Dubai Brunch — The Definitive Guide
Friday brunch is Dubai's most sacred institution. It's not just a meal — it's a four-hour event, a social ritual, a reason to dress up on a weekday morning and eat and drink until sunset. We've eaten at over 95 brunches across Dubai since 2020, and this is the honest, unsponsored ranking you need before you book.
What makes a truly great Dubai brunch? The food must be genuinely good (not just plentiful), the free-flowing element should be generous without feeling rushed, the atmosphere needs energy without becoming a nightclub at noon, and the setting should make the whole exercise feel worth the AED 300+ you're spending. The places on this list deliver on all counts.
Prices listed are per person including alcoholic beverages unless noted. Always check current prices directly with the restaurant before booking — Dubai hospitality prices shift seasonally.
Folly by Nick & Scott
There are flashier brunches in Dubai. There are louder ones, cheaper ones, and ones with more Instagram moments. But for the complete package — food that's genuinely worth eating, cocktails that actually taste good, and an atmosphere that makes Friday feel special without assaulting your senses — nobody does it better than Folly.
The Botanical Brunch is built around nature's finest ingredients: an indoor fountain, olive trees, natural light filtering through the Madinat Jumeirah canopy. Chef Nick Alvis and Scott Price change the menu seasonally, but expect dishes like burrata with stone fruit, a wagyu short rib carving station, and desserts that genuinely rival stand-alone pastry chefs. The botanically-infused cocktails — folly pops, spritz variations, and their signature cucumber gin — are some of the best in the city.
Book at least two weeks ahead. Thursday evening bookings go fastest. Ask for a table near the fountain when reserving — it's the best seat in the house.
- Burrata with roasted stone fruit & basil oilIncluded
- Wagyu short rib from the carving stationIncluded
- Truffle arancini with parmesan foamIncluded
- Signature Folly pop cocktailIncluded (alcohol pkg)
- Seasonal tart from the pastry stationIncluded
Logma
In a city where most brunches default to international fare, Logma's Friday brunch stands apart for something revolutionary: it's actually Emirati. The menu is built around traditional UAE flavours — machboos, khamir bread, luqaimat, saffron labneh — served in a setting that feels genuinely like home rather than a theme-park version of it.
Logma (which means "bite" in Arabic) has built one of Dubai's most loyal followings since opening in Boxpark. The brunch runs on Fridays and Saturdays and prices are honest by Dubai standards. The non-alcoholic version is absolutely worth it — the rose lemonade and jallab mocktails are better than most free-flowing wine elsewhere anyway.
The outdoor terrace fills up fast on cooler winter mornings — arrive at opening or book ahead. Cash-friendly, family-welcoming, and one of the most authentic brunches in the emirate.
- Machboos (spiced rice with lamb or chicken)Included
- Luqaimat with date syrup & sesameIncluded
- Khamir bread with saffron labnehIncluded
- Harees (slow-cooked wheat & meat porridge)Included
- Saffron milk cakeIncluded
Lock, Stock & Barrel JBR
Let's be honest about what Lock Stock & Barrel's Saturday brunch is: it's a party with food, not a meal with drinks. And if that's what you want — and sometimes in Dubai, it absolutely is — then nobody does it better on the JBR strip.
The "Old is Gold" brunch features live DJs, non-stop entertainment, iconic tracks from the '90s and '00s, and performers who keep the energy high from the first taco through the last margarita. Food runs to unlimited rounds of the classics: pulled pork sliders, mac and cheese, dynamite shrimp, nachos with all the toppings. Don't come for a quiet meal. Come to start your Saturday night early.
Three pricing tiers: soft drinks (AED 275pp), house beverages (AED 325pp), or sparkling with premium spirits (AED 425pp). The middle tier is the sweet spot. Book by Friday afternoon — it consistently sells out.
