Dubai Friday Brunch Guide
Friday brunch is Dubai's biggest weekly social institution — an all-you-can-eat-and-drink feast typically running from noon to 4 PM. This guide covers every price tier, the best venues by category, how to save money, and the etiquette you need to know.
What Is Dubai Friday Brunch?
Dubai Friday Brunch is an all-you-can-eat (and usually all-you-can-drink) meal held on Friday lunchtime — Dubai's equivalent of Sunday lunch in the UK or bottomless brunch in the US, but turned up to 11. It has been a cornerstone of Dubai's expat social calendar since the 1990s.
Brunch runs from approximately noon to 4 PM at hundreds of venues across the city, ranging from casual beach clubs to Michelin-calibre fine dining restaurants. Friday is the first day of the UAE weekend (Friday–Saturday), so brunch is the focal social event of the week for many residents.
Timing
Typically Friday 12 PM–4 PM. Saturday brunches are growing in popularity.
Pricing
AED 150 to AED 1,200+ per person, depending on venue and beverages package.
Beverages
Usually tiered: soft drinks, house beverages, or premium (Champagne and premium spirits).
Always Book in Advance
Brunch Price Tiers
Budget
AED 150–250Food + soft drinks. Some venues offer an optional alcohol add-on for AED 50–100 more.
Top Venues
- Garden on 8 (Media One Hotel) — Popular garden setting; good vibe; central JLT location
- Tribes (Towers Rotana) — African-themed; known for generous portions and good value
- Zero Gravity Beach Club — Pool and beach setting; great if you want outdoors without spending premium prices
- Loca (La Mer) — Mexican-themed brunch; casual beach location
Mid-Range
AED 250–450Food + house beverages (beer, house wine, prosecco, house spirits). Most popular price bracket.
Top Venues
- Saffron (Atlantis The Palm) — Massive international buffet; over 220 dishes; iconic venue
- Bubbalicious (Westin Dubai) — Long-running popular brunch; reliable quality; family-friendly option available
- McGettigan's (various locations) — Irish pub brunch; lively and fun; great for groups; live music
- Asia Asia (Pier 7, Dubai Marina) — Asian-fusion; spectacular marina views from the 7th floor
- Lock, Stock & Barrel (JBR) — American-style; buzzing atmosphere; good for groups
Premium
AED 450–700Food + premium beverages (Champagne, premium wines, premium spirits). High-end restaurants.
Top Venues
- Nobu (Atlantis The Royal) — World-famous Japanese-Peruvian; exceptional food quality; stunning venue
- Zuma (DIFC) — Japanese robata; consistently ranked among Dubai's best brunches; great atmosphere
- La Petite Maison (DIFC) — French Riviera cuisine; elegant setting; sophisticated crowd
- Tresind Studio (various) — Modern Indian; theatrical food presentations; excellent for foodies
- Coya (Four Seasons DIFC) — Peruvian; lively music; good cocktail selection
Ultra-Luxury
AED 700–1,200+Unlimited premium Champagne, spirits, and extraordinary food. Often includes an after-party or entertainment.
Top Venues
- Ossiano (Atlantis) — Underwater restaurant; extraordinary setting surrounded by the Ambassador Lagoon aquarium
- Al Habtoor Polo Resort — Lavish garden setting; live polo match sometimes included; very special occasion brunch
- Flow Kitchen (Four Seasons JBR) — Beachfront; extensive Champagne selection; beautiful setting
Best Brunches by Category
Best for Families with Kids
- •Bubbalicious (Westin Dubai) — dedicated kids' area and supervised activities
- •Saffron (Atlantis) — massive buffet with plenty of child-friendly options
- •Wafi Gourmet Friday Brunch — relaxed and family-oriented
Best Pool Brunch
- •Drift Beach (One&Only The Palm) — exclusive beach club vibes
- •Zero Gravity — large pool deck on the beach
- •Penthouse (Five Palm Jumeirah) — rooftop pool with city views
Best Views
- •Asia Asia (Pier 7) — sweeping Dubai Marina panorama from the 7th floor
- •At.mosphere (Burj Khalifa) — brunch at 122 floors; AED 500+
- •Cé La Vi (Address Sky View) — 360-degree city views
Best for Large Groups
- •McGettigan's — large capacity, great for 10–20 people; no fussy dress code
- •Saffron (Atlantis) — vast venue; handles large groups well
- •Lock, Stock & Barrel — casual and fun; easy group dynamics
Best Value for Money
- •Garden on 8 (Media One) — AED 195 soft drinks; great food and atmosphere for the price
- •Tribes (Towers Rotana) — AED 180–265; well-cooked food; generous portions
- •McGettigan's — AED 199–295 including beverages; excellent fun-per-dirham ratio
How to Save Money on Brunch
Entertainer App
50% off (pay for 1, get 1 free)The Entertainer app offers 2-for-1 brunch deals at hundreds of venues in Dubai. At AED 400 for an annual subscription, it pays for itself in one or two brunches. Check the app before booking any brunch.
