Dining alone in Dubai? 13 restaurants that are perfect for solo dining
Eating alone in restaurants. It sounds kind of scary, but it isn't really as bad as you'd think.
In fact, many Time Out editors who eat out alone a lot of the time truly relish solo dinners. They enjoy the freedom of ordering what they want, not having to make any conversation and asking for the bill before dessert even gets to the table.
But it isn't just us who think so. Taking yourself out to dinner is increasingly what's on the menu. More people are living alone and find it hard to make plans with friends as adults.
More people actually enjoy not having to make plans with friends and can openly admit that eating out is actually really, really nice.
Here are some of the best restaurants in Dubai for eating alone – because, why shouldn't you take yourself out on a date?
Café Isan
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: Café Isan.
Purposely designed to exude a Thai street stall vibe, Café Isan is a charming space of plastic chairs, exposed lighting and stacked crates that line the interior. In keeping with its fun setting, the food is fantastic. Prices are reasonable, but the place gets full fast, so eating alone will help you get in there quicker. Head straight to the terrace, pick a little table and order a couple of small dishes to make the most of your solo dining. Staff here feel like family and will chat with you if you're in the mood for human interaction.
Sun-Tue noon-midnight, Wed-Thu noon-1am, Fri-Sat noon-2am. Armada Avenue Hotel, Cluster P, JLT cafeisan.co (058 5291003).
Read the full review here.
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: Fusion Ceviche.
Are you a novice when it comes to Peruvian cuisine? Fusion Ceviche is a great place to start, especially if you're having a solo experience. This teeny JLT-based eatery is one of the most popular Latin American restaurants in Dubai thanks to chef Penelope Diaz's authentic Peruvian dishes. Its colourful décor featuring Peruvian flags, postcards and neon signs doesn't hurt either. Take a seat at the ceviche bar or by the window. The ceviches and pulpo anticuchero are not to be missed, either.
Daily 11am-11pm. Saba Tower, Cluster Q, JLT, instagram.com/fusioncevichedxb (050 421 4509).
Read the full review here.
FZN by Björn Frantzén
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: FZN by Björn Frantzén
Named Time Out Dubai's Restaurant of the Year for 2025, FZN stands out not only for its incredible food and service but also for its immersive atmosphere and unique dining experience. And sometimes the best restaurants need to be experienced without any distractions.
FZN in Dubai, sibling to Frantzén in Stockholm and Zén in Singapore, offers an exceptional 12-course tasting menu that blends modern Nordic cuisine with Japanese influences. Located at Atlantis The Palm, the intimate 27-seat restaurant features an open kitchen, allowing diners to interact with the chefs while enjoying a personal, immersive experience.
Highlights include dishes like duck barbecue with yuzu, Kampot pepper, and foie gras, and turbot with Cecina de wagyu. The restaurant's extensive grape cellar, with 1,300 labels, offers curated pairings for every course. At Dhs2,000 per person, it's one of Dubai's priciest tasting menus—but undeniably one of the best restaurants in Dubai.
Licensed. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, restaurantfzn.com (050 107 6322).
Read the full review here.
Jun's
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: Jun's.
One of Downtown Dubai's best foodie destinations, Jun's, packs a restaurant, mixed drinks bar and terrace into one pared-back space, serving up progressive cuisine influenced by American-Asian flavours.
Headed up by chef Kelvin Cheung, who has created a menu crafted using ingredients from his local farm and inspired by his Chinese heritage. The restaurant's simple setting lets the food do all the talking, so you don't have to do any. You can also take advantage of an early bird special from 5.30pm until 7pm, where you can enjoy two courses for Dhs150. So why not make that solo dinner early and live your best grandpa life?
Daily noon-3.30pm and 5.30pm-2am. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, junsdubai.com (04 457 6035).
Read the full review here.
Kinoya
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: Kinoya Dubai.
Feel like you've got no option but to get some ramen in your system? Off you trot to Kinoya. The licensed izakaya is split into a ramen bar, a main dining room, a private chef's table and two tatami private dining rooms. If you're eating alone, your best bet is to head to the ramen bar and take a seat to enjoy some of chef Neha Mishra's delicious bowls with front-row views of the chefs in action. But before you start slurping, order some starters (that you don't have to share), including the karaage, gyoza, robata and nigiri. It's all excellently executed and more than worthy of its stellar reputation.
Tue-Sun noon-1am. Tower 2, The Onyx, The Greens, kinoya.ae (04 548 6776).
Read the full review here.
Kokoro Handroll Bar
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: Kokoro Dubai
This incredible new-on-the-scene restaurant is located in the heart of Alserkal Avenue. Kokoro is Dubai's first hand roll bar, promising sushi lovers something really cool and interesting. The restaurant, which only opened its doors in March, already has the attention of the city's foodie community, particularly those with a penchant for sushi. With high chairs at a bar, it's great for a quick solo lunch or dinner.
