Restaurants
Take a seat at the idyllic 101 Dining Lounge, situated at the One&Only hotel in Palm Jumeirah, for breathtaking views of the skyline right from the water. Choose from the restaurant’s selection of light Mediterranean-inspired bites in the open-air dining area as you gaze into the deep blue distance with your loved one. Tel No. +971 4 440 1030
Under the shadow of Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab, Scape Restaurant offers luxurious relaxation coupled with unforgettable views. The menu is influenced by the Californian fusion flavours of Asia, Latin America, the Mediterranean and more, while the venue features superb views of the sail-shaped hotel and the serene Arabian Gulf. Take our insider advice and make sure to arrive in time for a stunning sunset view over the water. Tel No. +971 4 301 7600
This chic French restaurant and lounge started out more than a decade ago on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, which has been described as one of the most fashionable streets in the world. Since then, it’s opened more venues around the world, and its Dubai location is a favourite of the city’s fashionistas. The menu includes a host of gourmet French dishes, for lunch and dinner, and if you’re feeling inspired after paying this restaurant a visit, it’s only a short distance away from The Dubai Mall. Tel No. +971 4 352 7105
A spectacular view is sure to set the tone for an impressive business meeting, and the one from high on the 52nd floor of the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel – looking out over Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah – is hard to top. Once diners have torn themselves away from the floor-to-ceiling windows, they can look forward to modern classics such as prawn cocktail, herb-crusted rack of lamb, and crème brûlée with a hint of espresso to leave guests office-ready after a sumptuous meal, which is available from Sunday to Thursday between 12-3pm and is priced from AED90 for two courses.
If you’re nervous about what to talk about other than business, then this venue provides all the talking points combining technology, art, music, cuisine and, of course, cars, all under one roof. This Lexus boutique-café located in the Dubai International Financial Centre is the second branch in the world (after Tokyo). And with its set business lunch (two courses AED90 or three courses AED110) served from 11am to 3pm, there’s no need to speed through the proceedings.
In Dubai’s fast-changing, big business scene, no location in the city is more vibrant than Dubai International Financial Centre. And when it comes to the best restaurants for wooing business associates or potential clients, nowhere is better equipped than the sleek sushi restaurant, Zuma. With its clean-lined furniture, striking feature staircase made from glass and wood, and simple layout, the venue is very much in alignment with its key clientele: modern, sophisticated and chic professionals. And when it comes to the food, the experience loses none of its allure. The Ebisu Lunch (AED130) is served from Sunday to Thursday between…
Walk across the metro footbridge outside DWTC and you’ll end up at Cave, a cool lounge that oozes sophistication, from the trendy décor with dim lighting (for the ‘cave’ effect), to the regular clientele of young professionals. Pull up a stool at one of the communal tables or head off to a private lounge by the fireside, and work your way through an extensive menu of drinks, tasting platters and gourmet bites – with specials every day of the week. +971 4 444 7444
A relaxed nightspot that is great at getting the basics right, The Stables has carved out a reputation as a particularly safe pair of hands when it comes to an evening venue to please everyone. With sport on the televisions, live music performances, excellent food and reasonable prices, it is a great all-rounder, ideal for quenching a think-tank conference thirst. +971 4 342 5571
This Provence import and share-style dining concept has come a long way since it opened as a bistro in Nice 20 years ago, where it was awarded a Michelin star. La Petite Maison now has branches from London to Istanbul, with two more set to open in Abu Dhabi and Miami this year. The menu is seasonal, the service slick and they manage to turn the stuffy reputation of French cuisine on its head, with contemporary share plates of everything from green breams with foie gras to scallop carpaccio. +971 4 439 0505
