//

Dubai Marina's Top 8 Restaurants

Dubai Marina is one of Dubai's most popular districts, offering iconic skyscrapers, a variety of restaurants, entertainment venues and attractions. Not far from Dubai Marina is the gated community of Emaar Beachfront which is located in Dubai Harbour, between JBR, Palm Jumeirah and Mina Seyahi on the mainland of Dubai. The area is close to some of the emirate's best shopping centers, restaurants and yacht clubs, offering a sophisticated lifestyle to both its residents and visitors. With the community having easy access to the Sheikh Zayed Road, residents of Dubai Marina can easily reach anywhere in Dubai.
  • /
  • /
published december 26, 2021
In this article, we present a guide to the best restaurants in Dubai Marina, which can be found in the vicinity of the Emaar Beachfront area. In particular, we cover the TOP–8 restaurants where you can have a great time with family and friends or arrange a business meeting. We will also talk you through each restaurant's cuisine, directions on how to get there, opening hours and the average bill for two people.

Dubai Marina's best restaurants

One of the main attractions for gastro tourists and locals is the Dubai Marina Walk. The promenade is less than a 10–minute drive from Emaar Beachfront and is the ideal place to indulge in gourmet delicacies and spend time with family and friends. There are over 70 cafés and restaurants on the promenade, offering almost every kind of cuisine with authentic flavour for the most discerning visitor, making it an extremely popular destination for foodies.

Massimo's Italian Restaurant

Massimo's offers the best Italian cuisine based on traditional recipes, with almost all the ingredients being imported directly from Italy. Here you can try authentic Italian dishes like traditional pasta and lasagne, risotto with saffron, veal in tuna sauce, roasted aubergines with tomato sauce and cheese in the traditional Neapolitan way, as well as avocado and salmon tartare, meat or fish carpaccio. It is worth noting that the salmon comes straight from Scotland. And, of course, the pizza. Massimo’s also serve freshly baked bread and handmade desserts. They have a children's menu, a vegetarian menu and a gluten-free menu as well.

The unique factor about Massimo's is that it is Dubai's first restaurant with its own ice cream delivery, thanks to its own motorbike fleet. The direct delivery system uses thermal containers and an additional synthetic ice pack to preserve the traditional creamy texture of the ice cream, its authentic aroma and its flavour.

Moreover, the restaurant provides a full catering service for yachts or special events. Massimo's has won two special awards for fulfilling all the requirements of a true Italian restaurant, including the menu and choice of ingredients, as well as a 'Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor.

Opening hours: 12pm– 00:00am seven days a week.
The average bill for two people – about AED 300 (USD 82).
Location: Park Island Walk, entrance from the stairwell, from Al Musalla New Mosque, Dubai Marina.

Observatory Bar & Grill

Observatory Bar & Grill is one of the best fine dining restaurants in Dubai Marina where they serve grilled meat and fish dishes. It's worth trying the roast salmon or the spiced barbecued pork ribs. There is also a well-designed and diverse cocktail and wine list. and the menu also offers fresh seafood dishes and vegetarian options for non-meat eaters.

The restaurant often offers promotions ('Happy Hours', 'Men's Night', etc.) and various festive menus at reduced prices. For example, the restaurant serves a three-course set menu for AED 260 (USD 71) from 6pm to 10pm from 17–24 December to celebrate the holidays. The Observatory Bar & Grill also hosts an annual Christmas brunch on 24 December. Meat, fresh seafood and signature beverages are all served during the event, and with an early booking before 1 December, you can get a 20% discount.

The Observatory Bar & Grill offers business lunches as well, and is also a great place for a romantic dinner in a relaxed setting against the peaceful scenery of the Dubai Marina overlooking Ain Dubai.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 12pm – 00:00am
The average bill for two people: about AED 670 (USD 182).
Location: 52nd floor, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, Dubai Marina.

Mazina, The Address Dubai Marina

Mazina is a sophisticated restaurant serving contemporary Asian, Arabic and European cuisine, and every month the restaurant offers new interesting dishes. Here you can sit indoors or on the cosy terrace, accompanied by live music. A good selection of meat, Arabic and Asian dishes, as well as desserts, are available here, and after brunch, guests can continue their meal by the panoramic pool. It is worth noting that brunch is particularly popular with business workers and business travelers.

