From a 12-dish vegan restaurant to a legendary New York hotspot and a Mexican cantina with some top deals…

Looking to mix up your usual dinner-and-drinks spots this December? From Dubai Marina to DIFC, Dubai’s welcomed an array of new restaurants over the last few weeks that are well worth checking out.

From a 12 dish menu at new vegan restaurant, Folia, to arguably some of the best Asian food we’ve eaten in Dubai at Shanghai Me, these 7 new Dubai restaurants need to be on your foodie bucket list.

Amazonico

Step out of Dubai and into the tropics at the newly opened Amazonico in DIFC. Open daily from 12pm, guests can expect to feast on array of Latin American inspired dishes and drinks, fuelled by influences from Europe and beyond. Occupying a sprawling three-storey space in Gate Village Pavilion, adjacent to Gate Village, Amazonico comprises of a Copacabana-inspired rooftop bar, mid-level restaurant and ground floor lounge.

Amazonico, Gate Village Pavillon, DIFC, Dubai, 12pm to 12am. Tel: (04) 571 3999. Facebook.com/Amazonicodubai

CHINGON

Described as a “sophisticated modern Mexicn eatery”, CHINGON is found on the rooftop of the unassuming  Grand Millennium, Business Bay. As well as Mexican dishes, guests can expect a menu that features influences from Central and South America at the lively restaurant and lounge, with a dedicated raw bar serving up crudo and tartares, as well as sharing dishes such as grilled octopus and whole roasted baby chicken.

CHINGON, Grand Millennium Business Bay, 6pm to late daily. Tel: (04) 873 3377. facebook.com/chingondubai

Folia

Folia, which means “from the leaves” in Latin, is a new plant-based restaurant now open in Four Seasons Jumeirah. The concise 12-dish menu, masterminded by celebrated chef Matthew Kenney, is served up in a beautiful garden oasis, purpose-built for the concept. Perfectly-presented vegan dishes include beetroot poke marinated in a ponzu lime broth, green herb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa and a savoury coconut cream pie with a macadamia crust.

Folia, Four Seasons Jumeirah, Jumeirah, 1pm to 10pm Saturday to Thursday, 12pm to 4pm and 7pm to 10pm Friday. Tel: (04) 270 7777. fourseasons.com

Indochine

The original in New York has welcomed celebrities including Andy Warhol and Cindy Crawford, and we’ve no doubt that the Dubai outpost of Indochine will welcome a similarly A-list crowd. Only the second one in the world, Indochine serves up fusion French-Vietnamese cuisine in a tropical environment, split between the restaurant, bar and intimate covered terrace. Indochine’s best-loved dishes such as Vietnamese ravioli, made with rice noodles, chicken, shrimp and Shiitake mushrooms have made their way across the Atlantic to Dubai, while dishes such as the delicious lamb Char Siu are welcome new additions for Dubai only.

Indochine, Gate Precinct Building 3, Level 2, DIFC, Dubai, 7pm to 1am Sat to Weds, 7pm to 3am Thurs and Fri. Tel: (04) 208 9333. indochinedxb.com

Mr Taco

Maya’s Mexican Kitchen at Le Royal Meridien has been split into a single floor venue, with the upstairs now called Mr. Taco. The vibrant Mexican cantina is a colourful addition to Dubai Marina’s dining scene, with bright furnishings, oversized potted plants and graffitied walls. It runs a host of weekly deals perfect for a casual mid-week catch up, including a gents’ night on a Sunday, ladies’ night on a Wednesday, and of course, a taco Tuesday.

Mr Taco, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Marina, 7pm to 1am weekdays, 7pm to 2am weekends. Tel: (04) 316 5550. facebook.com/mrtacodubai

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Shanghai Me

Having only opened mere weeks ago, Shanghai Me has already had several royal visits – and it’s easy to see why. The Asian restaurant in DIFC, inspired by the sultry glamour of 1930s Shanghai boasts both indoor seating – complete with as of yet unopened private dining space for intimate gatherings – as well as a stunning outdoor terrace. On the menu, there’s an upscale offering of dim sum, sushi and sashimi as well as Shanghai Me signatures. Their fortune cookie dessert is a must-try.

Gate Village 11, Podium Level, DIFC, Sun to Wed noon to 3pm and 7pm to 11.30pm, Thur to Sat noon to 3pm and 7pm to 12am, terrace opens daily noon to 3am. Tel: (04) 5640505. shanghaime-restaurant.com

White Beach

Not just a beautiful beach club, White Beach at Atlantis The Palm is also home to a nautically-inspired Mediterranean restaurant. Boasting both indoor and outdoor seating, guests can expect to feast on a delicious array of seafood such as seabass ceviche with citrus, salmon and tuna sashimi pizza, grilled octopus and squid ink risotto.

White Beach, Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 12pm to 12am restaurant, 10am to 10pm beach club. Tel: (04) 426 2000. @whitebeach