30 of the most romantic restaurants in Dubai

Time Out Dubai

23-04-2025

Sublime views? Check. Spectacular food? Check? Stellar service? Check.
Be it a dishy date night venue or the perfect place for a proposal, you'll want to choose one of the most romantic restaurants in Dubai for your next amorous encounter.
From chic French spots to swanky Thai joints, there are countless romantic restaurants primed for lovebirds throughout the city.
Love is most certainly in the air at Dubai's most romantic restaurants.
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Hawkerboi
Credit: Hawkerboi
Located in the heart of JLT, Hawkerboi is a cool neighbourhood spot that serves Asian-style hawker food with bold, fresh flavours from an open kitchen. Interiors will make you feel like you're in a cool undiscovered underground bar in South-East Asia, with red neon piping and cool artwork. Music is at a perfect volume for date night chats and lights are low.
This is clearly the kind of place where you're meant to have unpretentious fun (exactly what you need for a first date).
The menu is influenced by bustling street-food hawkers in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, so you can both explore something delicious and have a nice story to tell your kids one day.
Mon-Thu, noon-3pm, 6pm-midnight; Fri-Sat, noon-3pm, 6pm-1am, Sun, noon-4pm, 6pm-midnight. The Park, JLT, eatx.com/hawkerboi (050 427 5217).
Check out our full Hawkerboi review here
SOON Izakaya
Credit: SOON Izakaya
Yes, it's located in the basement of a JLT Hotel, but don't let that put you off. SOON Izakaya is undeniably cool and you'll look cool for recommending it. The anime-inspired space and the mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s disco classics will immediately put you in a care-free mood, (perfect for those with any first-date jitters), and that's before you begin enjoying the eclectic mix of food and drinks.
What's more, the prices are reasonable – even more so during happy hour, so take your date here and they'll be very impressed with your venue choice.
Tue-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat, 5pm-2am, Sun, 5pm-1am. Cluster P, JLT, soondxb.com (055 434 0575).
Check out our full SOON Izakaya review here
Soul Kitchen
Credit: Soul Kitchen DXB
If you want to try something totally unique for your date night, then check out Soul Kitchen at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront. The supremely cool restaurant serves up a menu that fuses Levantine and Latin American flavours in a space that showcases alternative art, culture and music.
Soul Kitchen bills itself as a multi-room experience which has a vinyl room and speakeasy, which means you and your date can do more than just eat there. We love the funky patterns and colours of the potted plants and shamrock green flooring. If you stay after 9pm you'll get live performances to experience together.
Mon-Thu, 6pm-2am, Fri-Sat, 6pm-3am, Sun, 6pm-2am. Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront, soulkitchendxb.com (04 836 0900).
Check out our full Soul Kitchen review here
XU
Credit: XU
Tucked away on the second floor of the Kempinski hotel, lies XU, a very cool and very moody Cantonese-inspired restaurant. Home to an edgy lounge, bar, restaurant and terrace, XU is both spacious and intimate, while the music will make you lean in to chat.
Dishes on the menu include crispy lemongrass chicken, Asian-style buttermilk prawn, and charcoal-grilled Wagyu beef ribeye with spicy peanut sauce. A dim sum selection (of course) making it a fun date night.
Mon-Fri, noon-4pm, 6pm-1am, Sat, 1pm-5pm, 7pm-1am, Sun, noon-5pm, 6pm-1am. Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, xudubai.ae (04 394 6252).
Check out our full XU review here
Romantic restaurants in Dubai: Beachside spots
for that proposal
101 Dining Lounge & Bar
Credit: One&Only The Palm
This Palm Jumeirah favourite boasts a lovely location by the sea and a great selection of Spanish and Italian dishes. With all that Mediterranean cuisine, it's one of Dubai's most romantic spots.
Plus, you can get here by boat, and what's more glam than that?
Open daily from 12.30pm-1am. One&Only The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, oneandonlyresorts.com (04 440 1030).
Check out our full 101 Dining Lounge & Bar review here
Jetty Lounge
Credit: One&Only Royal Mirage
This longstanding spot at One&Only Royal Mirage is super popular in the winter for its laid-back beach vibes. The menu is classy – so expect premium drinks with a view of the Arabian Gulf.
A proper toes-in-the-sand bar is where you'll feel like you're on holiday (even if those work emails are still popping on your phone). But you're on a date, so put that phone away and keep your eyes on your significant other.
