Originally designed to become one of the premier business districts in the Middle East, Business Bay has undergone a significant transformation over the years. It is still primarily an economic zone where many of Dubai’s prominent corporate entities are located, but that aspect is now eclipsed by the vibrant lifestyle offerings in the district. Among those offerings is a diverse selection of restaurants offering a global range of cuisines. Whether you are looking for a casual night out after work or a venue to celebrate a special occasion, here are some of the very best restaurants you can find in Business Bay.
Basta
Combining the ambiance of an upscale steakhouse with a traditional pizzeria, Basta is a unique fusion of rustic and contemporary. The restaurant’s interiors feature charming brick and wood design elements that are beautifully complemented by warm lighting and contrasted by floor-to-ceiling glass running along one entire side of the double-height dining room. Aside from its lunch and dinner menus comprising perfectly prepared grills and pizzas, Basta also offers a breakfast menu and a ‘sunset spritz’ menu that follows the Italian aperitivo tradition of beverages and small bites in the early evening hours.
Basta is located in the St. Regis Downtown, allowing diners to enjoy views over the Dubai Canal from inside the restaurant or from its large terrace, which brings a flavour of the Riviera right into the heart of Dubai.
Billionaire Dubai
Formerly known as ‘Billionaire Mansion’, Billionaire Dubai offers an unforgettable dinner show experience featuring live music, dance, and acrobatics. The restaurant has the refined yet energetic atmosphere of a vintage cabaret hall with its dark wood floors, crisp white tablecloths, and dramatic lighting. A red-curtained stage sits at one end of the restaurant, opening at various points in the evening to introduce the next act. Guests can enjoy Billionaire’s traditional Italian menu or the New Asian menu, each offering a very distinct flavour profile.
Situated on the ground level of the Taj Dubai hotel, this is a space for adults only. The restaurant itself doesn’t open until 9 pm, the dinner show starts at 10 pm. Later at night, the space transforms into a vibrant club for an incredible afterparty, making this Billionaire Dubai one of the city’s most exciting nightlife venues.
The Blacksmith Bar
For a casual afternoon or evening with friends, The Blacksmith Bar & Eatery is the perfect choice. The food takes its inspiration from the smokehouses of the American South, with robust flavours and a menu that is geared more towards carnivores. Warm-hued decor including plush leather seating and blocky wooden tables add to its homespun charm while floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the space in natural light and let you enjoy beautiful vistas of the Canal waterfront.
If you want to enjoy the same rustic atmosphere in a different waterfront venue, you can also find The Blacksmith Bar in Dubai Marina.
Long Teng
When you think of upscale dining in a busy waterfront district, you might have an image of a restaurant set within a five-star hotel, or an independent eatery. You most likely wouldn’t expect to find an elegant Chinese restaurant inside a busy office tower. Such is the case with Long Teng – it’s located in U-Bora Towers, a two-tower complex that most diners wouldn’t be familiar with unless they happened to work there. Once you get past the oddity of the location, however, you will be treated to a culinary journey like no other. The menu at Long Teng is quite extensive and features lots of very unique dishes. Fortunately, the staff are also very knowledgeable and happy to advise on which options to select.
The atmosphere is quite refined, with polished wooden floors, blue velvet chairs adorned with golden Chinese characters, and lighting fixtures inspired by paper lanterns. Long Teng also has a sizeable terrace if you’d like a waterfront view to accompany your meal.
The MAINE Land Brasserie
Founded by Canadian restaurateur Joey Ghazal, The Maine is a love letter to the East Coast of the US, where he spent many of his childhood summers. Since first opening its doors in 2014, it has established a reputation as one of Dubai’s best seafood restaurants. This has led to the opening of two more outposts of The Maine, the third of which opened at The Opus by Zaha Hadid. The interiors of the MAINE Land Brasserie are similar to its sister venues, fashioned after the sort of high-end dining venues you would find in the New England area, with understated monochrome decor, a very stylish bar, and ornate chandeliers. The menu ranges from the freshest seafood to prime cuts of steak and even a dedicated plant-based menu, focusing on clean flavours and flawless cooking.
The venue also offers a prix fixe menu for business lunch and has a resident Latin band that performs alongside a lively cabaret show late in the evenings.
ROKA
The Opus, famed late architect Zaha Hadid’s final project, is more than just a stunning architectural feat. The building, which has one of the most visually striking designs in the city, has also become a destination for haute cuisine. Aside from the aforementioned The MAINE Land Brasserie, The Opus plays host to contemporary Japanese restaurant ROKA. An immersive dining destination, ROKA features a large main dining room with stylish dark wood and stone interiors that can easily be reconfigured as needed into a relaxed lounge space. There is also a spacious terrace where diners can enjoy views of the neighbouring Downtown skyline.
The cuisine is primarily focused on ‘robatayaki’, or barbecue, with a mix of meat, seafood, and vegetarian options available. ROKA also offers seasonal tasting menus that celebrate the best freshly sourced ingredients over the span of four courses.
Final Take
Business Bay has diverged from its original plan to be a purely commercial district and has turned into a dynamic lifestyle destination that offers a stunning array of dining options. For diners who are seeking unique experiences, robust flavours, and a buzzing atmosphere, the best restaurants in Business Bay give you plenty to choose from.
