From Leña to Miss Lily’s, this is where Cristiano Ronaldo, Jennifer Lopez, Kevin Hart and Kanye West dine when they visit Dubai.
In Dubai, we are more accustomed to seeing Hollywood A-listers and sports superstars on our screens than on our streets. The city’s booming restaurant scene has recently seen an influx of celebrity diners, from Ed Sheeran to Lebron James. So, if you want to make like the superstars, here are the dining destinations in Dubai you need to frequent.
Amaya
Amaya at Dubai Mall has gained popularity with hip-hop heavyweights, including Bobby Shmurda, Lil Durk, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, Swae Lee, and YG, since opening its doors in 2023. Its very name, meaning “pleasant place,” creates a haven to unwind and refuel, while a Mediterranean menu and a curated selection of shisha flavours set the tone for a memorable meal.
GO: Visit https://amayaintl.com for reservations and more information.
AURA Skypool
A-listers flock to the FACT Award-winning AURA Skypool Lounge to swim 200 meters in the sky. The world’s first and highest 360 infinity pool offers mesmerising views of the city skyline and a sky-high experience you don’t want to miss. While you might not be in the clouds, you’ll feel like you’re on cloud nine with Chef Craig Best’s menu of Asian-inspired poolside fare that is light and tasty. Celebrity visitors include footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and DJ Martin Garrix.
GO: Visit https://auraskypool.com for reservations and more information.
Bordo Mavi
Fresh from the oceans and steeped in tradition, Bordo Mavi arrives in Dubai from the team behind 3Fils and is already making waves. In March 2024, both Steve Harvey and Khabib Nurmagomedov, the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, dined at the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour restaurant. The stunning seafood restaurant provides diners with waterfront views and a tranquil ambience. With over 25 years of experience as a fisherman and fishmonger along the coasts of Türkiye, Chef Ersan serves up Grilled Octopus with Crushed Hazelnut, Kingfish Casserole and Marinated Gambero Rosso with Caviar.
GO: Follow @bordomavi.ae on Instagram for more information.
Bungalo34
Tennis star Roger Federer dined at the beachfront Bungalo34 in April 2023. Curated by restaurateur Natasha Sideris, the restaurant brings a touch of Greece, France and Italy onto each plate while honouring the custom of enjoying leisurely meals with friends and family. Guests can select from an array of nostalgic options such as Lobster Benedict, the Three Cheese Souffle Omelette, and a housemade Glyko Koutaliou of sweet pumpkin served on vanilla Greek yoghurt. The chic terrace also features wood-fired pizzettes, baked on the spot and topped with truffle, artichokes or stracciatella. The restaurant has also been visited by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
O: Visit www.bungalo34.com for reservations and more information.
Carine
French professional footballer Paul Pogba is a big fan of Chef Izu Ani’s Dubai restaurants. He was spotted at Carine in November 2021, tucked away amidst the verdant greens at Emirates Golf Club. Here diners can enjoy signature dishes such as crispy calamari, velvety burrata, and the seductive lobster linguini, all while being cradled in a sanctuary of French Mediterranean allure.
GO: Visit www.dubaigolf.com for reservations and more information.
Charcoal Garden
Billed as the ultimate destination for food, shisha, entertainment, and sports viewing, Charcoal Garden in Al Sufouh has been visited by everyone from Steven Seagal to Stormzy and Maya Jama. Exposed brick walls and sleek metal accents create a raw, urban vibe, softened by the warmth of reclaimed wood furniture and pops of greenery. With its gleaming charcoal ovens, the open kitchen adds a touch of theatre to the ambience. But the real star of the show is the food, from succulent grilled meats and seafood to vibrant salads and vegetarian delights.
GO: Follow @charcoaldxb_ on Instagram for more information.
Chic Nonna
Some things never go out of style: the little black dress, trench coat and Chic Nonna. The fine dining Italian restaurant has been turning heads from the moment it strutted down to DIFC and was visited in March 2024 by the boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. We’re not sure what he ate, but we love the Sea Bass Fillet roasted in an aquapazza sauce and Lamb Shank that is oh-so slow cooked.
GO: Visit www.chicnonna.com for more information.
