6 private dining rooms to try in Dubai
Team outing? Surprise birthday bash? Hen party? Or are you just a high roller? Whatever your occasion, here’s where to book a private dining room in Dubai.
This dreamy French restaurant in DIFC (pictured above) has a beautiful table surrounded by chiffon curtains that seats 12. The chefs can design a special menu for you, or you can choose a sharing menu with dishes such as lobster carpaccio, roast chicken and Eton mess.
Cost: Minimum spend Dhs4,000 for the table.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers, DIFC, Dubai, Sat to Wed noon to 2am, Thur and Fri noon to 3am. Tel: (04) 3527105. Metro: Emirates Towers.
This BBQ spot in Souk Al Bahar has a bit on the side: The Barn. The room looks like its name and diners are asked to wear plastic bibs and get stuck in to American comfort foods. Make your own margaritas or daiquiris, watch sports on huge screens, and play beer pong and arcade games.
Cost: Dhs4,500 for 15 guests, then Dhs300 per extra person for a maximum of 24 people.
Souk Al Bahar, Downtown, Dubai, daily 5pm to 1.30am. Tel: (04) 4322300. Taxi: Souk Al Bahar.
This classy French restaurant, winner of two hats in The Black Hat Guide, has a hidden private dining room named Cave Privee. The backdrop is spectacular: a wine cellar with more than 4,000 bottles. The food is decadent, including treats such as oysters and foie gras.
Cost: Dhs300 to Dhs450 per person, plus drinks.
Park Hyatt Dubai, Garhoud, Dubai, daily 7pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 3172222. Metro: GGICO.
One of the most beautiful dining rooms in Dubai, The Ivy has a magnificent oval dining table, an epic chandelier and stained glass windows. Menu options at this restaurant, which has three hats in The Black Hat Guide, include the best of British, such as old favourites like the classic shepherd’s pie, plus wine pairings.
Cost: Minimum spend of Dhs5,000 for the event, with
a max of 20 guests.
Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, daily noon to 11pm. Tel: (04) 3198767. Metro: Emirates Towers.
Lively, buzzing, and serving great Spanish food, Boca is a DIFC diamond. Its cosy private dining room, The Cellar, is tucked away downstairs in the basement. You and your private party will sit at a beautiful, long, wooden table on high chairs surrounded by racks of wine bottles and crates.
Boca’s Wine Cellar Experience serves eight wines from France, Italy and Spain paired with eight dishes such as braised oxtail tortellini, grilled octopus, and their talked-about black rice with seared scallops. The two-hour evening is hosted by the restaurant’s sommelier so it’s informative and sociable as well as being darn good fun.
Cost: Dhs550 per person, Dhs330 per person food only.
Gate Village 6, DIFC, Dubai, daily noon to 1am. Tel: (04) 3231833. Metro: Emirates Towers.
This Dubai institution, which has three hats in The Black Hat Guide, is about meat, with ribs, chicken and steaks ready to satisfy any hungry group. The private room is a secluded spot for eating, drinking and getting a little bit rowdy.
Cost: No fixed price, but dinner costs around Dhs250 per head without drinks.
Habtoor Grand Beach Resort And Spa, JBR, Dubai, Sat to Thur 1pm to midnight, Fri noon to midnight. Tel: (04) 3994221. Taxi: Habtoor Grand.