Dubai’s dining scene keeps growing, and with every new opening, the city gives people more reasons to go out and explore. In this second part of our selection, we look at three top fine dining restaurants in Dubai that stand out not only for their food, but also for the kind of atmosphere that turns dinner into a full experience. From rooftop views to beachfront glamour and classic Italian style, each place offers something completely different.

CouCou

Set on the 52nd floor of The Palm Tower at St. Regis Palm Jumeirah, CouCou is all about the view. From up here, guests look out over Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf, and the Dubai skyline, which is really what makes the place feel special from the moment you arrive. 

The restaurant opens in the evening and combines Mediterranean dishes with a lively late-night mood. The menu includes seafood, grilled dishes, sharing plates, and desserts, while many guests especially praise the steaks, the attentive service, and the overall sense of occasion. As the night goes on, the atmosphere becomes more energetic, with music and DJs adding to the experience without taking away from the setting itself. For a dinner with a real wow factor, CouCou easily earns its place on the list.

Gigi Rigolatto: Coastal Luxury in Jumeirah

Gigi Rigolatto brought its well-known hospitality concept to Dubai as part of J1 Beach in Jumeirah, giving the city a new high-end beachside destination. The brand is already known for locations in Saint-Tropez and Val d’Isère in the French Alps, and the Dubai opening continues that same lifestyle-driven approach in a setting tailored to the local scene. The interiors were designed by Paris-based architect Hugo Toro, whose work gives the space warmth, elegance, and a relaxed resort feel without making it look overly formal. What makes Gigi Rigolatto appealing is that it goes beyond the idea of a restaurant in the usual sense. People come here for the full setting: the location, the design, the atmosphere, and the feeling of spending an unhurried afternoon or evening somewhere polished but comfortable.

Rialto: Northern Italian Cuisine with a View of Burj Al Arab

Rialto, located at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, offers a polished take on Northern Italian dining in a space that feels intimate and distinctive. The interior leans into a retro-inspired look, with soft lighting, elegant tableware, and carefully chosen details that give dinner here a more theatrical feel. In the kitchen is Chef Roberto Rispoli, whose background includes work at La Trattoria Toscana under Alain Ducasse. That foundation is reflected in the menu’s classic Italian direction and its attention to detail. Rialto is the kind of place where the setting matters just as much as the food: refined, atmospheric, and made even more memorable by its location and views. For anyone looking for an elegant Italian dinner in Dubai, it is one of the more interesting recent additions.