Art & Culture

Open Air Restaurants Near Me: 12 Dubai Spots Worth Leaving the House For

BYYassine Hariss

September 29, 2026

Looking for open air restaurants near me in Dubai? With the cooler months finally around the corner, we’re already thinking about all the places we’ll be eating once sitting outside no longer feels like a test of endurance. After months of hopping between air-conditioned cars, shopping malls, and restaurants, there’s something particularly satisfying about enjoying a meal outdoors without melting into your chair.

Fortunately, Dubai has no shortage of places to make the most of the weather. From sky-high restaurants overlooking the Burj Khalifa to beachfront terraces where dinner comes with a sea breeze, the city has something for just about every occasion. And given how seriously Dubai takes its food scene, you can expect considerably more than a pretty backdrop.

So, if you’ve been searching for the best open air restaurants in Dubai, consider your next few dinner plans sorted. We’ve rounded up 12 spots worth knowing about, from laid-back seafood joints to rooftop restaurants that practically demand a reservation.

The Best Open Air Restaurants in Dubai

1. CÉ LA VI: Open Air Dining With a View of the Burj Khalifa

Best for: Burj Khalifa views

If dinner with a view is your idea of a good night out, CÉ LA VI deserves a spot on your radar. Perched on the 54th floor of Address Sky View, the restaurant offers uninterrupted views of the Burj Khalifa from its open-air terrace. The menu takes its cues from contemporary Asian cuisine, while the atmosphere strikes a balance between upscale dining and a lively night out. Come for dinner, stay for the skyline, and don’t be surprised if you end up taking considerably more pictures than planned.

Location: Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai.
Cuisine: Contemporary Asian.
Budget for two: Approximately AED 500–900.
Google Maps: Get directions
Reservations: Official website

2. Ninive: An Open Air Restaurant in the Heart of Dubai

Best for: Romantic dinners

For an evening that feels a little removed from Dubai’s usual glitz, there’s Ninive. Tucked away at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, this open-air restaurant takes inspiration from traditional Middle Eastern gardens, with low seating, lush greenery, and warm lighting Its menu draws from cuisines across the Arab world and North Africa, making it a particularly appealing choice for anyone craving familiar regional flavours in a more intimate setting. The kind of place where a quick dinner can easily turn into a three-hour affair.

Location: Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road.
Cuisine: Middle Eastern.
Budget for two: Approximately AED 400–700.
Google Maps: Get directions
Reservations and contact: Official website

3. Shimmers: One of Dubai’s Best Beachfront Restaurants

Best for: Beachfront dining

Few Dubai restaurants with a view can compete with Shimmers. Located at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, the beachfront restaurant offers front-row seats to the Burj Al Arab, with the Arabian Gulf stretching out before you. Greek and Mediterranean dishes dominate the menu, while the laid-back setting makes it an appealing option for a long lunch or sunset dinner. There’s something particularly satisfying about eating by the water when the weather finally allows it.

Location: Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Madinat Jumeirah.
Cuisine: Greek and Mediterranean.
Budget for two: Approximately AED 400–700.
Contact: +971 800 323 232; restaurants@jumeirah.com.
Google Maps: Get directions
Reservations: Official restaurant page

4. 3Fils: Casual Open Air Dining by the Water

Best for: Casual lunches

Not every outdoor dining experience needs to involve a rooftop, a dress code, or a bill that makes your eyes water. At Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, 3Fils has built a loyal following around its Japanese-inspired menu and waterfront setting. Expect seafood, inventive small plates, and an atmosphere that feels refreshingly relaxed. It’s also popular, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait for a table. Consider it an opportunity to enjoy the harbour before dinner.

Location: Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 1, Jumeirah.
Cuisine: Japanese-inspired.
Budget for two: Approximately AED 200–400, depending on your choice of dishes.
Contact: +971 56 273 0030.
Google Maps: Get directions
Reservations: Walk-ins only. No reservations or waiting list.

5. ZETA Seventy Seven: Rooftop Dining Above Dubai

Best for: Sunset drinks

Anyone who likes their dinner accompanied by a healthy dose of vertigo might want to consider ZETA Seventy Seven. Located on the 77th floor of Address Beach Resort, the restaurant sits approximately 294 metres above ground, with sweeping views of Palm Jumeirah, Bluewaters Island, and the Arabian Gulf. The menu focuses on Asian fusion and seafood, while the adjoining infinity pool provides a rather spectacular backdrop. There are also private cabanas for anyone looking to make an occasion of it.

Location: Level 77, Address Beach Resort, JBR.
Cuisine: Asian fusion.
Budget for two: Approximately AED 500–900 for à la carte dining.
Contact: +971 4 879 8866.
Google Maps: Get directions
Reservations: Official website

6. Bordo Mavi: An Open Air Seafood Restaurant in Dubai

Best for: Seafood lovers

Seafood enthusiasts, this one’s for you. Located at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, Bordo Mavi brings a distinctly Turkish approach to seafood, with a menu built around fresh fish and simple preparations that allow the ingredients to do most of the talking. Its waterfront terrace is particularly appealing during the cooler months, offering a welcome alternative to Dubai’s more extravagant dining destinations. Gather a few friends, order generously, and make an evening of it.

