12 romantic restaurants in Dubai for the best date night
Dining in Dubai is an exercise in appreciating absolute luxury. Whether it’s a private dining area, a table with a stunning view of Downtown Dubai, romantic beach restaurants, or eating food from some of the world’s most renowned chefs, it’s not hard to find a place to impress your date.
But choosing which one works best for your significant other and yourself can be tricky. Sure, you want to take your date to a romantic restaurant, but that requires some planning if you’re going to pull off the perfect date night. Luckily, Dubai has imported upscale cuisines from around the world. You’ll find French and Italian foods- the classics for wooing someone and Asian delicacies like sushi and Thai. You won’t have to worry about quality with so many upscale restaurants. Simply pick the one that’s right for you and, most importantly, your date.
One thing to remember before you head out for a memorable meal is to avoid dragging your bags with you to the restaurant. Instead, drop whatever you don't need off at a Bounce luggage storage in Dubai so that you can focus on your gorgeous date and not your suitcase. This is especially useful if you've just arrived in town from the Dubai Airport.
Here are the most romantic restaurants in Dubai for an epic date night:
101 Dining Lounge and Marina
Located in a private marina (yes, that’s a thing), it’s hard to imagine a more intimate setting for date night in the Arabian Sea. While the exotic setting is almost hard to imagine, 101 Dining Lounge’s opulent dining room and spectacular views make this one of Dubai’s best romantic restaurants. Surrounded almost entirely by windows, you can catch a glimpse of the entire Gulf and skyline. The dimly lit bar will set the mood nicely, especially after dark. For the best views, book a room before sunset.
Reservations are required, as you must arrive by boat.
Our recommendation:
Considering this is a seaside lounge, it’s fitting that 101 would have one of the best seafood menus in Dubai. The raw bar, particularly, is highly rated by critics and traveling foodies.
Location:
Palm Jumeirah Island، West Crescent - Dubai Marina - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$
Atmosphere Grill & Lounge
Situated on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, it’s hard to imagine a better vantage point for enjoying a view of everything. This is the world's tallest restaurant, for crying out loud. The opulence of this place is hard to fathom, but the aptly named Atmosphere Grill & Lounge is one of Dubai’s top romantic restaurants primarily for its luxurious location and stunning views. It’s a bucket-list restaurant for everyone with a generous budget for a reason.
The food, though superb, isn’t the main focus of this restaurant. Expect modern takes on classics, especially steak, seafood, and pasta. For drinks, anything other than champagne or fancy cocktails would seem like swill in this setting.
Our recommendation:
Reservations, dressy attire, and a four-digit credit line are all required.
Location:
Burj Khalifa - 122nd Floor - Downtown Dubai - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$$
Bussola
This is the most casual restaurant on this list, but it’s considered the most romantic restaurant in Dubai for a reason. The delicious food is the main draw here, but the gorgeous decor (they’ve essentially recreated a traditional Italian restaurant) makes this the perfect setting for a romantic date night, especially dining under the stars on the gorgeous terrace.
You can probably squeeze in without a reservation, but if you want a spot on the patio, better to plan ahead.
Our recommendation:
Choose your own adventure at Bussola because the ground-floor terrace serves a delicious selection of Mediterranean food. The top floor is essentially an upscale pizzeria specializing in delicious Neapolitan-style pies out of their traditional brick oven.
Location:
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro
Nothing is more suitable for a romantic dinner than an Italian restaurant. With an upscale dining scene, there are plenty of these in Dubai. But you are looking for the perfect date night, so only the best will do. Il Borro Tuscan Bistro is the best option in downtown Dubai for the classic Italian experience, which by all accounts, is the most romantic setting possible.
Make a reservation for their outdoor seating. Il Borro’s terrace has views of Jumeirah Al Nadeem’s lagoon, where you’ll catch a glimpse of some of the turtles that swim there.
Our recommendation:
It’s all traditional Italian at Il Borro, so treat yourself to a plate of pasta, save room for the tiramisu, and make sure to start with the burrata, which is easily the best in town. This has to be the most delicious of the most romantic restaurants in Dubai.
Location:
906 Jumeirah St - Umm Suqeim 3 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$$
Indochine
This upscale eatery has been winning awards from the start. Since it opened in 2020, Indochine has quickly become one of the best Asian restaurants in Dubai, with a stellar menu and equally impressive dining experience.
Indochine’s decor is one of the most fashionable in Dubai, with a sleek but fun atmosphere that lends itself to Vietnamese food. While it is upscale, this is one of the most fun date nights you can have. A leafy terrace, a buzzy lounge, and a dimly-lit dining room are your options for where to book a reservation, which is a must.
Our recommendation:
The cocktail menu is well-crafted and designed to fit the spice and complexity of Vietnamese food. Tropical flavors, fresh and seasonal fruit, and ultra-premium liquor make this one of the best places in Dubai to drink, which could liven up your romantic dinner.
Location:
Level 2, Precinct Building 3 - Gate District - DIFC - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$$
LPM Restaurant & Bar
There’s nothing more romantic than enjoying French food and wine in an intimate setting. In Dubai, one restaurant stands apart from the rest in creating this experience. LPM takes inspiration from France’s legendary Cote d’Azur to offer an elegant atmosphere with stylish decor and traditional seating.
