Best Downtown Dubai Restaurants - Fine Dining Written by Arpan Ghosh

This coming week, Dubai will be celebrating the festival of Eid Al Adha, which will be a very long weekend for most residents and an excellent opportunity to enjoy a night out with family friends. If you’re looking for just the right mix of fun and sophistication, Downtown Dubai is the place to go. This thriving district offers an excellent selection of five-star hotels and restaurants helmed by Michelin-starred chefs plus gorgeous views of the city skyline and the Burj Khalifa. Not to mention a delectable array of global cuisines. This really is a tough list to make, but we have managed to narrow down some of the best Downtown Dubai restaurants.

At.mosphere

Situated on Floor 122 of the iconic Burj Khalifa, At.mosphere holds the distinction of being the highest restaurant in the world. Set at a staggering height of 442 meters above the ground, it goes without saying that the views from the glass-walled restaurant are simply incredible. The best ingredients are sourced from around the world and an acclaimed team of highly trained chefs transforms them into tantalizing dishes with a vibrant mix of European flavours.

Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera

Renowned British-born chef Sean Connolly is hailed as one of the finest culinary masterminds of Australia and has quickly established himself as a favorite among Dubai’s lovers of fine dining. Located on the top level of the Dubai Opera House, the aptly named Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera is known for its mouth-watering steak and seafood dishes - the oysters are highly recommended. For a truly exclusive experience, you can reserve the Chef’s Table, an eight-seater table located by the open kitchen where Chef Sean’s team of chefs craft an exclusive menu with a bit of dramatic - or should we say operatic - flair.

Katana

A favorite haunt of celebrities in Los Angeles, Katana Japanese Robata Grill serves comfort food in style. Located next to the Address Downtown, the restaurant enjoys a perfect view of the Dubai Fountains and the Burj Khalifa. The award-winning interiors have an elegant contemporary aesthetic with design flourishes that evoke the beauty of Japan, including wood and stone pillar, sliding screen doors and chandeliers that resemble clusters of cherry blossoms. Grills are the specialty here, done in the traditional robata style of cooking over charcoal, though you can also choose from an extensive sushi and sashimi selection.

Kohantei

Another Japanese option, Kohantei is located at the Dubai Opera and is one of the most unique dining experiences available in Dubai. It bills itself as the UAE’s only ‘Kaiseki’ experience, which refers to a set multi-course meal that is meant to highlight Japanese hospitality and showcase the chef’s culinary skills. The chef in question is Hisao Ueda, who brings with him over 15 years of experience, 7 of them at some of Dubai’s best restaurants. The decor at Kohantei is very traditional, featuring low tables, tatami flooring and private dining rooms with sliding paper screens. In this very private setting, you can choose from five different kaiseki menus, or opt for a la carte.

Jodhpur

Named for the famous Indian city that is known for its palaces and forts, Jodhpur offers an experience that can appropriately be described as regal. The restaurant, sitting within the Murooj Rotana Hotel, immerses itself completely in its namesake, with rich splashes of peacock blue, emerald green and royal purple accented with gold. Ornate pillars, bejeweled mirrors and elaborate chandeliers all come together in an aesthetic that is bold without being overwhelming. While the decor has a strong traditional bent to it, the food charts a more contemporary path, with dishes such as the Macaron Chat - a colourful macaron filled with a spiced yogurt mix - and the Chicken Tikka Meatball.