17 new (or improved) Dubai brunches

Brunch’d
Indie’s new evening brunch is “Inspired by police squads”… huh? Yep, brunch is served to the sound of sirens and you risk being arrested with every forkful. The evening’s entertainment includes a live show behind caution tapes, CO2 guns, traffic cones, and “lots of hands being cuffed”, apparently. Billed as “Dubai’s newest party brunch”, we’re wondering where they’ve been partying… Answers on a postcard. Or witness statement?
Where: Indie DIFC
Times: 1pm-8pm
Cost: AED290+
Contact: +971 55 455 6106

Surf & Turf
Meat lovers rejoice at the latest offering on The Palm Jumeirah; the words “unlimited meat and half price drinks” is music to our ears. It’s a great place to socalise, sip on a glass and then soak it all up with as much juicy steak as your belly can handle. Don’t forget, we eat with our mouths not our eyes!
Where: West 14th Steakhouse, Oceana Beach Club, The Palm Jumeirah
Times: 12:30pm-3:30pm
Cost: AED195+
Contact: +9714 447 7601

Wanderlust at Garden restaurant
Just when you thought you’d eaten the best food in Dubai, this new brunch serves up over 360 dishes. Why the name? Because all the food comes from around the world, so one minute you’re in Dubai the next you’re where ever your taste buds lead you. Plus, there’s a 20 percent discount on beverages from 4pm to 7pm at the after-party in Square.
Where: JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Times: 1pm-4pm
Cost: AED395+
Contact: +971 4 414 3000

The Great British Road Trip
Forget The Great British Bake Off, this is the Great British Road Trip! Perfect for Brits looking for a taste of home, and ideal for those eager to taste the best of British. Choose from a hamper selection, classic pub grub and then finish off with a trip to grandma’s for some traditional pudding.
Where: Reform Social & Grill Dubai, The Lakes
Times: 12pm-4pm
Cost: AED260+
Contact: +9714 454 2638

Café Belge Al fresco Brunch
Could this be the most glamorous brunch in all of Dubai? Of the new ones, possibly. It’s the Ritz-Carlton’s first foray into the brunching world and they’re dishing up more than just a tasty menu. The soothing sounds of the house saxophonist and resident DJ add to the bubbly package. So why not leave the kids at home and treat yourself to a relaxing meal out (you deserve it).
Where: The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC
Times: 12pm-4pm
Cost: AED325
Contact: +9714 372 2323

The Long Lunch
It’s one of the longest brunches out there, with a whopping five hours of unlimited food and drink. What’s more, The Long Lunch, starts whenever you want between those five hours, so if you fancy a lie in, why not turn up for the last sitting at 4:30pm and still devour enough food and drink to last until your next brunch? A live band kicks off the night at 5pm, too.
Where: McGettigan’s, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Times: 12pm-5pm
Cost: AED279
Contact: +9714 447 0219

Secret Garden Brunch
Guests at this new brunch can relax away from the Dubai heat in a secret organic garden. The food could hardly be fresher, with delicious salads and veg coming straight from the hotel’s garden. An acoustic guitarist keeps you entertained while you sip on summer drinks and peruse the various live cooking stations. Continuing with the organic theme, each guest also receives a complimentary basil plant to look after as well.
Where: Waldorf-Astoria Dubai, Palm Jumeirah
Times: 1pm-4pm
Cost: AED345+
Contacts: +9714 818 2222

Brunch at the Creek
If you’re looking for value for money, this has to be one of best brunches in town. It features a plethora of Indian and Pan-Asian dishes and is fully focused on the finer things in life, just without the finer price tag. What’s more, guests can enjoy the best of Italian cuisine if Indian isn’t your thing. All the food comes from the Michelin-starred menus and there’s loads of choice, all for under AED200. The brunch spans across several restaurants: Vivaldi By Alfredo Russo, Creekside Japanese Restaurant and Ashiana Restaurant, so let’s eat!
Where: Vivaldi By Alfredo Russo, Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, Dubai Creek
Times: 12pm-4pm
Price: AED169+
Contact: +9714 207 1717

