Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has built one of the most impressive dining trails in the city. From Michelin-starred kitchens to humble pizza joints and Persian kebab houses, here are 57 restaurants that have earned his royal seal of approval.
Why This List Matters
Sheikh Hamdan’s Instagram account, followed by over 14 million people, has become an unintentional dining guide for Dubai residents and visitors. Every restaurant visit, whether a grand fine dining experience or a casual beach club stop, tends to make headlines and draw crowds.
The list covers everything from Chef Izu’s Mediterranean creations to Japanese omakase, Greek tavernas, Iranian classics, and even Afghan pizza. If it is good enough for the Crown Prince, it deserves a place on your reservation list.
11 Woodfire
A Michelin Star restaurant that also earned a visit from Sheikh Hamdan. Chef Akmal Anuar, the mind behind 3Fils and Goldfish Sushi, runs an open-fire kitchen where everything from seabass with tamarind to wagyu kebabs is grilled to perfection. The burnt cheesecake is very much intentional.
Alaya
Sheikh Hamdan visited this DIFC restaurant shortly after it opened in September 2022. Alaya is a Chef Izu creation built around Mediterranean food with Middle Eastern influences, fresh herbs, prime meats, and quality seafood.
Alici
The first-floor terrace at this Bluewaters Island restaurant has views of the JBR skyline good enough for the Crown Prince to share on his Instagram. The Italian seafood menu covers pasta, risottos, and sharing platters.
Ammos
Sheikh Hamdan visited this Greek restaurant back in March 2019, posing with the head chef and general manager. The menu runs from chicken souvlaki to seafood orzo.
Avli by tashas
A repeat visitor favourite for Sheikh Hamdan, who has been spotted here multiple times. The Greek restaurant in DIFC serves beef souvlaki, tomato risotto, and Greek salad as part of its set menu.
BB Social Dining
Asian-inspired baos, bowls, bites, and BBQ brought Sheikh Hamdan back more than once. He shared images of BB baos, cauliflower popcorn, and edamame hummus from one of his visits.
Berenjak
One of Dubai’s most celebrated Iranian restaurants, Berenjak earned a visit from the Crown Prince for its refined take on traditional homemade dishes, signature kebabs, and freshly baked Sangak bread.
Bordo Mavi
The Crown Prince visited this Jumeirah Fishing Harbour restaurant in December 2023. From the team behind 3Fils, Bordo Mavi brings Turkish coastal cooking to Dubai, led by a chef with over 25 years of experience as a fisherman and fishmonger.
Bungalo34
Sheikh Hamdan visited this Mediterranean restaurant at Nikki Beach Resort in January 2023. The menu draws from Greece, France, and Italy, with wood-fired pizzettes baked on the spot on the terrace where he was spotted dining.
CARBONE Dubai
The Crown Prince made a low-key visit to CARBONE at Atlantis The Royal in October 2025, briefly appearing on camera before departing. The Italian-American institution already had celebrity status before the royal visit added another layer.
Carine
Another Chef Izu spot on the Crown Prince’s radar. Sheikh Hamdan visited Carine at Emirates Golf Club in November 2019, where the French-Mediterranean menu includes crispy calamari, creamy burrata, and tuna carpaccio.
Caviar Kaspia
Established in Paris in 1927, Caviar Kaspia can count Beyoncé, Rihanna, and now Sheikh Hamdan among its admirers. The seafood-heavy menu features fish, pasta, risotto, and of course caviar, with the famous Kaspia potato as a standout dish.
Chic Nonna
This sophisticated Italian dining destination in DIFC welcomed Sheikh Hamdan on September 11, 2025. The restaurant described the visit as a moment of pride and gratitude for the entire team.
Clay
Sheikh Hamdan was spotted at this Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant in May 2022, dining with a group by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The menu covers everything from sushi to ceviche.
CZN Burak
The Crown Prince arrived on opening day, watched Chef CZN Burak in action, and dined through a Turkish-meets-Middle Eastern menu. A royal visit on day one is about as strong an endorsement as a new restaurant can get.
Eugène Eugène
Sheikh Hamdan visited this Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates restaurant in December 2023 shortly after it opened, with the team sharing the moment on Instagram as one of its most memorable milestones.
