Weekend feasts: 12 new brunches to try in Dubai
Dubai’s appetite for a slap up lunch on the weekend shows no signs of slowing down. Here’s our pick of the newest players in town…
1. The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill, DoubleTree by Hilton JBR
Hidden away in the underground car park of the Hilton DoubleTree lies Dubai’s best kept secret (that said, it’s really rather popular). Beyond the cool valet drop-off and behind the stained glass door is an airy East coast-style restaurant, complete with its very own chic tiled bar. Shunning the typical all you can eat Dubai brunch norm, The Maine serves an a la carte menu, which include special brunch plates such as chicken n’ waffles, billionaire French toast with foie gras, and fried oyster omelet as well as few of the restaurant favourites. (Get the truffle pizza and the fish tacos: trust us). Thirsty folk can wash that all down with several drinks packages starting at Dhs250.
DoubleTree by Hilton JBR, Fri and Sat noon to 4pm, a la carte menu plus Dhs250 for house drinks, Dhs350 for premium drinks. Tel: (04) 4576719. Taxi: DoubleTree by Hilton. themaine.ae.
2. Suq, Four Seasons Dubai
SUQ’s garden terrace is the star of the show at this classy brunch so book now while the weather’s still bearable. The crowd is elegant: think perfectly starched collars and a confident use of pastels. The food is an international buffet style, but the Irish lamb is quality, the noodles rival Din Tai Fung and the black truffle pizza is so good you’ll scoff the lot.
Four Seasons Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, Fri 1pm to 4pm, Dhs350 with soft drinks, Dhs500 with house drinks, Dhs690 with champagne. Tel: (04) 2707777. Taxi: Four Seasons. fourseasons.com
3. Brasserie Quartier, The St Regis Dubai
Brunch At The Manor at Brasserie Quartier is as grand as it sounds: French cuisine served to your marble-topped tables (although there are buffet stations where you can grab extra meats and seafood). Mains includes strip loin and truffle risotto.
Habtoor City, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Fri 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs450 with soft drinks, Dhs550 with house drinks, Dhs600 with champagne. Tel: (04) 4355577. Taxi: St Regis Dubai. bqdubai.com
4. Boulevard Kitchen, Manzil Downtown Dubai
A wonderful hidden gem in Downtown Dubai, residents (and visitors) now have a new reason to come to this chic Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant – its new, family-friendly brunch. The kitchen whips up everything from cheese sambousek and shawarmas to grilled meats and mutton biryani. Children will be kept busy at the entertainment zone, which features a colouring-in station – that’ll help keep the little ones distracted long enough for you to mull over the cocktail list. There is also a separate a la carte children’s menu including Nutella milkshakes, chicken tenders, fish sticks and fries that will satisfy the pickiest of eaters if the buffet isn’t to their taste.
Boulevard Kitchen, Manzil Downtown Dubai, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Fri 1pm to 4pm, Dhs195 with soft drinks and shisha, Dhs295 with house drinks and shisha, Dhs95 (children between six and 12). Tel: (04) 4285888. Taxi: Manzil Downtown. vida-hotels.com.
5. Fountain, Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai
This new family-friendly brunch includes live street food stations as well as an a la carte menu and a seriously sweet collection of treats. For the little ones, there’s Kids’ Paradise, which is exactly as it sounds – a place where children can eat, drink and play under the supervision of the hotel staff.
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai, Fri noon until 4pm, Dhs195 with soft drinks, Dhs295 with house drinks, kids aged between 12 and 16 get a 50 per cent discount, under-12s free. Tel: (04) 3104320. Metro: Healthcare City. movenpick.com.
6. Street Art Brunch, The Oberoi
Foodies will tell you that when visiting a new city, you should check out the street food stalls. That’s the ethos at The Oberoi’s new Street Art Brunch, which serves global dishes from Peruvian ceviche to South African bunny chow. It’s a trendy atmosphere, with street art graffiti, plus a chance to relax outside with some shisha.
