Alongside its beautiful beaches, state-of-the-art skyscrapers and inimitable style, Dubai offers plenty of unique dining experiences. Wherever you go, you can expect decadent cuisine — but when it’s around every corner, how do you know where to start?
If you’re struggling to decide where to eat, look no further — the team at Frank Porter have put together our list of some of the most memorable restaurants around. From the weird and wonderful to the downright gravity-defying, these are our picks for the best dining experiences in Dubai.
At.mosphere at the Burj Khalifa
On the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, you’ll find At.mosphere — if you can tilt your head up far enough to look. Seated in the clouds, diners can enjoy unparalleled views of the city scenes and desert landscapes on the horizon. This alone could earn it a place on any list of the best dining experiences in Dubai — but its high-end menu of varied cuisines seals the deal.
At nearly half a mile high, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building on the planet — and as a prime landmark in the UAE, the glamorous area surrounding it boasts some of the world’s greatest revenues for Airbnb owners. While property prices and yields vary across the city, Dubai offers the opportunity for lucrative earnings — use our Revenue Calculator to learn how much you could make.
Ossiano at Atlantis, The Palm
It will come as no surprise to see The Palm’s iconic Atlantis hotel feature on our list. While the towers of Atlantis are home to a treasure trove of fine-dining establishments, few offer dinnertime as thrilling as Ossiano, the underwater restaurant.
The Michelin-starred eatery sits below the surface of an expansive aquarium on The Palm, immersing you in a dramatic marine world. Chef extraordinaire Grégoire Berger offers a menu which blazes the trail of progressive fine dining, with an opulent selection of seafood ranging from caviar to crab legs. While you might not spot a lost city hiding out in the deep blue, you can expect to see sharks, rays, and schools of dazzling colourful fish pass by as you dine.
Sonara Camp at Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Deep in the Arabian desert is Sonara Camp, an oasis of entertainment and fine dining. The eco-friendly restaurant prioritises local and ethical products to serve up to keen dune wanderers, and has quickly built notoriety since opening in 2019. The chic setup offers cosy torchlit seating, hammocks and live music to help guests to relax under the stars.
Its menu was curated by French chef Franck Sanna, offering a range of multicultural eats from ratatouille to chicken shawarma. The camp’s kitchen is entirely open-air, so you can watch your meal be prepared against a sweeping desert backdrop. As well as music, diners can enjoy entertainment from fire performers and belly dancers, and even upgrade to packages that include classic desert activities like quad biking and sand surfing.
Chillout Ice Lounge at Al Quoz
Dubai has something to offer everyone, including those looking to escape the desert heat. If you feel more comfortable in sub-zero than on safari, pay a visit to the UAE’s first-ever ice lounge. The coolest restaurant in the city is decorated from top to bottom in ice sculptures, frozen furniture and ambient lighting arrangements, creating a truly unique Dubai dining experience.
The lounge was designed with the whole family in mind, offering a more casual dining experience in anything but casual surroundings. Hot dogs, soups, sandwiches and confectionery are available for order, as well as hot drinks and mocktails to warm you up in the -6°C temperatures. And while you might not have come to Dubai equipped with your warmest winter coat, there’s no need to worry — visitors are given a parka, gloves, shoes and socks to brave the freezing conditions of the lounge.
Dinner in the Sky at Skydive Dubai
Whether it’s watersports in the marina or riding camels across the dunes, Dubai has plenty to occupy the thrillseekers of the world. Dinner in the Sky is one of those thrills — the restaurant is elevated 50 metres into the air by a crane, making it one of the most unique restaurants in Dubai. The rotating table ensures that everybody attending this sky-high dinner party gets an impressive view of the city surroundings — and if they’re brave enough, dare to look down at the ground beneath them.
Not only can diners indulge in the impressive scenery, but also the luxurious food and drink on offer. The menu boasts classic Middle Eastern mains such as chicken musakhan and lamb kibbeh followed by crowd-pleasing desserts like chocolate fudge cake. While Dinner in the Sky is undoubtedly one of the best dining experiences in Dubai, it’s not for the faint of heart — or for those prone to dropping their fork.
With so much to see and do, Dubai is truly the crown jewel of the Middle East. Experiences like these draw millions of visitors each year, offering local property investors and existing homeowners in the city the lucrative opportunity to rent their homes for short-term lease. To find out more about how Frank Porter can help you get the most out of your rentals, get in touch with us today.
