Brunch means something slightly different in Dubai. While the rest of the world heads out to coffee shops and cafes for avocado toast, flat whites and eggs Benedict, Dubaians dress up and head to the city’s five-star hotels and elegant restaurants for multi-hour feasts with free-flowing drinks, food and hedonistic party vibes. That said, there are also plenty of brunches more akin to elegant, languid lunches – which you’ll also find in our edit below. Whether it’s celebrating the weekend, a big occasion, a reunion with friends or just generally embracing joie de vivre, here are the best brunches in Dubai to enjoy, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The best Friday brunches in Dubai
Mare by Bussola
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi is one of the most popular spots for brunches in Dubai – home to the iconic, long-running Saturday affair Bubbalicious and the new relaxed, Sunday afternoon The Roast by Bubbalicious. The beachfront resort has now launched a new Friday evening brunch, offering an indulgent and lively, yet chic and relaxed, start to the weekend in its popular Mare by Bussola restaurant. Overlooking the beachfront and lush hotel gardens (with both indoor and outdoor terrace seating), the new NOTTE by Bussola brunch offers Italian fare and live entertainment, taking place from 7pm to 10pm each Friday. Guests start with spritzy aperitivo cocktails and prosecco, canapés and freshly shucked oysters, served to the tunes of a live saxophonist, before moving onto dishes like tuna tartare, octopus ceviche, cured swordfish and scallops, followed by fresh pasta, risotto and a freshly cooked seafood sharing platter. Desserts include Italian classics like tiramisu and pistachio cannoli.
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina; Fridays 7pm to 10pm; AED395 soft, AED475 house; bussoladubai.com
The best Saturday brunches in Dubai
Traiteur at Park Hyatt Dubai
Traiteur is perhaps the most lavish brunch in Dubai and a popular spot for big celebrations and long-overdue get-togethers. The sumptuous occasion takes place in the elegant surroundings of Brasserie Du Park in the white-washed Mykonian-meets-Moorish Park Hyatt Dubai and serves up a true gastronomic adventure with all the world’s most decadent ingredients and dishes. Dotted around the creek-side terrace and in the bright and airy dining room, guests can enjoy sharing-style plates with caviar, seafood, meat platters and a new station dedicated entirely to ceviche. This is arguably one of the most expensive brunches in Dubai – but there are few more glorious for a celebratory occasion – especially when the sun is shining on the terrace.
Park Hyatt Dubai; Saturdays, 1 pm to 4 pm; AED495 soft, AED825 Champagne, AED925 premium. hyattrestaurants.com
La Cantine du Faubourg
Embodying the classic French joie de vivre, La Cantine du Faubourg’s Saturday brunch is one of the most popular brunches in Dubai – and for a good reason. It’s an upscale setting – expanding through an elegant Parisian-inspired restaurant and onto the sunny terrace with striking views of Emirates Towers – and there’s a moreish menu of breakfast classics alongside Dubai brunch classics. Guests can start with breakfast dishes like French pastries, scrambled eggs, granola, eggs Benedict and French toast, before moving onto ceviche, tartare, beef carpaccio and mains like grilled chicken, roasted beef or grilled octopus. The lively vibe is just what you want from a swanky DIFC brunch with live entertainment and upbeat beats from a resident DJ.
Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC; AED360 soft, AED485 house, AED725 champagne; Saturdays 12pm to 5pm (three-hour slots); lacantine.ae
Mimi Kakushi
Located in the sleek and sophisticated Four Seasons Jumeirah Restaurant Village, Mimi Kakushi takes guests back in time to 1920s Osaka. Opened in 2021 by Rikas Hospitality Group – of La Canting du Faubourg and Twiggy fame – Mimi has been a hit with the city’s style set thanks to its stunning interiors and dishes like black cod and wagyu gyoza. Its Saturday brunch blends Far East cuisine and Western influences with playful flavour combinations and experimental Japanese cuisine, delicious cocktails, and a premium wine list.
