Darkoum

Darkoum is a beautiful Moroccan restaurant and lounge at Al Habtoor Polo Resort in Dubailand, and it is one of the most exciting new places for a dinner with a show in Dubai. It was created by Moroccans, and you feel that the moment you walk in: the decor, the warm lighting and the hospitality all feel authentic rather than themed. The owners are lovely, and their warm welcome sets the tone for the whole experience.

The concept comes from Spain. The original Darkoum is one of the biggest lounges in Madrid, known for mixing Moroccan and Spanish flavours with a lively nightlife atmosphere. The Dubai venue brings the same idea to the city for the first time. It is still new here and not yet widely known, but we expect that to change soon, so keep an eye on it.

Flamenco show and DJ every Friday and Saturday

The best time to go is the weekend. Every Friday and Saturday night, Darkoum hosts a flamenco show, followed by a DJ and more entertainment as the evening goes on. It turns a normal dinner into a full night out: you can arrive for dinner, stay for the show and carry on with music and shisha afterwards. If you are planning a birthday, a date night or an evening out with friends, these are the nights to book.

On weekdays the atmosphere is calmer, which suits a relaxed dinner or a quieter catch-up. If entertainment is the main reason for your visit, check with the venue before you go, as show times and line-ups can change.

Food and shisha

The food is very good. The kitchen focuses on Moroccan cooking with a Spanish influence, in line with the original Madrid concept, and it works just as well for a long dinner as for a lighter bite before the show.

Shisha is a big part of the experience and is served throughout the evening. Many guests come for dinner and stay on for shisha while the music builds.

Smoking: summer versus winter

This is the most important thing to know before you book. Darkoum is a smoking area. In summer, everyone sits inside because of the heat, and with shisha served indoors the room can feel smoky. If you cannot bear smoke, we recommend waiting for the cooler months. In winter the roof opens, the air flows freely and the space becomes much more comfortable for non-smokers. A visit between November and March is the ideal way to enjoy the show, the food and the atmosphere at their best.

Who will love Darkoum

• Couples looking for a different date night with live entertainment.
• Groups of friends who want dinner, a show and music in one place.
• Anyone curious about Moroccan hospitality and a Madrid-born lounge concept.
• Shisha lovers who enjoy a long, social evening.

It is less suited to families with young children or to guests who are sensitive to smoke, especially in the summer months.

Good to know

• Location: Al Habtoor Polo Resort, Emirates Road, Wadi Al Safa 5, Dubailand, Dubai.
• Shows: flamenco show, DJ and more every Friday and Saturday night.
• Smoking: smoking area, with indoor seating in summer and an open roof in winter.
• Booking: recommended on Fridays and Saturdays. Call the resort on +971 4 435 4444.
• Getting there: the resort is in Dubailand, so plan to arrive by taxi or car.

Our verdict

We rate Darkoum 4.5 out of 5. It combines very good Moroccan food, a beautiful setting created by Moroccans, warm owners and a genuinely fun weekend show. The only drawback is the smoke indoors during summer, which is easy to avoid by visiting in winter when the roof opens. It is a new name in Dubai with a big reputation in Madrid, and one we think is worth discovering early.