Embark on a culinary journey across manifestations of flavour where local palates find solace away from the beaten path. This guide unveils some of the most compelling Underrated Restaurants in Dubai, presenting a tapestry of hidden gems that stray from the glitz of tourist hotspots. Readers will discover an enticing mix of intimate cafes, authentic brasseries, rooftop hotspots, and avant-garde venues.
Whether seeking a quiet corner to sip single-origin brews or an edge-of-the-city location to indulge in Pan-African fusion, these selections promise memorable dining experiences that elude common itineraries. Join us as we traverse the city’s nooks and alleys to celebrate the flavours and atmospheres cherished by those in the know.
1. Hidden Cafes
These five Underrated Cafes in Dubai offer serene settings and artisanal brews far from crowded corridors. Ideal for solo visits, study sessions, or relaxed meetups, each café distinguishes itself through design, coffee programs, and seasonal menus.
- Roasters Specialty Coffee House Dubai Mall
This bright corner café stands as one of the underrated cafes in Dubai, transforming mall browsing into a sensory retreat. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with light, highlighting polished timber tables and lush greenery. The baristas, many of whom are competition winners, roast beans in-house and craft each pour-over with meticulous care. Despite its location in a shopper’s haven, it feels like a secluded hideout cherished by regulars
Location: Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall (Star Atrium)
Rating: 4.9 (6,069 reviews)
Price: AED 50–100
Hours: Daily 10 am–12 am (12 am Fri–Sat)
Signature: Single-origin pour-overs, ricotta-and-honey pancakes, outdoor seating overlooking mall skylights.
- Orto Café
Orto’s verdant courtyard captures the essence of underrated cafes in Dubai, evoking an Italian villa more than a city café. Woven lanterns hang above reclaimed-wood tables, while olive branches sway overhead. Their house-roasted espresso marries floral notes with a creamy mouthfeel, pairing perfectly with fluffy lemon-ricotta pancakes. Locals flock here for weekend brunches, enticed by the secluded garden vibe and artisanal touches.
Location: 395 Al Athar Street, Jumeirah
Rating: 4.8 (5,326 reviews)
Price: AED 50–100
Hours: Daily 7 am–12 am
Signature: Garden seating beneath olive trees, lemon-ricotta pancakes, rose latte, timber deck and shaded courtyard.
- Alchemy Coffee
Alchemy’s stark white walls and concrete counters highlight why it’s among the underrated cafes in Dubai, spotlighting the art of coffee brewing. Baristas demonstrate pour-over techniques at the communal island, inviting curious guests to engage. The menu changes monthly based on bean harvests, ensuring freshness and flavour clarity. Despite its austere design, the warm service and rich brews create an inviting atmosphere.
Location: Al Wasl Road, Al Safa
Rating: 4.3 (985 reviews)
Price: AED 1–50
Hours: Daily 8:30 am–11 pm (1 am Fri–Sat)
Signature: Minimalist café, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe brews, oat-milk matcha, communal barista demos, single-origin focus.
- BRIX Café
Perched along the harbour, BRIX Café exemplifies underrated cafes in Dubai, pairing sea breezes with creative fare. The open-air terrace offers unobstructed views of bobbing yachts and turquoise waters. Plates arrive adorned with edible flowers and drizzles of house-infused oils. Its all-day menu caters to early risers and late-night wanderers alike, making it a versatile coastal haven.
Location: Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, Jumeirah 2
Rating: 4.6 (1,164 reviews)
Price: AED 50–100
Hours: Daily 7 am–11:30 pm
Signature: Waterfront views, shakshuka-style eggs, truffle-parmesan fries, lavender-honey latte, Mediterranean grain bowls.
- Stomping Grounds
Stomping Grounds exemplifies the charm of underrated cafes in Dubai, channelling Sydney café culture with its warehouse-chic interiors and rooftop lounge. Exposed brick walls, hanging Edison bulbs, and surfboard accents set a laid-back tone. Their Big Brekkie is legendary, a stacked feast that fuels urban explorers. Evenings see a shift to cold-brew flights and craft cocktails under twinkling fairy lights.
