My husband has recently started teasing me with the same question: “Don't you know any cool new restaurants that have opened in Dubai? I am craving somewhere new.”

Just so you know, I am the type of person who finds a handful of favourite spots and happily rotates between them (they say it is a sign of anxiety, but I prefer to think it is just good taste). My husband, however, isn't quite so easily satisfied. “I need somewhere new,” he insists.

I have barely survived the last weekends, finding new places through some good old-fashioned Googling. But what about the weekends ahead? At this point, a quick Google search simply won't cut it. We need some proper research. So here we are with a whole bunch of September–October openings (forgive me, a few sneaked in during the last week of August) that deserve a spot on your radar.

One of London's most celebrated Indian restaurants has finally made its way to Dubai. The original Gymkhana opened in Mayfair in 2013, earned its first Michelin star just nine months later and went on to secure a second in 2024. Not a bad track record, is it?

And the name gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect inside. Gymkhana takes its inspiration from India's exclusive sporting and social clubs, where the upper classes would gather for dinner, drinks and conversation. The Dubai outpost brings that old-world charm to DIFC, spreading across two floors and a terrace, with dim lighting, dark wooden panels and beautifully patterned ceilings.

Now, onto the food. The menu takes Indian classics and gives them a rather luxurious twist. You will find familiar favourites such as Chicken Butter Masala and dishes straight from the tandoor, alongside the restaurant's famous lamb chops and Aloo Chaat — a wonderfully messy combination of potatoes, spices and contrasting textures.

Price range: Starters range from 55–185 AED, kebabs and tikkas from 95–225 AED, and curries and biryanis from 155–255 AED. Signature lamb chops cost 365 AED.

Italian food lovers, this one is for you! A few weeks ago, a rather unusual Italian restaurant opened its doors in Uptown Dubai. And if you are wondering what makes it so unusual, the first clue is in the name. Rocambolesco takes inspiration from Rocambole, a fictional French adventurer from the 19th century, famous for his wildly unpredictable escapades. The restaurant follows a similar philosophy: take something familiar and give it an unexpected twist.

And the interior certainly plays along: a dining room filled with art and playful details, with an upstairs Piano Room designed for live music and evenings that might last rather longer than planned.

Now, the food. Don't expect your usual Italian menu (although we do love a good classic). Think baked aubergine with scamorza cheese fondue, a rather adventurous C'era Una Volta pizza topped with marinated beetroot, Gorgonzola, almonds and rocket, and Yellowtail Crudo with mirin dressing, tarragon oil, pickled onions and a little crunch. Not quite what nonna would make, perhaps, but that is rather the point.

Price range: À la carte dishes start at around 75 AED, while weekday lunch deals offer a pizza and salad for 60 AED or a two-course menu for 85 AED.

This one couldn't be fresher — it opened just a couple of days ago! And with a Michelin-starred chef behind it, there is already plenty to be curious about.

Behind Casea 101 is Yannick Alléno, one of France's most celebrated chefs, with an impressive collection of Michelin stars to his name. But don't worry, you won't need to dig out your fanciest dress and heels for this one. Casea 101 brings his culinary expertise into a more contemporary, Mediterranean-inspired setting, where long lunches, elegant dinners and a touch of Italian coastal charm set the tone.

The menu sounds rather promising too: seafood platters, delicate crudo, freshly caught fish and pizzas straight from the oven (for those who aren't quite as enthusiastic about seafood).

Price range: 75–490 AED for main dishes, with premium seafood platters from 1,400 AED.

What happens when four food-obsessed friends decide their love of discovering new dishes deserves to be taken a little more seriously? Well, they open a restaurant, of course! And when those friends already have experience as chefs and restaurateurs, you can expect something rather promising.

The menu is anything but ordinary, mainly because it refuses to stick to one cuisine. Instead, the founders have taken inspiration from their travels, bringing together the most memorable dishes they have discovered around the world.

So, what should you try? Three dishes seem particularly worth putting on your list: Hawker’s Sup Kambing, a comforting lamb soup inspired by Singapore’s street food scene; Sinan’s Sizzling Prawns, served in garlic butter with red chilli and named after a guide the founders met in Istanbul; and T-Rex Bone Marrow, roasted over an open flame and served with onion jam. But of course, you might discover a favourite of your own.

Price range: Expect to spend around 180–250 AED per person, with starters from 55 AED and signature grilled dishes around 120–130 AED.

What happens when two former Zuma heavyweights decide to open a Japanese restaurant of their own? You might expect another luxurious fine-dining spot with an equally luxurious bill. Well, not quite. Their idea was something rather more relaxed: excellent Japanese food without the need to dress up, find a special occasion or wait until someone's next birthday.

And the restaurant certainly looks the part. Think warm wood, green tiles, an open kitchen, a sushi counter and a large bar right in the middle of it all. The atmosphere is lively and casual, and the menu has a few surprises of its own. Try the crispy onion rings with Japanese spices, thinly sliced tomato carpaccio with Ibaraki soy sauce, or Chilean seabass with a punchy Japanese citrus-and-chilli seasoning. Not your average neighbourhood dinner, is it?

Price range: Small plates start at around 28–50 AED, while larger mains range from approximately 175 AED to 550 AED.

A cosy Italian restaurant overlooking Dubai Canal and the Burj Khalifa sounds lovely enough, doesn't it? But at Clap of Flour, the view isn't the only thing worth watching. Thanks to the open kitchen, you can see fresh pasta being made right in front of you: a little live entertainment while you wait for lunch.

The interior keeps things simple, with wooden tables, plenty of natural light, mirrors and soft, neutral tones. Just the sort of place for a long, lazy Sunday lunch.

And the menu gives you plenty of reasons to stay a little longer. Think fresh mafaldine pasta, signature gnocchi stuffed with smoked mozzarella and even Korean-inspired spaghetti. Because apparently, a good pasta dish doesn't always have to play by Italian rules.

Price range: Pasta dishes range from 55 AED to 110 AED, with starters from around 24–45 AED.

They say nobody cooks quite like your mum. Well, Fadi Almahaini took that rather seriously and decided to open an entire Lebanese restaurant with his mother, Hoda Altaki, whose family recipes are now at the heart of the menu.

And Fadi is hardly new to the kitchen. He started working in his family's manakish bakery in Beirut at just 12 years old, so you could say food has always been a family affair. Even some of the ingredients, including olive oil, thyme and sumac, come straight from the family's farms in Lebanon.

But don't picture a traditional Lebanese restaurant with white tablecloths and a formal atmosphere. Bayroot Deli keeps things casual, whether you are popping in for a quick bite, grabbing a takeaway or settling in for dinner. And what should you order? The Chicken Shawarma and Grilled Kafta Plate are good places to start, but if you are feeling adventurous, there is Chocolate Hummus and Meghli Cheesecake too.

Price range: Shawarma wraps cost around 17–23 AED, sandwiches 22–37 AED, and grilled mains 52–72 AED.

One little bonus before we wrap up! This place hasn't actually opened yet, but judging by the excitement in its Instagram comments, we wouldn't be exaggerating if we called it one of Dubai's most anticipated openings.

So, what is all the fuss about? Hikiniku To Come is a Japanese restaurant concept built almost entirely around one dish: hamburg steak. At its original Japanese locations, the signature set features three patties, served one at a time with freshly cooked rice, miso soup and a selection of accompaniments. Dubai will also mark the brand's first venture into the GCC region.

Now, the important question: when can we actually go? The opening was originally planned for September, but things have been pushed back a little. No confirmed date just yet, although we are hoping it could be any day now.