Best outdoor brunches in Dubai

What’s On has information on the best outdoor brunches in Dubai and the best restaurant terraces, including beach and poolside brunches across the weekend.

This is part of our special GREAT OUTDOORS series, full details of which are below.

– Best outdoor bars
– Best parks
– Best BBQ spots
– Best outdoor fitness classes

Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE
An al fresco Saturday brunch that’s so relaxed it’s almost horizontal. Tuck into empanadas, barbecued lamb, vegetable skewers from the BBQ, tuna carpaccio or creamy linguine while lounging on a beach bed if sitting at a table is just too much effort.

Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, Golden Tulip Al Jazira Resort, 2pm to 5pm, Dhs240. Tel: (05) 61133400. Taxi: Right off Sheikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi, Ghantoot Exit 399. bluemarlinibiza-uae.com

40Kong
A relaxing and laidback Saturday a la carte feast on the rooftop at this sky high bar. The dishes, priced around the Dhs120 mark, are international, with plenty of interesting salads as well as some hearty breakfast dishes.

The H Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 1pm to sunset. Tel: (050) 2972097. Metro: World Trade Centre. facebook.com/40kong 

Dek On 8
Fun, lively and by the pool – the 1Loves Brunch tends to attract a young, hip and carefree clientele. Sharing is the order of the day with numerous platters and buckets of beverages. Don’t forget to try out the signature champagne over ice.

Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs449 with champagne. Tel: (04) 4271000. Metro: Nakheel. dining.mediaonehotel.com 

Al Badia Golf Club
A picnic brunch on the grass with a blanket, overlooking the greens of the golf course at Al Badia, is a lovely way to spend the afternoon. Take BBQ meat and platters back to your table and chow down. Please note, it only runs between October and early April.

Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental, Dubai Festival City, Dubai, noon to 4pm, Dhs265 with soft drinks, Dhs365 with selected beverages. Tel: (04) 7011128. Taxi: Al Badia Golf Club. diningdfc.com

Reform Social Grill
Sharing platters of smoked fish, cured meats and pickles and cheese are brought on thick wooden boards at this gastropub brunch that’s good for groups. Among the a la carte mains are baked sea bream with fennel, chicory and orange, BBQ ribs, and flank steak. A treacle tart with a jug of custard is the standout dessert.

The Lakes Club, Emirates Living District, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs230 with soft drinks, Dhs350 with house beverages. Tel: (04) 4542638 Taxi: The Lakes Club. reformsocialgrill.ae

Ba
Choose from an extensive list of tantalising cold Chinese appetisers, followed by steamed and fried dumplings, plus dishes straight from the wok. And here’s the bonus: you get beach and pool access after you eat as the DJ spins at the after party until 6pm.

Fairmont The Palm, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, noon to 4pm, Dhs288 with soft drinks, Dhs488 with Bā signature drinks, hops and grape, Dhs688 beach cabana with a bottle of bubbly. Tel: (04) 4573338. Taxi: Fairmont The Palm. dineatba.com

XL Beach Club
One of Dubai’s best loved beach parties, the XL Beach Club fires up the grill for unlimited steaks, burgers, skewers and drinks. Brunchers are encouraged to stay for the post-brunch party as big-name international DJs are regularly flown in to ensure that the party goes on long into the night.

XL Beach Club, Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs260 house beverages. Tel: (056) 6406161. Taxi: Near Skydive Dubai. xlbeachclubdubai.blogspot.ae

White X Beach Club
It’s alfresco fun at the Rixos Hotel’s signature lounge bar, with a hefty barbeque brunch giving meat-eaters their fix while cool cats can listen to the chilled out music while watching the waves lap the beach.

Rixos The Palm, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs350 with house beverages. Tel: (04) 4575555. Taxi: Rixos Hotel. rixos.com

Urban Picnic
Grab a picnic basket and a blanket, choose a bottle, collect some food and pick a spot inside at a table or outside by the pool at this nostalgic brunch. There’s a pizza oven, good salads, and noodles, which come in those cool New York-style Chinese takeaway cartons. The main platter of steak, lamb chops, baked chicken and seafood is delivered to the table. The dessert counter has American treats such as fruit lattice fruit pies and peach cobbler.

Vida Downtown Hotel, Dubai, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs225 with soft drinks, Dhs295 with house beverages. Tel: (04) 4286823. Taxi: Vida Downtown Hotel. vida-hotels.com

Maya
A delicious Mexican feast, in a gorgeous outdoor villa, with beach access thrown in. Wander from the beach or pool (no beach shorts allowed) and dive into tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole, quesadilla, chili chipotle barbecue chicken salad, sizzling rib eye steak fajitas, lobster tail and lamb chops. The DJ spins until late.

Le Royal Méridien, Sufouh Road, Dubai, 1pm to 2am, Dhs350 with soft drinks, Dhs450 with house beverages. Tel: (04) 3165550. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. maya-dubai.com 

BEST TERRACES

Melia
The La Piscina Grand Brunch combines Indian restaurant Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor with Alfonso X to make one grand restaurant. You get free pool access at Estrellas, the rooftop lounge and bar where you can enjoy your food in picnic form.

Melia Dubai, Kuwait Street, Bur Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs149 with soft drinks, Dhs249 with house beverages. Tel: (04) 3868111. Taxi: Kuwait Street. melia.com

Thai Kitchen
Thai Kitchen offers both indoor and outdoor seating and serves endless small plates of superb Thai food, chosen from the menu, to your table. It’s a laid-back affair, perfect for a quiet Friday afternoon.

Park Hyatt Dubai, Deira, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs240 with soft drinks, Dhs299 with house beverages, Dhs375 with premium beverages. Tel: (04) 3172222. Metro: Deira City Centre. dubai.park.hyatt.com

Pierchic
A brunch of spectacular seafood in a romantic setting out on the jetty at this Dubai hotspot. Freshly-shucked oysters on top of a barrel is a nice talking point as is the scallop station. Mains include halibut, cod, and two sautéed tiger prawns on a bed of saffron risotto. There’s also wagyu short rib ravioli, lamb rack or beef tenderloin.

Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs550 with soft drinks, Dhs695 with champagne, cocktails and house beverages. Tel: (04) 3666730. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. jumeirah.com

Hakkasan
A large selection of excellent dumplings are on offer at Hakkasan’s yum cha brunch. Choose four out of eight steamed dumplings, four out of eight baked/fried dim sum, one main course and one dessert. The warm apple tart with hazelnut ice cream is the one to choose.

Emirates Towers, Dubai, noon to 4pm, Dhs278 with mocktails, Dhs428 with cocktails and beer, Dhs558 with wine and champagne. Tel: (04) 3848484. Metro: Emirates Towers. hakkasan.com/dubai

Toko
The Kasa brunch at this trendy Japanese restaurant is based on the Izakaya style of eating that encourages diners to share plates. Guests choose one dish from four courses as well as a dessert station. There’s an outdoor terrace and a DJ too.

Vida Downtown Hotel, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, noon to 4pm, Dhs265 with soft drinks, Dhs385 with house beverages, cocktails and sake, Dhs525 with champagne. Tel: (04) 4428383. Taxi: Vida Downtown Hotel. toko-dubai.com