The Oberoi, Business Bay, Dubai, Fri 1pm to 4pm, Dhs299 with soft drinks, Dhs399 with house drinks, Dhs599 with champagne. Tel: (04) 4441407. Metro: Business Bay. oberoihotels.com.
7. Miami Grill Brunch, Purobeach
Purobeach in Dubai is home to beach views, beautiful people and plenty of white furnishings. Its Saturday brunch starts out chilled, but as the volume of its in-house DJ builds so does the party atmosphere. Go with a crowd, book a cabana and settle in with a few canapés. Then head down to the sand where you’ll find chefs cooking seafood and top-notch pizzas.
JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort, Dubai, Sat 1pm to 4pm, Dhs300. Tel: (050) 7013303. Taxi: Jebel Ali Golf Resort. facebook.com/PurobeachUAE
8. Giardino, Palazzo Versace
Giardino certainly represents the Versace brand with a décor that is loud and proud. Food stations serve Italian fare, and there’s a decent seafood bar. The real gem is the DJ, who helps take the kitsch surroundings to a level of cool. Oh, and the terrace, which looks out onto the Creek and pool.
Palazzo Versace, Culture Village, Dubai, Fri 1pm to 4pm, Dhs350 with soft drinks, Dhs550 with house drinks, Dhs650 with champagne. Tel: (04) 4371640. Metro: Al Jadaf. palazzoversace.ae.
9. Marina Social, InterContinental Dubai Marina
The only thing better than a good brunch is a good brunch with a show-off worthy view. That’s just what you’ll get at Marina Social’s newly launched Friday brunch (there’s a Saturday Social brunch too). Book a table on the outdoor terrace and soak in views of the marina along with plenty of sun as you tuck into a menu from Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton. The brunch is a la carte, and it kicks off with tasty starters served picnic-style – from a wicker basket, onto mini gingham blankets on your table. The mains provides high-end comfort food like shepherd’s pie and mac and cheese with braised beef cheeks.
InterContinental Dubai Marina, Dubai, Fri and Sat 12.30 to 3.30, Dhs315 with soft drinks, Dhs495 with house drinks, Dhs595 with champagne. Tel: (04) 4466664. Taxi: InterCon Dubai Marina. marinasocialdubai.com
10. Treehouse, Taj Dubai
Halfway up Taj Dubai lies Treehouse, Business Bay’s latest chic, outdoor lounge. A modern mix of warm colours and classic comforts, Treehouse’s cosy look consists of corner sofas, large wooden tables and even a Victorian fireplace. As far as the brunch menu goes, things are kicked off with a picnic hamper – complete with fresh bread, cold cuts and delicious spreads and cheeses. The hamper is followed by food fresh from the grill, with the option to order accompanying dishes from the a la carte menu. The short rib mini burgers are to die for.
Treehouse Dubai, Taj Dubai, Burj Khalifa Street, Business Bay, Dubai, Fri 2pm to 5pm, Dhs345 with soft drinks, Dhs445 with house drinks, Dhs545 with champagne. Tel: (050) 6483083. Taxi: Taj Dubai. facebook.com/treehouse-dubai
11. Brasserie 2.0, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa
Despite a backdrop overlooking the gardens of Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, the real treat at Brasserie 2.0 is the seafood. There are dozens of cooking stations hidden around corners and tucked away outside so be prepared to eat and explore.
Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Marina, Dubai, Fri 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Dhs400 with soft drinks, Dhs525 with house drinks, Dhs725 with champagne. Tel: (050) 6483083. brasserie2point0.com
12. The Garden, Raffles
The Raffles Roast Friday Brunch is always a fun day out. Now it’s become even more family-friendly thanks to the addition of the Garden, an outdoor fair where you can sample food from all over the world. There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained too, from bouncy castles and face painting to baking pizzas and decorating cookies with the chefs.
Raffles Dubai, near Wafi, Oud Metha, Dubai, Fri 1pm to 4.30pm, Dhs235 with soft drinks, Dhs385 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 3248888. Taxi: Raffles Hotel. raffles.com/dubai
