cuisine — ranking it among our top 10 restaurants in DIFC Gate Village. Furthermore, it is a good option for corporate meetups thanks to its status among popular business lunch restaurants in Dubai.
- Average cost for two: AED 550
- Location: First Floor, Gate Village 1, DIFC, Dubai
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 03:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-386-0066
Gaia
Another one of the top fine dining restaurants in the area is Gaia, which serves Greek specialities. Intricate architecture adds to the guests’ dining experience. Gaia is home to one of Dubai’s finest private dining areas as well, known as the ”Chef’s Table”. Here, guests can see their meals prepared live.
The Greek restaurant results from a collaboration between Evgeny Kuzin and Chef Izu Ani. Highlights on the menu include sea bass ceviche, baked feta cheese, fried calamari, grilled octopus as well as classic Greek specialities such as moussaka.
- Average cost for two: AED 450
- Location: Gate Village Number 4, DIFC
- Timings: Sunday to Wednesday 12:00 pm – 11:30 pm | Thursday and Friday 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-241-4242
Cafe Belge
Whisk yourself away to 1920s Brussels at DIFC’s at this restaurant! Cafe Belge is an upscale restaurant and bar known for its seafood and popular Belgian dishes.
You can also find some of Belgium’s finest beers here. In time, you will know why it has the best bars in DIFC.
- Average cost for two: AED 455
- Location: The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC
- Timings: Sunday to Thursday 12:00 pm – 01:00 am| Saturday 01:00 pm – 01:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-372-2323
Hutong
Our next mention for the best dining places in DIFC is Hutong — popular for Northern Chinese cuisine and an imaginative cocktail menu!
The highlights from the menu at Hutong DIFC Dubai include their Roasted Peking Duck — which has earned rave reviews from customers — as well as their dim sum platters. As one of the new fine dining restaurants in Dubai, it checks all the boxes for taste, quality and presentation.
- Average cost for two: AED 680
- Location: Gate Building 6, Ground Floor, DIFC
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 02:30 pm (Lunch) | 06:00 pm – 01:00 am (Dinner)
- Contact: +971-4-220-0868
Avli by Tashas
Our final mention for fine dining places in DIFC is Avli by Tashas; a Greek restaurant that will transport you to a lush Mediterranean-inspired courtyard. This spectacular eatery is amongst the restaurants in Dubai that have Royal approval and it’s easy to see why. Expect to enjoy a delicious and thoughtful menu of salads, mezedes, seafood as well as slow-cooked meats.
- Average cost for two: AED 520
- Location: Ground Floor, Gate Village Building 9
- Timings:
- Sunday to Wednesday 12:00 – 04:00 pm | 07:00 – 01:00 am
- Thursday to Saturday 12:00 – 04:00 pm | 07:00 pm – 02:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-359-0008
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Italian restaurants in DIFC?
One of the top Italian restaurants in Dubai, The Artisan Il Ristorante in Waldorf Astoria DIFC has proved to be an extremely popular addition to the area’s culinary scene. You can also enjoy Italian food in DIFC at Cipriani, Roberto’s and Marea Restaurant.
Which are some of the best restaurants in DIFC for dinner?
If you’re looking for restaurants for dinner in DIFC, we suggest one that offers spectacular views of the city’s skyline. Mint Leaf of London, Al Grissino Restaurant & Lounge, AER Restaurant & Lounge and Al Mandaloun are some of the DIFC restaurants with unmissable views!
Which are some of the DIFC restaurants with shisha?
If you’re looking for shisha places in DIFC, establishments such as Al Mandaloun, AER Restaurant and Bar, Spark by Caramel and Flair 5 should all be on your list.
That concludes our list of best restaurants in DIFC Dubai! If you’re looking for Brazilian restaurants in DIFC, the options are Fogo De Chao and Frevo among others. You can also try restaurants at Business Bay for more options on impeccable dining in the emirate.
The nearby neighbourhood of Downtown Dubai is known for its wide range of upscale restaurants, bars and lounges. For eateries in other areas, explore some of the best fine dining restaurants in Downtown Dubai for options. Many of the restaurants with breathtaking views in Dubai are located in this trendy, upscale district too.
Dubai’s largest mall is a foodie’s dream destination. From dessert cafes to fine dining restaurants and shisha places, you can find it all here!
