9 much-loved Dubai restaurants reopening for the new season

Dubai restaurants making their way back onto our dinner plans

Missed one of your favourite Dubai restaurants lately? You might not have much longer to wait. Some are reopening after a seasonal break, while others have been busy getting a full makeover, with new interiors, menus and a few surprises along the way. A few already look very different from how you remember them. Here’s who’s already back – and who’s opening their doors again very soon.

Now open

Buddha-Bar

Buddha-Bar has been part of Dubai Marina since 2005, making it one of those Dubai restaurants that feels like it’s always been around. So when it closed for a few months, it definitely didn’t go unnoticed. Now, the Grosvenor House favourite is back with a new chapter. This season introduces Red Tsuki, a new theme under its Sakura’s Secret dining experience, inspired by the red moon and brought to life through live performers, visuals and choreography. The Pan-Asian menu is back too, including old favourites like the lobster dumplings, sushi, sashimi and handmade dim sum.

Where: Grosvenor House Dubai, Dubai Marina

When: Sunday-Thursday 7pm to 1am; Friday-Saturday 7pm to 2am

Contact: @buddhabardubai

Shimmers

Shimmers is officially back for the season, bringing one of those Dubai restaurants made for dinner by the beach back to Jumeirah Mina Al Salam. The Aegean-inspired spot sits right on the sand with views across the water to Burj Al Arab, with Greek favourites including lobster orzo, chicken souvlaki and its signature Shyros on the menu. Evenings come with a resident DJ, percussionist and saxophonist, and from October 1, it will be open for lunch too – including its three-course Aegean Pause business lunch.

Where: Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Madinat Jumeirah

When: Dinner daily, 5pm-1am; lunch from October 1

Contact: @shimmersdubai

Hakkasan

After taking a break over the summer, Hakkasan is reopening at Atlantis The Palm on September 23. The Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant will be back with executive chef Andy Toh at the helm and its signature dim sum, meat and seafood dishes on the menu, along with a new drinks list. The restaurant has been part of the UAE dining scene since 2011, first opening in Abu Dhabi before making the move to Atlantis The Palm.

Where: Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah

When: Wednesday-Sunday 6pm to 12.30am; Monday-Tuesday closed

Contact: @hakkasandubai

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Andaliman

Andaliman has a new home, and it comes with quite the view. The Indonesian restaurant has moved from its former poolside spot at One&Only One Za’abeel to the 24th floor of The Link, 100 metres above the city. Chef de cuisine Ismawan Dzabir’s menu puts Indonesian flavours front and centre, from slow-braised beef rendang to seafood grilled over coconut-husk charcoal. There’s also a new Sambal Trolley rolling between tables, so you can pick your chilli paste – and exactly how much heat you can handle.

Where: The Link, One&Only One Za’abeel, Za’abeel

When: Daily, 12pm to 11pm

Contact: @andalimandubai

Scalini

Scalini Dubai is back, and it’s had quite the makeover. The Italian favourite has reopened at Restaurant Village with a fresh Mediterranean look, keeping its signature blue and yellow while adding striped fabrics, warm timber and a redesigned veranda filled with citrus trees, Sicilian-inspired tiles and a white pergola. Executive chef Francesco Cortorillo has given the menu a refresh too, with Sicilian red prawn crudo, tableside beef tartare and linguine alla Nerano among the dishes to try.

Where: Restaurant Village, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah

When: Sun-Thu 12pm to 11pm; Fri-Sat 12pm to 12am

Contact: @scalinidubai

Tattu Dubai

Tattu Dubai is back high above Dubai Marina after a temporary closure. Spread across two of the upper floors of Ciel Dubai Marina, the Asian restaurant and bar has reopened on Level 74 with its huge suspended cherry blossom tree, Black Dragon dining room and White Dragon Sunset bar. Head even higher to Level 81 for the Sky Lounge and Terrace, where 360-degree views stretch across Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. There are a few new reasons to go back too, including a weekday business lunch and daily sunset experience, with afternoon tea, brunches and DJ sessions still to come.

Where: Levels 74 and 81, Ciel Dubai Marina, Dubai Marina

When: Restaurant & Bar: Mon-Thu 12pm to 12am; Fri-Sun 12pm to 1am; Sky Lounge: daily 5pm-late

Contact: @tattudubai

Reopening soon

Lion in the Sun

If you missed that giant moon floating above the city, it’s almost back. Lion in the Sun reopens on September 25, bringing its open-fire Mediterranean cooking back to the 62nd floor of Mandarin Oriental Downtown. Expect grilled seafood, prime cuts and plates made for sharing, alongside an open-air terrace, sweeping city views and that huge full-moon installation glowing above it all. A very good one to have back for date nights.

Where: Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai

Reopening date: September 25

Contact: @lioninthesundubai

Ninive

One of Dubai’s prettiest outdoor dining spots is almost back. Ninive reopens on October 1 at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, bringing its hidden-garden setting back just as evenings outside start sounding good again. Designed like a contemporary urban majlis, it’s all low seating, lanterns and greenery, surrounded by the towers of DIFC. The menu travels across the Middle East and North Africa, with Iraqi, Turkish and Moroccan influences, and this season comes with a refreshed space and new dishes too.

Where: Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road

Reopening date: October 1

Contact: @ninivedubai

Tapasake Dubai

Tapasake is making a comeback at One Za’abeel this autumn, and there’s quite a bit new this time around. The infinity pool is staying, but it will now be joined by a new restaurant and outdoor Sky Lounge, taking the space from daytime pool sessions into drinks and music after dark. Food-wise, the restaurant will mix Japanese cooking techniques with Mediterranean flavours through a Wafu-inspired menu, all with those high-up city views in the background.

Where: One Za’abeel, Za’abeel

Reopening: Autumn 2026

Contact: @tapasakedubai

Images: Provided/Instagram