Location: 98 12D Street, Jumeirah 1
Rating: 4.6 (3,644 reviews)
Price: AED 50–100
Hours: Daily 7:30 am–11:30 pm
Signature: Australian café, Big Brekkie platter, cold-brew flights, rooftop terrace, industrial décor.
2. Authentic Brasseries & Bistros
Dubai hosts intimate brasseries and bistros that showcase refined yet approachable international menus. These five venues epitomise Underrated Restaurants in Dubai with their dedication to quality ingredients and cosy atmospheres.
- Sucre Fire Dining Dubai
Sucre’s open kitchen and rustic brick oven set the stage for a smoky feast, showcasing why it’s one of the underrated restaurants in Dubai. Succulent cuts charred tableside release aromas that lure passersby. The menu balances hearty staples like empanadas stuffed with slow-cooked beef with inventive twists, such as quince-glazed short ribs. Under vine-covered arches, diners savour each bite as candlelight dances on terracotta tiles.
Location: Podium Level, Gate Village Building 3, DIFC
Rating: 4.6 (1,016 reviews)
Price: AED 150–300
Hours: Tue–Fri 12 pm–4 pm; Sat–Sun 1 pm–5 pm
Signature: Argentinian wood-fired grills, grilled provoleta with chilli honey, wagyu sliders, alfresco courtyard seating.
- Couqley French Brasserie Downtown Dubai
Couqley’s striped awnings and zinc-topped bar recall Parisian streets. Morning glories fill the air as bakers deliver trays of croissants straight from the oven. The hearty steak-frites arrive piled high beside crisp gem lettuce, dressed tableside. Overlooking the canal, guests linger with espresso in hand, reluctant to leave the continental idyll.
Location: Marasi Drive, Business Bay
Rating: 4.8 (1,332 reviews)
Price: AED 100–200
Hours: Daily 6 am–10:30 am (breakfast only)
Signature: Parisian pastries, steak-frites, duck-fat chicken, brunch platters, terrace overlooking Business Bay Canal.
- Mint Leaf of London Dubai
Perched high above the skyline, Mint Leaf stands out among underrated restaurants and cafes in Dubai, offering sweeping vistas that rival its inventive menu. Each dish is a study in balance, tangy, smoky, and luxuriously spiced. The deconstructed butter chicken lets the cream and tomato essence shine alongside succulent chicken morsels. In the evenings, city lights twinkle as diners sample desserts inspired by Indian street fairs.
Location: 15th Floor, South Tower, Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC
Rating: 4.6 (3,259 reviews)
Price: AED 150–300
Hours: Daily 12 pm–1 am
Signature: Deconstructed butter chicken, tandoori tuna steak, mango-kulfi semifreddo, panoramic skyline views.
- 3Fils
3Fils blends precision and warmth in a sleek waterfront setting. The open galley invites conversation with chefs as they flame-sear premium cuts. Salt-kissed sea air mingles with umami-rich aromas drifting from the charcoal grill. Guests return for the inventive dessert lineup, where Japanese flavours meet delicate French techniques.
Location: Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, Jumeirah 2
Rating: 4.6 (5,476 reviews)
Price: AED 100–200
Hours: Daily 12 pm–12 am
Signature: Miso-glazed black cod, wagyu beef cubes, yuzu-cheesecake mochi, open kitchen, harborfront ambience.
- FRNDS Restaurant
FRNDS shines among underrated restaurants and cafes in Dubai, defying mall stereotypes with immersive décor and eclectic playlists. Walls adorned with street-art murals set a vibrant tone, while plush banquettes offer comfort. Dishes arrive as edible artworks, from glossy uni draped over sourdough to pastel-hued tiramisu. As night falls, rotating DJs spin lo-fi beats, transforming the space into a late-night lounge.
Location: Ground Floor, Dubai Mall
Rating: 4.7 (1,007 reviews)
Price: AED 200–300
Hours: Daily 8 am–3 am
Signature: Truffle-uni toast, matcha tiramisu, live DJ sets, fusion of French and Japanese fare, and contemporary art installations.
