26 outdoor restaurants in Dubai perfect for a long, leisurely lunch

Bookmark this list of top outdoor restaurants in Dubai

Dubai’s cooler weather is back, and that means that the best days of the alfresco season are upon us. If you’re looking to make the most of them, how does spending a long, leisurely lunch at a beautiful Dubai restaurant sound? You know the ones – the kind of spots you go to for lunch and end up staying the whole day.

Here, we’ve rounded up 26 beautiful outdoor restaurants in Dubai to visit.

Brunch & Cake by the Lake

Popular Barcelona-born Brunch & Cake has opened a number of successful venues in Dubai – the latest being Brunch & Cake by the Lake. Found at Jumeirah Islands Pavilion, you can tuck into dishes that are as Instagrammable as they are tasty. From eggs Benedict served on a garden shovel (it’s way cooler than it sounds) to the famous avocado toast, açaí bowls adorned with fruit, beautifully decorated cakes and cool drinks, there’s something for everyone.

What: Brunch & Cake by the Lake
Where: Jumeirah Islands Pavilion
Book:@brunchandcakeuae

Boardwalk

A Dubai institution for more than 25 years, few places have the rustic appeal of Boardwalk. Sitting pretty on the edge of Dubai Creek, this beloved venue boasts a terrace with some wonderful sea views. A family-friendly address that encapsulates all the beauty of this more traditional part of town, fresh seafood is the star of the show here, with fresh crudo, grilled meat and a dedicated section of lobster cooked half a dozen ways.

What: Boardwalk
Where: Dubai Creek Marina
Book: @boardwalkdubai

Bungalo34

Tucked away on Pearl Jumeira Island, Bungalo34 is a place for those searching for a spot of calm in the form of breathtaking sea views, fresh Mediterranean food, and a cosy, family-friendly atmosphere. This chic, come-as-you-are concept comes from Tashas Group, and is ideal for those looking to enjoy a leisurely beachside breakfast, lunch or dinner with impeccable food and drinks. Whether you’re sat inside the restaurant, on the gorgeous terrace, or down in the sand, enjoy classic European Riviera-inspired dishes including fresh pasta (the Amalfi lemon is a must-try), a seafood bar, wood-fired pizza, refreshing salads, and more.

What: Bungalo34
Where: Nikki Beach Residences, Pearl Jumeira Island
Book: @bungalo34

Byron Bathers

Taking inspiration from Sydney’s famed hotspot, Byron Bay, Byron Bathers is an all-occasions-pleasing spot, inviting diners to a trio of spaces: the main restaurant that opens to an alfresco terrace, the relaxed oyster bar just beyond the terrace and then the beach, where you’ll find loungers, deck chairs and even a play area for the little ones. Inside, decor is light and airy, with an easy-going, surf-style aesthetic: think preppy blue and white stripes, a hefty shot of greenery, all with a distinct family-friendly vibe. Outdoors, there’s a tropical garden feel, with a whitewashed beer garden-style set-up, as well as terrace tables set neatly under the shade of Byron’s many Santorini-style umbrellas.

Casea 101

Casea 101 brings a slice of the Riviera to the waterfront at One&Only The Palm. It is the latest concept from Yannick Alléno, the chef behind the resort’s two-Michelin-starred STAY as well as the newly opened L’Abysse next door. The menu is built around Italian coastal cooking and Mediterranean produce, with seafood firmly at its heart. If you want to make an entrance, you can arrive by boat from the marina.

What: Casea 101 by Yannick Alléno
Where: One&Only The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
Book: @casea101dubai

Casita by Casa Amor

After its standout arrival as Casa Amor, this St Tropez import is now Casita by Casa Amor, its new identity a sign of its more laidback and leisurely approach to alfresco dining and sun-soaked days on the sand. While the beach club does boast an array of loungers and cabanas on the sand, the restaurant is the place to while away an afternoon with friends. By day, expect Casa Amor’s signature alchemy of music, art, food, and wellbeing. The menu features sharing-style dishes blending South of France flavors with subtle Latin influences, served in an inviting, warm, and unpretentious atmosphere, surrounded by earthy textures and summery light wood.

What: Casita by Casa Amor
Where: Mandarin Oriental Jumeira
Book: @casita.dubai

The Duck Hook

Looking for a family-friendly chill-out spot? If you’re hot on the best spots for a roast dinner in Dubai, we doubt The Duck Hook will have escaped your notice. The great gastropub-style restaurant has a welcoming indoor restaurant and bar, a casual outdoor terrace, and picnic tables on the lawn. If you’re going for a roast dinner, the beef is a winner, with Stockyard beef cooked three ways, including pulled short rib served in a Yorkshire pudding with lashings of rich gravy.

What: The Duck Hook
Where: Dubai Hills Golf Club
Book: @theduckhookdubai

Fish Beach Taverna

Whitewashed walls, shades of Santorini blue and lanterns strung through the trees make Fish Beach Taverna one of the prettiest outdoor restaurants in the city for a lazy lunch. Tucked away on the sand at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, this Aegean-inspired taverna has tables set among the trees and a few right on the beach, steps from the water. The kitchen celebrates the seafood traditions of the Greek and Turkish coasts. Choose your fish from the fresh display and have it cooked to your liking, then fill the table with small plates for sharing.

