When Jumeirah Beach Hotel (JBH) opened in 1997, Dubai's restaurant scene was a different world. The city had luxury hotels, certainly, but destination dining meant a handful of places that mostly served whoever happened to be staying there. Nearly three decades later, JBH hasn't just survived Dubai's dining revolution – it helped define it.
Other hotels chase celebrity chef partnerships and extravagant concepts, but JBH's restaurants have built something more valuable. The dining feels both established and current, serving people who care more about consistent excellence than the latest culinary trend.
La Parrilla
La Parrilla has been making Argentine food since before Dubai knew what proper grilling meant. The difference between this place and the steakhouses that followed is simple: authenticity that doesn't feel forced.
The parrilla grill sits in full view – not for show, but because that's how you cook Argentine food. The meat comes from suppliers who understand the standards, while the wine list reads like a love letter to South American vineyards. You'll find bottles here that most Buenos Aires restaurants would struggle to source.
The beachfront setting changes everything. Argentine food can feel heavy in the wrong environment, but Gulf breezes and sunset views transform the experience into something that actually suits Dubai's climate. Evening dining captures both the golden hour and the energy of Jumeirah Beach – an atmosphere that enhances the cuisine.
Bastion
Bastion is one of those rare spots that gets the balance right. It calls itself a modern brasserie – and actually is. It works for low-key celebrations or quiet dinners – no dress codes, no pressure.
The menu is French-Mediterranean, with plenty of well-executed classics and a few lighter dishes that suit Dubai's climate. Think steak frites one night, tuna tartare and grilled asparagus the next. There's restraint in the plating, but confidence in the technique.
Set on the hotel's upper floors, Bastion also happens to have one of JBH's best views – a sweeping shot of the Burj Al Arab, minus the crowds. It's a place that works whether you're coming for a date, a quiet work dinner, or a long lunch with visiting family who want something "nice" but not pretentious. Bastion threads that needle well.
Dhow & Anchor
Dhow & Anchor has been around long enough to remember when British pubs in Dubai meant mostly dark interiors and football on every screen. This one maintains the same comfort and atmosphere, but the food complements the ambition and scene of the setting.
The menu sticks close to its roots. Pies with proper pastry, fish and chips with malt vinegar, roasts that don't try to reinvent the wheel. The ingredients are better and the kitchen knows the difference between hearty and heavy.
Most pubs don't offer open-air seating with front-row Burj Al Arab views, but Dhow & Anchor isn't trying to be most pubs. There's a breezy terrace, plenty of space, and a crowd that mixes hotel guests with long-time locals who know it's worth booking ahead for a Sunday roast.
Villa Beach
Villa Beach proves that luxury doesn't always require white tablecloths and formal service. This beachfront restaurant delivers quality casual dining while embracing the relaxed atmosphere that comes naturally with sand and sea breezes.
The menu combines international comfort food with lighter options suited to beach dining, and service maintains the hotel's standards without feeling stuffy. Villa Beach works because it serves multiple purposes effortlessly – breakfast for hotel guests, casual lunch for beach visitors, sunset dinner for both residents and tourists.
The restaurant succeeds by encouraging people to linger. The transition from sunlounger to table feels like a natural extension of beach life rather than a separate experience.
Kitchen Connection
Kitchen Connection quietly solves dinner for families, without overcomplicating it. It’s a buffet, yes, but with enough range and care to feel considered rather than routine. There’s international cuisine, live cooking stations, and plenty to satisfy both children and adults who just want a good, straightforward meal.
Breakfast starts early with fresh juices and lighter options. In the evening, the theme nights rotate – from Mediterranean to Southeast Asian – but the focus stays consistent: quality ingredients, steady service, and a setup that keeps things moving without feeling rushed. The space is bright and open, easygoing for families with younger diners, while still feeling appropriate for grown-up company.
You come here when you want something tangible and practical – a place that works for relaxed evenings, post-beach appetites, and family dinners that don’t need a special occasion. It’s the kind of restaurant that quietly earns its keep by delivering well, every day.
Fika
Fika takes its cues from Scandinavian wellness culture. Instead of preaching restraint, it focuses on simple, well-composed dishes built around whole ingredients. The menu leans into seasonal flavours: think avocado toast topped with dill and radish, and a slice of gravlax tostada dressed in citrus and fennel. It’s food that feels fresh without trying too hard.
Midday, you’ll find a varied crowd – post-yoga brunch-goers, low-key business meetings, solo diners with a book. The space is light and understated, with just enough warmth to feel like a pause rather than a pit stop.
The Long Game
What unites these restaurants isn’t a single cuisine or concept. It’s an approach. JBH doesn’t chase trends. It allows each venue to evolve in its own way – updating quietly, improving steadily, and trusting that good food and a good view are still enough when done well.
In a city full of places trying to be talked about, JBH’s dining scene focuses on being returned to. It’s about reliability, knowing that dinner will be good, that service will hold, and that the view never quite gets old.
