Dubai's <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/2024/12/30/new-dubai-restaurants-december/" target="_blank">restaurant scene</a> is starting off strong this year with a dozen new openings this month. It's a good mix of home-grown and international concepts, including venues from India, Lebanon and Qatar. Cuisine-wise, Asian flavours continue to dominate, by way of <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/2024/11/22/hoseki-japanese-restaurant-dubai-bugari-resort/" target="_blank">Japanese</a> and Korean venues, but more adventurous taste profiles are represented too, from Russian to Andalusian. Here are 12 of the latest restaurants to sample. <b>Cuisine: </b>Indian The original location of the restaurant in Kolkata has been running since the 1920s, serving authentic Mughlai cuisine. It is now being run by the third and fourth generations of the founding family. The restaurant is known for its selection of biryanis and kebabs, with signature dishes such juicy mutton pasanda, mutton barbecue chops and chicken chaap. <i>Daily, 11am-11.30pm; Al Karama; 058 129 5150</i> <b>Cuisine: </b>Lebanese Channelling Mediterranean vibes thanks to its open-air location at Club Vista Mare on the Palm Jumeirah, BeBabel is an extension of Lebanon's Babel brand, which also has other outposts in the UAE and Kuwait. The latest entrant is open from breakfast to dinner and serves shisha. On the menu are classics such as hummus, shrimp freekeh, bulghur paella and mafroukit tajen, all served with freshly baked bread. <i>Daily; noon-midnight; Palm Jumeirah</i> <b>Cuisine: </b>Spanish Andalusian allure is what this new restaurant on Bluewaters Island promises. This is palpable in the decor, with its warm terracotta tones and intricate wooden carvings across indoor and outdoor dining spaces. On the menu are a confluence of Spanish and Arabic influences, with dishes such as tuna tartare with Arabic spices, lamb shoulder with saffron and ajillo mixed mushrooms. <i>Daily, noon-midnight; Bluewaters Island; 052 566 9199</i> <b>Cuisine:</b> Eastern European Following from the launch of its first branch in Dubai Marina, the restaurant operated by Russia's Vasilchuki group has opened its second location in the Greens. While majorly inspired by its origins, the dining spot also incorporates Asian and Middle Eastern flavours in its menu. Dishes include salmon tataki, home-made borsch with Borodinsky bread and beef ribs and baked duck breast. <i>Daily, 9am-1am; Onyx Tower 2, The Greens; 052 684 3748</i> <b>Concept: </b>Russian and Mediterranean Located along the Marina Walk promenade, District 8 offers three distinct experiences in one place. On the ground floor is Blume, which serves Mediterranean classics with a hint of Asian flavours. Dishes here include a <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/2025/01/11/district-8-blume-review-dubai-marina-restaurants/">standout Asian chicken salad</a>, Philadelphia maki, Armenian ponchik and a range of main courses that feature chicken, lobster, beef, sea bass and more. On the first level is Rodina, a Russian fine dining restaurant that channels Moscow elegance in its interior and offers dishes such as Russian-style carpaccio with salmon, cod and dill cream; Moscow pelmeni with truffle; beef tongue with mashed potatoes; Kiev cutlet; and matryoshka or chocolate-coated vanilla mousse stuffed with Mandarin jam and juniper berry ice cream. The top level is Luxuria, a karaoke lounge that comes alive at night. <i>Open daily, 7am-3pm; Dubai Marina; 04 495 6888</i> <b>Cuisine: </b>French The Parisian import, located at <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/2024/10/20/dragonfly-japanese-restaurant-dubai-review/" target="_blank">The Lana Promenade</a>, offers luxurious ingredients such as foie gras and black caviar. There's a seafood display too, as well as a range of artisanal cheeses. Dishes include beef carpaccio with truffle mayonnaise, salad Nicoise, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/2025/01/05/le-relais-de-lentrecote-dubai-review-steak-frites/">beef entrecote</a> and whole red mullet with beurre blanc. <i>Daily, noon-1am; Marasi Drive, Business Bay; 04 834 8397</i> <b>Cuisine: </b>European At once sophisticated yet relaxed, the candlelit restaurant at Address Grand Creek Harbour offers sharing-style bites that can be enjoyed alongside live music and creative mixology. Despite its elegant interior – think frescoed ceilings and marble walls – the restaurant encourages casual dressing. The menu is made up of bar bites and robata dishes, including beef tartare with potato chips; mini romaine with king crab and guacamole; burrata with persimmon and truffle; beef short ribs with sunchoke puree; and octopus with capsicum sauce. <i>Daily, 5pm-1am; Dubai Creek Harbour; 04 236 9006</i> <b>Cuisine:</b> Italian Motorino Pizza at JA Ocean View Hotel Jumeirah Beach has rebranded itself as Il Motto, and is offering diners a revamped menu. Pizza is the star of the show here, with options such as bresaola and burrata, and beef ribs and porcini mushrooms with caramelised onion and scamorza cheese. Pies aside, the focus is on high-quality Italian fare, including dishes such as prawns and calamari with basil and lemon mayonnaise; Tuscan chicken penne; cod in tomato sauce; and Angus rib-eye with baby potatoes. Dessert includes tiramisu with creamy mascarpone, cannoli Siciliani with sweet ricotta cheese and Amalfi lemon tart. <i>Daily, noon-11pm; The Walk, JBR; 056 216 5027</i> <b>Cuisine: </b>Japanese After the success of its flagship <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/2024/07/13/kokoro-dubai-restaurant-review/">handroll bar at Alserkal Avenue</a>, the restaurant has opened a second outlet at The Square by Nas in Meydan. This outpost features a 23-seat counter, which is part of the venue's immersive appeal as chefs prepare handrolls and nigiri on the spot. If the original location is anything go by, guests can expect favourites such as spicy tuna handroll and A5 Wagyu nigiri. Other dishes include unomono (pickled cucumber salad) and hijiki (seaweed salad), plus crudo dishes such as maguro (bluefin tuna sashimi served with pickled cucumber and ponzu) and hotate (scallops with orange). <i>Tuesday to Sunday, 1pm-11.30pm; Nad Al Sheba</i> <b>Cuisine: </b>Mediterranean The popular neighbourhood eatery at Tilal Al Ghaf has opened a second location at Meadows Village. The restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired fare, from breakfast to dinner, with dishes such as green shakshuka, Sicilian sea bass and chicken sumac flatbread. Sandwiches are available, too, as well as a selection of coffee and healthy drinks. <i>Daily, 7am-11pm; Meadows Village; 04 570 3599</i> <b>Cuisine: </b>International A new villa-set restaurant has opened along the lively Al Wasl street, offering an extensive menu that includes Mediterranean-inspired dishes, home-made pastries and expertly crafted coffee. There are live cooking stations too. The restaurant is already behind some of the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/2024/11/08/global-village-restaurants-food-unique-dishes/" target="_blank">popular dishes available at Global Village</a>, including the Risotto kiosk that offers on-the-spot pasta dishes. <i>Daily, 8am-midnight; Al Wasl</i> <b>Cuisine: </b>Asian Originally from Qatar, XFire specialises in stir-fried noodles. What started as a food truck near a football stadium in Qatar has now become a full-blown restaurant that makes everything from scratch, even its noodle boxes. Diners can choose from a variety including udon, egg, soba and ramen noodles – and pair them with their choice of protein and a range of sauces, from spicy peanut and yellow curry to sweet chilli. <i>Daily, noon-midnight; Umm Suqeim 2; 058 271 2005</i>