Flow
A more casual entry on the list. Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum were both spotted at this Emirates Towers café back in 2017, chatting with staff over coffee. The menu covers vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options alongside a full drinks selection.
GAIA
Perhaps the clearest proof that Sheikh Hamdan is a devoted Chef Izu fan. GAIA has seen visits from both the Crown Prince and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Greek Mediterranean menu features lamb cutlets, spinach pies, and baby goat.
Gerbou
Sheikh Hamdan was one of the very first guests at this contemporary Emirati restaurant, which opened in February 2025. The name translates to “welcome to my humble abode” in Arabic, and the menu covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a unique Emirati high-tea experience called fwala.
Gohan
A Japanese speakeasy by the La Cantine du Faubourg team, offering an intimate experience that translates its name as “meal of any sort.” Sheikh Hamdan visited in late 2021 and gave it his seal of approval.
Gudee Pizza Café
Proof that Sheikh Hamdan appreciates a relaxed neighbourhood spot as much as a fine dining room. Both he and Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum have visited this Afghan-inspired pizza café. The breakfast menu also features Afghan paratha alongside more familiar morning options.
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro
The Sheikh visited in 2021 with a group of diners. Il Borro uses organic ingredients sourced from a Tuscan farm, with a menu covering pasta, risottos, and pizzas. The concept was born in Dubai before expanding to Mayfair, London.
Josette
Sheikh Hamdan visited this glamorous French restaurant in DIFC on April 21, 2026, bringing fresh attention to one of Dubai’s most theatrical dining rooms at ICD Brookfield Place.
Katsuya
The Crown Prince visited this Japanese restaurant at Hyde Hotel Dubai in February 2022, with sushi and sashimi platters served alongside Burj Khalifa views.
Kinoya
A ramen specialist known for fresh ingredients and rich broth, Kinoya also serves sushi, tempura, and gyoza. Sheikh Hamdan’s visit prompted the team to describe the moment as one they were deeply humbled by.
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Sheikh Hamdan visited this upmarket DIFC restaurant in June 2021. The fine dining French kitchen prepares dishes in front of guests and offers crispy poached egg with caviar, truffle pizza, and Dover sole among its highlights.
La Maison Ani
Another Chef Izu entry on the royal dining trail. Sheikh Hamdan visited La Maison Ani in The Dubai Mall after it opened in May 2022. The French-Mediterranean restaurant is home to the much-loved Izu burger.
La Niña
Sheikh Hamdan gave this Iberian restaurant in ICD Brookfield Place his approval in January 2023. The menu fuses flavours from the Iberian Peninsula and South America in an opulent DIFC setting.
Lana Lusa
A Portuguese-inspired all-day dining spot that received the Crown Prince’s visit in May 2022. The sharing-style menu covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Loren
Sheikh Hamdan opened 2023 with a visit to this Italian Riviera-inspired restaurant at Palm West Beach. The coastal-style menu focuses on fresh ingredients in a setting that channels the spirit of 1960s and 1970s Italy.
Madeleine et Marcel
The Crown Prince also has a sweet tooth. He visited this French patisserie in Jumeirah Emirates Towers, which serves almond shortbread with pistachio and canelés flavoured with vanilla and filled with custard.
MASTI
This La Mer restaurant has been serving fine-dining Indian cuisine since 2018 and counts Sheikh Hamdan as one of its most notable fans. The menu reinterprets classic Indian dishes with creative twists like saag paneer lasagna and five-spice Angus tenderloin.
MAXZI The Good Food Shop
Sheikh Hamdan visited this homegrown Dubai concept in February 2022. MAXZI is built around premium chef-grade ingredients and a clean-label approach, covering meat, produce, and pantry items free from artificial additives.
Mimi Kakushi
The Crown Prince chose this Japanese restaurant and bar for the UAE’s 50th National Day celebrations. The space transports guests to 1920s Osaka with a menu covering sushi, sashimi, and tempura.
Moonrise
Sheikh Hamdan visited this Eden House rooftop omakase restaurant to sample its tasting menu, which blends Japanese and Middle Eastern flavours. The team behind it is Dubai-born and raised.
Mott 32
The Crown Prince visited this high-end Chinese restaurant in April 2023, dining with views over Ain Dubai, Bluewaters Island, and Palm Jumeirah from the open-air terrace.