On certain nights of the week, there will be live music from LPM’s house band, setting the romantic mood up nicely. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Our recommendation:
LPM is widely regarded as Dubai’s best French restaurant and has the awards to prove it. While there are a few Italian dishes on the menu, you can’t go wrong with traditional French favorites. Their roast chicken, while not as indulgent as steak frites, showcases some of the brightest flavors on the menu. The lamb chops, if available, are worth sharing as an appetizer if you’re both hungry.
The escargot (snails, for the uninitiated) is the best thing on the menu. The amount of butter and garlic used to flavor this delicacy borders on excessive. Depending on how well you know your date, proceed with caution.
Location:
Gate Village No, 8 - DIFC - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$$
Ossiano
With gushing reviews and a menu that redefines luxury, this is one of the best restaurants in Dubai for wooing a date. It certainly befits a restaurant situated in the Palm hotel, but Ossiano’s amazing reputation is still impressive. The experience comes down to two things: menu and location.
The location. Well, it has views of an aquarium with over 60,000 marine specimens. Whether you’re ordering surf or turf, it’s hard not to admire the fascinating decor while you eat (awkward) selections from their fantastic seafood menu.
Our recommendation:
Make a reservation as far in advance as possible, as Ossiano is Dubai’s most popular romantic restaurant. If you decide to book a room well ahead of time for Valentine’s Day, you’ll likely witness a proposal near the window to the aquarium. This is a fancy place. Remember to dress the part.
Location:
Crescent Rd - The Palm Jumeirah - Beach Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$$
Prime68 Steakhouse
The 68th floor of the JW Marriott is bound to have amazing views, and that's exactly the case with Dubai’s Marquis location. With impressive panoramic sightlines of downtown and Dubai Marina, it’s hard to imagine a more romantic restaurant in the city.
Reservations are required, and wearing a jacket will help you feel more at home in this fancy setting.
Our recommendation:
Regularly touted as the best steakhouse in downtown Dubai, it’s highly recommended that you sample one of their chops or cuts. There is a solid seafood menu for those inclined, but Prime68 is designed to be a carnivore’s dream.
Location:
JW Marriott Marquis Dubai - 68th - Sheikh Zayed Rd - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$$
Sea Fu
Located at the Four Seasons, it’s not hard to imagine Sea Fu being a high-end date night destination, but the menu elevates it to being one of the best restaurants in Dubai. In terms of the top romantic restaurants in Dubai, Sea Fu has as good a view as any, with unbelievable ocean views and a relaxed dining room. While you don’t need to be a guest of the Four Seasons, a reservation is all but required, as is dressing for the occasion.
Our recommendation:
The rotating seafood menu is as good as it gets, with everything from Mediterranean to Asian flavors being incorporated into the high-quality dishes and appetizers. The signature cocktail program also stands out, with a few creations of their own to make it a unique drinking experience.
Location:
2 Jumeirah Beach Rd - Jumeirah - Jumeirah 2 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$
Sumosan
While Sunosan is technically a London import, Sunosan is one of the premier Japanese restaurants in downtown Dubai. It’s also an incredible option for romantic dinners, with luxurious booths for getting cozy. You’ll definitely want to make a reservation for one of these and wear something chic to match the dimly lit dining room’s vibe.
Our recommendation:
Sumosan is one of the best restaurants in Dubai for high-end Omakase, but there is a nice selection of dishes on the menu, like their Japanese salmon salad and even ramen. Their desserts, inspired by Japanese cuisine, are a perfect way to end a date. The matcha brownies and miso cheesecake are the favorites.
Location:
The Edition Dubai - Dubai Fountain St - Downtown Dubai - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$
Thiptara
One of the best restaurants in Dubai, regardless of the occasion, this Bangkok-style seafood spot is a favorite for traveling foodies. The menu of Thai cuisine favorites is exceptional, with several traditional selections to go along with creative dishes.
Thiptara does not skimp on the portions, either. There’s a good chance you won’t have room for dessert if you go all-out on entrées. Splitting an app, a main, and a dessert is the best way to go. Which is a good way to test the compatibility between you and your date
Our recommendation:
Make a reservation so that you and your date can enjoy Thiptara’s superb location next to the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa. It’ll help set the mood for a truly romantic dinner, and eating spicy Thai food in the cooler evening air will be perfect. Time it so that the fountain’s famous water show goes off as you dine.
Location:
Ground Level, Palace Downtown 9770 - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$
Twiggy by La Cantine
There is no better combination than stunning views from a terrace and high-end seafood, and this sleek Creekside restaurant offers both. Twiggy, from the world-renowned La Cantine family, is one of the most romantic restaurants in Dubai, with a Mediterranean menu that perfectly matches the seaside setting.
Our recommendation:
Make a reservation so that your view of the Arabian Gulf, the Palm, Dubai Marina, and the downtown Dubai skyline will be accented by a stunning sunset. There is also an infinity pool on the terrace that makes for a perfectly romantic setting.
Location:
Dubai Creek Club St - Port Saeed - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Price level:
$$$$
Conclusion
With seemingly endless opulence, stellar views of the Arabian Gulf, and access to some of the best culinary talent in the world, restaurants in Dubai offer the best options for planning a special night out with your significant other. The plentiful options make finding the right place with the perfect setting and cuisine easier, so long as you make a reservation. If you’re planning this the day of, and it’s too late to secure that coveted table, check out Dubai’s super street food scene or one of the city's many rooftop bars to go the casual route. You can even visit the Dubai Mall to go the retail route. But if you’re planning ahead, you certainly have an incredible selection of romantic restaurants to choose from.
