Four Dubai Openings to Watch, Plus Three Already Serving

Dubai’s next restaurant wave includes London’s Kricket, Madrid-born hand-roll bar Akiro and two British names taking coffee and baking seriously.

The addresses are taking shape, but opening dates remain the missing ingredient. Meanwhile, Puzzle Coffee, Clap of Flour and Hay House have already started serving. Here’s what belongs on your watchlist and what can become an actual lunch plan.

Kricket Is Heading to Emirates Hills

London restaurant Kricket is preparing to open its first international branch at Vida Emirates Hills.

Founded by Will Bowlby and Rik Campbell, the restaurant combines Indian flavours with British ingredients and a menu built for sharing. Its Dubai plans include signature Keralan fried chicken and samphire pakoras, alongside larger dishes and specials developed for this location.

There is no confirmed opening date yet. Keep it on the dinner shortlist, but hold off on inviting everyone for Friday.

Akiro Brings Hand Rolls to Dar Wasl

Akiro is expected at Dar Wasl Mall in late 2026, introducing the Madrid-born brand’s Nikkei hand-roll format to Dubai.

The appeal is the counter: rolls are made individually and handed over to eat immediately, while the rice is warm and the nori still crisp. This is probably not the moment for a lengthy food shoot.

The expected menu extends to tiradito, sashimi, nigiri and katsu sandos. Exact opening date remains a mystery.

WatchHouse Is Making DIFC Permanent

After its seasonal Marsa Boulevard pop-up, WatchHouse has announced a permanent Dubai location in DIFC.

The London coffee brand is known for carefully sourced beans, precise brewing and cafés where the room gets as much attention as the espresso. Its UAE expansion announcement identifies DIFC as the permanent Dubai destination, although the exact address and launch date are still to come.

For anyone waiting for the waterfront version, WatchHouse’s official directory says Marsa Boulevard is due to return in November.

Chestnut Bakery Is Coming to Mall of the Emirates

Chestnut Bakery’s first UAE branch is confirmed for Mall of the Emirates, with 7 Management bringing the London-founded brand to Dubai.

Chef Ahmad Al-Bader is the creative force behind its breads, pastries and wider bakery menu. The brand already has a presence in several Gulf markets, including Riyadh, Kuwait and Bahrain.

The location is confirmed; the date is not. Dubai-specific menu details will need to wait, too.

Three You Can Visit Now

Puzzle Coffee is open at The Grand 7.2 in Dubai Creek Harbour. The Melbourne café combines speciality coffee with a substantial food menu, including breakfast dishes, soufflé pancakes and a Wagyu patty melt. Think somewhere to sit down and eat, rather than simply collect a flat white.

Over in Al Safa, Clap of Flour is serving at Canal Front Residence 09. The Italian pasta bar makes pasta on-site and also offers coffee, pastries and filled bomboloni, with seating overlooking Dubai Canal. It opened in August, so there is no need to keep filing this one under “eventually”.

Hay House at Mirdif Avenue Mall adds a homegrown name to the mix. The café began in Ras Al Khaimah and brings coffee, breakfast and fresh bakes to its Dubai branch. Its neighbourhood location makes it particularly useful for Mirdif residents looking for a new regular.