Known as a playground for the rich and glamorous, DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) is a financial hub by day and a lifestyle venue with buzzing nightlife after hours. In recent years, DIFC has evolved into something of a foodie hub, with many of Dubai’s best restaurants and award-winning bars making their mark in this shiny corner of the city. Wining and dining aside, DIFC is also home to some of the city’s most renowned art galleries and auction houses – if you know where to look. Here's our insider guide to the best spots to eat, drink, play and stay in DIFC.
Where to eat
DIFC might be synonymous with high-rise offices, but it's no exaggeration to say that its restaurant scene has a life of its own. For consistency in food and service, you can always trust international restaurant groups like Zuma and LPM Restaurant and Bar to deliver. For homegrown concepts, BOCA is a modern Spanish restaurant that serves up delicious tapas using sustainably sourced ingredients, featuring a friendly bar (and great happy hour offering) perfect for after-work drinks, an extensive wine list (with a good mix of Spanish wines and wines from the region) and a wine cellar that doubles as a private dining room; Avli by Tashas takes its cue from Athens, reflected in everything from the menu to the restaurant interior and the sharing concept, with emphasis on ingredients sourced directly from Greece; while Gaia is among Dubai's first home-grown fine-dining concepts, serving a seafood-heavy Mediterranean menu from Chef Izu Ani in a pristine setting filled with white-clothed tables and natural light. Beirut-born Clap is a Japanese rooftop restaurant and bar boasting sweeping views of the Dubai skyline and a buzzy vibe. And, hailing from Buenos Aires, Sucre pays homage to Argentinian cuisine with a Mediterranean twist, and guests can watch the chefs in action through the open kitchen.
Over at ICD Brookfield Place, Josette pays tribute to 1920s Parisian glamour with an interior decked out in salmon pink and emerald green, high ceilings and mirrored columns. The menu features French brasserie classics reimagined with modern touches, while the signature cocktails are Champagne-based. The Guild is another new addition to the building, owned by the same group behind popular breakfast joints like Tom & Serg and The Sum of Us. Weaving together cocktails, music and timeless design, The Guild’s dining room is separated into three concepts: The Nurseries, The Rockpool and The Salon, sharing the space with cocktail bar The Aviaries, and The Ritz Room, a private dining area that can accommodate up to 16 guests.
Where to drink
When someone asks about the best cocktail bars in Dubai, a few names in DIFC are sure to pop up. Tucked away in an unassuming corner of DIFC’s Gate Village, next to sister restaurant Avli by Tashas, Galaxy Bar takes inspiration from the extraterrestrial and was ranked at No 50 by World’s 50 Best Bars in 2023. The space is intentionally intimate with only a handful of tables and an arched marble bar in the centre. Guests can explore the constellation-inspired menu via a mobile app that scans the twinkling starlight projection in the ceiling and reveals mythological tales that the cocktails are inspired by. For jazz lovers, The Jass Lounge in Gate District 2 is one of DIFC’s best-kept secrets. The swanky bar has a speakeasy vibe and houses some of the best jazz musicians in town, with live performances starting at 10pm every night. Whether you’re in the mood for soulful classics, Latin jazz, funk or blues, there’s something for every taste. Just opposite, you will find Uchi, a homegrown Japanese restaurant with a strong focus on curated drinks, including a selection of highballs and whisky-based cocktails. If you have a membership (or a friend that does), head to The Arts Club for a nightcap. The first international outpost of Charles Dickens' exclusive private members' club in London, The Arts Club Dubai is split over four floors and houses three restaurants, seven cocktail bars, a library, a cigar lounge, three private meeting rooms and an all-important air of exclusivity.
Where to play
Home to world-class art collections by local and international artists, DIFC plays a key role in Dubai’s burgeoning art scene. In the pedestrian-friendly Gate Village district, art galleries like Art World Creations (AWC) Dubai, Tabari Artspace, The Farjam Foundation and Opera Gallery showcase a diverse range of artworks and hosts regular events like the open-air gallery, DIFC Sculpture Park, as well as Art Nights featuring pop-up workshops, panel discussions and entertainment for the art community. At ICD Brookfield, you can stay active at 1Rebel, a boutique gym from London known for its signature Reshape workouts that combine high-powered treadmill work and weights. Looking for new ways to move? Reformer Athletica ICD Brookfield specialises in low-impact, results-driven workouts performed on the Lagree Megaformer, and offers vinyasa yoga and deep stretch combined with breathwork to help strengthen the mind-body connection. But self-care doesn’t have to stop there, as there’s pampering to be done at Y12 Salon, a hair and beauty salon that prides itself in using eco-friendly products and offers a wide range of services, from men’s grooming, hair styling, facial and hair treatments to manicure and pedicure.
Where to Stay
One of the most sought-after addresses to stay in, DIFC boasts a prime location for those who want to explore the district and surrounding areas such as Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai World Trade Centre, Downtown and Business Bay. Just a stone’s throw from all the action, Waldorf Astoria DIFC features a prime steakhouse, a rooftop pool and an intimate cigar lounge giving New York vibes. For a luxurious urban retreat, there's the Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, where The Pearl Spa will nurture your mind and soul with world-class treatments against a backdrop of Burj Khalifa views and a glass-walled rooftop swimming pool. The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, on the other hand, is an Art Deco-inspired hotel with an impressive collection of fine arts throughout the property, and The Sunken Garden offers a lush al fresco setting and a variety of shisha flavours.