Mina A’Salam
At the Mina A’Salam brunch, now re-launched and starting again on Friday, October 15, chefs proudly share cuisine from their homelands and prepare fresh dishes at interactive cooking stations. The impressive terrace has been expanded and is packed with themed food trucks, with a live action feel as chefs show off their culinary skills. Oh, and there’s also the chance to play a round of mini-golf, try a ring toss or two and grab some sweets on the way out with a whack on the piñatas – and all really close to the turtle lagoon. An old favourite revamped and better than ever.
What: Madinat Jumeirah
Times: 12:30pm-4pm
Cost: AED425+
Contact: +9714 432 3232

La Vida Es Un Carnaval
“Life is a carnival” proclaims this new Peruvian brunch that promises to offer Latin American favourites such as ceviche, makis, anticuchos and empanadas, all of which are served at your table along with your choice of free-flow drinks. You can also stick about after brunch and head from the upstairs dining area to the downstairs Lima Lounge, where a DJ will ensure the fiesta continues through the evening.
Where: Totora Cebicheria Peruana, DIFC
Times: 12-4pm
Cost: AED295+
Contact: +9714 399 9666

Miss Lily’s
Miss Lily’s arrived in Dubai from 1980s Jamaica via modern day NYC in all her garish glory in July, and was an instant hit. Her brand new chilled-out brunch offers a laid-back atmosphere in which all you need to worry about is whether you want the jerk chicken roti, fried chicken and waffles or the goat curry.
Where: Sheraton Grand, Sheikh Zayed Road
Times: 11am-4pm, Fridays and Saturdays
Cost: Á la carte
Contacts: +9714 354 4074

Al Qasr
Where else in Dubai can you listen to a live two-piece band while eating cheesecake and playing mini golf? Along with serving amazing food from around this world, this brunch is really the place to be if you’ve got a sweet tooth. It prides itself on it’s over-the-top desserts including apple pie, blueberry cheesecake and campfire s’mores sundaes. Not to mention the Valrhona chocolate station serving an array of incredible treats.
Where: Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah
Times: 12:30pm-4pm
Cost: AED495+
Contact: +9714 432 3232

Mint Leaf of London
Mint Leaf’s popular Friday and Saturday á la carte brunch has been given a revamp with the addition of a vegetarian menu and a wider choice of dishes. Veggie options include a beetroot and mint cake and roasted broccoli with saffron cream, and meat-eaters can enjoy the new poached chicken korma, grilled prawns and roasted perch. With the Burj Khalifa sat just outside, this restaurant scores ten out of ten for views, too.
Where: Emirates Financial Towers
Times: 1pm-4.30pm, Fridays and Saturdays
Cost: AED195+
Contact: +9714 706 0900

The Chic Brunch              
Guests arrive at this end-of-pier, glass-walled restaurant by private rickshaw and are greeted with bubbles and fresh oysters before tucking into a seafood platter overflowing with dressed crab, Canadian lobster and razor clams. Sharing starters such as yellow tail carpaccio and burrata salad are followed by signature mains – choose from squid risotto, beef tenderloin, tiger prawns or baked sea bream. An Ibiza-inspired DJ and a backdrop of the towering Burj Al Arab helps make this brunch one of the most special.
Where: Pierchic, Al Qasr
Times: 12-4pm
Cost: AED450+
Contact: +9714 432 3232

The Bench Brunch
This relaxed, family-friendly brunch has found a new home at Rove’s The Daily. It’s generous buffet of tasty cold cuts, fresh fruits and sandwiches, and an á la carte menu of freshly-cooked breakfast staples as well as main courses will ensure you stay plotted up all day. Unlimited tea and coffee gives “free-flow brunch” a new meaning.
Where: Rove, Downtown Dubai
Times: 11am-5pm, Fridays & Saturdays
Cost: AED99+
Contact: +9714 561 9000

Yalumba Bubbly brunch
Although hardly “new”, the Friday offering at Yalumba has undergone a complete transformation and, on October 12, will unveil its new look; it conveys a rustic, Australian country feel with timber flooring and glazed brickwork. The Bubbly Brunch returns to the new setting every Friday, with what they breathlessly describe as “free flowing, frosty, fountains of fizz” to accompany the live cooking stations, games and live entertainers.
Where: Le Méridien Dubai Hotel
Times: 12pm-3.30pm, Fridays
Price: AED499
Contact: +9714 702 2455