The 5 Best Unique Restaurants in Dubai
Are you in the mood for some novelty and a new experience? Well, it might be time to shake up your dining routine and eat at a unique restaurant in Dubai.
When we look at unique restaurants, we’re looking at some degree of novelty, both in the food and in the dining experience. If this is what you’re looking for, then here are some of our favourite unique restaurants to try.
How Much Does it Cost to Dine at a Unique Restaurant in Dubai?
The food in some of these unique restaurants will vary in price based on the type of cuisine they offer. Something a bit more upscale may cost more for a fine dining menu than something more bistro-like.
Here’s a rough estimate of how much you can expect to spend on the following items in a restaurant.
Choosing the Our Favourite Unique Restaurants in Dubai
When it comes to listing our favourite dining places that we also consider to be a unique restaurant, we’ve taken a look at the following factors:
1. Ossiano
RATING | |
FACILITIES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
SERVICES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕FOOD | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕AMBIANCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕WAITING TIMES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
When it comes to unique dining experiences, Ossiano often tops most people’s minds. Given its distinct underwater kingdom aesthetic, it’s fitting for being close to Atlantis with its sprawling aquarium.
The restaurant has a deep sea vibe, with just enough light for dining. We hope you like blue because you’ll see a lot of it, especially with the brightness of the nearby tank.
If you can get a table near one of the tanks, you’ll be able to enjoy seeing all sorts of aquatic life up close which includes stingrays and even sharks!
As such, the restaurant offers a diverse array of food in their regular and tasting menus. A lot of it pays homage to the ocean, such as slivers of jellyfish, oysters, shrimps, and crabs.
Vegetarian diners can also enjoy a specialised tasting menu with ingredients like seaweed, cauliflower, and sea lettuce pesto.
The portions are quite decent and we think it’s appropriate given the rather high prices you will need to pay to dine in this establishment.
Service is quite prompt, friendly and professional. There are a few dining rules regarding sharing and splitting plates however, so try to not order too much if you’re not the type to overindulge in the food.
Pros
- Cool underwater ambiance
- Delicious tasting menu
Cons
- Expensive food
- No sharing or splitting for some menu items
Customer Reviews
“Food was delicious, staff and service were outstanding and the fishes were super friendly and photogenic, specially the stingray”
“My husband and I had an amazing night. Food was delicious, staff and service were outstanding and the fishes were super friendly and photogenic, specially the stingray. I highly recommend this restaurant for a special night out .” – Lama Khalifa
“The best vegetarian tasting menu, hands down”
“If you like tasting menu’s, you are going to love and appreciate this place. It’s a restaurant with aquarium view and an elegant ambience. Bonus – if you are a vegetarian, they have the best vegetarian tasting menu, hands down! Definitely worth your time and money.” – Sumedha Sharma
2. Pierchic
RATING | |
FACILITIES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
SERVICES | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕FOOD | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕AMBIANCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕WAITING TIMES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Fancy dining at a romantic spot overlooking the Arabian Gulf? You might want to try visiting Pierchic – a well-known spot for engagements and anniversary dinners.
We think the experience is quite exciting. You hop into a buggy that takes you to the foot of the pier and a stroll along the wooden decking brings you to your seat.
The place offers a unique view of the turquoise waters and the mighty Burj Al Arab during lunch times. During dinner, the cityscape lights up, creating a very dramatic seaside display perfect for a romantic dinner.
The food offered is mainly Italian and Mediterranean fare. You can start your meal with a tantalising risotto cooked before diving into their array of meat, seafood, and pasta dishes.
Many customers love the evening cocktail selection as well. Desserts are also quite enjoyable and a perfect way to cap off a delicious dinner.
Eating here is still quite expensive though. Although, to be fair, it’s not nearly as high as other upscale dining places, in our opinion.
The excellent view is certainly a big draw for the restaurant and we’re glad to report that the food is just as good. If you’re with a partner, we definitely recommend taking them out to the Pierchic for a romantic night out.
Pros
- Excellent view, especially at night
- Great cocktail selection
Cons
- Expensive dishes
- Waiting times for brunch can be a bit slow
Customer Reviews
“Gorgeous views, amazing service and delicious food”
“Gorgeous views, amazing service and delicious food. You can’t find a better place than this. The views are spectacular and the service they provide makes the whole dining experience a memorable one. A must for a special night.” – Rubeena
“The ambience ,the view ,the food and the service was totally top notch”
“One of the most spectacular places I’ve been to. The ambience ,the view ,the food and the service was totally top notch. The food was really good and cannolo desert was the apt ending to the meal. The most perfect date night ever!!” – Udai Duqeh
3. Aprons & Hammers
RATING | |
FACILITIES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
SERVICES | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕FOOD | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕AMBIANCE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕WAITING TIMES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
When you book a table at the Aprons & Hammers restaurant, you get to revisit Dubai’s history of fishing and pearl diving. This is because you’ll be dining on a dhow, which is a traditional sailing vessel typically used in the region.
This seafood restaurant is a stone’s throw away from the Barasti Beach Bar, serving seafood like crabs and lobsters by the bucket load.
Now, they really hammer home the whole ‘fishing boat’ experience, in our opinion. Diners get to eat at tables shielded with fishing nets to protect from the sun while they get a great view of the water outside.
The restaurant also derives its name from the apron they give you to protect from the mess. You’ll also be using hammers to crack open some of the tougher shellfish and crustaceans you’ll be feasting on.