Four Seasons Jumeirah Restaurant Village, three-hour packages; Saturdays and Sundays,12pm to 4pm, AED350 soft, AED490 house, AED695 champagne; mimikakushi.ae
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa
While the neighbouring beach club is known for its hedonistic parties (its Sunday brunch is no exception) a more chilled, elegant affair occurs at the adjacent Nikki Beach Resort & Spa’s Café Nikki every Saturday. Perfect for a friend’s reunion or family get-together (yes, for all age groups), the elegant, beachside brunch takes place by the pale blue waters of the hotel pool and looks out onto the private palm-strewn beach. It’s more of an elegant lunch than a typical Dubai brunch, with an extensive buffet of sushi, fresh seafood, poke bowls, salads (with greens from the newly opened hydroponic farm and the Nikki Beach Garden), charcuterie, bread, desserts and more, plus mains served to the table (fresh fish and meat). Plus, there are free-flowing beverages like Nikki Beach’s crispy signature rose and spritzy cocktails. A new weekly chef’s special will be served from the live outdoor station. What makes this one of the best brunches in Dubai is that after brunch, guests are also given access to the hotel’s pool and beach until sunset.
Pearl Jumeira; Saturdays, 1pm to 4pm; AED350 soft, AED500 house, AED700 champagne (children under 12 AED175). Dubai.nikkibeach.com
Sucre
Vibrant DIFC restaurant Sucre is known for its heady and convivial atmosphere, and its brunch is no different. Taking place at the chic restaurant, guests can enjoy a menu which fuses Latin American flavours with international culinary expertise, with some of the restaurant’s signature dishes on offer. Guests start their journey with breads, dips and olives, followed by starters of tuna tartare with avocado, yellowtail ceviche, prawn cocktail, classic Ceasar salad, prawn croquette, clay oven squid and braised beef tacos. For mains, guests can enjoy Sucre’s signature paccheri Sorrentina, or Parillada platter (chorizo, ribeye, baby chicken, fries, broccolini and mushrooms, served with roasted garlic and chimichurri), finishing with a selection of sweet creations from the chef’s pastry chef. The brunch also features live entertainment from a resident DJ, alongside performances from a trumpet player and drummer.
DIFC, Saturdays, 1pm to 4:30 pm, AED370 soft, AED460 house, AED540 spirits, cocktails and prosecco, AED690 champagne, +971 4 340 0829, sucredubai.com
Alici
Be it the waterside location, soaring windows or brilliantly lit interiors, Alici has the ability to transport guests to a beautiful trattoria on Italy’s Amalfi coast. The beautiful restaurant on Bluewaters Island offers one of the most elegant Saturday brunches in Dubai – a sensory trip to Amalfi with colourful antipasti, crudo and mains like Alici’s signature seafood. The sophisticated brunch takes place either in the soothing, Mediterranean dining room or out on the terrace with its views over JBR and the cerulean waters of the Arabian Gulf.
Bluewaters Island, Dubai Marina; Saturdays, 12 pm to 4 pm; AED395 soft, AED495 house, AED595 sparkling; alici.com
Amazonico
Amazonico has carved a name for itself as a stylish, jungle-inspired spot to enjoy cocktails and Latin American cuisine, and its Dubai outpost’s weekend brunch is a true reflection of this. The Tropicalia Weekend Parilla brunch is a summery barbecue sharing-style affair featuring premium cuts of meat grilled over charcoal – though there are plenty of vegetarian options, too. Tantalising dishes include meats like picanha – a Brazillian-style rump steak – baby chicken, chorizo and New Zealand leg of lamb, while woodfire seabass or a bespoke vegetarian option are also available. Complementing the jungly setting, cocktails include tropical delights like classic Caipirinhas and fruity Vermelhas. A cool indoor atmosphere with lively electronic-tropic beats make this a chic spot to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
DIFC Pavilion, Saturdays and Sundays, 12 pm to 3 pm, AED200 for vegetarian menu and children under 12, AED 350 inclusive of bites, mains and desserts, AED200 for 500ml carafe of wine, AED50 for Caipirinhas; +97145713999, reservations@amazonico.ae, amazonicorestaurant.com
Belcanto
Dubai Opera’s glamorous Belcanto has made a name for itself as one of the city’s most elegant Italian restaurants, and its brunch lives up to that reputation. New to the city’s brunch scene, the upscale affair is entitled ‘La Festia’, embodying the Italian spirit of revelry and merriment when families get together. Set against the backdrop of Belcanto’s sumptuous and opulent interiors, guests can enjoy four courses of dishes from head chef Fabrizio Lusenti’s new summer menu; which includes Tagliatelle al Tartufo, wood-fired pizza, oysters and catch of the day. The brunch finishes with classic desserts like pannacotta and tiramisu and is washed down with Italian-style cocktails and house wines. Special attention has also been given to non drinkers, and creative options like a ‘Non-Guilty Negrono’ and sparkling Lyre’s Classico are on offer. The brunch also includes lively music from a resident DJ, carefully curating a party atmosphere.
Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai; Saturdays 1 pm to 4 pm; AED320 soft, AED420 house; reservations@belcantorest.com, sevenrooms.com
Tasca
Few locations in Dubai are as dreamy as Tasca. The restaurant sits atop the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira and looks out onto nothing but brilliant blue endless ocean, transporting guests to a place far from the city and their everyday life. The brainchild of Portuguese star chef Jose Avillez’, Tasca is a modern reinterpretation of his home country’s traditional tascas, and its Saturday brunch served modern takes on Portuguese classics. The brunch menu includes signature Portuguese flavours with dishes like Bulhao Pato, clams cooked simply in coriander and garlic, wagyu flank steak and steamed and smoked sea bass. Guests can dine in the rustic-meets-contemporary dining room or out on the terrace next to the infinity pool with ocean views.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai; Saturdays, 12.30pm to 4pm; AED350 soft, AED450 house; mandarinoriental.com
CÉ LA VI
CÉ LA VI is one of the city’s most perennially popular hotspots, thanks to its location on the 54th floor of Address Sky View, and as a result, its almost unrivalled views of the Burj Khalifa. The Singapore-born restaurant and bar delivers a sultry, Asian-inspired experience for its Saturday ‘Brunch on 54′, which includes a flight through chef Howard Ko’s modern take on Eastern flavours, such as torched bluefin tuna and black truffle ‘sushi rice’ risotto coupled with free-flowing drinks. Make sure to reserve a spot on the sweeping terrace for picture-perfect views of the iconic Burj Khalifa.
Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai; Saturdays, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm; AED390 soft, AED490 house, AED690 sparkling; celavi.com, @celavidubai
Babylon
Inspired by the decadence of history’s royal courts, one of Dubai’s newest dinner-and-a-show spots has launched its new Saturday brunch. Entitled ‘Let Them Eat Brunch’, the lavish feast promises exceptional gastronomy, immersive entertainment and an electric party atmosphere like no other – all taking place in a cool indoor setting (perfect for the Dubai summer). While enjoying opulent interiors, guests can enjoy some of Babylon’s most popular dishes like wagyu beef tataki, crispy octopus, giant tiger prawns and truffle baked potatoes, plus a selection of desserts paying homage to Marie Antoinette’s famous quote, including berry pavlova, baklava mille-feuille and a chocolate bar. Other highlights include a bellini station and free-flowing cocktails and beverages. An after-brunch party also takes place from 4 pm to 5:30 pm, keeping the festivities going.
DIFC, Gate Village 5, Saturdays 1 pm to 4 pm, AED395 soft, AED550 house, AED650 premium; babylondifc.com
Torno Subito Dubai
Take a trip back to the Sixties Italian Riviera at the ever-playful Torno Subito, Massimo Bottura’s quirky and colourful Palm Jumeirah restaurant. Every Saturday, guests can enjoy a family-style sharing feast of Italian classics, as they dine in the pastel-hued restaurant or out on the terrace area – which looks out onto the ocean and back onto the Palm and Marina skyline. Free-flowing beverages create a lively, holiday-style atmosphere.
W Dubai – The Palm, Palm Jumeirah; Saturdays 1pm to 4:30pm; AED279 soft, AED399 house. tornosubitodubai.com
Bar Du Port
Dubai has no shortage of Riviera-inspired waterside venues, but Bar Du Port stands out from the crowd with its location in the shiny new Dubai Harbour development overlooking a yacht-packed harbour, The Palm Jumeirah and back at the Marina skyline. It’s the perfect setting for a high tempo, yet still elevated, brunch, which the restaurant delivers every Saturday with its generous four-hour Brunch Du Port. Packages include Mediterr-Asian cuisine like smoked salmon, chicken truffle pops and beef tenderloin, alongside a selection of cocktails, wines and other house beverages (there’s a premium option, too). The vibe and setting are some of the best around – Boho-chic interiors, a large sun-soaked terrace overlooking the ocean and a resident DJ who keeps the party going all afternoon.
