As Dubai’s newest dining destination serves up the flavours of the south of France, we take a moment to look at where guests can feast on dishes inspired by the sparkling waters and natural produce of the Mediterranean.     

Beachfront dining at its best

Gazing over the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, it’s easy to imagine you have just sat down in a restaurant on France’s famed Côte d'Azur. With a menu that’s bursting with fresh ingredients and dishes that are designed to be shared over long, lazy lunches and decadent dinners, French Riviera soaks up the sun from its beachside location at Jumeirah Al Qasr. There’s even a French-themed Bleu, Blanc, Rouge brunch that’s served every Friday and Saturday, when the buzzing weekend atmosphere is accompanied by a carefully crafted cocktail menu. 

Having worked with multi-Michelin star French Chef Joël Robuchon, Chef Kim Joinié-Maurin heads up the kitchen at our innovative pop-up and brings his signature traditional-meets-modern style to offerings such as red tuna crudo with black truffle petals, crème brulée-style French toast and the restaurant’s signature wood-fired beef entrecote with green pepper sauce.

Keeping excellent company

Once French Riviera’s dishes have got the taste buds tingling, there are two more beachfront Mediterranean restaurants to try in Dubai. First, Rockfish combines the natural beauty of its beach location with the twinkling lights of the soaring Burj Al Arab Jumeirah – and it’s against this backdrop that Executive Chef Marco Garfagnini’s signature seafood dishes, such as salt-crusted seabass and lobster risotto, are served. 

From France and Italy to Greece and the shoreline of Jumeirah Mina A'Salam, where dishes such as crispy calamari, tzatziki and watermelon and feta salad are served at Shimmers – a casual-chic restaurant where guests can explore the country’s rich culinary heritage with the sand under their feet and the stars above their heads. 

Guests can experience a taste of the Med in Dubai as part of Jumeirah Al Qasr’s Staycation and Daycation offers, which includes lunch or dinner at French Riviera, Rockfish and Shimmers. 

Italian cuisine in Capri

Moving away from the Middle East and into the heart of the Mediterranean, the bars and restaurants at Capri Palace Jumeirah serve up a delicious dose of la dolce vita. Evenings begin with an aperitivo that’s sipped at Bar degli Artisti as the sun sinks into the sea, and continue by sitting down for dinner at the Michelin-starred Il Riccio, where fresh seafood is served on its picture-perfect terrace. Under the watchful eye of chef Salvatore Elefante, L’Olivo has also received international acclaim – it’s the only two Michelin-starred fine dining destination on the island and is the perfect place to sample rustic Italian dishes with a sophisticated twist. Expect the plates coming out of the kitchen to look just as good as the views over the Gulf of Naples. There’s more alfresco eating to be enjoyed at Bistrot Ragù thanks to its setting amid ancient olive trees and flower-filled courtyards, wine aficionados will enjoy perusing the list of bottles that are stored in the property’s breath-taking cellar. 

Eating Italian in Dubai

As the home of scented spices and fresh ingredients, it’s no wonder that Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s attractive waterfront should be home to two restaurants serving up dishes with plenty of Mediterranean passion. Plates of pasta, bruschetta and risotto as well as fresh-from-the-oven wood-fired pizzas have earned Trattoria Toscana a reputation as one of the best Italian eateries in the area. While nestled between Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf’s summerhouses and verdant waterways, Segreto serves Italian delicacies such as octopus carpaccio, beef tagliata and gnocchi, below a buzzing bar that offers panoramic views of the Madinat Jumeirah area from its rooftop terrace.