Japanese · Korean$$$
Akira Back
W Dubai – The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
Korean-Japanese fusion with views over the Gulf.
Not rated yet
Home / Restaurants / Palm Jumeirah
Restaurant guidePalm Jumeirah packs world class hotel dining onto one man made island, from vast buffets at Atlantis to sunset terraces and rooftop parties. Here is how we would plan a meal on the Palm.
W Dubai – The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
Korean-Japanese fusion with views over the Gulf.
Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah
Persian home-style cooking at Atlantis The Royal.
Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
Gordon Ramsay’s British kitchen at Atlantis The Palm.
Aloft Palm Jumeirah
All-day restaurant at Aloft Palm Jumeirah.
Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah
Lavish buffets with live stations across a grand dining room.
Maiden Shanghai, FIVE Palm Jumeirah
Pan-Asian brunch and dinner by FIVE.
Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
Afternoon tea in the lobby lounge at Atlantis The Palm.
Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
Long-running brunch and dinner buffet with an Asian-inspired spread.
FIVE Palm Jumeirah
Rooftop with a Friday skyline brunch and weekend DJ sessions.
Palm Jumeirah is where Dubai’s resort dining feels most concentrated. Almost every restaurant on the island sits inside a hotel, which means polished service, sea views and a lot of choice in a small area. The Crescent is home to Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, two of the biggest dining destinations in the city, while the trunk and the West Crescent add relaxed hotel restaurants, pool decks and some of Dubai’s best known party venues.
What ties it all together is the setting. You are rarely more than a few steps from the water, and many terraces face either the open Gulf or the Dubai Marina skyline across the bay. It is a place people come to on purpose, so we always suggest booking ahead and making an occasion of it.
There is no Dubai Metro station on the island itself. The Palm Monorail runs along the trunk from Palm Gateway to Atlantis Aquaventure, stopping at stations including Al Ittihad Park and Palm Jumeirah Mall, and Palm Gateway connects with the Dubai Tram, which in turn links to the Red Line in Dubai Marina. The monorail has had maintenance closures in the past, so check it is running before you rely on it.
For hotels away from the monorail, a taxi or ride hailing app is the simplest choice, and most resorts offer valet parking for restaurant guests if you are driving. Allow extra time on weekend evenings, when traffic on the trunk and around the Crescent tunnel builds up.
The cooler months from roughly October to April are perfect for terrace tables and sunset drinks. In summer, we head indoors for buffets and afternoon tea, then step outside once the heat drops after dark. Saturdays are the busiest day for brunch, so weekday lunches are calmer if you want space and quicker service.
Planning a full day on the island? Pair your meal with a beach club or waterpark from our things to do in Dubai guide.
The big buffets at Atlantis are the easiest family choice on Palm Jumeirah. Gastronomy at Atlantis The Royal has live cooking stations covering international dishes, seafood, salads and desserts, while Saffron at Atlantis The Palm focuses on Asian dishes. Both have plenty of space for groups, and the variety means everyone finds something they like. Book ahead at weekends and in school holidays, when tables go quickly.
No, the Dubai Metro does not run onto Palm Jumeirah. Instead, the Palm Monorail runs along the trunk from Palm Gateway to Atlantis Aquaventure, and Palm Gateway connects with the Dubai Tram, which links to the Metro Red Line in Dubai Marina. For hotels away from the monorail, such as those on the crescent arms, a taxi or ride hailing app is usually quicker and more convenient.
Plato’s at Atlantis The Palm is our first suggestion for afternoon tea on Palm Jumeirah. It sits inside the resort, so it pairs nicely with a wander around the hotel or a visit to the aquarium areas. Afternoon tea is also a good way to enjoy the Palm in summer, when terraces are too hot during the day. Compare more options in our afternoon tea in Dubai guide.
Akira Back at W Dubai The Palm is a strong date night pick on Palm Jumeirah, with Japanese and Korean dishes, a stylish dining room and a terrace looking out over the water. For something more relaxed and comforting, Ariana’s Persian Kitchen at Atlantis The Royal works well too. Ask for an outdoor table in the cooler months and time your booking around sunset for the best views.
Yes, Saturday is the main brunch day on Palm Jumeirah, and Naughty Noodles by FIVE at Maiden Shanghai is one of the liveliest options we list. Expect a party atmosphere with Chinese inspired dishes and music, which makes it better suited to groups of friends than a quiet family lunch. Brunch details change through the year, so check the current listing on our dinner and brunch page before booking.
Most Palm Jumeirah restaurants are inside hotels, and the resorts generally offer valet parking for restaurant guests. Arrangements and any charges vary from hotel to hotel, so it is worth asking when you book. Traffic on the trunk and around the Atlantis end of the island can be heavy on weekend evenings, so many diners prefer a taxi, especially if they plan to stay on for drinks after dinner.
Get the best of the UAE in your inbox
Be first to hear about new events, weekend picks and free things to do. No spam, unsubscribe any time.