What’s On previews the World Cup 2014 with a guide to the best restaurants in Dubai serving the cuisine of countries competing in the World Cup in Brazil.

Feeling inspired by the exploits on the pitch? Go find out more about the countries battling it out by eating at one of these places…

BRAZIL
Frevo
This churrascaria has a TV screen showing games. Get Brazilian snacks such as bite-sized steak skewers and fried calamari, with caipirinhas on the side. The minimum spend is Dhs150 per person.

FOR MORE BRAZILIAN RESTAURANTS, CLICK HERE. 

Fairmont The Palm, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 8pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 4573338. Taxi: Fairmont The Palm. fairmont.com 

Frevo, Fairmont The Palm

USA 
Tony Roma’s
The USA is all about going big and Tony Roma’s wings and burgers will never let you down in the size department. The New York strip steak, followed by some cheesecake, is the perfect fuel for a late night staying awake to watch the game. Anybody wearing a World Cup jersey who orders a main course gets a free dessert.

China Court, Ibn Battuta Mall, Jebel Ali, Dubai, daily 11am to 11.45pm. Tel: (04) 3685655. Metro: Ibn Battuta. tonyromas.ae 

FRANCE
La Petite Maison
One of the busiest and most pleasant restaurants in Dubai, the What’s On Awards’ Favourite French Restaurant and Restaurnt Of The Year in 2013 serves seasonal French food of the highest quality.

FOR MORE FRENCH RESTAURANTS, CLICK HERE

DIFC, Gate Village 8, Dubai, Sun to Fri noon to 3pm and 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 4390505. Metro: Financial Centre. lpmdubai.ae 

La Petite Maison

SWITZERLAND
St Moritz
It would be a stretch to say you will get an authentic Swiss dining experience at St Moritz, but what you do get is snow and the chance to have a hot meal after a session on the slopes. The memory of your excellent dinner will stick around longer than the Swiss team at the World Cup.

Ski Dubai, Mall Of The Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai, Sat to Wed 9am to 10.30pm, Thur and Fri 9am to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 4094131. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. skidxb.com 

JAPAN
Okku
You’ll eat well for your money at Okku, which offers innovative twists on Japanese favourites, yet manages to avoid the heavyweight price tag of some Japanese restaurants. Doubling up as a cocktail bar ensures that this hotspot is busy every night.

FOR MORE JAPANESE RESTAURANTS, CLICK HERE

H Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Sun to Thur noon to 3pm, daily 7pm to 12.30am. Tel: (04) 5018777. Metro: World Trade Centre. okkudubai.com

Okku restaurant review

RUSSIA
Bolshoi
Named after the opulent Bolshoi Theatre, classic Russian dishes abound (think borscht and dumplings) with plenty of entertainment to boot. Fermented potatoes in liquid form ease digestion. Polka dancing is positively encouraged and requires footwork akin to what you’ll see on the pitch.

Moscow Hotel Dubai, Al Maktoum Street, Deira, daily 8pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 2288222. Taxi: Beside Grand Stores. moscowhoteldubai.com

BELGIUM
Brussels
Recently known as Brussels, Bapas does fine mussels, and even better premium Belgian beers – the perfect fodder for an in-depth discussion on the merits of Belgium’s midfield. You could also try Cafe Belge.

The H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Sat to Wed noon to midnight, Thur noon to 3am, Fri noon to 1am. Tel: (04) 3858881. Metro: World Trade Centre. h-hotel.com

Brussels, H Hotel

GERMANY
Der Keller
Der Keller is a meat-lovers’ heaven and fans of premium beers won’t be disappointed either. Grab a mixed sausage platter, some pickled cabbage and strap yourself in for a delicious evening – all done with supreme efficiency, just like the German back four.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, daily 6pm to midnight.  Tel: (04) 4068999. Taxi: Jumeirah Beach Hotel. jumeirah.com

Der Keller, Jumeirah Beach Hotel

ITALY
Bussola
Certified by the Italian Cuisine Academy, Italian authenticity shines through at Bussola. What better way to celebrate the Azzurri’s inevitable march through the tournament than with a plate of homemade basil and chili spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella? Oh, and the pizzas are phenomenal too.