Families with children will also feel comfortable, as Mazina offers a well-balanced children's menu.
Mazina is located at The Address Dubai Marina Hotel, which is adjacent to the Marina Mall. On weekdays, the price of a buffet per person is AED 175 (USD 48). The menu includes the latest Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and Indian dishes, prepared with the freshest ingredients and served right in front of you.
The restaurant is ideal for vegetarians, vegans and families.

Opening hours:
  • Breakfast: Monday to Saturday 6:30am – 10:30am, dinner from 7pm – 11pm
  • Weekdays business lunch: 12pm – 3pm, brunch from: Friday and Saturday 12:30pm – 3:30pm.
The average bill for two people: about AED 400 (USD 109).
Location: Lobby Level, The Address Dubai Marina, Al Marsa Street, Dubai Marina.

Caravan, Ritz Carlton JBR

The Ritz Carlton is a magnificent Mediterranean-inspired hotel on the banks of JBR. Here, on the ground floor, next to the garden, is the cosy Caravan restaurant overlooking the Persian Gulf. The restaurant offers a real 'journey' through India, Arabia and the Mediterranean. The grill bar which serves organic meats and fresh seasonal vegetables from the best farms in the UAE deserves a special mention.

The restaurant has a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere with live music, perfect for a Friday brunch called the Rotisserie Brunch.

There is both international and European cuisine, as well as a specialized menu that is perfect for vegetarians and vegans, including halal and gluten-free options.

Opening hours: every Friday 1pm – 4pm.
The average bill for two people:
  • The price for the Oasis Brunch is AED 900 (USD 245), including soft drinks and the signature Ginger Way cocktail.
  • The price for the Desert Springs Brunch is AED 1,220 (USD 332), including vintage champagne and 2 signature cocktails.
  • The price for the Mirage Brunch is AED 1,380 (USD 376), including unlimited champagne and signature cocktails.
Location: Ritz Carlton, The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai.

RUYA

The best restaurant in the Middle East and North Africa. Here you can enjoy delicious Anatolian cuisine as the restaurant also brings the concept of Meyhane (traditional Turkish restaurant and bar) to Dubai, where people can socialize and enjoy first-class food and drink, including lamb stew and aubergine, cinnamon-flavoured rice puddings and baklava. There is also a vegetarian menu, some options for vegans and a children's menu. Guests can enjoy traditional gourmet meals indoors or dine on the terrace overlooking the marina.

Working hours: 7pm – 1am.
The average bill for two people: about AED 630 (USD 172) excluding alcohol.
Location: Ground Level, Tower 1, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina

TORO TORO

This is a popular lounge and Latin American eatery run by Mexican-born chef Richard Sandoval. It is also a firm favorite with Dubai Marina residents and meat and seafood lovers for its brunch options. Crispy prawns and guacamole combined with great décor and music make it the perfect choice for a gourmet meal. Guests are also offered a wide range of cocktails as well.

Dubai's leading South American concept, Toro Toro boasts unique interiors with an open-plan kitchen. On Fridays, between 1pm to 4pm there is the Hola Hola brunch, during which the award-winning Toro Toro team and the city's favorite South American cuisine and bar, offers guests 3 hours of unlimited hors d'oeuvres, main courses and desserts, accompanied by complimentary selected beverages. The price for a meal for two will be AED 550 (USD 150) and if you book before Wednesday, you can get a 20% discount.

In addition, every year the Toro Toro restaurant invites its guests to the Christmas Brunch with a special offer on traditional Latin American cuisine and more, served with a large selection of drinks and live music, or you can celebrate New Year's Eve the Latin American way.

It's also worth noting that there is an exclusive Dulce Maria promotion for ladies on Mondays from 7pm to 11pm. There is unlimited champagne for all AED 125 (USD 34) meals or a 3–drink set menu for orders of AED 175 (USD 48) or more.

Opening hours: Daily from 7pm to 1am.
The average bill for two people: AED 650 (USD 177) including alcohol.
Location: Ground Level, Tower 1, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina.

Rhodes W1

Rhodes W1 restaurant is located within the Grosvenor House Hotel in Dubai. The main feature of the restaurant is the tea room and bar on the terrace overlooking the Dubai Marina. The restaurant belongs to the famous British chef Gary Rhodes who has appeared on shows such as "MasterChef" and "Hell's Kitchen".

The afternoon tea menu includes almost every kind of snack, from smoked salmon sandwiches to warm salty dishes and homemade scones and croutons. The menu includes starters such as foie gras or asparagus, fish and meat main courses, and puddings are served as desserts.