CZN Burak
What better way in Dubai is there to say that you are open for business, than having Sheikh Hamdan come through the doors? The Crown Prince ate his way through the Turkish meets Middle Eastern cuisine at the popular restaurant known for its super-sized portions. Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has also been spotted at the venue with chef and social media sensation Burak Ozdemir.
GO: Visit www.cznburakgurme.com for reservations and more information.
Gaia
While he may prefer the Candy Shop, rapper 50 Cent has dined at the FACT award winning Gaia, alongside Black Coffee, DJ Snake, and the Dubai royal family. The Greek-inspired menu from Chef Izu Ani aims to bring the simplicity of home cooking to a restaurant environment via its salads, seafood and more. If you’re a serious foodie, there’s even a chef’s table for twelve diners. Not content with just the UAE, GAIA has recently made its London debut.
GO: Visit https://gaia-restaurants.com for reservations and more information.
Goldfish Sushi and Yakitori
Former tennis star Roger Federer dined at this Japanese restaurant in The Galleria Mall in April 2023. The restaurant’s menu features a mix of new-style sashimi, nigiri, maki rolls, caviar, yakitori skewers and clay pots, providing an appetising spot to indulge in Japanese flavours in a casual setting.
GO: Visit https://goldfishsushiyakitori.com for reservations and more information.
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro
Former first lady Hillary Clinton dined at Il Borro Tuscan Bistro in December 2023. The restaurant can claim roots in Italy and Dubai, whilst the ingredients come straight from an organic Tuscan farm. The stylish venue includes a wood-fired pizza oven, an Italian marble bar and a tempting terrace overlooking the turtle lagoon at Jumeirah Al Naseem. We can only imagine Hillary enjoyed the restaurant’s signature dishes, which include pasta, risottos, pizzas, and a silky smooth cheesecake.
GO: Visit https://ilborrotuscanbistro.ae for reservations and more information.
Leña
Spanish chef Dani Garcia opened his world-class steakhouse Leña in Dubai late last year. Leña, meaning wood in Spanish, is a fitting name for the restaurant, which serves robataka yaki, jewels from the sea and fire-grilled steak. Don’t miss The Foi That Wanted To Be An Apple, Kiwami Beef Tenderloin or Picana Steak. Do as Cristiano Ronaldo did when he visited with Georgina Rodríguez in January 2024, and settle into a seat while watching the chefs hard at work in the open kitchen. Expect to see flames.
GO: Visit https://grupodanigarcia.com for reservations and more information.
Miss Lily’s
Make like Chris Brown, Gunna, Kanye West, Kevin Hart, Ne-Yo, Priyanka Chopra, Rihanna, or FACT’s editor-in-chief and head to the Jamaican hotspot Miss Lily’s for dinner and drinks. The restaurant exudes a lively, colourful vibe that transports diners to the sunny Caribbean islands. Expect pumping tunes encompassing the best of Afro, Caribbean, Hip-Hop, and R&B alongside signature dishes like Curry Goat Stew and Jerk Chicken from chef Richie Richards. If it’s good enough for hip-hop royalty, it’s good enough for us.
Nobu by the Beach
On his 2010 track See Me Now, Kanye West rapped “I might walk in Nobu with no shoes.” He did just that during a visit to Dubai’s Nobu By The Beach in November 2023, when he was spotted barefoot with celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa. While we don’t know exactly what he ate at the beachfront hotspot, we can recommend the Salmon New Style Tacos, Tuna Crispy Rice and the Wagyu Beef Sando.
GO: Visit www.atlantis.com/dubai for reservations and more information.
Nobu Dubai
Ahead of her performance at the Autism Rocks Arena in November 2017, Jennifer Lopez was spotted at Nobu Dubai at Atlantis, The Palm, with chef Nobu Matsuhisa and her then-partner Alex Rodriguez. The restaurant has since moved upstairs into the hotel’s crown and hosted celebrities such as Jay-Z and Kendall Jenner, who flock to the Japanese hotspot for sushi, sashimi and the signature Miso Black Cod.
GO: Visit www.atlantis.com for reservations and more information.
Orfali Bros
Once Orfali Bros opened in March 2021, it quickly gained a cult following. Mohamad, Wassim and Omar are the Orfali brothers behind the homegrown success story, which takes inspiration from their travels. The family works closely with local farmers and suppliers to serve local ingredients of the highest quality in their contemporary take on Middle Eastern dishes, which include the caviar bun – a small round bun topped with rare Kaluga Caviar. Singing sensation Ed Sheeran visited ahead of his two sold-out shows at the Sevens Stadium in January 2024 and was seen chatting with chef and television personality Mohamad Orafli.
