Dubai's food scene never really pauses, and the stretch from now into early 2027 is unusually stacked. From a 34-seat French-Japanese omakase counter to a Wagyu burger import with a cult Asian following, here's what's landing and where to book.

The headline act is L'Abysse, chef Yannick Alléno's French-meets-omakase concept, opening October 19 at One&Only The Palm on Palm Jumeirah. It follows outposts in Paris, Monaco and Osaka, and centres on a ten-seat counter where sushi master Ken Ishihata runs a 13-sequence menu for just 34 guests. Alléno is doubling up at the same resort: Casea 101, also opening October 19, brings relaxed Italian coastal cooking to the waterfront, designed to flow from long lunches into sunset drinks and late-night cocktails.

Also on the Palm, ROKA takes over the rooftop of Six Senses The Palm for its second Dubai address, translating the Business Bay original's Japanese robatayaki format to a beachfront setting later in 2026. Meanwhile Tapasake is staging a comeback at One Za'abeel this autumn — Japanese-Mediterranean cooking, a new Sky Lounge, and the return of that skyline-facing infinity pool.

For something less formal, Hikiniku To Come opens at CMPLX in Al Quoz in September 2026. The Japanese chain built its name on freshly ground Wagyu Hamburg patties grilled to order and served one after another; the Dubai version keeps the format but switches to 100% Halal-certified Wagyu, with two more UAE branches already pencilled in for 2027. If you'd rather have a pint than a patty, The Black Horse — a British gastropub from the team behind The Black Sheep — lands in The Greens in October, promising comfort food, live music and sport.

Two heavyweights are holding back until 2027. Zuma Beach House will be the group's third UAE spot, taking a double-front beach plot overlooking Port de La Mer marina in Jumeirah 1. And Cipriani's first UAE Lido arrives at J1 Beach with a signature restaurant, private dining rooms, cabanas on the Gulf and a dedicated Bellini Bar — plus, naturally, a gelato counter.

One opening is less about dinner and more about spectacle: Crazy Horse Paris makes its Middle East debut at Zabeel Theatre on Jumeirah Zabeel Saray from November 12, with 18 dancers and a show built specifically for Dubai. Choose the 90-minute performance from Dhs400, or the three-hour dinner-and-show sitting from 9.30pm.

Why it matters: if you're heading to Dubai this winter, the smart play is to book the counter seats and opening-season slots early — L'Abysse's 34 covers will go fast, and Tapasake's pool-and-lounge combo will be prime sunset territory once the cooler months arrive. Food-first travellers should note the two Alléno venues share an address, making One&Only The Palm an easy one-stop evening.