Open daily 5pm-1am. One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh, oneandonlyresorts.com (04 399 9999).
Check out our full Jetty Lounge review here
Nuska
Credit: Nuska Beach
Looking for somewhere to while away an afternoon with your favourite person? Pretty beachside restaurant, Nuska Beach is it. Located at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the al fresco-focused restaurant overlooks the Burj Al Arab, where spans of white sand and sea views give it a real holiday vibe.
Expect a broad menu spanning Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, all from the grill. What else do you need for a perfect date?
Open daily from 12.30pm to 1am. Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Umm Suqeim 3, jumeirah.com (800 323232).
Check out our full Nuska review here
Tagomago
Credit: Tagomago
Tagomago is a gorgeous space for a little romance. The Balearic-inspired space will literally transport you away from Dubai to a rugged private island off the coast of Ibiza. Order a Spanish pitcher and share a paella. Nothing more romantic than that.
Open daily from 10am-1am. Azure Residence, The Palm Jumeirah, tagomago.ae (04 832 6620).
Check out our full Tagomago review here
Twiggy by La Cantine
Credit: Twiggy by La Cantine
Dubai skyline views? Check. Fresh seafood platters? Check. The sound of lapping waves while you stare lovingly into your date's eyes? Check. Everything about Twiggy La Cantine screams romance.
It also happens to be one of the most popular beach clubs in the city, laying on the love in spades with its stunning Creekside setting and even more stunning menu of Mediterranean staples. Time your arrival just before sunset and take a seat by the infinity pool for one of the most romantic settings in the city.
Open daily 10am-1am. Park Hyatt Dubai, Dubai Creek Club St, twiggy.ae (04 602 1105).
Check out our full Twiggy by La Cantine review here
Romantic restaurants in Dubai: Rooftop bars for the cool crowd
Above Eleven
Credit: Above Eleven
Above Eleven has some of the coolest views of Palm Jumeirah. Share some Peruvian-Japanese bites with your partner and enjoy the dimly-lit outdoor space and breezy night.
Sun-Thurs, 4pm-1am, Fri-Sat, from 4pm-2am. Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, West Palm Beach, aboveeleven.com (04 666 1420).
Check out our full Above Eleven review here
Amazónico
Credit: Amazónico
Add a little bit of spice to your date night at Amazónico's Copacabana-style rooftop terrace. Perfect spot for sundowners with must-see views of the DIFC skyline. The tropical spot also features a menu of mixed drinks and bites from across Latin America, made to share.
Open daily 12pm-3am. Gate Village 11, DIFC, amazonicorestaurant.com (04 571 3999).
Check out our full Amazónico review here
Bahri Bar
Credit: Bahri Bar
Tucked away at Jumeirah Mina A'Salam Hotel, Bahri Bar has always been one of our favourite romantic destinations. Not many places have such fabulous unobstructed views of the Burj Al Arab, after all.
There's lots of cosy seating designed for two and a selection of beverages, bites and shisha, making it one of the best romantic restaurants in Dubai.
Mon-Fri 5pm-2am, Sat-Sun 4pm-2am. Jumeirah Mina A'Salam Hotel, jumeirah.com (800 323232).
Check out our full Bahri Bar review here
Bar Buci
Credit: Bar Buci
The Jumeirah Al Qasr bar offers up Parisian and vintage jazz elements in a very elegant space with some stunning ocean views, making it the perfect setting for a date. There are also some light bites to graze on as you go.
Mon-Thu, 5pm-2am, Fri-Sat, 5pm-3am, Sun, 5pm-2am. Lobby Level, Jumeirah Al Qasr Hotel, Dubai, jumeirah.com (800 323232).
Cielo Sky Lounge
Credit: Cielo Sky Lounge
This Ibiza-style lounge is an oldie, but a goodie. In fact, you'll be hard-pressed to
find many rooftops in Dubai with better full-skyline views than this. With superb views from its setting, out into the waters of the Creek, it's a longstanding favourite for a date night and with good reason.
Tue-Wed, 5pm-2am, Thu, 5pm-2am, Fri-Sat, 5pm-3am, Sun, 5pm-2am. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Deira, dubaicreekresort.com (04 416 1800).
Check out our full Cielo Sky Lounge review here
Luna Dubai
Credit: Luna Dubai
Find yourself in DIFC? This gorgeous bar at Four Seasons DIFC is a prime spot for a sky-high drink with your plus one.