Wed-Sun from noon until sushi is sold out. Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz @kokoro.dxb
Read the full review here.
Long Teng Seafood Restaurant
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: Long Teng.
Okay, the sheer size of Long Teng might put you off as a solo diner, but hear us out. Go all the way to the top floor and look for a little table with views of Downtown Dubai. Some dishes are small, which makes them perfect for one person to enjoy. Two to three appetisers should be enough, and the best part is that it's affordable prices.
Sun-Fri noon-midnight, Sat 11.30am-midnight. U-bora Towers, Business Bay, longtengseafood.co (04 241 1666).
Read the full review here.
Mama'esh
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: Mama'esh.
Cheap eats in Dubai don't come much better than at Mama'esh. A homemade concept delivering traditional manakish flatbreads made from only organic flour using a wood-fired stone oven, there are a number of branches throughout the city, but our favourite has to be the one down in Al Manara, thanks to its perfect blend of cute and cool interiors plus indoor and outdoor seating. With prices averaging between Dhs9 to Dhs18 per manakish or Dhs15 to Dhs29 for fatayer, you could fill up here every day of the week. Stop by early on the weekend morning for a peaceful morning,g eating some of the best manakish in town. Go any later and you'll be fighting people for a table.
Sat-Thu 7am-1am, Fri 7am-1.15pm and 1.45pm-1am. Al Manara, mamaesh.com (04 453 8166).
Read the full review here.
Mythos Kouzina & Grill
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: Mythos.
JLT isn't lacking in great casual dining restaurants, but Mythos is one of our go-to venues, especially when we want to nip out for a solo lunch. An intimate taverna with white-stone walls and cave-like ceilings, this laid-back Greek spot is also a top pick for a midweek dinner, nailing it with classic seafood dishes including sustainable local yellowtail tartare and extremely well-executed grilled octopus. Be sure to pre-game with traditional dips like fava, tzatziki and taramasalata.
Daily 12.30-3.45 pm and 6pm-11.30 pm. Armada Avenue Hotel, Cluster P, JLT, mythoskouzina.com (04 399 816).
Read the full review here.
Orfali Bros Bistro
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: Orfali Bros Bistro.
Set up by celeb chef Mohamad Orfali and his pastry specialist siblings Wassim and Omar, this lovingly rustic chef-led restaurant is your best bet for an evening meal down Al Wasl Road. On a mission to break boundaries with its creative take on Middle Eastern favourites, rotating menus are constantly changing depending on what's in season, but there's always local produce on the menu where possible. We've had multiple dinners alone here, just so we could focus and be more mindful while enjoying Orfali's award-winning cuisine.
Daily noon-midnight. Wasl 51, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah, orfalibros.com (04 259 2477).
Read the full review here.
San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles
Having opened in JLT in 2023, tucked away in an unassuming corner of Cluster F, right next to Asian Street by Thai, San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles' popularity has rocketed into it claiming the title of the best budget restaurant in Dubai, hands down.
Service is friendly, and there's a concise menu of Northern Chinese classics that you don't want to miss. Serving affordable, authentic Shaanxi cuisine, the main order here is, as the name suggests, those deliciously moreish noodles, which you can watch the chefs pulling in the kitchen.
The chicken wontons are a must-try, too. In short, don't miss it – it's a mighty find in a low-key location.
Unlicensed. Cluster F, JLT, @sanwan.dxb (050 759 9584).
Check out our full San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles review here
Teible
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: Teible.
Picture this: you're pulling up to one of the coolest contemporary art centres in Dubai and making a beeline towards the beautiful Teible, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and a really chill vibe to it. Developed by Peter Ahn – artist, entrepreneur and founder of YUi and Selectshop Frame – this bakery-come-café advocates for sustainability through its food with a four-pillar value system that includes sustainability, seasonality, simplicity and integrity. The smell of freshly baked bread and pastries will draw you into the cool, minimalistic space, while floor-to-ceiling water views and stellar food and drink will ensure you stay. Bring a book or a laptop and enjoy a meal while taking in the Creek views.
10am-6 pm and 7pm-10pm. Jameel Arts Centre, Jaddaf Waterfront, teible.com (04 243 6683).
Read the full review here.
Time Out Market Dubai
Restaurants that are perfect for eating alone. Credit: Time Out Market Dubai.
Could there be a better place for solo dining than the amazing Time Out Market Dubai? Located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, the region's first-ever editorially curated market promises the very best of the city under one roof. And boy, does it deliver. The elevated food hall experience features a collection of the very best restaurants in the city and three knockout bars. Tables are either large and communal or perfect for one to two people. While dishes come in various sizes, you can choose a selection of three to four items across 17 different concessions.
Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-midnight. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai timeoutmarket.com/dubai.
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