GO: Visit https://orfalibros.com for reservations and more information.
Rhain Dubai
Situated in Conrad Dubai, Rhain serves a menu of globally sourced meats, including wet and dry-aged meats, prime golden steaks, Wagyu beef, A5 Kobe and free-range lamb. Adding to the entertainment, a meat display and a show butcher will prepare and customise your meat cuts on request, adding a sense of interaction to the dining experience. When rapper Rick Ross dined in December 2022, he was served a 24 karat steak delivered by armed guards.
GO: Visit https://rhaindubai.com for reservations and more information.
Scalini Dubai
The Italian favourite at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach has resonated with the FACT team and sporting superstars. Footballers Paul Pogba and Virgil van Dijk have both been spotted at the venue which is known for its stunning terrace and Southern Italian coastal vibe. Rooted in the warmth of sharing, the menu features comforting and abundant pizza and pasta dishes, carefully selected ingredients and stunning seasonal flavours.
GO: Visit https://scalini-dubai.com for reservations and more information.
Shanghai ME
Shanghai Me in DIFC is the epitome of Art Deco elegance, offering a memorable inspired by the rich heritage of East Asia. The restaurant’s ambience transports visitors to different eras, from the golden age to the dynasties. Both Jason Derulo and Steven Seagal dined amidst the bamboo-filled terraces, luxurious lounges, and exclusive private dining tables in April 2024. Influenced by centuries-old recipes, the menu adds a playful twist to traditional dishes such as Braised Beef Short Rib Shanghai Style, Sesame Prawns on Toast, and Tiger Prawns in Chili Sauce.
GO: Visit https://shanghaime-restaurant.com for more information.
StreetXO
One&Only One Za’abeel officially opened its doors with a star-studded soirée attended by Idris Elba, Jennifer Lopez, Mark Ronson and Vanessa Hudgens. However, supermodel Naomi Campbell turned heads when she showed up for brunch at StreetXO. The restaurant from trailblazing chef Dabiz Muñoz is known for its creative cocktails and dazzling decor. Diners can enjoy global flavours, from lamb shanks to ribs on banana leaves.
GO: Visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com for more information.
SUSHISAMBA Dubai
SUSHISHAMBA Dubai is a hit with A-listers. The sky-high restaurant has welcomed everyone from footballer Cristiano Ronaldo to Sheikh Hamdan—at the same time, no less. Nick Jones was spotted at The FACT favourite in March 2022. The restaurant, which fuses Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian flavours, is located on the 51st floor of St. Regis on The Palm Jumeirah. It has Instagram-worthy views spanning Burj Al Arab to Bluewaters Dubai.
GO: Visit www.sushisamba.com for reservations and more information.
The Nice Guy
It’s no secret that The Nice Guy is a celebrity favourite thanks to its no photos, reservations-only policy. Following his performance at the mega music festival Untold Dubai, rapper G-Eazy visited the Italian restaurant in Emirates Towers ande even took to the decks at the secret speakeasy, Hush Hush.
GO: Follow @theniceguydubai on Instagram for more information.
The Trove
Everyone from sports stars Lebron James and Anthony Joshua to rappers Meek Mill, Travis Scott, and Ty Dolla $ign have dined at The Trove. The popular Dubai Mall restaurant boasts Instagrammable interiors and stunning views of The Dubai Fountains. Combining global cuisine crafted with the finest ingredients and curated art installations, guests can dine in the restaurant, unwind in the shisha lounge or enjoy Dubai Mall’s largest terrace under the shadow of the Burj Khalifa. The menu offers many options, bridging North and South American, Pan-Asian, Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern cuisines.
GO: Follow @thetrove on Instagram for more information.
Weslodge
Weslodge Saloon has two locations in Dubai. One is inside the world’s tallest five-star hotel at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, and the second is in City Walk, which was visited by Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas. The restaurant has a reputation for its North American flavours, including Angus ribeye, Canadian beef poutine and Southern fried chicken.
GO: Visit www.weslodge.ae for reservations and more information.
