Dubai has a habit of becoming familiar very quickly. Arriving in the winter sun in December feels less like a trip and more like slipping back into a rhythm you already know: unhurried days, calm beaches, and a pattern of places we return to again and again when it comes to eating. This trip was no different. Alongside a couple of first-time visits, much of our week revolved around trusted favourites that have quietly become part of our own Dubai routine.
Hengchen remains our undisputed family takeaway of choice. It’s the sort of place that never disappoints, whether you’re ordering after a long day out or just want something reliable that everyone agrees on. The menu is broad enough to keep things interesting, the flavours are bold without being overcomplicated, and it has that rare quality of pleasing the entire family equally. It’s telling that when the question “What should we get tonight?” comes up, Hengchen is usually the fastest decision of the week.
The Cheesecake Factory has long been another dependable option for us, and this trip was no exception. It’s easy to be dismissive of somewhere so well known, but there’s a reason it works. The menu is huge, the portions generous, and it suits mixed moods and mixed appetites perfectly. When you’re travelling as a family and want a relaxed meal without any pressure, it does exactly what it says on the tin, and the cheesecakes still have an almost ceremonial role at the end of the meal.
Maison Mathis at the Voco Palm was a first for us, and a welcome change of pace. We went with friends, which felt fitting given the atmosphere: stylish but unpretentious, social without being noisy. It has a European brasserie feel that works beautifully in Dubai, especially in winter when outdoor dining comes into its own. It’s the sort of place you can linger, talk, order one more drink than planned, and suddenly realise you’ve been there for hours.
Cold Stone Creamery has become something of a tradition whenever we leave the water park at Atlantis The Palm. There’s something about that post–water slide exhaustion that makes ice cream feel non-negotiable, and Cold Stone delivers every time. It’s familiar, fun, and completely indulgent, and by that point in the day restraint has usually gone out of the window anyway.
Menchie’s at JBR is another regular stop for us, always tied to time spent walking along the beach. Frozen yoghurt feels marginally more virtuous than ice cream, even if the toppings suggest otherwise, and Menchie’s has mastered that balance between choice and chaos. It’s part of the rhythm of JBR for us now, as predictable as the skyline and the evening strolls.
Bombay Bungalow on JBR was a first-time visit and one we’ll happily repeat. Indian food in Dubai is rarely short of competition, but this stood out for its atmosphere as much as the food. It felt lively and contemporary without losing sight of classic flavours, and it worked just as well for a relaxed evening as it would for something more celebratory. Discovering somewhere new along a stretch we know so well always feels like a small win.
800 Pizza filled the role it so often does: quick, reliable, and universally popular. As a takeaway option, it’s hard to fault. The pizzas are consistently good, delivery is smooth, and it’s another one of those places that makes family decisions easy. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want on holiday.
When Hengchen is too busy, Chin Chin has become our dependable second option. It’s reassuring to have a backup that doesn’t feel like a compromise, and Chin Chin more than holds its own. The flavours are comforting, the service efficient, and it fits neatly into that category of places you’re quietly glad exist when Plan A isn’t available.
Dave’s Hot Chicken at The Walk in JBR brought a bit of heat into the week. It’s bold, unapologetic, and very much focused on doing one thing well. The spice levels are no joke, and it’s the kind of meal that feels fun rather than refined. Perfect for a casual stop when you want something fast, filling, and memorable.
Shake Shack rounded things off in familiar fashion. It’s another global name that feels right at home in Dubai, especially after a long day out. Burgers, fries, milkshakes — no surprises, just well-executed comfort food in an easygoing setting.
By the end of the week, what stood out wasn’t just the quality of the food, but how these places collectively shape our experience of the city. Dubai has no shortage of headline restaurants and fine dining destinations, but it’s often the dependable favourites and low-key discoveries that define a family trip. Each visit adds another layer of familiarity, another small tradition, and another reason why coming back in winter continues to feel less like a holiday and more like a return.