Open daily 5pm-3am. Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, DIFC, lunadubai.com (04 506 0000).
Check out our full Luna Dubai review here
SoBe
Credit: SoBe
This super-swish bar at the trendy W Dubai – The Palm is a hit with couples during the winter months thanks to its expansive rooftop space and glamorous crowd. The views across to Dubai Marina are unbeatable, so if you're looking to impress your date, this is a good shout.
Mon-Thu, 5pm-1am, Fri 5pm-2am, Sat, 4pm-2am, Sun, 4pm-1am. W Dubai – The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, sobedubai.com (04 245 5577).
Check out our full SoBe review here
Tiki's Bar by Canary Club
Credit: Tiki's Bar by Canary Club
If you want to stay in your neighbourhood for a date night, check out Canary Club's rooftop bar Tiki's. Perfect for a tête-à-tête.
Mon-Wed, 12pm-1am, Thu-Fri, 12pm-2am, Sat, 2pm-7pm, 8pm-2am. Canary Club, Banyan Tree Residences, JLT, canaryclub.com (04 584 5999).
Check out our full TIKI's Rooftop Bar review here
The Penthouse
Credit: The Penthouse
One of the biggest rooftop bars in town, The Penthouse remains a go-to for date nights on the Palm. It has some of the best views of Dubai from a bar, with the Dubai Marina skyline on one side and the Jumeirah coast on the other. Get your phone into selfie mode and make some memories with your plus one.
Open daily 5pm-4am. FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai, thepenthouse.co/dubai (052 900 4868).
Check out The Penthouse review here
Zeta Seventy Seven
Credit: Zeta Seventy-Seven
Sit above Bluewaters, Palm Jumeirah and Ain Dubai at this adults-only rooftop restaurant and lounge on the 77th floor of the Address Beach Resort. By day, take a seat by the stunning infinity pool and tuck into a menu of posh snacks and poke bowls. At night, impress your date with a private cabana and enjoy signatures such as oysters, wagyu sirloin and miso lobster.
Open daily noon-2am. Address Beach Resort, JBR, addresshotels.com (04 879 8866).
Check out our full Zeta Seventy Seven review here
Romantic restaurants in Dubai: Old-school romance for when you're long-term
At.mosphere
Credit: Atmosphere
Perhaps one of the most famous romantic restaurants in Dubai, At.mosphere is one of those places you have to visit at least once in your lifetime.
Towering above the city skyline on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, come dressed to impress and be prepared for your date to be wowed by a sharable menu and an impressive drinks selection served alongside a background of twinkling city lights.
Open daily 7am-2am. Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, atmosphereburjkhalifa.com (04 888 3828).
Check out our full At.mosphere review here
Atrangi
Atrangi (Credit: Supplied)
The journey to Atrangi comes with an abra ride through Madinat Jumeirah's waterways, and while many seasoned Dubai residents have been there and done that, it'll impress any date.
The restaurant definitely takes advantage of its waterfront location, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a vast terrace that overlooks the Jumeirah Al Qasr lagoons, while the menu draws inspiration from various regions and communities of India. All in all, it's an unmatched vibe.
Open daily noon-2pm, 6.30pm-11.30pm. Jumeirah Al Qasr Hotel (800 323 232).
Check out our full Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia review here
Eugène Eugène
Eugène Eugène. Credit: Time Out Dubai
Located inside Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, this magical garden-inspired venue draws inspiration from greenhouses and market halls in France.
Eugène Eugène is a literal sanctuary in the heart of one of the busiest neighbourhoods in Dubai so if you're at Mall of the Emirates on a little shopping trip with your significant other, that's where you should take them for a pick-me-up.
The modern brasserie offers a cool, but relaxed atmosphere and the terrace is one of the most romantic we've seen in town.
Open daily noon-11.30pm. Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, eugeneeugene.ae (04 379 8963).
Check out our full Eugène Eugène review here
L'Amo Bistro Del Mare
L'Amo Bistro Del Mare (Credit: supplied)
Located at the Dubai Harbour Yacht Club, this upscale Italian seafood restaurant offers up a fantastic vantage point for golden hour. Sit on the terrace and start with oysters to really elevate the romantic mood.
Mon-Thu noon-3pm, 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sun noon-11.30pm. Dubai Harbour, Dubai Marina lamorestaurant.com (04 278 4800).