- Dynamite crispy shrimpIncluded
- Slow-pulled pork slidersIncluded
- Truffle mac & cheeseIncluded
- Loaded nachos with guacamole & jalapeñoIncluded
- Churros with dulce de lecheIncluded
Cé La Vi Dubai
The view from Cé La Vi's 54th floor terrace is genuinely hard to overstate. On a clear winter morning — which in Dubai means October through April — you can see the entire Downtown skyline with the Burj Khalifa rising beside you and the desert haze fading into the horizon behind. It's the most dramatic setting for a Friday brunch in the city.
The kitchen backs up the setting with modern Asian cuisine: wagyu gyoza, black truffle edamame, king crab salad with ponzu, and a sashimi station that competes with dedicated Japanese restaurants. The brunch runs Friday and Saturday and draws a sophisticated crowd — think expat power-lunchers and hotel guests who've done their research. Expect to pay premium rates, but here the premium genuinely buys you something extraordinary.
- Wagyu gyoza with truffle ponzuIncluded
- King crab salad with yuzu dressingIncluded
- Black truffle edamameIncluded
- Sashimi from the carving stationIncluded
- Raspberry lychee martiniIncluded (alc. pkg)
The Ivy Dubai
The Ivy's DIFC outpost brings London's most famous brasserie to Dubai's financial heart, and the Friday brunch is a polished, theatrical affair. The stained-glass windows, the dark wood panelling, the table service from staff who move like clockwork — it feels like an event rather than a meal, which is exactly the point.
The brunch menu leans British-leaning international: eggs Benedict variants, The Ivy's signature shepherd's pie, smoked salmon boards, and a dessert trolley that generates audible gasps. Free-flowing Champagne and cocktails are poured with appropriate generosity. This is the brunch for when you want formality with your Friday, and for brunches that feel grown-up rather than rowdy.
- The Ivy eggs Benedict with hollandaiseIncluded
- Shepherd's pie (signature dish)Included
- Scottish smoked salmon boardIncluded
- Sticky toffee pudding from the trolleyIncluded
- The Ivy Blossom cocktailIncluded (alc. pkg)
Brunch in Dubai — Your Questions Answered
What is the best brunch in Dubai?
Folly by Nick & Scott at Souk Madinat Jumeirah is our pick for Dubai's best overall brunch — the botanical garden setting, the exceptional food quality, and the botanically-infused cocktails make it a cut above. For best party brunch, Lock Stock & Barrel JBR on Saturdays is unbeatable. For best views, Cé La Vi atop Address Sky View is unmatched.
How much does brunch cost in Dubai?
Dubai brunch prices range from AED 180–250pp for casual spots (like Logma and McGettigan's, soft drinks included) to AED 500–700pp for premium brunches with free-flowing Champagne (like Zuma or Cé La Vi). The majority of quality mid-range brunches with house beverages cost AED 280–420pp. Children typically pay 50% of the adult price or dine free under age 5.
Which day is best for brunch in Dubai?
Friday is Dubai's primary brunch day — most restaurants run their flagship brunch on Friday 12–4pm. Saturday is increasingly popular for evening brunches (5–8pm) and party brunches. The UAE weekend is Friday–Saturday, so both days are viable. Sunday brunches exist but are rarer and usually quieter.
Do Dubai brunches include alcohol?
Most licensed restaurants in Dubai offer tiered brunch pricing: a non-alcoholic package (AED 150–260pp) and packages that add free-flowing house beverages (add AED 60–120) or premium/Champagne options. Only restaurants with a liquor licence can serve alcohol — always confirm before booking. Brunches at Emirati-owned cafes and some family restaurants are non-alcoholic only.
What should I wear to brunch in Dubai?
Most Dubai brunches require smart casual attire — no flip-flops, no sportswear, no very revealing clothing. Luxury hotel brunches (Zuma, Cé La Vi, The Ivy) enforce stricter dress codes: smart casual to semi-formal is expected. Party brunches like Lock Stock & Barrel are more relaxed. Always check the dress code when booking, especially in summer when the temptation to dress lightly is strongest.
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