Dubai is renowned for its opulent dining establishments where eateries do more than simply offer food. They also help guests make lifelong memories. Dubai’s culinary industry is full of unique ideas that appeal to both foodies and thrill seekers from dining underwater to dining in the sky.
For tourists searching for more than simply a meal, these restaurants offer spectacular views, immersive themes and Instagram worthy sets. Dubai offers a wide variety of dining options including restaurants with rollercoasters, cafes with rainforest themes and floating pods. These are five of the city’s most distinctive eateries that are revolutionizing dining.
List of 5 Unique Restaurants in Dubai
- Al Mahara (Burj Al Arab) – Underwater fine dining
- Dinner in the Sky – Suspended 50 meters above ground
- The Green Planet Cafe – Rainforest-themed dining
- Ninive – Bedouin style luxury
- SushiSamba – Sky High Fusion Dining with Panoramic Views
A Closer Look at Five Standout Restaurants in Dubai
1) Al Mahara
Located inside the iconic Burj Al Arab, Al Mahara offers a surreal underwater dining experience with floor to ceiling aquarium views. The restaurant features a golden oyster shaped elevator that takes you down to the dining area where you are surrounded by a mesmerizing marine world.
Dining Experience
- Seafood focused menu curated by Michelin starred chefs
- Private dining pods for intimate experiences
- Live cooking stations where chefs prepare dishes in front of you
Must Try Dishes
- Caviar & Oysters – Served with champagne
- Lobster Thermidor – A signature dish
- Chocolate Sphere Dessert – Melts with hot caramel sauce
Location & Contact
📍 Address: Burj Al Arab, Umm Suqeim 3
📞 Phone: +971-4-301-7600
🌐 Website: www.jumeirah.com
📸 Instagram: @almahara_burjalarab
Reviews & Feedback
⭐ 4.8/5 (Google Reviews) – “Like dining in a dream! The lobster was perfect.” – Read Reviews
2) Dinner in the Sky
Imagine eating 50 meters above the ground while suspended in a floating platform. Dinner in the Sky offers exactly that—a 22 seat dining table lifted by a crane, providing 360° views of Dubai’s skyline.
Dining Experience
- Gourmet 5-course meal with wine pairing
- Sunset & night-time slots available
- Seatbelts included (for safety!)
Must Try Dishes
- Truffle Risotto – Prepared mid air
- Wagyu Beef Tenderloin – Cooked to perfection
- Chocolate Lava Cake – Served with gold leaf
Location & Contact
📍 Location: Skydive Dubai Drop Zone
📞 Phone: +971-56-414-7888
🌐 Website: www.dinnerinthesky.ae
🎥 Video Experience: Watch Here
Reviews & Feedback
⭐ 4.7/5 (TripAdvisor) – “The most thrilling dinner of my life!” – See Reviews
3) The Green Planet Cafe
Nestled inside Dubai’s only indoor tropical rainforest at The Green Planet, this cafe offers a dining experience surrounded by 4,000+ plants and exotic animals. You’ll eat alongside free flying birds, sloths and piranhas in a climate controlled biodome that recreates a lush Amazonian ecosystem.
Dining Experience
- Jungle-view tables next to the 25m tall man-made tree
- Educational animal encounters during meals
- Sustainable menu featuring organic and locally sourced ingredients
- Special kids’ menu with animal-shaped dishes
Must Try Dishes
- Rainforest Salad – Edible flowers with honey-drizzled figs
- Sloth Smoothie Bowl – Acai topped with tropical fruits
- Chocolate “Termite Mound” – Served with edible soil
Location & Contact
📍 Address: City Walk, Al Wasl
📞 Phone: +971-4-317-3999
🌐 Website: www.thegreenplanetdubai.com
📸 Instagram: @thegreenplanetdubai
Reviews & Feedback
⭐ 4.6/5 (Google Reviews) – “My kids loved spotting animals between courses – most entertaining meal ever!” – Read Reviews
4) Ninive
A hidden gem in DIFC, Ninive transports diners to a modern interpretation of a Bedouin tent village. The restaurant features private majlis style seating with billowing fabrics, antique Persian rugs and an open kitchen showcasing live fire cooking techniques.
Dining Experience
- Shared platter concept for authentic Emirati dining
- Evening oud players and traditional storytelling
- Rare Arabic coffee selection from across the Gulf
- Shisha lounge with premium tobacco blends
Must Try Dishes
- Camel Sliders – Mini burgers with camel meat
- Black Truffle Umm Ali – Luxury twist on the classic dessert
- Saffron-infused Lamb Ouzi – Slow-cooked for 14 hours
Location & Contact
📍 Address: Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC
📞 Phone: +971-4-354-2525
🌐 Website: https://ninive.ae
🎥 Virtual Tour: Watch Here
Reviews & Feedback
⭐ 4.9/5 (TripAdvisor) – “The atmospheric evening lighting makes you forget you’re in a financial district!” – See Reviews
5) SushiSamba
SushiSamba, located in Dubai’s tallest suspended terrace on the 51st floor of the St. Regis Dubai, serves a stunning fusion of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian food. The restaurant’s glass floored balcony juts out over the building’s edge, providing adventurous patrons with a dizzying view of the Palm Jumeirah 200 meters below.
Dining Experience
- “Flying Chef” service where dishes are delivered via a suspended monorail system
- Live DJ sets blending bossa nova and electronic music
- Signature tree centerpiece with 1,000 handmade origami birds
- Sunset omakase sessions with rare fish flown in daily from Toyosu Market
Must Try Dishes
- Amazonian Roll – With crispy plantains and açaí glaze
- Wagyu Gyoza – Filled with A5 Miyazaki beef
- Matcha-Infused Caipirinha – World’s first Japanese-Brazilian cocktail
Location & Contact
📍 Address: St. Regis Dubai, The Palm
📞 Phone: +971-4-567-4747
🌐 Website: www.sushisamba.com/dubai
🎥 Virtual Tour: Watch Here
Reviews & Feedback
⭐ 4.9/5 (Google Reviews) – “The glass floor terrace made my palms sweat – in the best way possible!” – Read Reviews
Dubai continues to push culinary boundaries with restaurants that engage all senses. From dining with sloths at The Green Planet Cafe to rollercoaster meals at The Backyard Grill, each venue offers something extraordinary.
Best for:
- Nature lovers → The Green Planet Cafe
- Cultural immersion → Ninive
- Adrenaline junkies → The Backyard Grill
- Ultimate luxury → Al Mahara
- Instagrammable moments → Dinner in the Sky
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for Dinner in the Sky (book 2-3 weeks ahead). Most venues enforce smart casual dress codes and some like Al Mahara require formal evening wear.
Which unique dining adventure will you try first? Share your bucket list restaurant in the comments!
