Brunch, both a verb and noun, has different meanings to different people. A brunch is a light snack usually taken at a time of day that is too late to be called breakfast and too early to be called lunch, and to brunch is to go out for that mid-morning snack. In Dubai brunch has its own meaning, it is an occasion to enjoy great food and celebrate with friends and family, whether there is an occasion or not.
Over the years the Dubai brunch has evolved and now has a much broader offering. There is clearly the institution that is the Friday brunch, a great way to start the weekend off with great food in a fun environment with good friends. And now there is the evening brunch usually on a Thursday night starting the weekend off earlier, the Saturday brunch, a somewhat more relaxed way to end the weekend and there is the family brunch with an emphasis on keeping the little ones amused and entertained. We have taken a look a lot of the different brunches we know of and have hand picked a few that stand out and we think are worth trying out.
Friday Brunch At Crab Market
Spend your lazy weekend relishing the freshest seafood in town, paired with a choice of generous drinks packages at Crab Market Brunch. Located in Emirates Financial Towers, Crab Market complements the brunch with live music from Jad and the Band, a finalist on The Voice Arabia 2016. Packages start at Dhs 250 for food only and it runs from 1-5pm. Call 04-5645525.
Casanova Friday Brunch At All'onda
Sitting on top of the newly-opened Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai on Palm Jumeirah, All’onda’s Venetian restaurant and outdoor terrace boasts breath-taking panoramic views of the Dubai skyline and the Arabian gulf. It is a perfect place for a laid back Friday brunch, where one can feast on Italian and Japanese dishes fresh sushi, cicchetti pass around dishes such as baked stuffed mushrooms, spaghetti carbonara and tomato rigatoni, as well as desserts such as Green Tea-Misu and Cherry Meringue, to the sounds of classic Hip Hop and RnB beats from DJ Mitchell. Packages start at Dhs 295. Call 04-2488870.
Friday Urban Picnic Brunch At 3in1 In Vida Downtown
Chill out poolside in the casual chic atmosphere. Stock your picnic basket with sizzling barbecue meats and beverages and enjoy laid-back vibes complemented with live music. The pool side BBQ station offers a lot of sizzling meat, baked potatoes, buttered corn, grilled seafood, and assorted vegetables. The sandwich station cooks chicken wraps and pretzel buns filled with beef pastrami, the nacho station has tasty chips topped with beef or chicken chili, sour cream, salsa and guacamole and there is a pizza station offering selection of freshly fired pizzas. Packages start at Dhs 295. Poolside cabanas are available on a first-come first-served basis. Call 04-8883444.
Friday Aristokrasi Brunch At miX Dubai By Alain Ducasse
Experience Dubai’s extravagant brunch at the newly opened stunningly beautiful restaurant in Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai. Spread over three floors, the brunch brings you a wide selection of culinary delights along with unparalleled views. From lamb shoulder and roasted corn-fed chicken confit lemon to lobster, artisanal dried pasta & black truffle and sea bass with lemon & capers, the wide culinary range is accompanied by several dessert platters, beverages and live entertainment. Packages start at Dhs 450. Call 050-2261662.
Friday Family Daycation Brunch At Lapita, Dubai Parks And Resorts
The family friendly brunch features an opulent international buffet including dishes such as Polynesian BBQ and tuna poke. There's all-day pool and kids club access too. The little ones have their own dedicated buffet as well as an interactive juice station and a host of activities such as dancing, mini-Olympics, movie screenings, face painting, henna tattoos and arts and crafts projects keep them entertained. Packages start at Dhs 295. Call 04-8109421.
Thursday Night Quiz Brunch At Reform Social & Grill
Every Thursday night from 9-11pm you can join the Reform team for an evening of BBQ style brunch with signature dishes and beverages. Quiz teams are welcomed with a celebratory drink alongside a fun-filled evening of quizzes hosted by the renowned radio presenter and DJ Aylissa. Packages start at Dhs 120 per person for unlimited BBQ. Call 04-4542638.
Saturday Braai Brunch At Joe’s Backyard
Located at the Holiday Inn, Dubai Festival City, the Saturday brunch is set amidst a stunning rooftop setting and offers unlimited BBQ food and beverages while exuding strong South African vibes. The brunch menu features Boerewors, poitjie, bobotie, biltong, pap, millies, grilled hanger steak and fiery peri-peri grilled chicken. All of this can be washed down with unlimited house beverages. Packages start at Dhs 250. Call 055-7094509.
