City Walk is this design-inspired, mixed-use lifestyle destination in Dubai, sitting at the junction of Al Wasl Road and Al Safa Road, close to Sheikh Zayed Road. It’s not just a mall, think of it as a neighbourhood: shops, cafés, restaurants, entertainment, greenery, both indoor and outdoor spaces.
In 2024, they launched something called the C2 Licensed District within City Walk restaurants. It covers about 25,000 square feet and features 11 restaurants that combine alfresco + indoor dining across three landscaped courtyards.
Why City Walk Restaurants
So, what makes this place buzz with food lovers?
- Diverse cuisines: The restaurants in C2 cover everything from Italian, New Orleans fusion, Azerbaijani, Greek, etc. You’ll find both local favorites and new concepts.
- Licensed dining: That means places where you can have drinks, not just food. Cocktails, wines, hops, grapes, they’ve got that variety.
- Atmosphere & setting: The design is pretty nice, three landscaped courtyards, a mix of indoor comfort and outdoor vibes. Greenery, shaded pergolas, ambient lighting.
- Accessibility & location: City Walk is very centrally located, near DIFC, Downtown, Business Bay, Al Wasl. Lots of parking (including valet), pretty easy to reach via car, and well-connected.
Top Restaurants by Cuisine
Below are some of the best spots in City Walk / C2, grouped by cuisine type. I’ll throw in what to try and what to expect.
| Cuisine | Stand-out Restaurants | What Makes Them Shine / What to Try |
| Italian / Mediterranean | L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele (in C2) true Neapolitan vibes. Margherita, Marinara, rotating specials.Primi Cucina Italiana, fresh pasta, seafood, that classic Italian comfort.Melenzane, Sicilian Italian with handmade pasta, charred flavours, rustic charm. | Try: Burrata Pizza at Primi; Eggplant Parmigiana at Melenzane; a classic Margherita or Marinara at Da Michele. |
| Middle Eastern / Mediterranean-adjacent | Mythos Urban Greek Eatery (C2) Greek mezzes, mains; something refreshing and colourful.Baku Café, Azerbaijani + Middle Eastern influences with oriental hospitality.Allo Beirut, Lebanese street-style, shawarma, casual eats. | What to try: Mezzes (like hummus, baba ghanoush) at Mythos; signature kebabs; maybe some cedar-wood-flavoured grills. |
| Asian & Japanese | Daikan Izakaya (C2), Japanese pubs + izakaya style. Offers ramen, broths, yakitori-like stuff.Miyabi Sushi, casual Japanese / sushi / rolls. | Must try: ramen broth (soy, miso, spicy) at Daikan; Volcano Roll or sushi platters at Miyabi. |
| American / Steaks / BBQ | Rare Brasserie & Bar (C2) steaks, oysters, upscale vibeButcha Steakhouse & Grill for serious meat lovers; good cuts, char and quality.Five Guys fast, casual if you’re craving burgers. | Try: A good ribeye or filet at Rare; steak or huge burger at Butcha; classic cheeseburger at Five Guys when you’re in a relaxed mood. |
| Vegetarian / Healthy / Café Options | L’ETO Caffé, colourful dishes, salads, desserts, healthy-leaning choices.L’Occitane Café, café + boutique vibe, good for brunch or tea.Flaky Pastry Croissant Co. bakery / café, nice for something light or sweet. | Try: the salad or smoothie bowls at L’ETO; pastry + specialty coffee at Flaky Pastry; maybe French-style desserts at L’Occitane Café. |
Top Restaurants by Occasion / Ambience
Depending on what you’re in the mood for, here are places that match:
| Occasion | Best Spots & What Makes Them Work |
| Romantic Dinner | Rare Brasserie & Bar — elegant setting, great steaks / seafood.La Serre in C2 — Parisian-bistro charm, intimate atmosphere.L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele — candlelight, cosy sitting, good vibe. |
| Family-Friendly | Mythos Urban Greek Eatery — big plates, casual service.Butcha Steakhouse — meat lovers, space.L’ETO Caffé — kids like desserts & sweet items; relaxed. |
| Quick Bite / Casual Lunch | Five Guys, Flaky Pastry, The Noodle House.FILLi Select (if you want something fast + flavour). |
| Late Nights / Bars & Food | NOX (in C2) — food + drinks + more lively scene.Nola Bijou Bistro & Bar — drinks, cocktail list, lounge vibes. |
Highlights of the New C2 Licensed District
Alright, C2 is the newer part of City Walk that deserves its own spotlight. You won’t believe how much it adds.
