From dining on freshly caught seafood along the Omani shores to living your best version of la dolce vita at a chic Massimo Bottura outpost in Dubai, the Middle East abounds with memorable dining experiences.
These 12 must-try summer dining experiences across the region offer up meals you won’t soon forget.
As always, be sure to check for travel restrictions and restaurant closures before planning your getaway.
Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi; Saadiyat Island, UAE
For idyllic views of the Arabian Gulf, head to Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi, a scenic beachfront restaurant and bar at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi.
Colorful sunsets are best experienced with sundowner cocktail specials in hand, while signature Buddha-Bar beats set the mood as you dine on pan-Asian dishes. Try the seafood tacos, Nikkei BBQ short ribs and the veggie anticucho skewers before ending the meal with a creative bowl of matcha tiramisu.
Ba Ban; Muscat, Oman
Transport yourself to 1920s Shanghai with a meal at Ba Ban. Located at the beachfront W Muscat, this ornate, moody and Instagrammable space will have you experiencing the spirit of Shanghai with every bite.
From dim sum platters fit for royalty and Peking duck served with a Cantonese twist, diners are in for a truly immersive Chinese culinary experience. Don’t forget to finish off with an order of mango sago pudding — a creative take on almond bean curd, a traditional Cantonese dessert.
Bounty Beets; Dubai, UAE
From the fresh fruit smoothies and antioxidant-rich açaí bowls to the Every Day I’m Waffling breakfast platter and thin-crust pizzas, nearly everything on the pun-fueled menu at Bounty Beets can be made gluten-free or vegan. All you have to do is ask.
Complete with palm trees and ambient string lighting, this casual, Instagram-worthy restaurant at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark is the perfect location to enjoy your next happy hour.
Torno Subito; Dubai, UAE
Located just steps from the beach at the sleek W Dubai – The Palm on Palm Jumeirah, Torno Subito is celebrity chef Massimo Bottura’s first restaurant outside of Italy. Stepping inside feels like stepping into the ultra-glam 1960s Italian Riviera.
Experience la dolce vita with the Degustation Menu or during Saturday brunch. Crowd favorites include tagliatelle al ragu and the formaggi pizza — the balsamic vinegar used atop the pizza is produced by the Bottura family.
Market at EDITION; Abu Dhabi, UAE
Tucked into The Abu Dhabi EDITION and helmed by renowned British chef Tom Aikens, Market at EDITION focuses on healthy, sustainable eating inspired by Aikens’ desire to showcase how vegetables can be transformed into nutritious and fulfilling meals.
An all-day dining menu lets you nourish yourself with satisfying, health-centric dishes no matter the time of day — choose from cauliflower-crusted pizzas topped with sustainably-sourced tuna, miso-marinated cod and a serving (or two!) of dairy-free pistachio ice cream.
Zenith; Amman, Jordan
Locals and visitors alike flock to Zenith, the rooftop grill and lounge inside The St. Regis Amman, where they’re met with a stylish atmosphere, decadent steakhouse menu, freshly caught seafood and expertly curated cocktail menu.
When they’re not sipping drinks or tucking into meals, guests can catch glimpses of the open kitchen, or be dazzled by the panoramic views of sparkling city lights.
Cordelia; Dubai, UAE
Seafood reigns supreme at Cordelia, a glamorous fine dining restaurant at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm.
Keep things local with a selection of north-Fujairah-grown Dibba Bay Oysters on the half shell from the raw bar before moving on to a selection of freshly grilled seafood and meat dishes, such as the honey-glazed Atlantic cod or teriyaki-style chicken. Wood-fired or robata? The choice of grill is entirely up to you.
Garage; Abu Dhabi, UAE
From Peru to Japan and everywhere in between, Garage at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island takes diners on a sensory multicountry experience without ever having to leave the table.
Start summer weekends off right with B.I.G., Garage’s quintessential larger-than-life brunch every Friday. A Levantine mezze spread, succulent cuts of meat such as the house-smoked activated charcoal wagyu burger, and more than 10 wines and craft cocktails on tap are just some of what’s included in this gigantic brunch spread.
Beach Pavilion Bar & Grill; Muscat, Oman
Thanks to its premier beachfront location, sitting down for a meal at the Beach Pavilion Bar & Grill at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel gives you a chance to experience the best of Oman’s rugged coastline. Summer sunsets are not to be missed here.
Beach Pavilion showcases unparalleled sea views and serves fresh-off-the-boat seafood and grilled meats. The relaxing waves, the gentle sea breeze and the colors of the sunset promise a spectacular outdoor dining experience.
COYA; Doha, Qatar
Inspired by the sights and sounds of Peru, COYA at the W Doha is perfect for date night. Designed to evoke the spirit of South America, the intimate interiors feature striking monochrome photos of Andean culture, which you can ogle while feasting on classic Peruvian cuisine served tapas-style.
Start the meal off with COYA’s twist on a pisco sour, infused with various fruits, including passion fruit, lychee and kumquat, all available to try in the restaurant’s pisco library.
The seafood-forward menu features popular Peruvian dishes like ceviche and escabeche Peruano (chargrilled sea bream in banana leaf), as well as costillas de res (miso-marinated beef ribs) and pollo a la parilla (roast chicken).
Al Orjouan; Riyadh, KSA
Often lauded as the city’s most lavish buffet, Al Orjouan serves up a serious spread all day, including several themed meatcentric and seafood-focused nights throughout the week.
Its claim to fame, however, is the sumptuous Friday brunch. Diners are welcomed with a platter of Arabic coffee and sweet dates before heading inside to feast on an indulgent spread of Middle Eastern and international favorites.
For a relaxed vibe, pick a table with views of The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh’s impressive fountain display.
Deli Kitchen; Doha, Qatar
From the pendant light fixtures to the floor-to-ceiling windows that brighten up the contemporary interior, Deli Kitchen at Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha is the place to dine if you’re looking to start your day off on the right note.
For the famished, the Epicurean breakfast experience, with a varied selection of freshly baked bread, mezze and fruit bowls, plus coffee and tea, will fill you right up. Visit any other time of day and feast on local favorites such as the spiced Qatar lentil soup, lamb machboos and butter chicken.
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