Location: Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 1, Al Urouba Street.
Cuisine: Turkish seafood.
Budget for two: Approximately AED 350–650; fresh fish prices vary.
Contact: +971 56 508 5002, also available on WhatsApp.
Google Maps: Get directions
Reservations: Official website

7. Andiamo!: Grand Hyatt Dubai’s Open Air Restaurant

Best for: Group dinners

Craving Italian food? Andiamo! at Grand Hyatt Dubai combines contemporary Italian cooking with a garden-inspired outdoor terrace. Expect familiar favourites, Mediterranean influences, and an atmosphere that lends itself to everything from family dinners to a casual evening with friends. And if you’re exploring the hotel’s other outdoor dining options, Peppercrab and Awtar are also worth looking into, particularly if you’re in the mood for seafood or Lebanese cuisine.

Location: Grand Hyatt Dubai, Umm Hurair 2.
Cuisine: Italian and Mediterranean.
Budget for two: Approximately AED 300–500.
Contact: +971 4 317 2221.
Google Maps: Get directions
Reservations: Official website

8. Dinner in the Sky: Open Air Dining Taken to New Heights

Best for: Special occasions

Dubai has never been particularly interested in doing things by halves, and Dinner in the Sky is a fairly convincing example Instead of sitting on a rooftop terrace, guests are strapped into their seats and lifted approximately 50 metres into the air, where they enjoy a meal overlooking the city. Located at Skydive Dubai, the experience offers a rather unusual perspective on the skyline. Just make sure you’re comfortable with heights before booking.

Location: Skydive Dubai, Dubai Marina.
Cuisine: International set-menu dining.
Price: Check the price of your preferred session when booking.
Contact: +971 58 819 3296; info@dinnerinthesky.ae.
Google Maps: Get directions
Reservations: Official booking page

9. Ibn Albahr: Lebanese Seafood With a Beachfront View

Best for: Long weekend lunches

Sometimes all you need is a table by the water, a generous spread of mezze, and some exceptionally fresh fish. At Ibn Albahr, Lebanese seafood traditions take centre stage. Located at Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah, the restaurant lets diners choose their fish before having it prepared to their liking. Its beachfront terrace makes it an appealing option for long weekend lunches, particularly when nobody’s in a hurry to leave.

Location: Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah.
Cuisine: Lebanese seafood.
Budget for two: Approximately AED 300–600, depending on the day’s catch.
Google Maps: Get directions
Contact and reservations: Confirm through the restaurant’s current official channels.

10. Rockfish: Outdoor Dining With Burj Al Arab Views

Best for: Special occasions

If you’re planning a special occasion, Rockfish offers the sort of setting that makes dressing up feel entirely justified. Nestled in Jumeirah Al Naseem, the restaurant pairs Mediterranean-inspired seafood with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Arabian Gulf and Burj Al Arab. It’s an attractive option for an anniversary, a birthday, or simply an evening when you feel like treating yourself to something a little more elaborate.

Location: Jumeirah Al Naseem, Umm Suqeim.
Cuisine: Mediterranean seafood.
Budget for two: Approximately AED 500–900 for à la carte dining when operating.
Contact: +971 800 323 232; restaurants@jumeirah.com.
Google Maps: Get directions
Reservations: Official restaurant page .

11. JARA: One of Dubai’s Rooftop Restaurants for Date Night

Best for: Date nights

Located on the 18th floor of The Lana, JARA brings the flavours of Spain’s Basque Country to Dubai. Created by chef Martín Berasategui, the restaurant puts open-fire cooking at the heart of its menu, with grilled meats, seafood, and traditional Spanish influences. Its outdoor terrace overlooks Downtown Dubai, making it an appealing address for date night or an evening when you want to linger over dinner.

Location: The Lana, Marasi Drive, Business Bay.
Cuisine: Basque and Spanish.
Budget for two: Approximately AED 600–1,000.
Contact: The Lana, +971 4 541 7777.
Google Maps: Get directions
Reservations: The Lana’s official website

12. Nobu by the Beach: Open Air Dining on Palm Jumeirah

Best for: Poolside lunches

If your ideal afternoon involves Japanese food, sunshine, and absolutely no plans afterwards, Nobu by the Beach might be calling your name. Located at Atlantis The Royal, the beach club combines Nobu’s signature Japanese cuisine with a relaxed seaside setting.

Location: Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah.
Cuisine: Japanese-Peruvian.
Budget for two: Approximately AED 500–900 for à la carte dining.
Google Maps: Get directions
Reservations: Official booking page

Open Air Restaurants Near Me: Your Questions, Answered

What Are the Top Five Rooftop Restaurants in Dubai?

CÉ LA VI
ZETA Seventy Seven
JARA by Martín Berasategui
City Social
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Which Is the Highest Rooftop Restaurant in Dubai?

ZETA Seventy Seven is among the city’s highest outdoor rooftop dining venues, sitting on the 77th floor of Address Beach Resort, approximately 294 metres above ground.

What Is the Most Romantic Open Air Restaurants in Dubai?

Got a hot date coming up? Dubai has plenty of places to turn up the romance. We’d recommend heading to Ninive for its intimate garden setting,;dinner with your toes practically in the sand at Shimmers; Rockfish’s dreamy sea views, or CÉ LA VI’s spectacular skyline if you’re really trying to impress.

Still undecided? Our guide to romantic restaurants in Dubai has plenty more spots to help you set the mood.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Open Air Restaurants in Dubai?

We recommend making the most of Dubai’s outdoor dining season from October to April, when you can finally enjoy a meal outside without breaking a sweat. For rooftop dinners and beachfront lunches, November to March is the sweet spot. Think cooler evenings, sea breezes, and absolutely no fighting over the table closest to the AC.