Dubai’s restaurant scene is shifting back into full gear as the cooler season approaches. Several familiar favourites have returned after summer breaks, renovations or relocations, while a few more are preparing to reopen in the coming weeks. From refreshed Italian dining and Michelin-starred Cantonese cuisine to beachfront Greek food and sky-high Asian restaurants, these are nine Dubai names worth having back on your radar
Where: Dubai | When: September–Autumn 2026 | Location: Various locations across Dubai, UAE
Now open
Several venues have already resumed service this month, with some returning after seasonal pauses and others unveiling new locations, menus or interiors.
Scalini returns with a Mediterranean-inspired makeover
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Scalini has reopened at Restaurant Village following renovation work, keeping the familiar blue-and-yellow identity while introducing refreshed Mediterranean-inspired interiors. The veranda now features citrus trees, Sicilian-style tiles and a white pergola, while executive chef Francesco Cortorillo has updated the menu with dishes including Sicilian red-prawn crudo, tableside beef tartare and linguine alla Nerano.
Where: Scalini Dubai | When: Now open | Time: Daily, 12 pm–12 am | Location: Restaurant Village, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Hakkasan is serving again at Atlantis The Palm
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After temporarily closing during the summer, Michelin-starred Hakkasan returned at Atlantis The Palm in September. Executive chef Andy Toh remains at the helm, with the Cantonese restaurant continuing to serve its signature dim sum, meat and seafood dishes alongside an updated drinks selection. Atlantis and Hakkasan’s own current pages are again listing the restaurant for reservations
Where: Hakkasan Dubai | When: Reopened September 2026 | Time: Current Hakkasan listing: Tue–Sat dinner 6 pm–11.30 pm; bar until 12.30 am | Location: Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Shimmers brings beachfront dining back to Madinat Jumeirah
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Shimmers is back on the sand at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, pairing Greek and Mediterranean dishes with views towards Burj Al Arab. Dinner service has already resumed, and the venue’s new-season programme includes live evening entertainment. Jumeirah also confirms the restaurant is operating again, with lunch experiences forming part of its seasonal offering.
Where: Shimmers | When: Now open | Time: Daily, 5 pm–1 am | Location: Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Buddha-Bar is back with a new Red Tsuki chapter
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One of Dubai Marina’s long-standing nightlife and dining names has returned for the season. Buddha-Bar’s latest chapter introduces Red Tsuki, part of its Sakura’s Secret dining experience, with live performers, visuals and choreography accompanying its Pan-Asian menu. Familiar favourites including sushi, sashimi, dim sum and lobster dishes remain part of the experience. Buddha-Bar’s official website currently confirms regular evening service.
Where: Buddha-Bar Dubai | When: Now open | Time: Sun–Thu 7 pm–1 am; Fri–Sat 7 pm–2 am | Location: Grosvenor House Dubai, Dubai Marina
Andaliman has moved high above the city
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Andaliman has returned in a very different setting. The Indonesian restaurant has moved from its former poolside location to the 24th floor of The Link at One&Only One Za’abeel, around 100 metres above Dubai. The menu continues to focus on Indonesian cooking, including beef rendang and seafood grilled over coconut-husk charcoal, while a tableside Sambal Trolley lets diners choose different chilli pastes and heat levels.
Where: Andaliman | When: Now open | Time: Lunch 12 pm–4 pm; dinner 6 pm–11 pm | Location: Level 24, The Link, One&Only One Za’abeel, Dubai
TATTU Dubai returns to the top of Ciel Dubai Marina
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TATTU has made its September return at Ciel Dubai Marina, bringing its modern Asian concept back across the upper levels of the tower. The Restaurant & Bar on Level 74 centres around the dramatic suspended cherry blossom installation, while the Sky Lounge occupies Level 81 with panoramic views across Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. New-season experiences include a business lunch, with further brunch and afternoon-tea plans also being introduced. Recent reporting confirms the reopening, and TATTU’s own Dubai website is currently promoting reservations and dining experiences.
Where: TATTU Dubai | When: Reopened September 2026 | Location: Levels 74 and 81, Ciel Dubai Marina, Dubai Marina
Reopening soon
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A few more familiar names are preparing their seasonal returns, although not every venue has published a precise reopening date yet.
Lion in the Sun returns on September 25
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Lion in the Sun is scheduled to return to the 62nd floor of Mandarin Oriental Downtown on September 25. The restaurant centres on Mediterranean cooking and an open-fire kitchen, with grilled seafood, premium cuts, and sharing dishes accompanied by skyline views from its open-air terrace. Current venue information lists dinner service from 6 pm until midnight.
Where: Lion in the Sun | When: September 25, 2026 | Time: 6 pm–12 am | Location: 62nd floor, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai
Ninive is expected to make its seasonal return in October
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Current seasonal reporting places Ninive’s return at Jumeirah Emirates Towers on October 1, bringing back its open-air urban-majlis setting surrounded by lanterns, greenery and DIFC skyline views. Its food draws on Middle Eastern and North African traditions, particularly influences from Iraq, Turkey and Morocco.
There is one detail worth checking before publication or visiting: Ninive’s official website is already displaying its regular evening hours and reservation information, while the latest seasonal article lists October 1 as the reopening date. Because those two live sources are not perfectly aligned, the safest wording is that the seasonal return is currently reported for October 1, with live availability best confirmed directly before going.
Where: Ninive Dubai | When: Seasonal reopening reported for October 1, 2026 | Location: Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Tapasake is coming back to One Za’abeel this autumn
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Tapasake is preparing for a bigger comeback at One Za’abeel, with a redesigned restaurant joining its signature infinity pool and a new outdoor Sky Lounge. The food concept will combine Japanese techniques with Mediterranean influences through a Wafu-inspired approach, while the wider venue is being designed to shift from poolside daytime dining into music and drinks after sunset.
An exact reopening day has not yet been announced, so the accurate timeline remains Autumn 2026 rather than a specific date.
Where: Tapasake Dubai | When: Autumn 2026; exact date TBC | Location: The Link, One Za’abeel, Dubai