What: Fish Beach Taverna
Where: Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark
Book: @fishdubai

Flamingo Room by tashas

One of Dubai’s most popular restaurants for its flawless food and stunning interiors, Flamingo Room has an outdoor shaded terrace sitting over the turtle lagoon in Jumeirah al Naseem. This picture-perfect spot boasts a menu of inventive, flavourful dishes including the famous Calamari Mozambique, lobster pasta and the peri-peri chicken.

What: Flamingo Room by tashas
Where: Jumeirah Al Naseem
Book: @flamingroomdubai

Gigi Beach Dubai

The Dubai outpost of the cult Saint-Tropez and Paris favourite, Gigi brings la dolce vita to J1 Beach. Two sprawling terraces step down towards the shoreline, with a Mediterranean garden of greenery and fragrant herbs alongside. The kitchen serves seasonal Italian dishes that roam from Tuscany to Puglia. Start the afternoon properly at the Bellini Bar, then settle in. If lunch turns into a full afternoon, there is a pétanque court, four private cabanas named after Italian islands, and the Gigi Circus kids’ club to keep little ones entertained while the grown-ups linger.

What: Gigi Beach Dubai
Where: J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1
Book: @gigi_beach_dubai

Iliana

Few lunch tables in Dubai come with a view like this. Iliana sits right by the water at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, with uninterrupted views of the Burj Al Arab, and its cool blues and sun-bleached whites feel lifted straight from the Cyclades. Head Chef Andreas Gkipalis draws on his Greek heritage with a menu of fresh, vibrant island cooking. Expect dishes such as sea bass carpaccio and grilled octopus with Santorini fava. Leave room for the bougatsa, a warm custard pie served with cinnamon ice cream. Book a table on the terrace and don’t plan anything for the afternoon.

What: Iliana
Where: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim
Book: @ilianadubai

Koko Bay

For boho chic beach vibes, head to Koko Bay, bringing a slice of Bali to the oh-so-popular Palm West Beach. With pretty parasols, cool rattan furniture out on the sand and colourful cocktails, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re at a tropical island beach club. The menu is Asian inspired, and we recommend ordering lots of small plates to share between you, like salmon tartare, lobster mango salad, and rock shrimp kunafa. Make sure to stick around for sunset, when the beach torches are lit, and the venue transcends from day to night.

What: Koko Bay
Where: Palm West Beach, Dubai
Book: @kokobayuae

L’Amo Bistro Del Mare

Alfresco dining gets an elevated, oceanic-inspired touch at L’Amo Bistro Del Mare. This gorgeous restaurant at Dubai Harbour invites you to relax at one of the pretty shaded tables as you watch the yachts gently bob in the harbour, and skydivers make their dramatic descent at the drop zone nearby. The expansive terrace snakes around two sides of the restaurant, forming an L-shape, where glamourous guests enjoy dining on a prettily plated southern Italian and seafood-focused menu.

What: L’Amo Bistro Del Mare
Where: Dubai Harbour Yacht Club, Dubai International Marine Club
Book: @lamobistrodelmare

Laguna Beach Restaurant

This serene spot at Sofitel Dubai The Palm offers true toes-in-the-sand dining, with white linen drapes swaying in the breeze, and beachy beats playing in the background. Head to the lounge for refreshing cocktails and relaxed seating, or book the restaurant where you’ll be seated on a natural wooden table, admiring the mansions that dot the stretching Palm fronds. All of the seating is outdoors, and there’s no bad seat in the house for views and atmosphere. While the menu, an extensive Mediterranean offering, comes complete with a fresh seafood display and pairs perfectly with the impressive wine offering.

What: Laguna Beach Taverna & Lounge
Where: Sofitel Dubai The Palm, East Crescent
Book: @lagunabeachdubai

Lucia’s

Lucia’s sits pretty on the beachfront at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The new iteration of the pretty Italian restaurant is smaller than the original, with a laid-back, seaside feel and stunning Burj Al Arab views. The interiors ooze Capri-chic, with lashings of lemon, a fruit display, and lots of plants peppered around the space. On the foodie front, Southern Italian flavours take centre stage, with fresh salads, homemade pastas served in giant wheels, and locally-sourced fish all providing the perfect options for sharing.

What: Lucia’s
Where: Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Book: @luciasdubai

The Maine Beach House

Dubai’s much-loved homegrown brasserie has finally taken its New England charm to the shoreline. The Maine Beach House at Club Vista Mare is the brand’s first seaside venue in Dubai, pairing breezy East Coast-inspired interiors with beach beds, a bar and trees framing the space. The menu leans nautical, with crispy fish tacos, lobster rolls, sticky short ribs and handmade pastas. Head to the seafood counter to choose your catch of the day, such as red snapper or sea bass. It is family-friendly and dog-friendly, so the whole crew can come, and it is just as good for a laid-back lunch as for staying on for sunset drinks.

