Plato’s Afternoon Tea at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai

Afternoon tea at Plato’s, the lobby lounge of Atlantis The Palm in Dubai, is a classic tiered tea with a resort twist: warm scones with clotted cream, finger sandwiches and pastries from Executive Pastry Chef Patrice Cabannes, unlimited tea and coffee, and Atlantis-branded chocolate to finish. It is one of the gentler ways to spend a few hours at the resort, away from the water park crowds but still in the middle of everything.

Plato’s serves afternoon tea every day from 2pm to 5pm, according to Atlantis. The Platinumlist booking currently covers dates from 16 to 29 November, and the lounge stays open from 8am until 11.30pm for breakfast, all-day dining and evening drinks either side of tea.

Plato’s: the lounge inside Atlantis

Atlantis The Palm opened on 24 September 2008 at the very tip of Palm Jumeirah, with 1,544 rooms across its East and West Towers. Plato’s sits in the hotel lobby and describes itself as a day-to-night bar and lounge, an elegant meeting place where guests and visitors drop in for coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon and cocktails at night. There is also an outdoor terrace looking back towards the Dubai skyline.

The name is a nod to the legend behind the whole resort: the Greek philosopher Plato was the first to write about the lost island of Atlantis, a fitting name for the lobby lounge of a resort built around that myth.

Booking afternoon tea also gives you access to the hotel’s main lobby, so you can see the grand spaces without staying at the resort or buying a separate attraction ticket.

What is on the stand

The tea follows the British format, with sweet and savoury tiers served together. Atlantis notes that menu items can change at the restaurant’s discretion, but the core of the tea is consistent:

• Warm scones with clotted cream, the centrepiece of any proper afternoon tea
• Finger sandwiches and delicate savouries
• Cakes and handcrafted pastries made by Executive Pastry Chef Patrice Cabannes and his team
• Atlantis-branded chocolate, a small signature touch you will not find at other hotel teas

Tea and coffee

Drinks are where this tea is generous. The package includes unlimited tea and coffee, drawn from an extensive tea selection, so you can work your way through a few different blends over the afternoon rather than sticking with a single pot. Alcoholic drinks are not included. Atlantis also offers separate versions of the tea with a cocktail or Champagne, booked as different packages.

Who it suits

Plato’s welcomes all ages, which makes it an easy choice for families. The ticket counts anyone over four as an adult, and children aged three and under do not need a ticket. That works well for grandparents visiting with young grandchildren, or for a treat after a morning at the aquarium.

It is also a good fit for:

• Friends catching up on a weekday afternoon in a calm setting
• Birthdays and small celebrations where a full dinner feels like too much
• Visitors who want to see inside Atlantis without committing to a full day at the water park

The dress code is relaxed for a hotel tea. Shorts, sleeved shirts, and closed shoes or sandals are all allowed, and UAE national dress is welcomed. Atlantis describes its general dress code for Plato’s as smart casual, so think holiday-smart rather than poolside.

Make an afternoon of it

Because Plato’s is in the lobby, it pairs naturally with the rest of the resort. The Lost Chambers Aquarium, home to more than 65,000 marine animals, and the Aquaventure water park are both part of Atlantis, so you could spend the morning with the fish and finish with tea at 2pm. If you would rather stay later, Plato’s switches to its evening menu of cocktails, wines and light bites from 6pm.

From early December to 10 January, Atlantis also runs a festive afternoon tea at Plato’s in the same 2pm to 5pm slot, which is worth knowing if you are planning a winter visit.

Getting there and booking notes

• By car: take Sheikh Zayed Road, follow the ramp onto Palm Jumeirah Road, drive through the Palm Jumeirah Tunnel and turn right onto Crescent Road. Complimentary valet parking is included while you dine.
• By public transport: take bus 8 to the Royal Mirage Hotel 2-2 stop, walk to the Palm Gateway monorail station, ride the monorail to Atlantis Aquaventure station and walk about five minutes.
• By taxi: taxis and ride-hailing apps both drop off at the hotel entrance.

Transfers are not included. Bookings are non-changeable and non-refundable, so pick your date carefully before confirming.

For more ideas, browse our full list of afternoon teas in Dubai, our dinner and brunch guide, and the wider round-up of things to do in Dubai. Planning ahead? See things to do in November.