FrenchBistro des ArtsFeatured restaurantBistro des Arts
Dubai Marina, Dubai
A French neighbourhood bistro on Dubai Marina Promenade, with current menu prices, online reservations, weekend breakfast and two waterside terraces.
We compared 14 venues against the brief. 12 researched picks made the cut.
For a business lunch booking, start with Bistro des Arts for classic French bistro cooking with current prices, Nayzak for a proper restaurant inside Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Ultra Brasserie, Emaar Square for breakfast from 7am on working days and Ultra Brasserie, Marina Plaza for seven-day breakfast and lunch. Every restaurant shown here has enough editorial research to earn its place; the wider directory is kept separate.
Menus worth leaving the desk for, with service that respects the fact you may eventually need to return.
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Plate Snob picks
FrenchBistro des ArtsFeatured restaurantDubai Marina, Dubai
A French neighbourhood bistro on Dubai Marina Promenade, with current menu prices, online reservations, weekend breakfast and two waterside terraces.
Modern InternationalNayzakSaadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi
Nayzak is the all-day restaurant inside Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, with a globally minded menu, exact prices, terrace seating and online reservations.
Healthy ContemporaryUltra Brasserie, Emaar SquareDowntown Dubai, Dubai
Ultra Emaar Square is a weekday Downtown brasserie for 7am breakfast, healthy business lunches, takeaway and delivery, with current menu prices.
Healthy ContemporaryUltra Brasserie, Marina PlazaDubai Marina, Dubai
Ultra Marina Plaza is a seven-day brasserie with breakfast, healthy lunches, a changing deli, weekday value meals, takeaway and delivery.
New & hot
Modern InternationalNayzakSaadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi
Nayzak is the all-day restaurant inside Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, with a globally minded menu, exact prices, terrace seating and online reservations.
Japanese ContemporaryZuma Abu DhabiAl Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
Zuma's polished Abu Dhabi outpost at The Galleria, combining sushi, robata and waterfront views with dependable big-night energy.
Japanese ContemporaryZuma DubaiDIFC, Dubai
The original DIFC modern-Japanese heavyweight, built around sushi, robata and a perpetually charged room.
The shortlist
FrenchBistro des ArtsFeatured restaurantDubai Marina, Dubai
A French neighbourhood bistro on Dubai Marina Promenade, with current menu prices, online reservations, weekend breakfast and two waterside terraces.
Modern InternationalNayzakFeatured restaurantSaadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi
Nayzak is the all-day restaurant inside Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, with a globally minded menu, exact prices, terrace seating and online reservations.
Healthy ContemporaryUltra Brasserie, Emaar SquareDowntown Dubai, Dubai
Ultra Emaar Square is a weekday Downtown brasserie for 7am breakfast, healthy business lunches, takeaway and delivery, with current menu prices.
Healthy ContemporaryUltra Brasserie, Marina PlazaDubai Marina, Dubai
Ultra Marina Plaza is a seven-day brasserie with breakfast, healthy lunches, a changing deli, weekday value meals, takeaway and delivery.
ChineseDai Pai DongAl Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
Rosewood Abu Dhabi's polished take on a Cantonese street market, with dim sum, roasted meats and hand-pulled noodles.
Japanese Contemporary99 Sushi BarAl Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
An intimate Michelin-recognised Japanese restaurant at The Galleria, specialising in luxury sushi, omakase and precise hot dishes.
ItalianCafe MilanoAl Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
A refined Italian restaurant at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi with handmade pasta, seafood and a waterfront terrace.
Lebanese-ArmenianAlmayassAl Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
A Lebanese-Armenian favourite at The Galleria serving generous mezze, charcoal grills and family-style comfort.
French MediterraneanLPM Restaurant & BarDIFC, Dubai
Bright Riviera cooking, excellent people-watching and a dining room that has mastered the long lunch.
Japanese ContemporaryZuma Abu DhabiAl Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
Zuma's polished Abu Dhabi outpost at The Galleria, combining sushi, robata and waterfront views with dependable big-night energy.
Japanese ContemporaryZuma DubaiDIFC, Dubai
The original DIFC modern-Japanese heavyweight, built around sushi, robata and a perpetually charged room.
French MediterraneanLPM Restaurant & Bar Abu DhabiAl Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
French-Mediterranean dining at The Galleria where Riviera brightness, polished service and a formidable bar meet.
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Useful answers
We edit for food, character, value, setting and genuine usefulness, not for the size of a marketing budget.
No. We check official information, show when profiles were last reviewed and recommend confirming time-sensitive details with the venue.
The wider UAE edit