If your idea of a good meal is something classy and full of flavour…we’re guessing that you might have a taste for French cuisine. Here’s the top ten places doing Gallic grub right here in Dubai…

10. St Tropez Bistro

Inspired by traditional French neighbourhood bistros, St Tropez Bistro is a breath of fresh air for shoppers and foodies alike. The interior is light and airy, the service unpretentious, and the menu is vast without being overwhelming. There’s three areas to choose from when eating here. A lounge area ideal for pre dinner drinks, a Parisian style bistro area and a casual terrace area for the cooler months. The steaks here are awesome and other dishes such as lemon and thyme roasted baby chicken, the classic croque monsieur and frogs legs for the more adventurous are quite simply delicious. Next time you’re in Mall of the Emirates and want to escape the neon shopping lights, pay a visit to this unexpected gem. It won’t disappoint.

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9. Sass Cafe

Founded in 1993 on the shores of Monaco by the Father and Son team of Sassa and Sammy Sass (AMAZING names!), Sass Cafe brought its French brand to Dubai in 2014. Bringing a bit of fun and theatre to DIFC, Sass serve up some tasty dishes accompanied by music with their famous piano players and resident Sass DJ’s. The menu is very South of France/Mediterranean with risottos, pastas, seafood and good quality meats and desserts on offer. We quite fancy the Grilled Tiger Prawns with Spanish Chilli (135AED) and the Warm Goats Cheese with Truffle (75AED) on our next visit. Maybe we’ll try the caviar too. We are in Monaco after all.

8. Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire

Headed up by the renowned three-Michelin star chef Pierre Gagnaire, Reflets in the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City, presents sensational French menus and gastronomic delights like no other. Dig into some fantastic food and a huge selection of grape from their extensive cellars and leave with a huge smile on your face. The menu is what you would expect from a three-Michelin star chef, with offerings such as Pan fried langoustine rolled with cinnamon breadcrumb, Dover sole cooked in a grey shrimp infusion and glazed with Dugléré sauce and Brittany blue lobster salpicon with plankton. Not your average food!

7. Angelina Tearoom

Angelina Tearoom is the perfect escape for weary shoppers in both Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, serving up French classics in a simple, elegant way. The menu is full of great dishes like Prawn Risotto, Steaks, Sea Bass and Club Sandwiches, so you’ll always find something for lunch or dinner. The real stars of the show here are the sweets. Perfectly cooked macarons and the mouthwatering signature Mont Blanc Dessert (a glorious mix of meringue, whipped cream, coconut, passion fruit and chestnut cream vermicelli with coconut slivers), make for a treat in their own right, and especially when served with one of the carefully selected teas on offer. 

6. Bistro des Arts

Based in Dubai Marina right next to the mall, Bistro des Arts looks and feels like a turn of the century Parisian bistro, right in the heart of new Dubai. With its rustic decor and lovely airy garden feel terrace, it’s the perfect place to sample some proper French fayre with friends. Aside from the amazing breads, and well curated list of grape options, the menu boasts heartwarming food such as mussels in creamy sauce, roasted salmon with green beans, rib eye steaks and a whole selection of cheeses such as camembert and truffle brie. Basically you need to try this place. It’s like a holiday for your mouth. 

5. STAY by Yannick Alleno

If you’re feeling adventurous and fancy a trip out to the far reaches of the Palm Jumeirah, then you’d be hard pushed to find anywhere better to eat than STAY by Yannick Alleno at the One and Only Resort. Yannick has been awarded three Michelin stars in his career, and his skills are shown throughout this fantastic menu. Open for dinner, seven days a week, STAY offers a fine dining experience for its patrons – who travel far and wide to eat here. Try the Grilled Loch Fyne salmon fillet (140AED), or the Lobster “a l’Americaine” (230AED) if you’re feeling flush. For dessert why not get your cheese pic with the selection of French cheeses (75AED). A special restaurant for a special occasion at a special location. Did we say it was a bit special here?

4. Traiteur

Traiteur, based in Dubai’s Park Hyatt hotel at the Dubai Creek, is an award-winning restaurant, presenting French cuisine in a lovely setting. The menu is best described as casual French fine-dining, and the elevated open plan kitchen makes for a fascinating insight into how the chefs cook up your food. Only open for dinner and Friday brunches, Traiteur offer a refined dining experience with traditional fare such as Baked French Snails, Foie Gras Ballotine and Duck L’Orange. Plus the food won’t set you back the same price as a ticket to Paris, with dishes starting at 120AED for the mains. If you fancy a fancy brunch, the weekly shindig starts from 495AED. Ooh la la!

3. La Serre

Incased in a two-storey high, glass fronted building in the Vida Hotel Downtown, La Serre has two dining options for it’s customers. Downstairs is a traditional Parisian boulangerie serving such treats as croissants, fresh breads, pain au chocolat, and delicious breakfast options. Upstairs, you’ll find the bistro offering a huge menu with treats like Whole Seabass in Salt Crust, Prawn Risotto with Mint and classics like Tarte Tatin and Pavlova for desserts. Aimed at residents in the area who appreciate good quality French food, La Serre is a great drop in option. Mains start at 55AED and pastries downstairs in the boulangerie start at 13AED. Bon Appetite!

2. La Petite Maison

If you fancy a treat, and have a few dirhams to spare, then La Petite Maison is the place for you. This international chain operating out of London, brings its fine dining experience to DIFC in Dubai, and judging from the crowds that are attracted here, they are doing it very well. All of the food is beautifully presented and the service is always spot on. Mains start at 75AED for the simple Arrabbiata pasta, and go all the way up to 570AED for the Roast Strip Loin with Potato Galette. To finish why not try the classic Creme Brûlée la Vanilla or the delicious selection of sorbets. Go ahead and treat yourself…you deserve it.

1. La Cantine du Faubourg

La Cantine du Faubourg first opened its doors in Paris over a decade ago, so when they opened the restaurant here in Emirates Towers they had a wealth of experience to bring to the erm..table. Offering a lunch set menu for only 105AED per person, which includes a starter and a main, think steamed clams and coriander broth followed by grilled salmon and asparagus and sauce Bernaise. They’re always busy during the week with hungry business types, and in the evenings, the mood changes to one one of the hippest places to be in Dubai. Described by some people as a treat for all of your senses, a trip to this unique restaurant will leave a good taste in your mouth for a long time to come.

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