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In the melting pot of culture that is Dubai, the food scene is equally vibrant, exotic, and overwhelming. An extra plate of the piquant flavors of Machboos here, a little too many of the oh-so-sweet Luqaimat there, Dubai has it all. And if those are not reasons enough to visit the city, we present to you a whole festival dedicated to all things gastronomic, the annual Dubai Food Festival!
Wego has gathered information about the Dubai Food Festival (DFF), which will return for its yearly fiesta. Indulge in the culinary delights and vibrant atmosphere as the festival showcases the best of Dubai’s gastronomic scene.
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When will the Dubai Food Festival start?
The exact start date for the Dubai Food Festival 2025 has not been announced yet. Anticipate an unforgettable experience as Dubai comes alive with a vibrant celebration of culture, entertainment, and retail experiences during this exciting event.
Where will the festival be held?
It is that time of the year when the whole city of Dubai smells and tastes finger-licking-good food. From local Emirati cuisine in and around the bustling souks to your favorite contemporary flavors from faraway lands brought to the multi-stored malls and restaurants in the city, there’s food in every nook and cranny.
What to look out for during the Dubai Food Festival in 2025?
There’s so much to look out for at the Dubai Food Festival 2025; special lunch and dinner menus, culinary masterclasses, exciting launches of limited editions, numerous retail promotions, and so much more are up for grabs! Here are some of the events and highlights from last year’s festival:
Dubai Restaurant Week
Several sought-after restaurant outlets in Dubai, such as Bread Street Kitchen, Bella, Toro Toro, and Al Nafoorah, come together to organize the ‘Dubai Restaurant Week.’ They offer bespoke cuisines with menus curated by Gordon Ramsay, Alessandro Miceli and Richard Sandoval.
In the participating outlets, you can savor two-course lunches and three-course dinners at starting prices of AED 95 and AED 150, respectively. You can also take a virtual food tour worldwide by hopping from one restaurant to another.
Participating restaurants include:
- 21 Grams
- 3fils
- Akira Back
- Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant
- Al Nafoorah
- Ariana’s Persian Kitchen
- Bastion
- BB Social Dining
- Belcanto
- BOCA
- Brasserie Boulud
- Canary Club
- Carna by Dario Cecchini
- Carnival by Trèsind
- CÉ LA VI
- City Social
- Clap
- Clay Dubai
- COYA Dubai
- Demon Duck by Alvin Leung
- Eunoia by Carine
- Fi’lia
- folly
- French Riviera
- Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen
- Hell’s Kitchen
- Hutong
- Ibn AlBahr
- Indya by Vineet
- Inti
- Jaleo by José Andrés
- Jun’s
- Kayto
- KINARA By Vikas Khanna
- La Cantine Du Faubourg
- LOWE
- Maison Mathis
- Mimi Kakushi
- MINA Brasserie
- Ninive
- North Miznon
- Nuska Beach
- Pierchic
- Reif Japanese Kushiyaki
- Rhodes W1
- Roka
- Shabestan
- Sucre
- Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura
- Twiggy by La Cantine
- Yaba by Chef Shaheen
- Zheng He’s
Uncovering the hidden gems
One of the prime focuses of the festival is letting the visitors discover and rediscover the foodie side of Dubai, including the lesser-known backstreets and hidden downtown gulleys. The neighborhoods of Dubai Marina and Umm Sequin are, to name a few, of Dubai’s culinary treasure troves! The ‘unsung’ food places participate and try to win over the visitors to garner votes and emerge as the winners. Whether you’re looking for some excellent fine dining options or a budget-friendly hotspot serving affordable treats, you’ll find delicious surprises at every turn.
In last year’s Dubai Food Festival, there was a social media competition named ‘My Hidden Gems’ where participants could take part by posting a video or reel on their Instagram featuring 3 dishes from 3 different eateries that cost no more than AED100 in total. The winning prize was AED 50,000.
Foodie experiences
Dubai Food Festival isn’t just about eating and filling your stomach—it is about ALL THINGS FOOD! And that includes the opportunity to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences that give every visitor an enlightening insight into the metropolis’s ever-so-awe-inspiring diverse food culture.
Under the foodie experiences of the festival, you can take culinary workshops, go on themed food tours, grab exclusive tasting menus, and even attend masterclasses with world-renowned chefs in Dubai. Time to take a peek into the kitchens of creative innovations!
Outside of cafes, food kiosks, and restaurants, the city is usually lit up in the glitzy colors of a celebration. You’ll find numerous thrilling activities, or if you want to take it lightly, laugh your heart out at the entertainment and comedy shows.
Best homegrown hotspots
Dubai’s restaurant industry is thriving with homegrown restaurants, cafés and distinctive dining concepts. Expect appearances by celebrity chefs, meet the entrepreneurs who have carefully crafted some of the city’s most innovative dining concepts, and indulge in the specially curated menus of ‘Made in Dubai’ restaurants.