There’s something special about food cooked over a real woodfire restaurants in Dubai. The crackle of burning logs, the aroma of smoke, and the intense heat create flavours that are difficult to replicate with conventional grills. Across Dubai, a growing number of restaurants have embraced live-fire cooking, using carefully selected woods, open hearths, and custom-built grills to bring out the best in premium meats, seafood, and seasonal produce.
Some venues keep things simple with rustic, flame-grilled dishes, while others have elevated woodfire cooking into a fine dining experience. Here are some of the best restaurants in Dubai where the fire is just as important as the ingredients.
1. 11 Woodfire
Awarded one Michelin Star, 11 Woodfire has built its reputation around the elemental art of cooking with fire. Located in a converted villa in Jumeirah 1, the restaurant places a dramatic open kitchen at the heart of the dining room, where flames, smoke, and glowing embers become part of the experience. Nearly every dish is cooked over live wood, with different varieties such as oak, hickory, and hay chosen to create distinctive flavour profiles.
Instead of relying on heavy sauces, the kitchen lets premium ingredients take centre stage. Wood-fired steaks, bone marrow, seafood and seasonal vegetables are prepared using custom grills and wood-burning ovens, allowing the natural flavours to shine through with subtle smoky notes. Even some desserts receive a touch of the flame, making every course part of the restaurant’s fire-driven philosophy.
- Location: Villa 11, 75B Street, Jumeirah 1
- Timings: Daily, 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Entry details: Expect to spend approximately AED 350-650 per person. Smart casual dress code.
2. RARE Brasserie & Bar
Located in City Walk, RARE Brasserie & Bar combines European brasserie classics with the bold flavours of live-fire cooking. The restaurant centres around a custom-built charcoal and wood-fired hearth, where chefs carefully control the heat to create beautifully caramelised meats, seafood, and vegetables. The open kitchen adds a theatrical touch, allowing diners to watch the cooking process unfold.
Premium steaks remain the highlight of the menu, alongside wood-fired flatbreads, seasonal sides, and carefully prepared starters that all benefit from the smoky character of the grill. Stylish Art Deco interiors, live music on selected evenings, and an extensive beverage programme make RARE an excellent choice for a special dinner with a distinctive woodfire twist.
- Location: C2 Licensed District, City Walk, Al Wasl
- Timings: Sunday to Thursday, 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM; Friday and Saturday, 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Entry details: Average spend ranges between AED 250 and 500 per person. Reservations are recommended.
3. Window Live Fire Cuisine
Tucked inside Alserkal Avenue, Window Live Fire Cuisine is an intimate chef-driven restaurant where everything revolves around live-fire cooking. With just a small number of counter seats overlooking the open hearth, guests are given a front-row view of the chefs preparing each dish over glowing wood embers and charcoal.
The seasonal menu features premium comfort food elevated through careful charring and simple ingredients. Expect wood-fired flatbreads, grilled seafood, wagyu steaks, burgers, and signature dishes cooked using a Santa Maria-style grill and a wood-burning oven. The relaxed atmosphere and close interaction with the chefs make Window one of Dubai’s most unique live-fire dining experiences.
- Location: Warehouse 39, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
- Timings: Monday to Thursday, 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM; Friday to Sunday, 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Entry details: Walk-ins only. Average spend is around AED 150-450 per person.
4. The Woodfire House
The Woodfire House in Sobha Hartland combines a neighbourhood steakhouse with a gourmet food market, creating a dining experience centred entirely around live flames. The restaurant’s open grills allow guests to watch premium meats and fresh seafood cooked over wood fire, while the adjoining retail section offers many of the same ingredients for home cooking.
The menu focuses on quality steaks, grilled seafood and freshly prepared sandwiches cooked at a dedicated live-fire station. Rustic interiors, warm lighting and an emphasis on traditional cooking methods give the restaurant a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that’s ideal for casual lunches and family dinners.
- Location: Kensington Waters A, Sobha Hartland, Nad Al Sheba 1
- Timings: Daily, 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Entry details: Meals typically cost AED 150-300 per person. Walk-ins are welcome.
5. FireLake Grill House & Restaurant
Inspired by the grilling traditions of the American Midwest, FireLake Grill House brings wood-fired cooking to both Business Bay and DAMAC Hills. The restaurant uses charcoal pits, wood ovens and open-flame grills to prepare premium steaks, seafood and slow-cooked meats, creating bold flavours with every dish.
The menu includes signature steaks, smoked lamb ribs, wood-fired flatbreads and hearty comfort food served in a relaxed setting. The Business Bay branch offers views of Downtown Dubai, while the DAMAC Hills location is particularly popular with families thanks to its spacious terrace and children’s play area.
- Location: Radisson Blu Hotel, Business Bay and Radisson Dubai, DAMAC Hills
- Timings: Business Bay: Daily, 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM | DAMAC Hills: Daily, 1:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Entry details: Expect to spend around AED 100-350 per person depending on your order.
FAQs
Which restaurant in Dubai has a Michelin star for woodfire cooking?
11 Woodfire is a one Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its live woodfire cooking and open-flame approach.
Which Dubai restaurant has an open-fire kitchen?
Several restaurants feature open-fire kitchens, including 11 Woodfire, Window Live Fire Cuisine, RARE Brasserie & Bar, and The Woodfire House.
Are reservations recommended?
Yes. Reservations are highly recommended for 11 Woodfire, RARE Brasserie & Bar, and FireLake Grill House. Window Live Fire Cuisine currently operates on a walk-in-only basis.
Which restaurant is best for a casual woodfire meal?
Window Live Fire Cuisine, The Woodfire House, and FireLake Grill House offer a more relaxed dining experience while still focusing on authentic live-fire cooking.
What can I expect from live woodfire cooking?
Live woodfire cooking uses natural wood and open flames instead of conventional gas grills. This technique creates distinctive smoky flavours, enhances caramelisation and allows chefs to cook meats, seafood and vegetables with exceptional depth and texture.