3. Unique Dining Hotspots
For those seeking more adventurous settings, Dubai boasts venues where concept and cuisine converge. From rooftop terraces to theatrical tasting menus, these five Underrated Restaurants in Dubai elevate dining into an event.
- Krasota Dubai Restaurant
Krasota epitomises underrated restaurants in Dubai, feeling more like an art museum than a dining venue, with dishes displayed like masterpieces. The polished concrete floors and matte-black furnishings provide a dramatic backdrop. Ingredients are sourced from local farms, ensuring each bite bursts with provenance. Private dining nooks allow intimate gatherings against panoramic cityscapes.
Location: G Floor, The Address Downtown
Rating: 4.9 (1,181 reviews)
Price: AED 500+
Hours: Daily 1 pm–1 am
Signature: Organic European small plates, beetroot carpaccio, dry-aged steak, and chef’s seasonal tasting menu in a gallery-like dining room.
- Tribes Dubai Mall
Tribes transports guests on an Afrocentric voyage through communal dining. Bold mural art and tribal textiles adorn the walls. Spice-laden tajines and skewers arrive sizzling, releasing heady aromas. As the sun sets, the rooftop terrace pulses with energy, lit by lanterns and conversation.
Location: Level 2, The Dubai Mall
Rating: 4.7 (4,041 reviews)
Price: AED 100–200
Hours: Daily 11 am–12 am (1 am Fri–Sat)
Signature: Pan-African fusion, jollof-rice arancini, suya-spiced lamb chops, rooftop terrace with skyline views.
- Duck & Waffle Dubai | DIFC
High above the streets, Duck & Waffle exemplifies underrated restaurants in Dubai, pairing inventive comfort with vertigo-inducing views. Sunlight filters through expansive windows, spotlighting the iconic duck-and-waffle. Seasonal cocktails arrive in smoke-filled glasses, adding theatre to the meal. The ambience effortlessly shifts from brunch hotspot to nighttime cocktail den.
Location: Concourse Level, Innovation Building, DIFC
Rating: 4.7 (291 reviews)
Price: AED 200–300
Hours: Daily 9:30 am–9 pm (midnight Thu–Sat)
Signature: Duck leg confit on waffle, black-truffle fondue, rhubarb-gin spritz, floor-to-ceiling city vistas.
- Table Otto | Dubai Mall
Table Otto’s sleek marble counters and lush velvet banquettes evoke European salons, cementing its place among underrated restaurants in Dubai. A glass-front pastry case tempts onlookers with colourful confections. Pasta is spun fresh daily, with saffron threads swirling through each strand. Soft jazz and low lighting complete the elegant yet approachable vibe.
Location: Fashion Avenue Level, Dubai Mall
Rating: 4.8 (1,314 reviews)
Price: AED 150–250
Hours: Daily 9 am–1 am (1 am Fri–Sat)
Signature: Saffron-poached lobster linguine, pistachio cannoli, artisanal pastry bar, intimate seating alcoves.
- Carnival by Trèsind Restaurant & Bar
Carnival stands out among underrated restaurants and cafes in Dubai, staging a playful circus of flavours where each course surprises. Lights dim as waiters theatrically present dishes under glass domes. The menu shifts with global trends, ensuring no two visits are alike. Vibrant murals and plush seating invite diners to immerse themselves fully in the spectacle.
Location: The Buildings by Daman, DIFC
Rating: 4.6 (2,858 reviews)
Price: AED 200–300
Hours: Daily 12 pm–12 am (1 am Sat)
Signature: Seasonal chef’s tasting menus, caviar lollipops, deconstructed sushi burritos, multi-sensory dessert spheres.
Final Bite
Dubai’s culinary scene extends beyond celebrity venues. These Underrated Restaurants in Dubai and Underrated Cafes in Dubai offer authentic experiences through innovative menus and intimate atmospheres. From specialty coffee sanctuaries to avant-garde kitchens, these hidden gems transform every meal into a discovery worth savouring.
Discover the joy of exploring Dubai’s culinary hidden treasures. Step beyond the usual and savour authentic flavours crafted with passion and creativity. Your next unforgettable meal is waiting just off the beaten path. Dive in and let your palate be your guide!
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