Dubai's dining scene has a new destination, and it is not in Downtown, DIFC or Dubai Marina.
C ity Centre Mirdif has officially launched Chef's Society, a new chef-led culinary destination that brings together some of the region's most respected restaurant brands under one roof. The concept introduces award-winning chefs, internationally recognised restaurant names and exclusive dining experiences to one of Dubai's busiest residential communities.
The opening marks the first phase of the project, with four restaurants now welcoming guests. More concepts are expected to join Chef's Society later this year as the destination continues to expand.
A Different Kind of Mall Dining Experience
Rather than creating another traditional food court filled with international chains, Chef's Society has been designed around independent chef-driven concepts.
Developed by Majid Al Futtaim, the dining destination focuses on craftsmanship, signature menus and restaurants led by chefs who have already built strong reputations across Dubai and beyond. The concept reflects a growing shift in Dubai's retail landscape, where shopping centres are becoming lifestyle destinations that combine entertainment, premium retail and high-quality dining experiences.
For residents living in Mirdif, Al Warqa, Rashidiya, Academic City and surrounding communities, it also means access to some of Dubai's most celebrated restaurants without travelling across the city.
Four Acclaimed Restaurants Open First
The first phase of Chef's Society introduces four distinct culinary concepts, each representing a different cuisine and dining style.
Bait Maryam
Chef Salam Daqqaq's award-winning Palestinian restaurant has officially opened its newest branch at City Centre Mirdif.
Known for its home-style Levantine cooking, Bait Maryam has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for multiple consecutive years and has become one of Dubai's best-known Middle Eastern restaurants. Guests can expect signature dishes inspired by traditional Palestinian family recipes, alongside the warm hospitality that made the original JLT restaurant a local favourite.
Bonci
Italian pizza icon Gabriele Bonci has brought his famous Roman-style pizza al taglio to the UAE.
Bonci is internationally recognised for serving pizza by weight, allowing customers to mix and match different toppings while enjoying freshly baked slices made using high-quality ingredients and long-fermented dough.
Its arrival at Chef's Society marks the brand's UAE debut.
ATHAR By the Qlab
Created by Chef Nabhan Al Ali, ATHAR By the Qlab offers an all-day dining concept that combines contemporary flavours with relaxed café culture.
The restaurant has been designed to cater to everything from breakfast meetings and coffee breaks to lunch, dinner and evening gatherings, making it one of the most versatile concepts inside Chef's Society.
REIF Japanese Kushiyaki
Chef Reif Othman's latest restaurant brings his signature Japanese-inspired cuisine to Mirdif.
The new location includes exclusive dishes created specifically for Chef's Society, alongside breakfast offerings and menu items that are not available at REIF's other Dubai branches.
The exclusive menu further differentiates the Mirdif location from the chef's existing restaurants across the city.
More Restaurants Are Expected Soon
The current lineup is only the beginning.
Majid Al Futtaim has confirmed that Chef's Society will continue expanding throughout the year, with additional dining concepts joining the destination during future phases.
City Centre Mirdif's official directory already lists upcoming brands including Anara and The Matcha Tokyo, alongside the four restaurants that have now opened, signalling that the food destination will continue to grow over the coming months.
As more concepts are announced, Chef's Society is expected to become one of the mall's biggest lifestyle attractions.
Exclusive Menus Give Diners Another Reason to Visit
One of the defining features of Chef's Society is that it is not simply a collection of existing restaurants opening additional branches.
Several concepts have introduced menu items created specifically for the Mirdif location, giving food enthusiasts a reason to visit even if they have already dined at the original restaurants elsewhere in Dubai.
At REIF Japanese Kushiyaki, guests can order exclusive dishes alongside a breakfast menu unique to the Chef's Society branch. Meanwhile, Bonci introduces its internationally recognised pizza al taglio concept to the UAE for the first time, allowing diners to enjoy Roman-style pizza sold by weight with a variety of rotating toppings.
By combining established restaurant brands with exclusive experiences, Chef's Society positions itself as more than another mall dining destination. It offers visitors something they cannot fully replicate at other branches across the city.
Why Chef's Society Matters
For years, many of Dubai's most talked-about restaurants have been concentrated in Downtown Dubai, DIFC, Jumeirah and Dubai Marina.
Chef's Society represents a different approach by bringing destination dining into a suburban community where residents traditionally travelled elsewhere for chef-led experiences.
The move reflects changing consumer habits, with neighbourhood malls increasingly evolving into full lifestyle destinations that encourage visitors to stay longer by combining premium shopping, entertainment and high-quality food under one roof.
Instead of visiting City Centre Mirdif only for retail shopping or family activities, visitors now have another reason to spend an afternoon or evening exploring its growing collection of restaurants.
With Michelin-recognised chefs, internationally known culinary brands and more openings still to come, Chef's Society is positioning itself as one of Dubai's newest food destinations.
