There are many reasons why you should spend your vacation in the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. The good weather is one reason among many more. There are also the luxurious hotels, of course, or the rich history and impressive buildings. And then there's the lively restaurant scene. Here's why foodies are guaranteed to be happy in Dubai:

The agony of choice

© Unsplash

Dubai boasts an incredible 13,000 restaurants and cafés. And all in a relatively small area. The entire emirate is just 35 square kilometers in size. By comparison, Paris covers an area of 102 square kilometers; the daily newspaper "Le Parisien" estimates that there are a total of around 15,000 cafés, bars and restaurants in the French capital. The selection ranges from traditional Arabic cuisine from the Emirates to fine dining. Over 200 nationalities can be found in Dubai's restaurant kitchens. This provides additional variety.

Dubai Food Festival

© Dubai Food Festival

The culinary delights are then further celebrated with numerous events. The most important in this respect is the Dubai Food Festival. It always takes place for around four weeks at the end of April. This year's date is from April 19 to May 12. There'll be special Foodie Experiences in the participating restaurants. Think, for example, of masterclasses, chef's tables and culinary collaborations.

Dubai Restaurant Week

From April 26 to May 12, 2024, many of the city's restaurants are also inviting diners to enjoy special menus at special prices. Foodies in Dubai will then have the opportunity to enjoy lunch and dinner at some of the city's finest restaurants and experience the emirate's authentic hospitality.

Exceptional concepts

© Dubai Food Festival

Dubai is a melting pot for bold ideas. Coupled with the luxury that can be found on every corner and the innovation and investment spirit of the Emirati people, this results in unusual restaurant concepts. And these are often taken from Dubai to the whole world. Take the legendary Nurs-Et Steakhouse, for example. A few years ago it made headlines when former soccer star Franck Ribéry ate steak wrapped in gold leaf here. Or the Robo Café, where your coffee is brewed by robots. Seafood fans, on the other hand, will find what they're looking for at the underwater restaurant Ossiano at the Atlantis Resort. The 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central even has a Bavarian beer garden.

High star density

© Dubai Food Festival

In the current edition of the Michelin Guide, a total of 87 restaurants in Dubai have received a mention. Eleven of them have one star and three restaurants have been awarded excellent cooking and thus two stars. So far, no restaurant has managed to rise to the three-star level, but there's still time. After all, the famous gastronomic guide has only been rating restaurants in the emirate since 2022.

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