Some of Dubai’s best homegrown restaurants are representing the city’s eclectic food industry on the international stage and are a must experience  

Dubai Economy & Tourism (DET) is celebrating numerous homegrown heroes that have managed to extend their culinary reputations beyond the shores of the UAE.

From international restaurants with global flair such as The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill, to quirky and fun eateries such as BB Social and gourmet Japanese-inspired success stories such as Reif Kushiyaki, Dubai is blessed with chefs and restaurateurs that have not only built up their brands in the city, but have exported their concepts beyond the UAE’s borders.

Read on below for the list of some of these must-visit UAE-born restaurants and eateries in the city:

The MAINE

Featured in numerous international publications, entrepreneur Joey Ghazal has built The MAINE’s reputation globally, with the New England-style brasserie boasting venues across Dubai (DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach and ME by Melia Hotel Business Bay, Dubai), as well as in London’s exclusive Mayfair district. With a cool, yet chic vibe and serving twists on classic seafood and grills, The Maine is a homegrown success story for lovers of curated yet accessible gastronomic experiences.
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BB Social Dining

One of the city’s most innovative and creative restaurants, BB Social’s concept revolves around its community, serving Eastern Cuisine in a cute and compact space.  The brainchild of co-founders Spero Panagakis and executive chef, Alex Stumpf, the Asian-inspired menu offers a range of eclectic classics and since opening in DIFC to major acclaim has expanded into the dynamic KSA market, with BB Social Dining Riyadh taking the city’s foodies by storm.
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Reif Kushiyaki

Singaporean entrepreneur and chef Reif Othman earned his Dubai reputation for excellence at kitchens in the Burj Al Arab and at DIFC’s Zuma; and is now the driving force behind the Japanese-inspired chain, Reif Kushiyaki (Dar Wasl Mall & Time Out Market, Dubai). Since welcoming its first diners in 2020, the restaurant has since opened venues in both KSA and Egypt and its menu showcases the unconventional style of Japanese cuisine that Othman has mastered, with elements of French and Italian technique.
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High Joint

Founded by three food-loving Emiratis, High Joint (Al Manara, Al Khawaneej and Motor City, Dubai) started a “burger revolution” in the city. Its success was founded on researching and experimenting with every aspect of burger making, from the creation of the patties, baking the bread, mixing cheeses, to whipping the sauces and magic mixes. Since 2018, the chain now has five UAE outlets and has recently expanded overseas into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Home Bakery

With four locations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi (Dubai Mall, Galleria Mall Al Wasl, Galleria Mall Al Barsha and Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi), the baking brainchild of Hild Al Mulla has grown from the confines of her home kitchen to tempt lovers of savoury and sweet treats across the UAE. The mouthwatering menu will now be experienced by sweet-toothed foodies in Riyadh, as the brand will open its first outlet in the Kingdom later this year.
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GAIA, Carine, Fika, Aya and Izu Burger

Homegrown celebrity chef Izu is responsible for the making of some of Dubai’s most-loved restaurants including GAIA, Carine, as well as Fika in Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Aya in City Walk and Izu Burger, to name a few. More recently, Chef Izu has successfully taken Gaia into Monaco, with future plans for London’s Piccadilly as well as expansion plans in New York!
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