Think Money Can’t Buy Happiness? These 5 DIFC Restaurants Will Prove You Otherwise
I admit, I was a bit skeptical about exploring DIFC the first time because seeing people in power suits and in true corporate mode made me feel a bit intimidated.
But then I heard that this part of town has some very good DIFC restaurants. And if you know me, good food is always enough reason to explore any place – even if it means braving the traffic and traveling to the other side of town.
Standing in the middle of DIFC with all these sophisticated restaurants felt like a dream come true. And yes, I’m sharing my top favourites so you wouldn’t have to guess which ones are the best.
La Petite Maison Dubai
– Media Credit: lpmdubai
Website: https://lpmrestaurants.com/dubai/
Address: Gate Village No.8 – DIFC
Contact details: +971 4 439 0505
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM from Monday to Friday
- 12:30 PM to 1:00 AM from Saturday to Sunday
Price: $$$
The French Riviera has always been a dream destination, and La Petite Maison is the closest I could get to this city while I’m still saving up for that trip. French cuisine done right, this is what makes this place one of the top DIFC restaurants in my book.
La Petite Maison specialises in the cuisine of the French Riviera, known for its fresh ingredients and delicate flavours. The food here is never intimidating, and you’re always welcome to ask the staff for suggestions in case you’re new to the French dining game.
But for me, it’s always the salt-crusted sea bass, homemade gnocchi with fresh tomatoes, and venison lamb chops that always win the game.
The flavours are on point, and the ingredients are as fresh as can be. They even have fresh oysters, caviar, and foie gras for the full French cuisine experience.
Pro tip:
Curious about how the French do happy hour? Go to La Petite Maison from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for Cinq a Sept.
Here, you get to sample French cocktails like Le Rendezvous and Ma Cherie, and munch on some bar snacks like croquettes de quinoa aux crevettes, vol-au-vents d’escargots and cecina de boeuf de wagyu et carasau aux herbes.
BOCA
– Media Credit: bocadubai
Website: https://boca.ae/
Address: Gate 6 Village near DIFC Parking – Zaa’beel Second – DIFC
Contact details: +971 4 323 1833
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 12:30 AM from Sunday to Wednesday
- 12:30 PM to 1:30 AM from Thursday to Saturday
Price: $$$
Recently added to the Michelin Guide, Boca’s take on modern Spanish food is focused on simple dishes made with the best ingredients and classic techniques.
The vibe of the restaurant is very inviting, with a lot of light coming into the room that’s reminiscent of those Spanish summers.
But it’s really the food that won me over. Their patatas bravas, tiger prawns gambas al ajillo, and octopus are just some of my favourites.
And what’s a Spanish feast without some wine and cocktails? Boca has a cellar filled with bottles from more than 250 wine producers around the world, so you don’t have any shortage of options.
Pro tip:
Are you a budding wine connoisseur? Boca’s cellar isn’t just for drinking. The restaurant also hosts masterclasses that let you learn more about wine and the many producers across the globe.
Alaya Dubai
– Media Credit: alayadubai
Website: https://alayarestaurants.com/
Address: Gate Village 4 – DIFC
Contact details: +971 4 570 6289
Operating hours:
- 12:30 PM to 11:20 PM from Sunday to Wednesday
- 12:30 PM to 12:00 AM from Thursday to Saturday
Price: $$
I’ve fallen deeply in love with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. So imagine my excitement when I found out that there’s a DIFC restaurant that serves both!
Alaya is every bit as chic as you hope it would be. The massive painting on the wall provides the perfect contrast against the mostly brown interiors, and every detail makes you feel like you’re on a movie set – only this is real life.
This place is where you take anyone you’d want to impress, a family member, friend, or date. You can go as expensive as getting a dry-aged tomahawk wagyu steak, or go for the classic seafood couscous and mushroom orzo pasta.
Either way, you’re guaranteed to experience flavours that will keep you dreaming for more in the days to come.
Pro tip:
Do you want to host a private party? Step into Lyla, an underground Bedouin-style lounge in Alaya. You’ll be able to enjoy games, food, drinks, and great company.
Bombay Borough
– Media Credit: bombayborough_uae
Website: https://www.bombayborough.com/dubai.html
Address: Gate Village Building 3 towards DIFC Parking – Zaa’beel Second – DIFC
Contact details: +971 54 995 8296
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM from Sunday to Thursday
- 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM from Friday to Saturday
Price: $$$
There’s no shortage of Indian restaurants in Dubai, but only a few can really knock you off your feet with flavours that only Indian cuisine can do. One of them is Bombay Borough.
Think of it like visiting a fine dining restaurant, and then you close your eyes and feel like you’re eating food right on the streets of India. That’s how authentic the flavours are.
The restaurant ferments its own vegetables and uses spices that are unique to India.
Some of their must-tries are the 1,000-layered potatoes, harissa paneer roast, and Kashmiri winter vegetable biryani. Of course, you can’t miss their freshly made naan and amritsari potato kulcha.
Pro tip:
If you enjoyed Bombay Borough’s food so much, come in on a Sunday for their special Brunch filled with traditional Indian delights over a live band and a lively atmosphere.
Hutong Dubai
– Media Credit: hutongdubai
Website: https://www.hutong-dubai.com/
Address: Ground Floor Gate Building 6 – Al Sukook Street – Zaa’beel SEcond – DIFC
Contact details: +971 4 220 0868
Operating hours: 12:30PM to 3:30 PM, 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM daily
Price: $$
I love two things: Chinese food and spice. And whenever I crave for both, you can find me at Hutong, a Hong Kong-born DIFC restaurant specialising in modern Northern Chinese cuisine.
The moment you step inside, the beautiful red lanterns instantly capture your attention. Then, you have the aroma of freshly prepared food filling the air – the steaming dim sum, the roasted Peking duck, and the smoked beef.
Now I have to warn you that this restaurant doesn’t shy away from spice. So if you have a low spice tolerance, make it known to the staff so they can adjust the heat level for you.
Their dim sum selection is especially out of this world, with the shrimp har gow and spiced beef xiao long bao as my top favourites.
You also need to try their roasted Peking duck with pancakes and their Sichuan-spiced lamb shank, which will surely blow your mind with an explosion of flavours.
Pro tip:
If you don’t want to think about what to order, go for Hutong’s tasting menu. For AED 550 per person, you get six courses filled with all the good things that will surely make you want to keep coming back for more.