Dubai doesn’t have a city centre in the traditional sense, but if it had a cosmopolitan heart, it would undoubtedly be Downtown. This is one of the city’s most concentrated dining and retail spots, loved by locals and visitors in equal measure. With the Burj Khalifa at its centre, dinner here typically comes with a view – and if it doesn’t, the interiors will more than make up for it. As the weather cools and the Dubai Fountain reopens for the season, an evening in Downtown feels especially well-timed. Whether you’re planning a candle-lit date night on the top floor or heading somewhere that’s firmly food-focused (with Michelin stars to prove it), these are some of the best restaurants in Downtown Dubai.
At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa
At.mosphere is the definitive address for dinner with a view. Located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, this Downtown restaurant is the highest in the world, offering panoramic views of the city and the fountains below. The kitchen is open from breakfast through to dinner, rooted in confident French cooking. À la carte highlights include Beluga caviar, blue lobster ravioli, and seared Hokkaido scallops served with 100-year-old balsamic. For those more focused on the food than the skyline, the tasting menu (available at both lunch and dinner) is the best way to sample the kitchen’s full depth.
After dinner, many drift over to the adjoining Lounge & Bar, where a live DJ and a polished cocktail list carry the evening well into the night. Both the lounge and dining room have recently been renovated, trading their early-2010s gloss for a calmer, more contemporary mood. At.mosphere is recognised in both the Michelin Guide and Gault&Millau and is best enjoyed after sundown, when the city beneath lights up.
Read More: Best Lounges in Downtown Dubai
Armani/Ristorante, Burj Khalifa
On the lower floors of the Burj Khalifa sits the elegant Armani/Ristorante, located on the lobby level of the Armani Hotel. This intimate, Michelin-guide restaurant presents an exacting take on Northern Italian dining, plated with the design-forward precision of its namesake brand. Past tasting menus have featured dishes such as Fassona beef tartare with Alba truffle, Dover sole cooked over embers, and risotto enriched with two-year-aged Parmigiano. The à la carte menu leans into fresh seafood and prime cuts, with a standout M5 Wagyu tenderloin paired with foie gras and black truffle.
Armani/Ristorante is one of the city’s best destinations for sampling rare Italian wines, guided by an in-house sommelier. In the cooler months, the terrace offers a more relaxed setting for dinner, with low-slung seating and front-row seats to the Dubai Fountain.
Read More: Best Italian Restaurants in Downtown Dubai
Jamavar, Address Residences Opera District
Named after the intricate Kashmir shawls worn in 16th-century India, Jamavar is a fine-dining concept that honours India’s culinary traditions with reverence. Led by Culinary Director Surender Mohan, it was awarded one Michelin star in the 2025 guide, with critics praising the Bhatti Ka Octopus and Sindhi Methi Gosht (goat curry) in particular. The interiors draw inspiration from the Viceroy’s home in New Delhi – all hand-cut marquetry, ornate lighting, and gilded lincrusta wallpaper. The wine menu is a point of pride here: Jamavar is listed on the Star Wine List (White Star) and carries a regionally-aware selection with organic and sustainable bottles.
Perfect for a pre-show dinner in Downtown, the restaurant is set within the Address Residences and just steps from Dubai Opera. When the occasion calls for it, Jamavar also hosts an excellent four-course business lunch on weekdays.
Read More: French Restaurants in Downtown Dubai
Jun’s, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard
Jun’s is something of a hidden gem in Downtown Dubai, tucked away on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard. The brainchild of Chicago-raised chef Kelvin Cheung, the menu here is proudly ‘third culture’, pulling together Chinese, North American, and Southeast Asian influences. Described in the Michelin Guide as “contagiously fun”, the setting is notably relaxed for the seriousness of its food. The creative thirteen-course tasting menu spans Patagonian toothfish, Omani prawn ‘potstickers’, and butter lobster pani puri, with a seven-month buckwheat miso chocolate mousse to finish.
Another excellent choice for an Opera pre-show dinner, Jun’s hosts a ‘Now Even Happier’ set menu – two courses with the option of Prosecco or Champagne. As for accolades, it has been featured in the Michelin Guide every year since 2023 and holds one toque from Gault&Millau.
Read More: Business Lunch Downtown Dubai
DUOMO Dubai, The Dubai EDITION
Even in a city of statement restaurants, DUOMO manages to captivate. Set within the Dubai EDITION, the dining room here is dramatic in scale, with soaring arched ceilings awash with shifting digital artwork. Rooted in traditional Italian cooking, the menu offers a calm counterbalance, leaning into well-executed favourites: hand-stretched pastas, freshly made burrata, and lobster linguini. Dessert is a particular strength, with an extensive range of gelato and sorbet, alongside more comforting Italian classics like torta di mele – a shortbread pie layered with almonds and apples.
DUOMO is especially romantic at night, with candlelit tables and views of the Burj Khalifa just beyond the window. To drink, expect a thoughtful wine list focused on Italian labels, complemented by a confident selection of classic cocktails.
Read More: Best Breakfast in Downtown Dubai
Nazcaa, Address Dubai Mall
Nikkei cuisine – the fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavours – is having a moment in Dubai, and Nazcaa is one of Downtown’s most confident expressions of it. Named after the ancient Nazca civilisation of Peru, the restaurant has a ‘Beyond Nikkei’ concept menu that moves between robata-grilled meats, seafood stone bowls, and citrus-soaked ceviche. Sake is taken seriously, with premium bottles sourced from Hyogo and Yamaguchi, including the rare Junmai Daiginjo.
Set on the 12th floor of the Address Dubai Mall, Nazcaa embraces a playful Peruvian aesthetic, with carved tribal motifs and vivid artwork. Culture is celebrated most nights: Thursdays pay tribute to the Amazonian Inca through storytelling and live performance, while Fridays bring a lively Tribal Night of rhythmic music and dance. The best seats are usually on the terrace, which offers sublime views across the Downtown skyline and Burj Khalifa.
