The biggest annual culinary event in the Middle East – DFF – returns to Dubai on 21 April to celebrate its anniversary with 17 days of exciting gastronomic events and highlights. The city will be transformed into a foodie paradise as hundreds of restaurants, cafes and eateries present carefully crafted culinary concepts and the opportunity to try out unusual dishes.

Over the past decade Dubai has developed into a significant gastronomic hub and cemented its position as one of the culinary capitals of the world. The number of restaurants has more than doubled over the years to 13,000, some with prestigious Michelin and Gault&Millau plaques.

The DFF offers an exciting programme of culinary workshops, events by renowned chefs, gastronomic tours and tastings, with cooking classes for children. The city will host Dubai Restaurant Week from 27 April to 8 May. There you can sample exclusive set menus and get special prices at 50 of the city’s top restaurants, including 3 Fils, Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura (1*), Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, Demon Duck by Alvin Leung, Ariana’s Persian Kitchen, Akira Back, Coya, Clap, Roka, Carnival by Tresind and Reif Japanese Kushiyaki. In addition, a new tempting promotion will be running throughout the festival: participating restaurants will have their classic and signature dishes available for just 10 dirhams!

A full schedule of the Dubai Food Festival can be found on its website and reservations for the events can be made from early April.