FOR MORE ITALIAN RESTAURANTS, CLICK HERE

The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai, daily noon to 3pm, 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 5117136. Taxi: Westin Mina Seyahi. westinminaseyahi.com

Bussola, Westin

MEXICO
Fuego
Signature dishes include slow-cooked lamb shank barbacoa, but a wagyu beef taco is our way of saluting the plucky Mexicans in the World Cup. Here’s a free joke to try in Fuego: Why did the Mexican push his wife off the cliff? Tequila!

FOR A GUIDE TO MEXICAN COOKING, CLICK HERE

Souk Al Bahar, Dubai, daily noon to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 4490977. Taxi: Souk Al Bahar. fuego.ae

Guacamole at Fuego

SPAIN
Al Hambra
Tapas is synonymous with Spain, but when it comes to a specific dish you can’t ignore paella and Al Hambra has a fantastic version. Packed with lobster and calamari, it’s a winning dish that deserves an olé, just like the World Cup defending champions.

FOR MORE TAPAS RESTAURANTS, CLICK HERE

Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, Sat to Thur 6pm to 11.30pm, Fri 7pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 3666730. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. jumeirah.com

Al Hambra, Al Qasr

HOLLAND
Vinkers Waffles
Holland pioneered Total Football, so to get a total Dutch experience in Dubai head to Vinkers Waffles and sample Bitterballen, a savoury meat snack of beef or veal, beef broth, butter and parsley. It’s a dish that deserves to make it out of the group stages, much like the classy Dutch team.

Green Community Market, next to the Marriot Courtyard Hotel, Dubai Investment Park, Dubai, daily 8am to 8.30pm. Tel: (04) 8850944. Taxi: next to the Marriot Courtyard Hotel in Dubai Investment Park. vinkerswaffles.com

PORTUGAL 
Picante
Go for the bitoque, aka rib-eye steak with fried egg, boiled rice and homemade potato chips. For dessert try the pastel de nata, a traditional egg custard with coffee mousse, which is loved in Portugal almost as much as Ronaldo.

Four Points By Sheraton Bur Dubai, Khalid Bin Walid St, Bur Dubai, daily midday to 3pm, 7pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 3977444. Taxi: Sheraton, Bur Dubai. picantedubai.com 

Picante, Four Points by Sheraton

ARGENTINA
Asado
It’s all about the grilled meats at Asado. The fabulous flesh is prepared on a ‘parrilla’, an open grill in the centre of the restaurant. Feeling hungry? Grab a cabrito entero asado – a whole roasted goat. And keep your eyes peeled for Maradona…

FOR MORE STEAK RESTAURANTS, CLICK HERE

The Palace Downtown Dubai, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, daily 7pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 4287806. Taxi: The Palace Downtown Dubai. theaddress.com 

Asado, The Palace Downtown

ENGLAND
Wheeler’s
Marco Pierre White puts his name to this restaurant of English origins. Plenty to choose from but fish and chips is a great tradition and is as English as chanting on the terraces at the football.

FOR THE BEST ROAST DINNERS IN DUBAI, CLICK HERE

 Gate Village 2, DIFC, Dubai, daily noon to 1am. Tel: (04) 3887086. Metro: Financial Centre. wheelersdubai.com 

Wheeler's, DIFC

SOUTH KOREA 
Hyu Korean
This is truly authentic, and don’t be surprised to find the restaurant full of Koreans, being served food cooked by Koreans. Support the Reds by trying bibimbap: a stone bowl of yellow rice, beef and vegetables, or sample some Korean sushi.

Oud Metha Road, Dubai, daily 11am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm. Tel: (04) 3344294. Taxi: Oud Metha Road 

AUSTRALIA
Tom And Serg
This cool Aussie-run hangout gets a lot of attention for its milkshakes and burger, and many who claim it does the best poached eggs in the city. We’re pretty sure the Aussie football team’s nutritionist would not approve of the devilish Lamington cake.

Al Joud Center, 15a Street, Al Quoz, Dubai, daily 8am to 4pm. Tel: (056) 4746812. Taxi: Ace Hardware. facebook.com/tomandserg

Tom & Serg