Best Mediterranean Restaurants
in Dubai

The Mediterranean is not a single cuisine but a philosophy — sun-drenched ingredients, generous portions, shared plates, and meals that last hours rather than minutes. Dubai has embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly. From the refined Grecian cooking of Gaia in DIFC (with its imported olive oil and fresh-caught sea bass) to Ammos's whitewashed marina terrace and Shimmers' magic-hour views over the Madinat waterway, Mediterranean dining is one of Dubai's great strengths. Here is our definitive guide.

The Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Dubai, Ranked

1

Best Overall — Greek Fine Dining

Gaia

DIFC — Gate Village 4 AED 350–600 per person ⭐ 9.4 / 10 Greek-Mediterranean

Chef Izu Ani's Gaia is the most celebrated Mediterranean restaurant in Dubai — a sophisticated interpretation of Greek cuisine that celebrates the produce-first philosophy of the Aegean: imported Greek olive oil, fresh seafood flown in from the Mediterranean, vegetables that taste like they were grown under proper sun. The dining room is breathtaking — white-washed walls, blue ceramic accents, warm wood, and a terrace that feels genuinely transportive on Dubai's winter evenings.

The grilled whole sea bass with lemon, capers and herbs (market price, typically AED 285–340) is a benchmark dish — simply seasoned, impeccably cooked, served with ceremony. The octopus with fava beans and tomato (AED 145) is one of the best dishes in Dubai full stop. The taramosalata is made in-house daily with bottarga from Greece. Book 2–3 weeks ahead for dinner; the terrace seats disappear fastest.

Must-Order Dishes

Grilled octopus with fava beansAED 145

Whole grilled sea bassAED 285–340

House-made taramosalata with bottargaAED 75

Lamb chops with Greek herbsAED 195

Best Time to Visit

Terrace dinner, November–March. Book 2–3 weeks ahead. Request the outdoor section — the indoor is beautiful but the terrace is magic.

Wine List

Outstanding Greek wine list — ask for the Assyrtiko from Santorini, which pairs perfectly with the seafood.

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Mediterranean cooking at its finest — simple ingredients, perfect technique. Dubai dining scene.

2

Best Setting + Seafood

Ammos

Dubai Marina — The Walk AED 220–380 per person ⭐ 8.9 / 10 Greek Seafood

Ammos — "sand" in Greek — feels exactly right for a Mediterranean restaurant on Dubai Marina's waterfront. Whitewashed walls, a light and breezy dining room, direct marina views, and a menu that puts Greek seafood at its centre. The ingredients are largely sourced directly from Greek suppliers: the olive oil, the wines, the dried herbs, and crucially the fresh fish which arrives on ice several times a week. It's this commitment to provenance that separates Ammos from the many Mediterranean pretenders in Dubai.

The orzo with seafood (AED 145) is a signature — comforting, briny, laden with prawns, mussels, and calamari in a rich tomato-wine sauce. The Greek sea bass is exceptional. For groups, the meze board (AED 185 for two) with spanakopita, tzatziki, grilled haloumi, and dolmades is a meal in itself. The wine list is short but every bottle earns its place.

Must-Order Dishes

Seafood orzoAED 145

Meze board for twoAED 185

Grilled haloumi with honeyAED 65

Greek sea bass, lemon butterAED 195

Best Time to Visit

Sunset dinner, October–April. The marina views at dusk are magnificent. Arrive early for the terrace tables.

Good for Groups

Excellent for groups of 4–8 who want to share mezze. The staff are experienced with large tables.

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3

Best Greek Casual Dining

Avli by Tashas

DIFC — Gate Village AED 200–350 per person ⭐ 8.7 / 10 Modern Greek

Avli by Tashas sits in a sweet spot: sophisticated enough for a business lunch or first date, relaxed enough for a regular Tuesday dinner. The Tashas group has always understood how to create dining environments that feel effortlessly comfortable, and Avli follows this template with a menu of refined Greek dishes that blend tradition with contemporary flair. The moussaka here is extraordinary — layered with care, baked to order, richly spiced.