Most people come here for the drinks and snacks, as it's hard to pass up so many exotic teas! Whether you prefer black tea, flavoured tea, green tea, or herbal fusion, there are plenty of flavours to choose from. The restaurant also serves cocktails, wines and champagne, beers and liqueurs.

Working hours: Monday to Saturday, 7am – 11:30pm.
The average bill for two people: AED 550 (USD 150).
Location: Tower 1, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina.

Marina Social by Jason Atherton

This seasonally inspired restaurant which is a British favourite, was founded by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton. The British-Mediterranean menu includes dishes such as the famous Beef Wellington with 'cheese chips', Cafe de Paris butter and red wine sauce, linguini with king crab, tomato, prawns in oil and white bisque, Wagyu steak tartare with smoked egg yolk, hazelnuts, parsley and radish. There are vegan and children's menus as well. An open kitchen and separate dessert bar allow guests to watch the chefs at work and interact with them during their meal, while visitors to the exclusive 'Social Desk' can enjoy a personalized tasting menu.

Working hours: Sunday to Thursday, 6pm – 10:45pm, Friday & Saturday from 1 pm – 10:45pm.
Cost of dinner for two: average of AED 500 (USD 136).
Location: King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, 1st floor of the InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Marina.

Why buying a property in Emaar Beachfront is advantageous

Emaar Beachfront is one of the most promising and fastest-growing residential areas in Dubai. There are several advantages to investing in this project:

  • The developer of the Emaar Beachfront project is Emaar Properties, who is one of the undisputed development leaders in its field. Emaar Properties is characterized by an impeccable business reputation and high reliability. It is worth noting that the same developer was involved in the design and construction of most of the residential complexes at Dubai Marina, as well as throughout Dubai. These properties are therefore in great demand by end buyers, property investors in the emirate and from tenants wanting to live near Dubai Marina.
  • Emaar Beachfront is a unique gated island complex that offers direct and private access to the beach from each building lobby. A total of 27 twin towers are housed within the project, some of which have either been commissioned or are currently in the final stages of construction.
  • Emaar Beachfront offers the purchase of luxury properties from Dubai's leading property developer, with affordable prices and convenient payment plans.
  • It is also noteworthy that international buyers investing in properties in the emirate from AED 750,000 (USD 204,200) and above can expect to receive an investor visa which is valid for 3, 5, or 10 years, depending on the size of the investment.
  • With its central location, shopping areas and cruise ship terminal all within walking distance, Emaar Beachfront will attract many tourists and residents.
  • Emaar Beachfront is located in close proximity to Dubai's key attractions, including Aquaventure Waterpark, Marina Walk, Dubai Lighthouse. Local restaurants, cafes and shopping centers are a 10–15 minute drive away.
  • Another advantage is the high liquidity of the property. As of today, the Emaar Beachfront property is predicted to generate a steady income of at least 8% per annum. Furthermore, the properties and quality from Emaar are in high demand in the Dubai real estate market. You can therefore easily re-sell your property at a better price, if necessary in the future.
Emaar Beachfront currently has 6 new buildings under construction: Marina Vista, Beach Vista, South Beach, Sunrise Bay, Grand Blue Tower by Elie Saab and Beach Isle, some of which will be completed later this year or early 2022. Luxury 1–4 bedroom apartments, penthouses and a limited collection of villas are available for sale in the area. In addition, interested buyers can invest in an entire floor. Sale prices for 1–bedroom apartments start from AED 1,052,000 (USD 287,000).

Conclusion

  1. Dubai Marina is Dubai's most popular district, with a well-developed tourist infrastructure, elite skyscrapers, a variety of restaurants, entertainment venues and attractions.
  2. As well as traditional Arabian cuisine, the Dubai Marina area concentrates on sophisticated international and European dining options from almost every country in the world.
  3. The Caravan Restaurant at JBR, The Ritz-Carlton acts as an ideal venue for an open-air brunch with live music, serving gourmet dishes from India, Arabia and the Mediterranean.
  4. Mazina, The Address Dubai Marina, on the other hand, has a menu of Asian, Arabic and European cuisine. The restaurant is a big hit with business individuals and business travelers, as it offers a light and relaxed atmosphere with live music, which complements both leisure and business events very well.
  5. Investing in Emaar Beachfront has several key advantages, including the quality and reliability of the developer, the location, the ability to purchase luxury apartments at affordable prices and favorable payment plans, as well as the ability to obtain an investor visa for 3, 5, or 10 years, depending on the size of the investment.