Row on 45 is Jason Atherton's most ambitious Dubai project — and the restaurant TimeOut Dubai named Restaurant of the Year 2026. Atherton, the British Michelin-starred chef behind Pollen Street Social and the City Social Dubai (also at Grosvenor House), opened Row on 45 in 2024 as a 12-seat tasting-menu concept that splits a single dinner across three different rooms in the property.
Pre-dinner snacks are served in a lounge. The main 12-course tasting moves to a private dining room. Dessert and after-dinner drinks happen in a third space. The whole arc takes 2.5 hours and includes 17 distinct food moments. AED 1,800+ per person without drinks. AED 2,400+ with the full pairing.
We have eaten at Row on 45 twice — once shortly after opening and once in early 2026.
The Setting: Three Rooms, One Meal
Row on 45 occupies the 45th floor of Grosvenor House (the same building as the long-running City Social, Atherton's other Dubai venue). The 12-seat capacity is the lowest of any Dubai fine-dining venue. The three-room concept is the menu's structural innovation — the change of room marks the change of culinary act, and the architectural choreography genuinely affects how the meal feels.
Service is the most precise in Dubai. Atherton himself is on the floor for most Friday-Saturday services; senior team is in the kitchen for every meal.
The Food
The 17-course menu reads as three acts. Act 1 (snacks): seven small bites in the lounge. Act 2 (main): nine European-Japanese-influenced courses in the private dining room. Act 3 (close): petits fours and tea/coffee in the third space. The cuisine pulls from Atherton's London canon with Japanese ingredient overlays.
The Must-Orders
Caviar & Crème Fraîche on Brioche
The opening bite. Beluga caviar, crème fraîche, warm brioche cube. One mouthful. Sets the menu's level immediately.
Hokkaido Scallop, Yuzu Beurre Blanc
Single Hokkaido scallop, pan-seared, on a yuzu-laced beurre blanc with caviar pearls. The Japanese-French fusion course that defines the menu's voice.
Wagyu, Truffle, Black Garlic
Australian wagyu, dry-aged 60 days, with black garlic purée and shaved black truffle. Course where Atherton's sourcing and technique converge — the menu's emotional climax.
Yuzu Soufflé, Tonka Bean Ice Cream
Single-serve yuzu soufflé, served at the table with a quenelle of tonka bean ice cream cracked into the centre. The Atherton-canon dessert, refined for Row.
17-Glass Wine Pairing
Full-pairing covers all three rooms with matched wines, sake, and one digestif. The senior sommelier is one of the best in Dubai. Worth the spend on visit two; skip on visit one.
The Menu — What to Order, What to Skip
| Dish | Category | Price (AED) | Order? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17-Course Tasting Menu | Set | 1,800pp | ONLY OPTION |
| Wine Pairing (17 glasses) | Drinks | 695pp | Worth it visit 2 |
| Champagne Pairing | Drinks | 895pp | Premium |
| Tea Pairing | Drinks | 295pp | Non-drinker |
| Welcome Aperitif | Add-on | From 95 | Optional |
| Vegetarian Tasting (full) | Set | 1,800pp | Available |
The Verdict
Row on 45 is Dubai's most ambitious tasting-menu opening since Trèsind Studio and the restaurant most likely to compete with it for stars in future Michelin Dubai guides. Atherton's culinary identity is precisely tuned, the three-room format genuinely earns its concept, and the 12-seat capacity creates an intimacy nothing else in the city matches.
Our Scorecard
Why It's Worth It
- TimeOut RoY 2026 — defended in editorial
- 12 seats only — most intimate Dubai fine dining
- Three-room format works as designed
- Atherton on the floor most weekends
- Service team London-Michelin-trained
- Wagyu and scallop courses are world-class
Things to Know
- AED 1,800+ before drinks — top of city spend
- Books 8–10 weeks ahead for any service
- Limited services Wed–Sat only
- Vegetarian menu strong but less varied
- Pricing puts it out of casual special-occasion
- Three-room walk can feel rushed at peak
If you have one big-spend tasting menu this year, this and Trèsind Studio are the choices. Trèsind has the Michelin two-star, Row has the TimeOut RoY. Both worth the visit; the deciding factor is cuisine preference (modern Indian vs European-Japanese).
Compare against: Trèsind Studio at AED 1,250pp — different cuisine, same level. Resonance at Atlantis Royal at AED 1,200pp — more theatre, less precision.
How to Book / Get There
Row on 45 uses SevenRooms with limited release windows.
Standard booking: 8–10 weeks ahead. Wednesday and Thursday have slightly more availability.
Cancellations: Open 72 and 48 hours before sold-out targets.
Best for: Anniversaries, milestone birthdays, end-of-year.
Parking: Grosvenor House valet — complimentary 4 hours.
Reserve a Table →
Your Questions Answered
Why did Row on 45 win TimeOut Restaurant of the Year 2026?
TimeOut cited the three-room format, Atherton's culinary precision, and the consistency of the 12-seat experience. The menu's European-Japanese fusion was specifically called out as Dubai's most distinctive fine-dining proposition.
How much does Row on 45 cost?
AED 1,800 per person for the tasting menu only. Add AED 695 for the wine pairing or AED 895 for champagne pairing. With drinks and add-ons, expect AED 2,200–2,800 per person.
How far ahead do I need to book?
8–10 weeks for any service. Friday/Saturday particularly difficult; Wednesday and Thursday slightly easier. Cancellations open 72 and 48 hours before.
Is the wine pairing worth AED 695?
On a second visit, yes — the sommelier program is one of the best in Dubai. On a first visit, focus on the food and skip the pairing.
Can I get a vegetarian menu?
Yes — full 17-course vegetarian tasting at the same AED 1,800pp. Vegan available with 7 days notice.
How does Row on 45 compare to Trèsind Studio?
Trèsind has the Michelin two-star and modern Indian cuisine. Row has the TimeOut RoY and European-Japanese fusion. Both at the top of Dubai fine dining; pick by cuisine preference.
More Reviews & Guides
Internal links: Dubai Marina area guide · European-Japanese tasting cuisine · Best restaurants Dubai · TimeOut Dubai 2026