Four fabulous Dubai brunches you have to try

It seems we no longer have to wait until 5 o clock for the party to start and due to the growing popularity of the ‘brunch’, a Prosecco or 6 starting at midday can now be acceptably seen as the perfect start to the weekend. The brunch culture has exploded in the last 5 years and nowhere is it more popular than back where it all started, Dubai. In fact, a Dubai brunch (or two if you can squeeze it in) has become a pivotal part of a Dubai holiday experience.

If you aren’t familiar with the concept, brunch is usually an all-inclusive offering of fabulous food, either as a buffet arrangement or as a set menu with a number of courses. Drinks are sometimes limited to a certain selection such as sparkling wine and Bloody Mary’s, or sometimes all and everything is there for consumption! Each brunch will usually have a certain theme, either to match the hotel or restaurant setting, or in celebration of a particular event or holiday, and the cuisine and drinks will be tailored to that.

With the UAE’s weekend sitting over a Friday and Saturday, the vast majority of brunches will take place on these days. A typical brunch will start anywhere between 12 and 3 pm, although there are some evening brunches to be found, and will last between 3 and 5 hours. Sometimes an evening event will follow on from the brunch meaning the party can continue on into the night if you wish.

Below we will take a look at four brunches, ranging from the slightly lower priced and casual, through to the slightly pricier affair, a high-end dining option, and finally a brunch offering for the whole family, catering to the kids of the party as well as the adults.

Firstly we have the Friday brunch at The Luchador, a rooftop restaurant at the Aloft Palm Jumeirah. With a completely Mexican theme, you can expect a full Latin fiesta. Food comes in a 4-course extravaganza (of unlimited plates!); starting with everyone’s favorite of chips, guacamole, and salsa, moving on to an assortment of delicious tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, and closing out with some sweet sweet churros. To wash this down you can opt for glasses of wine or beer, as well as pick from a cocktail menu including mojitos and margaritas. 

The outlook here is breathtaking and really does set this brunch apart from others, upon the 11th floor the views across the ocean to the Burj Al Arab really are spectacular and will make the perfect backdrop for your Friday afternoon. Brunch here runs from 12:30 pm through until 4 pm and costs Dhs279.

At the JW Marriott Marquis in the Business Bay area of Dubai, you will find the Wanderlust Brunch. Contrary to the Luchador’s Mexican focus, this brunch offers food across all cuisines, with an impressive 7 fabulous live food stations. Spread across 5 or so rooms you will spend the first 15 minutes browsing the offerings. Highlights include the barbecue station on the terrace, sushi spread that you would expect in the most exclusive of Pan-Asian restaurants, and a sweet hall of dreams, filled with every dessert and pastry you could imagine. This brunch is not for the faint-hearted and not one you should visit if you are looking for table service and fancy fine dining. With the DJ music pumping and a potentially unbeatable party atmosphere, this is a brunch that you will be telling friends and family about for months to come.

Entry here is Dhs425 and takes place Friday from 1 pm – 4 pm.

At the Atlantis, The Palm you will find Saffron, an adults-only brunch to blow your mind. The food here is phenomenal and prides itself on offering more than 220 top-notch dishes, including fresh seafood of lobster, sushi, and oysters. You will be spoilt for choice on the drinks selection with a variety of beer taps, sparkling wine, and cocktails, as well as watermelon-filled tequila to wash it all down. Also on offer is a Jack Daniels Bar, Mojito Bar, and Pina Colada Bar, as well as a Jager station. Entertainment comes in the form of 90’s pop, live DJs, dancers, and magicians. Fresh from a complete refurb and only recently reopened it is not hard to see why this is known as one of Dubai’s most extravagant and popular brunches. 

A Saffron brunch is on a Friday between 1 pm and 4 pm and will set you back at Dhs495 per person.

Last but by no means least is the Saturday Family Brunch at Yalumba, situated in the Le Meridien Dubai Hotel. Located just off of the hotel lobby, the restaurant is known for its fun and family-friendly atmosphere and staff who will go above and beyond to ensure everyone at the party has a great afternoon. With a wide selection of international cuisine and drinks, all taste buds young and old are catered for.

Within the restaurant, the kids can be kept amused at their very own pasta and pizza-making station as well as making their little dreams come true at the DIY dessert stand. Outside you will find a play area and sensory setup, as well as a magic show to keep the little ones entertained, while a separate area will show children’s movies for the duration of the afternoon.

Yalumba is located at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre on a Saturday from 12:30-3 pm. Entry is Dhs259 per person, which includes house alcoholic drinks, or Dhs169 for soft drinks and juices.  Children up to 12 go for free. 

Emirates airline flies to Dubai from locations throughout the United Kingdom including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Glasgow. British Airways flies to Dubai from Heathrow.