- What it is: 11 licensed restaurants, spread over three landscaped courtyards. Indoor and outdoor seating. Designed for more than just food, ambiance, socialising, good times.
- What makes it different: Licensed = more drinks options; design is upscale but relaxed; food quality tends to be a bit more elevated. <br> Also, many of the concepts are newer or “firsts” for Dubai. For example, Myata Platinum is a global brand entering the space, with a modern visual design.
- Standout spots in C2: Rare (steak & upscale), La Serre (French charm), Nox (food + party vibe), Mythos (Greek), L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele (authentic Italian). Primi is especially good for relaxed authentic Italian comfort.
Signature Dishes & What to Try
Here are dishes worth ordering, ones people talk about, ones that give a good picture of what each restaurant does best:
- L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele: Classic Neapolitan Margherita or Marinara pizza.
- Myata Platinum: Burrata with truffle sauce, Tacos with Stracciatella and fresh tomatoes.
- NOX: Lamb & Kimchi Momos; Wagyu Tenderloin.
- Daikan Izakaya: Try the ramen broth (soy, miso), maybe some yakitori-style skewers.
- Rare Brasserie & Bar: Steakhouse classics + oysters. Good for splurge nights.
Pricing & Value
You’re probably wondering: “How much will this cost me?” Here’s a rough breakdown (prices in AED unless mentioned):
| Tier | What you’ll spend per person | Examples |
| Budget / Casual | ~ AED 50-AED 100 | The Noodle House, Flaky Pastry, Five Guys, café-type places. |
| Mid-Range | ~ AED 100-200 | Italian, Greek, licensed C2 spots like Mythos, Primi, Daikan. Regular mains, maybe drinks. |
| Fine Dining / Upscale | AED 200+ | Rare, high-end dinners, tasting menus, special cocktails. If you’re planning a date or celebration, budget more. |
Also, check for lunch specials: many places in City Walk / C2 offer 2- or 3-course business or “set-menu” deals. Eg. Daikan Izakaya has 2-course lunch menus, many Italian spots offer business lunch combos.
Location & Map Guide
Here are tips so you can visualise & plan:
- The C2 Licensed District is a cluster inside City Walk. If you enter from Al Wasl / Al Safa sides, there are signs. Courtyards, outdoor terraces, helps to choose outdoor vs indoor.
- Parking: City Walk has multi-level parking + valet in many spots. Valet helps especially for dinner at C2, since some courtyards are a little tucked in.
- Proximity: If you’re in Downtown / Business Bay, City Walk is only a short drive (10-20 mins depending on traffic). Great place for combining shopping / strolling + dinner.
Best Times to Visit & Practical Tips
Here are some friendly tips so your meal is smoother:
- Peak hours: Evenings (7pm-10pm) on weekends (Thu-Sat) are busy. If you go earlier, you’ll have a more relaxed time.
- For photos: Daylight & early evening is great. Courtyards look especially good just before sunset.
- Reservations: For upscale spots or weekends, yes, do make reservations, especially at Rare, La Serre, Daikan Izakaya.
- Dress code / licensing: Since C2 is licensed, you’ll find venues that serve alcohol, so expect adult crowds especially later. Dress tends to be smart casual; no strict formal dress in many places, but nicer places may expect you to avoid flip-flops/nightwear.
- Transport: Driving is easiest; if using ride-share, drop-off points are well marked. Public transport works but you might still need a short taxi from the station.
Hidden Gems & New Openings
Want something less obvious or new?
- Myata Platinum is relatively new and has that impressive design; great for trying something fresh.
- Primi Cucina Italiana is newer in C2 and offers a comfy, “pasta + wine” kind of evening without being over the top.
- Keep an eye on seasonal pop-ups or dessert bars that sometimes appear in City Walk / courtyards.
Conclusion
City Walk’s C2 Licensed District has quickly grown into one of Dubai’s most interesting dining zones, part neighbourhood hangout, part restaurant hub. With its mix of cuisines, licensed venues, and courtyards that blend indoor and outdoor settings, it gives diners plenty of reasons to keep coming back. Whether you’re planning a date night, a family meal, or a late-night bite with drinks, the variety here makes it easy to find a spot that fits. If you’re exploring Dubai’s food scene, City Walk is a place worth adding to your list.
Do you want me to keep the ending casual and conversational like this, or make it sound more polished and editorial?