Check out our full L'Amo Bistro del Mare review here
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro
Credit: Il Borro Tuscan Bistro
If there's a romantic restaurant in Dubai that will have you singing That's Amoré at the top of your lungs, it's Il Borro Tuscan Bistro. Delivering both a romantic setting and Italian food in spades, you know you're in for a treat.
Grab a seat on the terrace that's idyllically nestled right by Jumeirah Al Naseem's turtle rehabilitation lagoon and enjoy traditional favourites made with love, from pasta and pizzas to the creamiest burrata in town. La vita sure is è bella here.
Mon-Fri noon-3.30pm, 6.30pm-11.30pm, Sat-Sun noon-4pm and 6.30pm-11.30pm.Jumeirah Al Naseem, Turtle Lagoon, ilborrotuscanbistro.ae (04 275 2555).
Check out our full Il Borro Tuscan Bistro review
LPM Restaurant & Bar
Credit: LPM Restaurant & Bar
There are so many reasons to fall in love with LPM. Firstly, the space is beautiful with its crisp white tablecloths and eclectic artwork. Secondly, and most importantly, its fine French fare is widely known as being some of the best in the city.
Regular live music creates a fun atmosphere, too. All this means is that a date night here will typically have a high success rate.
Mon-Fri, noon-3.30pm, 6pm-1am, Sat-Sun, 12.30-4pm, 6pm-1am, Gate Village 8, DIFC, lpmrestaurants.com/dubai (04 439 0505).
Check out our full La Petite Maison Dubai review here
Mimi Kakushi
Credit: Mimi Kakushi
Nestled within the sleek compounds of the Four Seasons Dubai, Mimi Kakushi is all moody interiors, cosy leather booths and expertly crafted Asian sharing plates. One of our favourite spots in Dubai for a romantic meal.
Expect a low-lit, atmospheric space layered with rich textures, hand-painted walls and beaded curtains – it's informed by Japan's jazz age and the grandiose parties of silent film actor Sessue Hayakawa, serving up modern twists on Japanese classics.
Be sure to order at least three dishes from the sushi counter and share with your special someone.
Mon-Fri 6pm-2am, Sat-Sun noon-4pm and 6pm-2am. Four Seasons Resort Dubai by Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Road, mimikakushi.ae (04 379 4811).
Check out our full Mimi Kakushi review here
Mott 32
Credit: Mott 32
Created in Hong Kong, Mott 32 pays homage to 32 Mott Street in New York, where the city's first Chinese convenience store opened in 1891.
Sat on the 73rd floor of Address Beach Resort, it's home to one of the most stunning terraces in the city, sure to be a talking-point for any date. Expect enviable views of JBR and Bluewaters Dubai, looking like miniatures below.
Sun-Fri 6pm-1am, Sat 12.30pm-4pm, 6pm-1am. Address Beach Resort, mott32.com (04 278 4832).
Check out our full Mott 32 review here
Ninive
Credit: Ninive
Ninive remains one of the most amorous restaurants in the city, and it's here you'll find one of its prettiest terraces complete with twinkling lights and DIFC views.
A distinctly Arabic restaurant where service is seamless and plates are sophisticated.
Sun-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri-Sat 6pm-3am. Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Rd, ninive.com (04 326 6105).
Check out our full Ninive review here
Tàn Chá
Credit: Tàn Chá
If you're looking for a cozy date night out at a venue with a great vibe and an even better view, then make a beeline for Tàn Chá's terrace. Blissfully removed from the noise and bustle at street level, this urban perch offers skyline views of the Dubai Canal and great Chinese food.
Sun-Thu noon-3pm, 6pm-3am Fri-Sat noon-3pm, 6.30pm-3am. JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, tanchadubai.com (056 681 8881).
Check out our full Tàn Chá review here
Thiptara
Credit: Thiptara
Flowers, gifts and grand gestures are all well and good, but is there anything more special than sharing a meal with the one you love at one of Dubai's most romantic restaurants?
That's where Thiptara comes in. Boasting pride of place by the waterfront of Dubai Fountain, its tuned-in service and prime views of the iconic water show and Burj Khalifa are only matched by its fine Thai cuisine, which has an emphasis on Bangkok-style seafood.
Dishes may be classic but they're also highly indulgent, so be sure to advise your other half to arrive hungry and/or wear loose-fitting trousers. Who said romance was dead?
Open daily 12.30pm-3.30pm, 6pm-11.30pm. Palace Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, addresshotels.com (04 428 7961).
Check out our full Thiptara review here
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