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Restaurant guide

Restaurants in Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai puts dinner right beside the city’s biggest sights, from tables high in the Burj Khalifa to fountain view terraces and a busy food hall. Here is how we plan it.

4 restaurants
International · Fine dining$$$

At.mosphere

Level 122, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai

Breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa.

Not rated yet
International$$

Doors

The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai

Dining experience at The Dubai Mall.

Not rated yet
Steakhouse · Seafood$$

Reef & Beef Steakhouse & Seafood

Boulevard Point, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai

Steaks and seafood with breakfast buffets, business lunches and weekend brunch.

Not rated yet
Food hall$

Time Out Market Dubai

Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai

Food hall with stalls from local favourites, plus classes and tastings.

Not rated yet

Eating out in Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai is the city’s showpiece. The Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain sit side by side, and the restaurants here make the most of it. Terraces around Burj Lake look straight onto the fountain shows, while Souk Al Bahar and the towers along the Boulevard add everything from casual food halls to glamorous steakhouses.

Because so many visitors pass through, Downtown has something for every kind of meal. You can grab a quick bite between shopping trips, settle in for a long dinner with a view, or book a once in a lifetime table more than a hundred floors up. It is busy, especially in the evenings, so a little planning goes a long way.

The neighbourhood is also very walkable once you are there. The Boulevard loops around the district, linking hotels, residential towers and street level cafes, and the waterfront promenade beside Burj Lake is a pleasant stroll after dinner when the evening cools down. Booking ahead is wise for any table with a view.

What Downtown Dubai does best

  • Views: fountain facing terraces and sky high dining rooms are the main draw.
  • Special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries and proposals are a big part of the Downtown scene.
  • Families and groups: food halls and mall restaurants make it easy to please everyone.
  • Before or after sightseeing: a meal fits neatly around a visit to the Burj Khalifa or the mall. See our things to do in Dubai guide.
  • Weekend brunch: several hotels and restaurants run weekend brunches. Find them on our dinner and brunch hub.

Getting to Downtown Dubai

Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station on the Red Line is the main stop. An air conditioned link bridge with travelators runs from the station into The Dubai Mall, and from the mall you can walk out to the waterfront and across to Souk Al Bahar. Business Bay station is an alternative for the southern end of the Boulevard.

The Dubai Mall has large car parks, and many hotels and restaurants offer valet. Traffic around the mall and the Boulevard gets heavy on weekend evenings, so allow plenty of time or take the Metro.

Best times to go

For fountain views, book a terrace table in the evening and ask about show times when you reserve. Sunset is the most popular slot for high level dining, so book well ahead if you want golden hour. Weekday lunches are calmer, and the cooler months from around October to April are best for eating outdoors by the lake.

Our picks from this list

  • At.mosphere on level 122 of the Burj Khalifa is the ultimate special occasion table, with a restaurant and a lounge looking over the city and the Gulf.
  • Doors in The Dubai Mall blends Mediterranean and Asian flavours under striking glass petal chandeliers, with outdoor seats facing the fountain.
  • Time Out Market Dubai in Souk Al Bahar is a food hall with many kitchens under one roof, ideal for groups who all want something different.
  • Reef & Beef Steakhouse & Seafood at Boulevard Point is our pick for steak and seafood on the Boulevard.

Want more ideas? Browse every venue on our restaurants page.

FAQ

Eating out in Downtown Dubai: your questions

What is the nearest metro station for Downtown Dubai restaurants?

Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station on the Red Line is the main stop for Downtown Dubai restaurants. An air conditioned link bridge with travelators connects the station to The Dubai Mall, and from there you can walk to the lake, the fountain terraces and Souk Al Bahar. Business Bay station can be handier for venues at the southern end of the Boulevard.

Can you eat inside the Burj Khalifa?

Yes, At.mosphere on level 122 of the Burj Khalifa is one of the most famous places to eat in Downtown Dubai. It has a restaurant and a lounge, both with sweeping views over the city and the Gulf. It is best for special occasions, and sunset tables are the most popular, so book well in advance and check the dress code before you go.

Which Downtown Dubai restaurants have Dubai Fountain views?

Doors in The Dubai Mall has outdoor seating facing the Dubai Fountain, which makes it a great choice for dinner with the shows. Souk Al Bahar, home to Time Out Market Dubai, also sits on the edge of Burj Lake. Ask for an outdoor table when you book and check fountain show times, which tend to run more often in the evening.

Where can a group eat in Downtown Dubai?

Time Out Market Dubai in Souk Al Bahar is ideal for groups in Downtown Dubai, because everyone can order from a different kitchen and still sit together. It is relaxed, easy to drop into before or after sightseeing, and suits families as well as friends. For a more formal group dinner, Reef & Beef Steakhouse & Seafood at Boulevard Point is a good alternative.

Is there parking for restaurants in Downtown Dubai?

Yes, The Dubai Mall has large car parks, and many Downtown Dubai hotels and restaurants offer valet parking. Traffic around the mall and the Boulevard can be heavy on weekend evenings and during busy holiday periods, so leave extra time. Many visitors find the Metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station the easiest way in.

When is the best time to eat out in Downtown Dubai?

Evenings are the best time to eat out in Downtown Dubai if you want fountain views and the city lit up. Sunset slots are the most popular for high level dining, so book early. Weekday lunches are calmer, and the cooler months from around October to April are perfect for terrace tables. Plan a full day around it with our things to do in Dubai guide.