Dubai is one of the best places on Earth to dine with a view, here you can choose from beach views, desert views or ultra modern metropolis views. The city’s futuristic skyline has some of the world’s tallest buildings, plus unusual shaped designs – from the Burj Al Arab, shaped like a billowing sail, to the egg-like Museum of the Future, the oblong-shaped Dubai Frame and the 90 degree twisting Cayan Tower. One of the best ways to ponder this modern architecture at its most creative is slowly over a meal, often high in the sky, as the sun sets on the horizon. These are our favourite places to dine with a view in Dubai.
1. At.mosphere
From the world’s highest restaurant, located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, you can expect staggering city views while tucking into European fine dining, from Wagyu steak to foie gras, in a plush setting with purple velvet chairs and floor-to-ceiling windows. The dress code in the evening is elegant. And the clientele? Business moguls, fine‑food fans, and the odd celeb.
There is also a live piano on weekend evenings, but if that scene feels a little too formal, come for breakfast which has the same view but offers a more laid-back affair with eggs cooked in every style and classic first-meal-of-the-day dishes with an upmarket twist (order up truffle crepes or vegan roulade).
2. SushiSamba
Overlooking Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Ain Dubai, SushiSamba sits on the 51st floor of the Palm Tower and offers a delish Japanese‑Brazilian‑Peruvian menu. Think ceviche, black cod and tropical drinks. The atmosphere is ultra‑chic luxe, with rich burnt‑orange interiors and lush greenery. Live DJs playing soulful beats keep the energy buzzing and draw a stylish, cosmopolitan crowd. Perfect for sunset to late-night dinners. The 360° panoramic terrace is ideal for summer evenings.
3. CÉ LA VI
For Burj Khalifa skyline views, it doesn’t get much better than CÉ LA VI, on the 54th floor of Address Sky View Hotel, perched 220 metres above sea level. Part restaurant, part sky‑bar, part pool club (with DJs and entertainment events nightly) this hip, vibey spot serves contemporary Asian food (dishes such as kushiyaki skewers and crunchy tempura, and desserts like pineapple crème brûlée). Look out for the special events including Caviar Mondays, Tuesday Ladies nights, with free drinks for women, which can be enjoyed from the high tables surrounding a central bar, or the Saturday brunches, for an afternoon dining and drinking extravaganza.
4. Akira Back
For a different feel, head to this industrial‑cool loft restaurant at W Dubai The Palm, with dark elegant interiors that offer a Tokyo‑NYC aesthetic 200 metres above chilled beach Palm views. Eats here are Korea and Japan-inspired; Chef Akira’s signature AB tuna pizza and black cod are not to be missed. Try the Social Sunday brunch for sushi platters and live DJ entertainment.
5. Thiptara
Beside the Dubai Fountain in The Palace Downtown, Thiptara (meaning ‘Magic at the Water’ in Thai) is all about Thai cuisine in a Thai‑palace-like date night setting, with water‑front views and candlelit patios. Tuck into aromatic green curry, crispy prawns and spicy shrimp soup as you watch Dubai Fountain dance at the foot of Dubai Mall.
6. Nuska
While Dubai’s Downtown skyline gets all the glory, the Burj Al Arab took Dubai architecture to new stratospheres in 1999 when it opened with its sail shape off Jumeirah Beach. Boho‑chic Nuska, at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, is a gorgeous terraced spot just off the sand with gorgeous views of the Burj Al Arab, which is illuminated with colour at night. It’s pleasant during the day for lunch (look out for rose lunch deals) or in the evening for top seafood.
7. Attiko
On the 31st floor of W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, this is the place for panoramic Marina views. Attiko serves Pan‑Asian cuisine (think truffle fries, sushi and tuna tartare) in an upmarket modern lounge with a crowd dressed to impress as a DJ plays deep‑house music. On cooler nights ask for a balcony table to fully enjoy the sunset views. Look out for popular events like the Sky Brunch and Sunset Society, with sharing sushi platters paired with a variety of drinks.
8. Mott 32
On the 73rd floor of Address Beach Resort, the dramatic views at Mott 32 soar to Bluewater Island, Ain Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, JBR and the Marina. Previously featuring in the Michelin Guide, here you can Tuck into high‑end Chinese (dishes including 42‑day apple‑wood roasted Peking duck and carefully prepared dim sum, Kung Pao lobster, and abalone) while sipping on creative drinks in a setting mirroring an NYC‑style loft with Hong Kong flair.
9. Pierchic
Dramatically perched the end of a wooden jetty extending into the Arabian Gulf, forming part of the Jumeirah Al Qasr resort, Pierchic has splendid views of the Burj Al Arab and the Arabian Gulf. These can be enjoyed from a terrace or inside on warmer days. It’s a refined and romantic, but not a formal space – think neutral linens, soft wood tones and floor-to-ceiling glass walls for an inside/outside feel.
Here, Chef Beatrice Segoni serves up Mediterranean gems such as seafood carpaccio, whole Mediterranean sea bass and shellfish platters. The outdoor bar is a cool spot for a sundowner, or book in advance for the legendary La Notte Italiana (Long Table Dinner), which takes place at Christmas under the stars with communal dining and a specially curated five-course menu.
10. Urla
Next to the stunning Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa, Urla is at ground level, inside the Address Downtown, and serves up an Mediterranean‑Aegean menu (of Spanish, Greek, and Turkish inspired flavours – think sea bass ceviche, monkfish skewers, meze platter and fresh fish). But this place is really known on Instagram for its illuminated tree at the centre of the bar, which comes to life with 16 million swirling colours from 11,000 individual full-colour LEDs. There’s live jazz and DJ sets on weekends and the place attracts a cosmopolitan crowd to its intimate terrace, where they serve lunch deals.