Nammos
Sheikh Hamdan was one of the first guests at this Mediterranean restaurant, visiting in December 2019. The menu blends Mediterranean quality with Asian influences and brings a Mykonos atmosphere to Dubai year-round.
Ninive Beach
This indoor-outdoor beach club at J1 Beach blends Arab artistry with modern luxury. Sheikh Hamdan’s visit was captured on the restaurant’s Instagram in January, with the team thanking him for supporting their vision.
OPSO Dubai
The Crown Prince visited this modern Greek restaurant in The Dubai Mall in June 2019. The menu covers mezze, shisha, and terrace dining overlooking the Dubai Fountains and Burj Khalifa.
PINZA
Sheikh Hamdan ordered PINZA for a beach pizza party with friends rather than dining in at the restaurant, which is known for its hybrid pizza and flatbread made with a 30-hour-fermented base.
Rivas Restaurant
This Iranian restaurant in The Mall on Jumeirah Road won over the Crown Prince in November 2023 with its traditional Persian dishes, including kebabs, stews, and freshly baked bread from an in-house oven.
ROKA
Sheikh Hamdan visited in June 2020, choosing this Japanese restaurant created by the team behind Zuma. The lamb cutlets with Korean spices and the bekudopoteto, a dressed baked potato, come highly recommended.
SAL
The Crown Prince and his young companion Maj were spotted at this Mediterranean restaurant in the shadow of the Burj Al Arab. The waterfront setting and relaxed menu make it a natural choice for a casual royal outing.
Seiran
Chef Masoud Shafie’s modern Persian restaurant at The Link earned a visit from Sheikh Hamdan in April 2025. The menu covers charcoal-grilled meats, saffron-scented rice, and slow-braised stews with a contemporary edge.
She Burger
Not all royal visits require a dress code. Sheikh Hamdan stopped by this burger joint in Dar Wasl Mall and took a group photo with the staff. The menu covers chicken burgers, veggie burgers, and black Angus beef burgers.
Somewhere
This travel-inspired Mediterranean restaurant in Fashion Avenue at Dubai Mall caught Sheikh Hamdan’s attention and his Instagram. The hummus and fatteh bar is the perfect way to start a meal here.
SUSHISAMBA Dubai
One of the most talked-about royal dining moments in recent memory. Sheikh Hamdan brought Cristiano Ronaldo to SUSHISAMBA on the 51st floor of The Palm Tower, with videos and images of the visit spreading rapidly across social media.
TakaHisa Dubai
The Crown Prince dined at this Japanese fine dining restaurant at Caesars Palace Dubai in March 2022, known for its combination of authentic sushi and premium wagyu beef.
Taverna Greek Kitchen
Sheikh Hamdan was spotted on the waterfront terrace of this Souk Madinat Jumeirah restaurant. The menu runs from spinach pie and seabream carpaccio to souvlaki skewers in a chic rustic setting.
The Arts Club
Sheikh Hamdan is not just a visitor at this exclusive DIFC members club but a regular. He has been spotted lunching at Rōhen with the club’s CEO. Membership starts from AED 7,875 for those looking to follow in his footsteps.
The Cullinan
This contemporary steakhouse received a visit from the Crown Prince in April 2025, with the team describing it as a true privilege to serve him and extending an open invitation to return.
The Espresso Lab
Sheikh Hamdan was served coffee here in February 2025 by Aldy Nugraha, the 2025 UAE National Barista Champion. He sampled espresso, milk-based beverages, and a signature drink made with award-winning Panamanian coffee from Janson Coffee.
The Maine Land Brasserie
The Crown Prince visited this seafood-focused brasserie at The Opus, the building designed by Zaha Hadid, at the start of 2021 with a group of friends.
The Sib
Sheikh Hamdan visited this Persian kebab specialist in Palm Strip Mall in May 2024. The menu covers classic Koobideh and Jooje kebabs alongside combination platters and the popular Kebab Soltani.
Twiggy by La Cantine
The Crown Prince soaked up the atmosphere at this French-inspired beach club on Dubai Creek in November 2021. The menu covers Mediterranean food and sushi alongside a 100-metre infinity pool and white sand beaches.
URLA
Sheikh Hamdan and Maj were spotted enjoying quality time together on the outdoor terrace of this Downtown Dubai restaurant in January 2022, with views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain.
Cover Image: @chefizu/Instagram