The slow-roasted lamb with orzo (AED 175) is the dish that brings people back again and again. The spreads — taramasalata, melitzanosalata, and a spectacular htipiti (red pepper and feta) — come with warm pita that is genuinely exceptional, possibly the best bread served in DIFC. The cocktail list, heavy on ouzo and Mediterranean botanicals, is creative and very well-made.

Must-Order Dishes

Slow-roasted lamb with orzoAED 175

Moussaka (baked to order)AED 115

Htipiti spread with warm pitaAED 55

Greek galaktoboureko (custard pie)AED 68

Best Time to Visit

Weekday lunch for a calm experience. Thursday evenings fill up fast — book 1 week ahead.

Vegetarian

One of DIFC's better options for vegetarians — the spreads, salads, and pastry dishes are outstanding without meat.

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4

Best View + Mediterranean

Shimmers

Madinat Jumeirah — Jumeirah Beach Hotel AED 250–450 per person ⭐ 8.5 / 10 Mediterranean Seafood

There is arguably no better combination of view and food quality in Dubai than Shimmers on a clear winter evening. Sitting on a private beach at Jumeirah Beach Hotel with direct views of the Burj Al Arab illuminated against the night sky, eating perfectly grilled Mediterranean seafood — it's the kind of meal that makes you understand why people move to Dubai and never leave. The menu is focused and intelligent: fewer dishes, all executed with care.

The whole baked fish in a salt crust (AED 295) is the centrepiece dish — the salt crust cracked tableside, the fish inside steaming and perfectly moist. The seafood risotto (AED 165) is rich and deeply flavoured. The mezze to start — particularly the smoked aubergine and the grilled octopus — are essential. Reserve the beach deck tables when booking; the indoor seats work but don't capture the magic.

Must-Order Dishes

Whole baked fish in salt crustAED 295

Mediterranean seafood risottoAED 165

Grilled octopus mezzeAED 125

Smoked aubergine with pomegranateAED 65

Best Time to Visit

October–April on the beach deck. Arrive at sunset (around 6pm) for the full Burj Al Arab light show over dinner.

Reservation Essential

Beach deck tables are limited — book 2 weeks ahead in peak season. Mention it's a special occasion for a better table.

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5

Best Greek Island Experience

Paros

Palm Jumeirah — One&Only The Palm AED 400–650 per person ⭐ 8.4 / 10 Greek Fine Dining

Named after the Greek island famed for its white marble and crystal waters, Paros at One&Only The Palm brings the full Cycladic island experience to Dubai — whitewashed architecture, cobalt blue accents, and a terrace that overlooks the Palm's private beach. The setting is among the most beautiful for any Mediterranean restaurant in the region, and the cooking lives up to it with an ambitious Greek menu that sources produce from premium Greek suppliers.

The cheese saganaki (AED 95) — flambéed tableside with honey and walnuts — is theatrical and delicious. The lamb souvlaki (AED 185) is tender and perfectly charred. The weekend brunch (AED 395 with free-flow wine) is among the best brunch experiences on the Palm for those who want something other than the standard Dubai hotel brunch formula.

Must-Order Dishes

Cheese saganaki, honey & walnutsAED 95

Lamb souvlaki with tzatzikiAED 185

Loukoumades (Greek honey doughnuts)AED 65

Weekend brunch (free-flow wine)AED 395

Best Time to Visit

Saturday afternoon — lunch flows into the most beautiful sunset views on the Palm. Book 2 weeks ahead.

Dress Code

Resort elegant. The Palm's One&Only has a smart-casual minimum — no beachwear in the restaurant.

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Mediterranean by Area in Dubai

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore more: Arabic & Lebanese restaurants, best seafood in Dubai, Italian restaurants, and the DIFC restaurant guide.