Dubai Food Festival

This April and May, Dubai brings you the chance to celebrate the best of its food scene with more than two weeks of gastronomic celebration and food indulgence all across the city. From the 21st of April to 7th of May, the city turns into the hottest spot for foodies, a proper haven for culinary explorers eager to indulge in everything from street food to fine dining experiences.

Dubai's culinary landscape is home to a remarkable 13,000 restaurants, reflecting an exceptional surge in the gastronomic culture of the city – a twofold increase since 2013. This substantial growth is evidenced by the participation of over a hundred of Dubai's most celebrated restaurants, cafes, and eateries in the food festival. It comes as no surprise that the food industry has witnessed a notable expansion lately in the region.

This year, the return of the Dubai Food Festival will mark its 10th edition and the schedule is jam-packed with bursting flavours and gourmet epic moments. Endless list of restaurants to explore, all of which offer super special deals on fine dining, food halls, pop-up dining events, and farm-to-table experiences are but a few of the highlights coming your way this week.

The fun, food, and flavour of this culinary celebration already point to the Dubai Food Festival's tastiest season yet, while shining a spotlight on the city’s already vibrant and impressive gourmet landscape.

Get ready, as there is something cooking – literally – at every corner of the city.

Get Ready to Have Dubai on a Plate

Dubai Food Festival will showcase the best of food excellence, with a blend of old favourites and new surprises. This event brings together many culinary enthusiasts, from hundreds of local and international chefs to food chroniclers, to celebrate the art of gastronomy. The festival arrives in several venues around the city, from malls and high-end restaurants to backstreet markets and beaches.

Among the popular venues are JBR, City Walk, and Jumeirah Beach, where you can explore Dubai's hidden culinary gems.

The limited-edition Foodie Experiences offered across the city means you can enjoy beachside dining at Etisalat Beach Canteen, just behind Sunset Mall, or try something new with the specially curated 10 Dirham Dish. This comes as part of the Dubai Food Festival's 10th anniversary, with several restaurants and cafes offering their classic and signature dishes for just AED 10.

The festival will also bring many coffee aficionados together at The Limited Coffee Edition event where they will sip on gourmet coffee from around the world, in search of the best daily caffeine fix.

With such an impressive line-up, be sure to make some space in your culinary calendars as well as your tummies.

Dubai Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week returns to the emirate from April 28th to May 8th, as part of Dubai Food Festival, offering you the chance to dine in luxurious venues with exclusive set menus at discounted prices.

There are over fifty fine-dining restaurants in Dubai participating in this initiative, with cuisines spanning Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The culinary extravaganza features eateries such as Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura, Gordan Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, Demon Duck by Alvin Leung, Ariana’s Persian Kitchen, Akira Back, Coya, Clap, Roka, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki and Carnival by Tresind.

Some restaurants have already released their set menus. Carna in Business Bay is serving up a delicious three-course dinner for AED 250 per person. For starters you can sample steak tartare, grilled prawns in garlic and olive oil, and grilled lettuce salad. For mains, diners can choose from grilled Australian hanger steak with mac and cheese, Carna sausage with whipped potato, or mushroom risotto for vegetarians.

Dubai’s Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to an unforgettable experience at some of the city's most sought-after dining destinations, without breaking the bank.

Attend Masterclasses with Top Chefs

Dubai Food Festival 2023 is poised to offer a line-up of immersive experiences, including masterclasses led by the crème de la crème of the culinary industry. For those with a passion for cooking, the masterclasses present an opportunity to learn from the best and try your hand at various cuisines.

This year's edition boasts an impressive ensemble of expert chefs from Dubai's most sought-after eateries, such as Bijou Patisserie, REIF Japanese Kushiyaki, and The Nine. Fans of Peruvian cuisine can attend a ceviche-making class at Coya Dubai for AED 395, while fermentation aficionados can attend a session with 21 Grams for AED 350. Taiko is offering a sushi-making class, and for lovers of all things Korean, there is a session dedicated to kimchi, kimbap, and other Korean delights.

For coffee enthusiasts, RAW is hosting a specialty coffee class, while those looking to master the art of Beef Wellington can choose The Nine’s masterclass on May 5th, at the Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk.

History of Dubai Food Festival

Dubai Food Festival was first launched in UAE in 2014, having since become the most celebrated Middle Eastern food event, a hedonistic indulgence that keeps growing in quality and quantity ever since.

This year, the spotlight will be on 10 years of culinary excellence in Dubai. The festival aims to project the emirate's rise as a gourmet destination by emphasising Dubai's distinct food sector and world-class dining experiences.

Organised by Dubai Festivals and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the event is bringing food lovers a 17-day gastronomic extravaganza, set to be bigger and better than ever before. As a strategic part of Dubai's year-round festival calendar, the event highlights the city's vibrant food culture and supports its thriving retail sector.

Dubai is renowned for hosting some of the most captivating and inclusive festivals, serving up unforgettable experiences. This year’s festival is a celebration of food and all its goodness, a spectacular showcase of the city's diverse and dynamic culinary scene, where you can indulge in a feast for the senses.

Prepare yourself for a gastronomic adventure that will take you on a journey through the flavours and aromas of Dubai's finest cuisine.