Early Bird Discounts
AED 50–150 offSome venues offer reduced rates for early arrival (12–1 PM) before the main crowd arrives. Ask when booking. Less common but worth checking for pricier venues.
The Fork
Varies; typically 25–50%TheFork (formerly LaFourchette) occasionally offers yieldigo promotions on restaurant bookings including brunches. Free to use — worth checking before booking.
Credit Card Dining Offers
10–25% cashback or discountEmirates NBD Skywards credit cards, ADCB Traveller cards, and FAB cards all offer dining discounts and cashback at selected restaurants. Check your bank's dining portal before booking.
Birthday Freebies
One brunch freeMany venues offer the birthday person's brunch free when dining with a group. Contact venues directly and mention it's a birthday celebration when making the reservation.
Soft Drinks Package
AED 100–150 per non-drinkerIf some in your group don't drink alcohol, always book them on the soft drinks package — often AED 100–150 cheaper than the house beverages option. Venues mix packages at the same table.
Brunch Etiquette & Tips
Book at least 3–5 days ahead for popular venues
Dubai's most popular Friday brunches — especially at Atlantis, DIFC restaurants, and beach clubs — fill up by Tuesday or Wednesday. For premium venues like Zuma or Nobu, book 1–2 weeks ahead.
Smart casual dress code is standard
No sportswear, flip-flops, or beachwear inside dining venues. Most mid-range and premium brunches enforce a smart casual minimum. Beachwear brunches at beach clubs are the obvious exception.
Arrive within the first hour
The best selection of food — especially at buffet brunches — is in the first 60–90 minutes. Hot dishes are replenished throughout but the first wave is always freshest. Don't arrive at 3 PM and expect full service.
Plan your way home
Taxis and Uber are expensive on Friday afternoons when every brunch ends simultaneously. Pre-book a taxi, arrange a dedicated driver, or designate a non-drinking member of your group to drive.
Public intoxication is illegal in Dubai
Drinking at brunch is legal in licensed venues. However, being visibly drunk in public — including in taxis, on the metro, or on the street — is a criminal offence in the UAE. Pace yourself.
Respect time limits
Most brunches run exactly 4 hours (noon–4 PM). When time is called, service stops promptly. Some venues charge for overtime. Do not try to extend — it creates difficulties for staff and the next booking.
Saturday Brunches
Saturday brunches are growing rapidly in Dubai as venues seek to spread demand across both weekend days. They tend to be less crowded than Friday, making them a good option if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. Prices and quality are generally the same as Friday.
Venues with strong Saturday brunches include: Saffron (Atlantis), McGettigan's, Lock Stock & Barrel, Jumeirah Beach Hotel restaurants, and most hotel brunches. Check individually as not all venues run both days.
Seasonal Pricing
Summer (June–September)
Many venues reduce brunch prices by 20–50% during summer when expat families are away and overall F&B traffic drops. This is the best time to try premium venues at a reduced rate. Beach and pool brunches shift to indoor or shaded settings.
Winter Peak Season (Nov–March)
Highest prices and highest demand. Book well in advance, especially for December and January. Some venues add a surcharge for holidays (Christmas, New Year). Pool brunches and outdoor venues are at their absolute best in this period.
Alcohol-Free Brunch Options