Saturday Pirates And Mermaids Brunch In Mazina At Address Dubai Marina
Spend a perfect afternoon of feasting and socialising with family and friends at the Pirates and Mermaids brunch in Mazina at Address Dubai Marina every Saturday. Adults can enjoy wide range of tasty dishes and children's entertainment activities such as magician, tattoo artists and bouncy castles are bound to keep the little ones busy. Dress the kids as a pirate or mermaid to participate in the best-dressed competition. Packages start at Dhs 325. Call 04-8883444.
The Brunch That Goes Beyond Sheraton Grand Hotel
The Friday brunch at Feast features international culinary delights from seven live cooking stations and exclusive signature dishes along with free flowing beverages. The live band keeps guests entertained. Pro tip - leave room for dessert. Packages start at Dhs 325. Call 04-5034444.
360 Degree Nature Brunch At Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
This new picnic style brunch makes up for a relaxed and laid-back family day out every Saturday with buffet, live stations, live entertainment and lots of fun activities for kids. Held at Al Forsan garden, a picnic basket filled with a variety of salads, bread, cold cuts, cheese and pastries await hungry guests. Other items on menu include a wide variety of BBQ and Italian foods. Packages start at Dhs 190. Call 04-8096194.
Friday Hellicious Brunch
There's a new Friday brunch at Gordon Ramsay's Hell’s Kitchen's second outpost in the Middle East at the brand-new Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai. It offers weekend diners the chance to dive in to an array of signature dishes, alongside a series of live cooking stations, alfresco pop-up stalls and live entertainment. Packages start at Dhs 350. Call 04-5566466.
Meet the Wokkers Family Brunch At Asian Kitchen
Located at Azure Residences on Palm Jumeirah, this family-friendly Friday brunch features signature dishes straight from the streets of Vietnam, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore and China, and an array of kids’ entertainment, including magicians, balloon bending and face painting. Expect servings of peking duck bao, kam hengo squid, sesame beef, kung pao chicken and tender tandoor lamb chops. Packages start at Dhs 170. Call 04-5687439.
The View brunch At Seafood Kitchen
Located at The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah, this new Friday brunch offers a range of seafood specialities inspired by the bounty of the ocean and boasts a modern space that reflects the Mediterranean vibe infused with Asian culture. The menu includes red snapper ceviche, Spanish seafood paella and a stunning platter of clams, mussels, soft-shell crab, prawns and char-grilled, locally-sourced fish and pristine views of the Arabian Gulf. Packages start at Dhs 280. Call 04-4595190.
Extended Saturday Brunch At Chez Charles
The Saturday brunch at the French brasserie in Dubai Design District features playful live stations in a beautiful outdoor garden setting serving everything right from the appetizers to the mains inspired from cuisines of South of France. The feast extends from 1-8pm and includes dishes such as spit roast lamb, gourmet pizza station, Selection of Salads, Cold Cuts and desserts including pain perdu, carrot cake, and profiterole. Packages start at Dhs 275. Call 04-5122444.
Saturday Brunch At Geales, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort And Spa
This new family brunch on the radar is a perfect option for a laid back British culinary outing on any given Friday. Dining is paired with a host of activities including face painting, kids yoga, arts & craft and a bouncy castle to keep the little ones entertained. The menu offers four courses of British Classics as well as a number of British sweets to take you back to your childhood days. Packages start at Dhs 225. Call 04-3165550.
Play House Kids Friday Brunch at Swissotel Al Ghurair
Held at Liwan restaurant, children can enjoy an afternoon of food, fun, games, sweets, exciting cooking classes while mum and dad relax with friends at this family friendly Friday brunch. Find delicious food with a choice of international dishes and desserts and access to the pool for both adults and children. The kids' menu includes pizza, mini burger station, ice lollipops, chocolate fountain and some healthy options such as steamed broccoli, fresh tomato basil soup and grilled chicken breast. Packages start at Dhs 160. Call 04-2933000.
The Lofty Caviar Brunch
Located at the Dubai Opera, every Friday, The Loft terrace transforms into the loftiest brunch destination in the city. Indulge in a brunch menu with flair featuring interactive cooking stations like the barbecue counter, oyster counter, pasta & risotto counter, and a large caviar station alongside live entertainment that keeps the atmosphere alive while enjoying a spectacular view of the Burj Khalifa. Packages start at Dhs 395. Call 04-3627312.