Located between Dubai’s popular Jumeirah district and the bustling Downtown Dubai, City Walk infuses sleek urban design with the wide open spaces of a town square or a plaza. This dynamic lifestyle destination has become synonymous with high-end boutiques and distinctive attractions like Green Planet, the indoor rainforest where visitors can interact with flora and fauna they won’t find anywhere in the region.
Once you’ve explored the space and seen the many beautiful sights, City Walk also offers a selection of restaurants, some of which are located along the boulevard and have the ambiance of European streetside cafes. Rove and La Ville, two popular hotels in the area, also present a different range of cuisines. Here we take a look at some of the best restaurants in City Walk.
Melenzane
With its dark and moody interiors that integrate aspects of industrial design, Melenzane exemplifies the cool urban aesthetic that has become a trademark of City Walk. The menu is inspired by classical Sicilian dishes, reinterpreted by the team at Melenzane in their own unique way while maintaining authenticity of flavour.
Butcha Steakhouse & Grill
This elegant Turkish eatery is located along the main square of City Walk and overlooks the beautiful fountain at the centre of it. Warm browns and greens create an atmosphere of refinement and the menu is designed to create an exemplary dining experience. As its name suggests, Butcha uses only the highest quality cuts of meat, prepared with utmost care to maximise flavor. You can go the traditional route with a steak and sides or opt for some of the more creative choices on the menu to get a true taste of what Butcha has to offer.
Urth Caffe
Founded over 30 years ago in the United States, Urth has built its reputation on organic coffee beans that are responsibly sourced from trusted farming partners. This same philosophy defines the Dubai cafe, which also features the brand’s playful sense of design. Aside from its coffee, and a handpicked selection of premium teas, Urth Caffee has a menu comprising American and pan-European dishes that combine healthy ingredients with rich, vibrant flavors.
Obeli
One of the many homegrown restaurant concepts found in City Walk, Obeli features a menu that can best be described as ‘new-world’ cuisine, combining elements from various cuisines and using innovative cooking techniques to create a flavour profile that is wholly distinctive. It is the perfect culinary representation of Dubai’s cosmopolitan population. This unique fusion is immediately apparent on entering the restaurant, where your eye will immediately be drawn to the dark chiffon ‘curtain’ that hangs down from the ceiling and gives the dining space a very elegant character.
Daikan Izakaya
‘Izakaya’ is a Japanese dining style that traditionally pairs food with sake, which is why Daikan Izakaya is located in the C2 Licensed District, a collection of 11 restaurants in the heart of City Walk that are all licensed to serve alcohol. The brand was born in the UAE, with the aim of bringing this unique Japanese concept to the region while offering a touch of local flair. The look of the restaurant is emblematic of modern dining in Japan with its use of dark stone and wood offset by soft lighting accents. The menu features a mix of classic sushi, grills and bar food that are paired with a unique cocktail menu.
Rare
Another resident of the C2 Licensed District, Rare is a throwback to a bygone era, inspired by bars from New York’s Art Deco era and classic Parisian brasseries. A sophisticated blend of dark wood, black leather and rich crimson accents greet you, along with a striking chandelier that tops the central bar. This is first and foremost a steakhouse, offering prime cuts of meat and high-end seafood dishes. What makes Rare truly stand out, however, is its separate ‘plant-forward’ menu that makes vegetarian diners feel equally included.
L’Occitane Cafe
L’Occitane en Provence is a familiar brand in Dubai, with boutiques in the city’s biggest shopping malls offering their beautiful range of skincare, cosmetics, and fragrances. However, City Walk is the only LÓccitane Cafe in Dubai, decorated in the same vibrant hues of yellow and gold that embody the brand. The resulting space is elegant but has an element of playfulness to it that makes it ideal for a relaxed meal following an afternoon or evening spent shopping. Paying homage to the roots of the brand, the menu focuses on the flavours of Provence, giving traditional dishes a slight contemporary twist. L’Occitane Cafe also has a brunch menu and a vegan menu.
Nola Bijou Bistro & Bar
If you want to take a trip through time to a truly bygone era, then head back into the C2 Licensed District and into Nola. Taking its design inspiration from New Orleans in the 1800’s, the dining room features ornate wooden design elements, works of 19th century artists on its walls, and other unique pieces that transplant you firmly into the colonial United States. The menu is heavily French-inspired, which was one of the most notable influences on New Orleans cuisine, with a mix of grills and seafood, along with a selection of vintage cocktails.
Secret Garden by L’Eto
L’Eto Cafe has become a mainstay of Dubai, known for its refined European menu and delectable selection of pastries. Its sister concept, Secret Garden, is primarily a dessert cafe that also features breakfast and brunch dishes. The design of the cafe adds a fun element to the cafe’s aesthetic by incorporating vividly colored flowers in its decor and incorporating brighter pastel colors. The City Walk outpost is cleverly located in a separate building that resembles a quaint greenhouse. As you walk in through the door, the aroma of freshly baked pastries will whet your appetite right away.
Final Thoughts
City Walk has become one of Dubai’s most exciting contemporary hotspots, combining sleek modern design with a casual and relaxed atmosphere that sets it apart from Dubai’s busier central districts. It offers various lifestyle options for visitors, along with a rich mix of culinary experiences that includes homegrown and international brands offering global cuisines.
