At.mosphere Burj Khalifa Premium Dining in Dubai

The At.mosphere Burj Khalifa Premium Dining experience is a daytime afternoon tea or three-course lunch on Level 122 of Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at one of the most famous restaurant addresses in the world. It is the kind of meal people book for a milestone, and the view through the windows does most of the talking.

There are two ways to do it: a three-tier afternoon tea with a sparkling package, or a three-course set lunch with a glass of wine. Both are served in the early afternoon, so you see the city in daylight, from the Downtown towers below to the coast in the distance.

At.mosphere Burj Khalifa: a restaurant in the sky

At.mosphere sits on Level 122 of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, just below the At the Top observation decks. Shortly after it opened in 2011, Guinness World Records recognised it as the Highest Restaurant from Ground Level.

The journey up is part of the occasion. Guests enter through the Burj Khalifa Corporate Suites Gate rather than the main tourist entrance, and the original launch materials describe an express lift up to a two-storey glass atrium. Inside, the restaurant was designed with mahogany walls and ceilings, limestone floors and furnishings by the designer Adam Tihany, giving it a warm, clubby feel that contrasts with the dizzying view.

When it opened, At.mosphere was set up as two spaces: a grill restaurant serving lunch and dinner, and a lounge seating around 130 guests, with a private area for smaller groups. The premium dining experience on this page takes place during the lunchtime service, which means you see the view in full daylight rather than as a carpet of lights after dark.

Option one: premium afternoon tea

The afternoon tea arrives on a three-tier stand of sweet and savoury bites, served with soft drinks, tea, coffee and water. The premium version includes a sparkling package of half a bottle per person of Nyetimber Cuvée Chérie, the English sparkling wine, or an equivalent.

It is the classic choice for a celebration: slow, pretty and ideal for groups who want to chat and take photos between courses.

One important note: there is no afternoon tea menu for guests who avoid gluten. If you have coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance, the venue offers its restaurant lunch as the alternative, so choose that option when booking.

Option two: three-course lunch

The lunch is a three-course set menu, served with soft drinks, tea, coffee, water and one glass of red or white wine per person. It suits anyone who would rather sit down to a proper meal than graze, and it is the better pick for guests with dietary requirements.

Neither package includes unlimited drinks or transfers. Anything extra you order is settled at the venue.

Timings on the day

• The dining experience starts at 12:30pm.
• Last arrival is 2:30pm.
• The last food and drink order is at 3pm, and service ends at 3:30pm.

The listing gives a duration of around two hours, so arriving close to 12:30pm gives you the most time at the table. Platinumlist warns that traffic around Burj Khalifa is heavy at weekends and on public holidays, so allow extra travel time on those days.

Who it suits

• Birthdays, anniversaries and proposals, where the setting is the point
• Visitors to Dubai who want to experience Burj Khalifa over a meal rather than just from an observation deck
• Afternoon tea fans collecting the city’s most memorable tea settings
• Families with older children: children aged 5 to 10 can join and order from the à la carte menu, while adult packages apply from age 11

Children under 5 are not permitted, so this is one to plan for school-age children and up.

Dress code and house rules

At.mosphere asks for smart casual dress. For men, sports shoes, open-toed shoes, sandals, shorts and sporty outfits are not allowed. For women, sports shoes, rubber slippers and sporty outfits are not allowed. The restaurant is non-smoking.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before your booking without penalty; late cancellations and no-shows are charged in full.

Getting there

By Metro, take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station and walk a short distance. By car, follow Sheikh Zayed Road, then the Sheikh Zayed Toll Road and Al Mustaqbal Street, and head for the Corporate Suites entrance, which is separate from the At the Top visitor entrance inside The Dubai Mall, so leave a few minutes to find it. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are also easy options.

The Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain are right at the foot of the tower, so it is easy to combine lunch with an afternoon in Downtown. For more ideas, see our afternoon tea in Dubai guide, browse attractions, or explore more dinner and brunch picks and things to do in Dubai.