Best Brunch Spots in Dubai

Brunch in Dubai is not breakfast. It is not lunch. It is a full-blown cultural event that takes up most of Friday afternoon and, depending on how enthusiastically you approach the drinks packages, a fair portion of the evening too. The tradition started in the hotels, where lavish buffets with free-flowing champagne became the weekly social anchor for the city's international residents. Today, brunch has evolved well beyond the buffet model. Some of the city's best restaurants now offer curated set menus, sharing-style feasts and a la carte experiences that prioritise quality over quantity. We tested over twenty brunches across Dubai over the past six months, and these seven rose to the top through a combination of food quality, atmosphere, value and the kind of energy that makes you want to come back the following Friday.

1. La Petite Maison Dubai

Location: DIFC, Gate Village | Price Range: AED 450-650 per person | Best For: Sophisticated French-Mediterranean brunch

La Petite Maison, or LPM as regulars call it, has been a DIFC institution for over a decade, and its Saturday brunch has become one of the most civilised affairs in the city. The format is a set menu of the restaurant's greatest hits, delivered to the table in courses: the famous crispy courgette flowers with goat cheese, a Nicoise salad built with proper seared tuna rather than tinned, and a main course choice that typically includes the grilled sea bass with lemon dressing and the roasted chicken with herbs de Provence. The quality never dips. The free-flowing option covers champagne, wine and cocktails, and the staff are generous without being pushy. The dining room buzzes with a well-dressed DIFC crowd that treats this as their weekly ritual, and the terrace is particularly sought-after in the cooler months.

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2. Shimmers on the Beach

Location: Madinat Jumeirah | Price Range: AED 350-550 per person | Best For: Barefoot beachside brunch with Burj Al Arab views

Shimmers is the beachside brunch that every Dubai resident recommends when visitors ask for something relaxed and memorable. Set directly on the sand at Madinat Jumeirah, with the Burj Al Arab rising dramatically across the water, the setting alone would make this list. But the food more than holds its own. The Mediterranean menu arrives in a sharing format: grilled halloumi, hummus and warm flatbread to start, followed by platters of grilled prawns, lamb cutlets and a whole sea bream cooked over charcoal. The vibe is relaxed, with guests in linen and sandals, a DJ playing laid-back house music and the sound of waves providing a natural backdrop. The free-flowing package includes rosé, prosecco and a solid cocktail selection. Book the afternoon slot in winter for the best light and temperature.

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3. Gigi Rigolatto

Location: Bluewaters Island, Jumeirah | Price Range: AED 350-500 per person | Best For: Italian family-style brunch with island vibes

Gigi Rigolatto brings a boisterous Italian energy to Bluewaters Island that is infectious from the moment you sit down. The brunch is structured as a family-style sharing feast, with antipasti platters, freshly made pasta and wood-fired pizzas landing on the table in a steady stream. The truffle burrata is exceptional, creamy and indulgent with a shaved black truffle garnish that the kitchen does not skimp on. The rigatoni alla vodka is rich and perfectly al dente, and the margherita pizza from the wood-fired oven has a char and chew that rivals anything in Naples. The atmosphere is lively without being chaotic, helped by a central location on Bluewaters with the Ain Dubai Ferris wheel as a backdrop. The Italian spritz menu is a highlight, with Aperol, Campari and Limoncello options flowing freely. Families are welcome and well catered for.

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4. CouCou

Location: Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah | Price Range: AED 550-850 per person | Best For: Ultra-luxury brunch at Dubai's most talked-about hotel

CouCou's brunch at the Atlantis The Royal is the newest entry on this list and already one of the most in-demand. The setting is spectacular: a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the Palm and the Gulf, within a resort that cost over a billion dollars to build. The brunch menu is coastal Mediterranean with premium touches. Oysters are shucked to order. The lobster linguine is generous with whole claw and tail meat. The beef tagliata is carved tableside from a prime cut with rocket, parmesan shavings and aged balsamic. Dessert is a theatrical affair, with a roaming cart of pastries, gelato and a signature tiramisu that the pastry team has perfected. The crowd is polished and international, and the service matches the setting. This is the brunch to book when you want to impress or celebrate something significant.