Dubai Harbour Pier Club; Saturdays 1 to 5pm; AED290 soft, AED360 house, AED460 premium, AED560 champagne; +971 50 969 9820 or reservations@bdpdubai.com
Fi’lia
Stylish and modern, yet casual and approachable, Fi’lia sits on the 70th floor of the trendy SLS Dubai hotel and brings wholesome Italian cuisine inspired by three generations of women to a striking dining room and panoramic terrace with views of the Burj Khalifa. Fi’lia’s breezy main restaurant and famous terrace are now the location for an elegant brunch, a five-course feast with live music and Italian classics like pizza, cicchetti, pasta and seafood. The sophisticated yet energetic brunch finishes with dessert from the live cannoli station which dolls out delicious creamy pistachio, chocolate and original delights.
SLS Dubai; Saturdays 1pm to 4pm; AED250 soft, AED395 house, AED 550 premium; ennismore.com
Sola Jazz Lounge
Sultry Sola Jazz Lounge is the perfect spot to while away a Saturday evening – located deep within the palatial grounds of Raffles The Palm Dubai. As the hotel’s main bar, Sola is best known for its fantastic cocktails and vibey jazz nights, and for being a chic late-night haunt in the city. On Saturdays, the bar hosts an evening brunch, perfect for getting together a group of friends, without committing to a whole day of feasting and festivities. The brunch takes place from 8 pm to midnight and includes a free-flowing spread of Asian and Mediterranean flavours, along with free-flowing house beverages, including wine, spirits and selected cocktails. DIshes include mushroom arancini with truffle aioli, truffle cheese fries, shrimp tempura popcorn with spicy mayo, crispy chicken with aioli sauce, steak wagyu tacos with spicy miso and a selection of mochi, which are all served alongside the dulcet tones of the Lady J Trio – mixing jazz with old soul.
Raffles The Palm, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah; AED449 per person, rafflesthepalmdubai.com
The best Sunday brunches in Dubai
La Cantine du Faubourg
It’s only right that Dubai’s favourite Parisian restaurant does a spectacular Sunday brunch, and its new Breakfast in Bed concept is one of the best brunches in Dubai thanks to its laid-back vibe and food that would appear on a Sunday brunch menu anywhere in the world. Guests can arrive in their casual attire (staff are clad in button-down pyjamas) and enjoy a long and languid Sunday feast of breakfast classics like granola, French toast, pancakes, Eggs Benedict, truffle scrambled eggs and many more, alongside more Dubai brunch classics like tuna ceviche, calamari, rigatoni pasta and roast beef. There are five courses and guests can order as many of the listed dishes as they like, and there are chargeable extras for on offer for those who fancy truffle pizza or Beluga caviar. Three-hour packages include a soft offer with coffees, fresh juices, mocktails and hot beverages, a house with wines and cocktails and premium with Mimosas, Sangria or champagne.
AED360 soft, AED485 house, AED725 champagne; Sundays 12pm to 5pm (three-hour slots); lacantine.ae
Mayabay
With three locations worldwide in Monaco, Dubai and Riyadh, Mayabay serves up elevated interpretations of Thai and Japanese cuisine in an ornate setting, the Dubai outpost located at Jumeirah Al Naseem’s swanky Turtle Lagoon. Mayabay’s Sunday MayaBrunch offers an upscale party vibe topped off by striking views of the Burj Al Arab and served up a great selection of vegetarian, seafood and meat options paired with fruity Asian-inspired beverages. Enjoy a colourful array of free-flowing fresh sushi rolls, gyoza and dumplings, alongside a choice of main spanning Thai, Japanese and Chinese.
AED395 soft, AED550 house, AED750 bubbly; Sunday 12-3.30pm; mayabayrestaurant.com
