J1 Beach: A guide to the 13 beach clubs and restaurants

From stunning spots from St Tropez and Tulum, to homegrown members clubs and beachside eats… 

In December 2022, we broke the news that Dubai’s beloved La Mer South was to be completely demolished to make way for a dazzling new beach resort, J1 Beach. And the first venues are now welcoming guests.

The destination will open in phases, with the first few concepts opening in October, and more to follow in the coming months.

Meet the 13 exciting new concepts coming to J1 Beach: 

Now open

Gigi Rigolatto

With RIKAS now part of lifestyle group Ennismore, they’re teaming up with another Ennismore entity, Paris Society, to bring St Tropez hotspot Gigi Rigolatto to J1 Beach. Featuring a lush, landscaped garden, inviting pool area, Bellini bar, and a boutique, it’s set to be a chic, French Riviera inspired beach club for relaxed and refined days of tan-topping. It’s also home to the famed Gigi Circus kids club, making it the place to be for families.

Gigi Rigolatto, J1 Beach, pool 10am to sunset, restaurant 12pm to 6pm and 8pm to 1am. Tel: (0)4 558 2067 @gigi_beach_dubai

Almayass by the Sea

This family-run Armenian-Lebanese restaurant will transport guests back to 1966 Beirut with its seafood menu filled with mezze-style dishes, fresh ingredients, and fusion of flavours. Started in Beirut, it will be the brand’s second outpost in the UAE, currently open at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi which was awarded a Michelin Bib-Gourmand last year.

Almayass by the Sea, J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1. @almayass_dubai 

Chouchou

Chouchou is a chic French beachhouse from new hospitality company, With Love. Promising to bring a slice of St Tropez chic to the Jumeirah 1 beachfront, Chouchou promises next-level luxury and hospitality across a two-floor drinking, dining and socialising experience. Complete with a pool and beach area, salon, restaurant and several bars, Chouchou will be the only private members club at J1 Beach – with almost all the areas open to members only – although the restaurant will open for bookings for all.

Coming soon

Bâoli

From the ultra chic shores of Cannes comes Bâoli – and it’s set to open in Dubai this October. Renowned for its haute cuisine and A-list guestlist, it’s set to bring a chic slice of the French Riviera to the city. By day, expect a more chilled ambience for tan topping and luxurious relaxation. As the sun sets, the tempo goes up, as Bâoli welcomes guests for sundowners at one of the multiple bars or VIP lounges. Dining can be done at either the indoor restaurant – filled with lush, tropical interiors – or on the airy outdoor terrace backdropped by the Arabian Gulf. On the menu, expect French and Mediterranean flavours fused with East Asian techniques, so a bit of everything to please the global Dubai palate. The Dubai iteration of the famed Cannes hotspot will be operated by industry heavyweights Sunset Hospitality, also behind haute hangouts like Aura, Sushisamba, Drift and Signor Sassi.

Bâoli, J1 Beach, La Mer, opening October. @baoli.dubai

La Baia by the Beach

Set to open this October, the chic beach club is inspired by the Amalfi Coast, and as such promises a charming taste of Italy on the shores of Jumierah. A showcase of Southern Italian flavours, dazzling and colourful decor, and sensational live performances that evoke the sense of summer on the Italian coast, it’s set to be a real sensory flight to one of the world’s most captivating places. The beach club will sit pretty by its own poolside, so whether you’re dining in the restaurant or lounging poolside, it’s set to be one of the most glamourous spots to see and be seen when it opens later this year.

La Baia by the Beach, J1 Beach, La Mer, opening October. @labaia.dubai

Ninive Beach

Alongside Gigi, RIKAS will also bring a shorefront iteration of their opulent Middle Eastern concept, Ninive, to J1 Beach. Already located at Jumeirah Emirates Towers and Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, the third Ninive in Dubai will be the first festive Middle Eastern beach club in Dubai. It will feature a restaurant, bar and pool, as well as beach loungers.

Ninive Beach, J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, opening October. @ninivebeach

African Queen

Exotic fine dining restaurant African Queen is opening its first outpost outside of Europe at J1 Beach. From the French Riviera, the cult-followed restaurant is inspired by French culture and African flavours. Guests can expect Chef Paludetto’s signature Mediterranean dishes, from truffle pizza cooked over a wood fire to traditional niçoise with tuna, as well as exotic cocktails in a casual atmosphere.

African Queen, J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, opening November. @africanqueen_dubai

Gitano

Born in Tulum, Gitano – which means Spanish for gypsy – is a bohemian concept designed for the free-spirited. Its rustic-luxe aesthetic is found at its beach and jungle locations in Tulum, as well as a restaurant in Miami and a pop-up that comes to New York’s Govenor’s Island each summer. Gitano Dubai will be the brand’s fifth global location. A tropical aesthetic with a glamorous touch, verdant plants and trees will surround wooden tables, all of which will fall under the twinkling of disco balls and the bright neon pink Gitano logo. On the menu, signature mezcal cocktails and a modern Mexican menu await.

Gitano, J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, opening November. @gitano.dubai

INÁ

Alongside Sirene by Gaia, Fundamental Hospitality will open their first restaurant serving West African cuisine at J1 Beach. Meaning ‘fire’ in Nigerian Yoruba, INA will open for dinner only, and promises a multi-sensory journey of African-inspired, open-fire cooking, in a space that’s thoughtful and warm.

Kaimana Beach

For top notch food and cocktails by the sea, look no further than Kaimana. Meaning ‘spirit of the ocean’ in Polynesian, Kaimana Beach will serve up a tropical Asian/Polynesian inspired menu, inventive cocktails, and an immersive beachfront experience.

Kaimana Beach, J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, opening November. @kaimanabeachdubai 

LÚNICO

LUNICO, J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, opening November. @lunico_ae

Sakhalin

Opening its third outpost in J1 Beach later this year, Sakhalin is a Michelin-Star awarded restaurant from Moscow. The restaurant is renowned for its unique Mediterranean and Asian recipes using both local and Far Eastern products to create a memorable dining experience. In Dubai, the J1 Beach outpost will be both an upscale restaurant and stylish beach club, inviting guests to enjoy the flavours of star chef Vladimir Mukhin in both a relaxed beach setting and refined restaurant.

Sakhalin, J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, opening November. @sakhalin.dubai

Sirene Beach by Gaia

Known and loved for putting upscale Greek cuisine on the Dubai culinary map, DIFC hotspot Gaia is expanding to the seas. In November, the creators of Gaia, Fundamental Hospitality, are set to open Sirene by Gaia. Set over 9,000 square metres, the spot will feature a duo of restaurants, up to 400 sun loungers dotted across the pool and beach, and a stunning seaside lounge. For sun-soaked soirees by day, stunning sundowners, and dazzling dinners after dark, it’s set to be a next-level day-to-night destination.

Sirene by Gaia, J1 Beach, Jumeira 1, opening November. @sirenebygaia

Images: Supplied