UAE restaurants opening in 2026: Nobu, Gymkhana, Hanbok and more

Contrary to the years that preceded it, 2025 showed that the UAE’s restaurant calendar is increasingly being shaped by deliberate, long-gestating openings rather than quick-fire launches. Looking ahead to 2026, a mix of international names – with concepts from Beirut to London – and design-led local projects are lining up to open across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

From major hotel-backed restaurants to smaller, chef-driven ideas tucked into cultural districts, here are some of the restaurants set to open in the UAE this year – and what diners can expect from each.

Nobu One Za’abeel

Cuisine: Japanese-Peruvian

Nobu's latest outpost sits within One Za’abeel hotel’s glitzy dining destination The Link. The opening adds another chapter to the globally recognised restaurant brand founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, known for blending Japanese technique with Peruvian flavours.

The menu is expected to follow Nobu’s established format, featuring signature dishes such as black cod miso, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno, sushi and sashimi, served in a sleek, contemporary setting designed to match the scale and spectacle of the venue.

January 2026; One Za’abeel, Dubai

Zea

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Opening at Emirates Financial Towers, the modern Mediterranean lounge and dining destination takes inspiration from zea, an ancient grain symbolising life, abundance and renewal. The space features sculptural architecture, warm lighting and olive-toned interiors, creating an intimate setting that shifts in mood as the evening unfolds.

Led by chef Donovan Clive Christian, the menu centres on coastal Mediterranean flavours, with an emphasis on premium produce and fire-driven cooking, complemented by elegant cocktails, Old World wines and a curated champagne selection.

January 2026; Dubai International Financial Centre

Avlu

Avlu offers Turkish and Greek flavours. Photo: Avlu

Cuisine: Turkish

Avlu brings contemporary Turkish dishes to Palm Jumeirah. Named after the Turkish word for “courtyard”, the restaurant focuses on a relaxed, sharing-style approach rooted in regional cooking. The menu is expected to offer a mix of hot and cold mezze, freshly baked breads and charcoal-grilled dishes, with flavours drawn from across Turkey as well as Greece.

February 2026; Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Ay‑Vy

Cuisine: Pan-Asian

Positioned as more than a standard restaurant, Ay-Vy combines dining with design, music and a co