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5. Pai Thai

Location: Madinat Jumeirah | Price Range: AED 300-500 per person | Best For: Thai brunch with a magical waterway setting

Getting to Pai Thai is half the experience. You board a traditional abra at the Madinat Jumeirah waterway and glide past the wind towers and palm-lined canals to reach the restaurant, which sits on a wooden platform overlooking the water with the Burj Al Arab framed behind. The brunch menu is authentically Thai, with dishes that go well beyond pad thai and green curry. The som tum (papaya salad) is properly spicy with dried shrimp and fish sauce. The massaman curry is rich with slow-cooked beef and roasted peanuts. The satay is grilled over charcoal and served with a peanut sauce that has real depth. Sticky mango rice closes the meal perfectly. The setting is romantic and secluded, making it one of the better date brunch options in the city. The free-flowing package includes Thai-inspired cocktails that are surprisingly well-crafted.

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6. 101 Dining Lounge

Location: One&Only The Palm, Palm Jumeirah | Price Range: AED 500-800 per person | Best For: Over-water brunch with a glamorous crowd

The 101 Dining Lounge brunch is one of the Palm Jumeirah's best-kept secrets. The restaurant extends over the water at the tip of the Palm, and the brunch takes full advantage of the setting with a combination of indoor and outdoor seating that catches the sea breeze and the panoramic Marina skyline views. The menu is European with a seafood slant: a raw bar with oysters, prawns and ceviche opens proceedings, followed by mains like grilled lobster, pan-seared sea bass and a wagyu burger that has developed a cult following among regulars. The pace is unhurried, with courses arriving at intervals that encourage lingering rather than rushing. The drinks package is generous, covering champagne, signature cocktails and a well-chosen wine selection. After brunch, the terrace transitions into a lounge with shisha and sundowners, making it easy to extend the afternoon into the evening.

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7. Somewhere Dubai

Location: Palm Jumeirah | Price Range: AED 250-400 per person | Best For: Pool and beach club brunch at a competitive price

Somewhere Dubai has carved out a niche as the Palm's most accessible brunch, combining a beach club atmosphere with food that punches above its price point. The brunch is structured around a central buffet with live cooking stations: a sushi bar, a grill station turning out burgers and grilled meats, a pasta counter and a generous dessert spread. The quality across the stations is consistent, and the sushi in particular stands out with fresh salmon nigiri and well-rolled maki. The real draw is the setting: guests have access to the pool and beach, and most people spend the first hour eating before migrating to a sunbed. The crowd skews younger and social, with a DJ and a party atmosphere that builds as the afternoon progresses. At AED 250-400 per person depending on the package, it offers some of the best value brunch on the Palm.

How to Choose the Right Brunch

Dubai brunches fall into distinct categories, and choosing the right one depends on what you are after. For food quality above all else, La Petite Maison and CouCou are the strongest kitchens. For atmosphere and setting, Shimmers on the Beach and Pai Thai are unmatched. If you want a social, party-style experience, Somewhere Dubai and Gigi Rigolatto bring the energy. For a romantic outing, Pai Thai's abra ride and waterway setting is hard to beat. Budget-wise, Somewhere Dubai and Gigi Rigolatto offer the best value, while CouCou and 101 Dining Lounge are premium splurges. All brunches on this list require advance booking, especially during the cooler months from October to April when outdoor seating is at peak demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is brunch day in Dubai?

Friday is the traditional brunch day in Dubai, as it falls on the weekend. Most brunches run from 12:30pm to 4pm, though some extend to 5pm. Saturday brunches have become increasingly popular, with La Petite Maison and CouCou offering weekend options.

How much does a typical Dubai brunch cost?

Budget AED 250-400 for casual brunches with house beverages, AED 450-650 for mid-range options with premium drinks, and AED 700-900+ for luxury brunches with champagne. Most brunches offer tiered packages: soft drinks only, house beverages, and premium including champagne.

Should I book brunch in advance?

Absolutely. Popular brunches like Shimmers, La Petite Maison and CouCou can sell out a week in advance, especially during the cooler months. Book at least three to five days ahead. Some venues offer online booking through their websites or via platforms like SevenRooms.

What should I wear to brunch in Dubai?

Smart casual is the standard. Beachside brunches like Shimmers and Somewhere Dubai allow resort wear, including swimwear with a cover-up. La Petite Maison and CouCou expect a more dressed-up look. Most venues will not admit guests in gym wear or flip-flops.

Can I bring children to brunch?

Gigi Rigolatto, Pai Thai and 101 Dining Lounge are the most family-friendly options. Somewhere Dubai is primarily an adult-oriented beach club brunch. Most upscale brunches offer children's pricing at 50% off the adult rate.

Explore More Dining Options on GoProfiled

Friday brunch is just one part of Dubai's extraordinary dining culture. From weekday business lunches to late-night suppers, GoProfiled covers every meal and every neighbourhood. Browse our complete restaurant directory to plan your next meal, find verified venue details and discover the restaurants that locals actually go to.