The seafood is excellent and the platters and buckets are quite generous. Indeed, we found that the place is best visited by larger groups of friends and families.
It does mean the place has the same problems as other restaurants – so expect large volumes of customers. Be forewarned that it can be a bit difficult to get a table since it’s usually full.
Once you make it inside though, be prepared to experience some slow down during the lunch service because of the number of people inside. The energy can also be quite loud and boisterous, which may not fit a romantic night out in our opinion.
Nonetheless, the delicious food and good portions are still perfect for all occasions. If you fancy a trip to the past, then Aprons & Hammers may just be the best fit for you.
Pros
- Excellent seafood selection
- Platters are perfect for sharing
Cons
- Place can be quite busy
- Lunch service is quite slow
Customer Reviews
“A must visit for all seafood lovers and for those who want to try something different”
“A wonderful experience this was. Had sweet meat mud crabs and lobsters with clam chowder soup, breaded prawns, truffel mac and cheese, watermelon and feta salad … we ended it with hammered chocolate cake… this place is a must visit for all seafood lovers and for those who want to try something different.” – Sarah Hakim
“Great ambiance, delicious food and the size of the serving is just right”
“Great ambiance, delicious food and the size of the serving is just right. I appreciate that the staff is accommodating especially Michelle, she made sure we are taken care of.” – Katherine Cueva
4. BBQ Donut
RATING | |
FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
SERVICES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕FOOD | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕AMBIANCE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕WAITING TIMES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Want to take your seaside dining to the next level and actually eat in the middle of the water? This is where BBQ Donut from the Dubai Creek & Golf Yacht Club comes in.
The restaurant offers a unique dining experience where you get into an orange round boat with a charcoal barbeque in the middle. You’ll then cook your own meat at your own pace as you float over the Dubai Creek.
We think this makes for an amazing experience, since you get a panoramic view of the Dubai Skyline. You can easily snap some impressive pictures while you wait for your food to finish cooking.
There are different menus to choose from here, including an a la carte menu. There are several items that even come with their own drinks but you can also pay for your beverage separately.
The DIY service allows you to go at your own pace so waiting times shouldn’t be as long as other places. However, we found the menu to be a bit limited.
As a popular spot, we also discovered that reservations must be done early in order to secure a good table. If you don’t, you may not have the creek entirely to yourselves.
The ambiance itself is also highly dependent on the weather conditions. If it’s hot and humid out, you might not enjoy the ride as much compared to experiencing it in more favourable conditions.
Still, if you wish to go at your own pace while admiring the excellent panoramic views of the city, then BBQ Donut should be a must-see for you.
Pros
- Eat at your own pace
- Excellent view
Cons
- Reservations need to be done early
- Not ideal for hot and humid weather
Customer Reviews
“The cooker amazing and the view is wonderful”
“Greeeeet experience. There are 3 options the best one which you pay per person 200 AED and you cook the food. The cooker amazing and the view is wonderful. Try it now” – Abeer MA
“Food was great alone on the sea enjoying both the view and the food”
“A new experience; food was great alone on the sea enjoying both the view and the food. The only downside that it depends on the weather if it’s too humid or hot you won’t enjoy as much as you would like.” – Saud Zarooni
5. Sonara Camp
RATING | |
FACILITIES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
SERVICES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕FOOD | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕AMBIANCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕WAITING TIMES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
The Sonara Camp goes beyond just a simple dining experience in Dubai. Instead, it is desert safari and camp experience which involves a whole host of fun activities.
They have a very versatile, European menu which is also full of different regional and international classics. You can find items such as pizzas, steaks, starters and sides.
They also have a special menu for vegan and vegetarian diners from the open kitchen!
We thought their lamb shoulder was quite delicious and their duck pancakes are something to try while you’re at the camp as well.
We think the service is quite fast and attentive, complementing the chic ambient lighting well. They treat every batch of guests like it’s a special occasion, which we appreciate because it enhances the experience.
Before eating, you can also indulge in activities like sandboarding, volleyball, and even archery. You can even get a glimpse of oryxes – though do note that they are a protected species in Dubai.
The camp also has a number of different shows which include some with falcons, fire and musical performances by different musicians. Some of the repeat patrons we’ve spoken to mentioned that the shows are much better on the weekends.
And when the day is done, we particularly like just sitting back and admiring the sunset and gazing at the stars that dot the beautiful desert landscape. You can even use a telescope here for some light stargazing!
All of these make it worth the price of admission in our opinion. It’s not the cheapest desert camp out there, but for those with the means, we definitely recommend it.
Pros
- Excellent suite of camp activities
- Great service
Cons
- Expensive experience
- Weekday shows are not as impressive
Customer Reviews
“The sunset in the camp was mesmerising”
“We had an awesome experience at the Sonara Camp. Would highly recommend doing the dune bashing with a car. Our driver was Ali Shah and it was amazing. He drove professionally and we felt safe with bim in the desert. The sunset in the camp was mesmerising. Would definitely do the entire experience again.” – Filip Hrisafov
“Magical and romantic could be the two words that define this place”
“Probably one of the most MAGICAL places I’ve been to in Dubai… Amazing vibe, beautiful scenery and delicious food. The entertainment was spot on and I had a blast with my friends. Magical and romantic could be the two words that define this place. I loved every second of it. Will go back for sure!” – Elisa Fernandez Nuñez
FAQs about Unique Restaurants in Dubai
We hope you had a memorable dining experience! And in case you want to share a meal with a loved one, here are some of the most romantic restaurants in Dubai to check out.