As the temperatures cool a plethora of new outdoor restaurants and hangouts open up in Dubai, which are not available during the summer season. From al fresco dining to sumptuous Saturdays by the beach or pool, there is plenty to enjoy during the city’s winter months. Here are some of Dubai’s best outdoor hotspots for the 2023/24 season.
ZETA Seventy Seven
This spectacular outdoor oasis is located on Level 77 of the Beach Address Resort. The restaurant serves up a delectable Asian fusion menu with a seafood focus, while the rooftop spot offers panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and Palm Jumeirah. Another highlight of the property is the venue’s outdoor infinity pool, which holds the record of being the highest infinity pool in the world. Be sure to try some of the signature dishes at the poolside hub including iced oysters, wagyu sirloin, crispy fried prawns, and Mmiso lobster. The venue strictly serves adults only – with the age limit set at 21-years-old and above, while each Monday ZETA Seventy Seven offers a fabulous brunch–come–ladies–night package, with unlimited beverages and a signature set platter for ladies (AED 277 per person) and gentlemen (AED 377 per person).
Lucia’s
This incredible Capri-inspired restaurant recently reopened its fabulous outdoor terrace for the winter season. Soak in the Mediterranean atmosphere, with citrus-themed verdant interiors. The outdoor area also offers some of the best views in the city of the iconic Burj Khalifa. The setting is truly breathtaking, whether you’re a seasoned Dubai resident or an out-of-towner. The menu offers up a delicious mix of Italian dishes firmly rooted in Capri. Antipasti on offer includes burrata, Caprese salad, as well as the popular dish Lucia’s brushetta. For the main course, there is a delectable range of pasta dishes, alongside meat and fish. Each weekend the restaurant also holds its famed Caprese Brunch offering an inclusive package for guests to indulge in Italian charm and the Dolce Vita on the restaurant’s resplendent terrace.
LUMA Pool Lounge
Offering one of the most iconic views of the Dubai Creek skyline, Luma Pool Lounge is the perfect place for sundowners this season. Watch as the sun dips below the horizon, and the lights of the city’s incredible Burj Khalifa skyline come alive creating an incredible backdrop for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The menu at this hotspot mixes both Mediterranean and Levant influences and also includes a live BBQ and pizza oven station.
Limonata
Dubai’s beachfront dining scene just got a whole lot sunnier with the arrival of Limonata, the newest addition at Palm Jumeirah’s popular Club Vista Mare beachside hub. Inspired by the vibrant nostalgia of 1960s Italian coastal charm the restaurant offers laidback dining with guests able to dip their toes in the sand while enjoying its moreish menu (think traditional Italian antipasti, vibrant salads, freshly made pizzas and delightful pastas). Adorned with a citrus palette of sunny yellows and bursts of orange, Limonata transports guests to the sun-soaked landscapes of Southern Italy, offering a bridge to Italy’s heyday, complete with restaurant, bar, and sun loungers. Whether you’re looking for a spot to while away a lazy lunch, sip sundowners or a chilled beach day, Limonata is one of the best outdoor hotspots to enjoy this winter season.
NAZCAA
This fabulous hotspot has a unique story behind the restaurant’s name comes from deep Peruvian history. It is named after an ancient Nazca civilization in the country which was known for its intricate designs etched into the desert landscape. These designs, known as the “Nazca Lines”, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and remain a mystery to this day. The Nazca people were known for their creativity and innovation, and it is this spirit that our founders sought to capture in their restaurant. The restaurant was born out of a desire to bring a unique and intriguing blend of flavours and dining experiences. Nazcaa’s menu takes inspiration from the Japanese migrants to Peru – who created a new cuisine known as Nikkei, which fuses together traditional Peruvian dishes and Japanese flavours.
February 30
This homegrown Beirut concept is one of the latest to arrive at Palm West Beach on Palm Jumeirah. The kitchen is led by Michelin-acclaimed chef Reif Othman (of the famed REIF Japanese Kushiyaki restaurant). At February 30, the chef offers up a delectable mix of Mediterranean and Japanese flavours, including sushi, seafood and raw dishes, alongside tacos, burgers and Italian favourites such as pasta and risotto. Alongside delicious drinks and dishes, guests can also soak up the sun on one of the eatery’s many sunbeds along the shoreline.
French Riviera Beach
One of the standout additions at the five-star Jumeirah Al Qasr property is French Riviera Beach. Bringing the Cote D’Azur to the Arabian Gulf, the luxury venue offers a delightful mix of beachside views of the Burj Al Arab and surrounding coastline, along with a moreish French Mediterranean menu. Leading the kitchen is Kim Joinié-Maurin who previously led the Burj Al Arab’s Skyview Bar and Restaurant and worked under multi-Michelin acclaimed French chef Joël Robuchon for more than a decade. Dip your toes in the sand and enjoy next-level French cuisine. The dining concept at the restaurant is based on a laidback sharing concept with a mix of hot and cold starts, with a mix of pasta, rice, fish, meat and vegetarian dishes on offer for the main course.
Soho Garden Palm Jumeirah
This sleek nightlife spot is situated on top of the Nakheel Mall on Palm Jumeirah and is the perfect place for dining and late-night soirees. The European-inspired menu includes a mix of Italian burrata and Mediterranean seafood, along with so much more. Meanwhile, late into the evening the venue regularly hosts leading international DJs who will have you partying the night away and enjoying music into the early hours.
Image credit: Salman Ahmad – Unsplash