What: The Maine Beach House
Where: Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah
Book: @themainedxb

Nuska

Social, open-fire cooking with picturesque views awaits at Nuska. It’s got a pretty boho feel, with tables across the terrace that spills down to a more relaxed lounge on the beach. Inspired by the Babylonian god of fire and light, Nuska, offers Mediterranean dishes that are prepared fresh over a coal fire you can enjoy with a side of ocean views.

What: Nuska
Where: Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Book: @nuskadubai

Piatti by the Beach

A chic addition to Dubai’s glorious outdoor restaurant scene is Piatti by the Beach. Offering neutral tones with blue accents and a beach view that will transport you to the Med, Piatti encapsulates the European lifestyle through food, music and ambience. The Amalfi Coast-inspired spot offers an Italian haven within Dubai’s bustling cityscape, where diners can bask in the winter sun on the sprawling terrace.

What: Piatti by the Beach
Where: Raffles The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
Book: @piattibythebeach

Rockfish

In the mood for seafood with fabulous, up-close views of the Burj Al Arab? Look no further than Rockfish, which you’ll find at Jumeirah Al Naseem. While there’s a lovely chic restaurant indoors, the outdoor space is most alluring, with an expansive deck that faces down to the beach and the Burj Al Arab. Start your afternoon with a drink at the barrel bar, then head to your table and dine on the flavours of the Mediterranean, expertly crafted by chef Andrea Brugnetti and his talented brigade.

What: Rockfish
Where: Jumeirah Al Naseem
Book: @rockfishdubai

SAN Beach

Aesthetically, SAN Beach has to be one of the most beautiful beach clubs in Dubai with its curvaceous lines, natural palette and tactile textures of marble, wood and slate. There are both an indoor restaurant and two levels of beach: the first comes with tables surrounded by plenty of greenery, a pool bar and a DJ booth, while the second is filled with loungers leading to the sea. While this is a popular spot for beach days soaking up the sun on the Maldives-imported sand, a dining experience is a must-try at this gorgeous beach address. Quality Mediterranean fare is mastered up from an impressive open kitchen, where plates like wagyu beef tartare, seabream truffle ceviche and tiger prawn tempura all come perfectly presented.

What: SAN Beach
Where: The Club, Palm Best Beach, Palm Jumeirah
Book: @sanbeach.dubai

Sea Fu

Set beside the Arabian Gulf at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Sea Fu is a long-time favourite that has returned this season as a dedicated daytime destination. The contemporary Asian menu puts exceptional seafood centre stage, with sushi and sashimi, steamed dim sum, wok-fried specialities and grilled seafood. New dishes include a seven-piece chef’s selection of nigiri, grilled Japanese madai with sea fennel and sauce vierge, and the restaurant’s own take on yaki soba. Grab a table on the terrace, where sea views stretch to the horizon, and make an afternoon of it.

What: Sea Fu
Where: Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah 2
Book: @seafudubai

Shimmers

For alfresco dining with a view, few do it better than Shimmers. On the shorefront of Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, this Greek-inspired alfresco restaurant brings the charming Greek isles to the shores of the Arabian Gulf. New for this season, it’s had a welcome refurb to bring a new lounge and bar area and an enhanced restaurant space to the beach, with a new menu by chef de cuisine Emanuele de Leo to boot. From vibrant daytime vibes to serene evening dining, it’s a gorgeous spot to enjoy chilled beats, incredible sunsets and gourmet dining.

What: Shimmers
Where: Jumeirah Mina Al Salam
Book: @shimmersdubai

Tagomago

An ode to Ibiza’s sun-drenched chiringuitos, Tagomago features a sunbed-lined beach, an adults-only pool and a chiringuito-style restaurant, which spills out onto a terrace and stretch of sand that are the best tables to book for long, leisurely outdoor lunches. Guests can enjoy sunbathing on the sandy shores, graze on a Mediterranean menu masterminded by corporate executive chef Giles Bousquet, and take a dip in the sparkling sea. Whether it’s for a luxe day at the beach club or a long lunch in the restaurant, Tagomago brings a taste of the White Isle to the Palm Jumeirah.

What: Tagomago
Where: Azure Residences, Palm Jumeirah
Book: @tagomagodubai

Tamoka

Not only does Tamoka offer a gorgeous restaurant space with indoor and outdoor seating, but there are also seats on the beach – perfect for sundowners – and a separate beach bar, Caña Beach, which is reached by a winding path and is right out on the sand. Dishes include sticky beef short ribs, salt and pepper baby squid, rack of lamb and dry-aged tenderloin. Oh, and you’ll be able to enjoy amazing views of Ain Dubai, as Tamoka sits right opposite it on JBR.

What: Tamoka
Where: Al Mamsha Street, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, JBR
Book: @tamokadubai

Ula

At the very top of Palm West Beach is oh-so-pretty Ula. With its boho beach chic aesthetic: think lots of wood, macrame and hanging plants, it gives that instant on-holiday feel. The restaurant and bar is huge, with a duo of terraces to enjoy seaside views while dining on the extensive Mediterranean menu. Go for breakfast and stay into lunch, or enjoy an afternoon meal that spills into sundowners.

What: Ula
Where: Dukes, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Book: @uladxb

Images: Social/provided