**2018 UPDATE: Have a look at the updated 2018 Entertainer brunch guide here! **
See new guide above! Original post (July 2017):
I got VERY excited about the Entertainer (an app available in Dubai with lots of 2 for 1 offers on food, drink, spas and lots more). Ever the one for the bargain – this was my kind of app. But I was also VERY overwhelmed by the amount of options on there and where to start!
So I started with the most important meal of the day (in Dubai): brunch
If you haven’t done a brunch in Dubai before, here’s a few details…
In short, remove any existing thoughts of what a traditional brunch should be (it’s not just scrambled egg and smoked salmon here). Instead, think pretty much all cuisines under one roof where you have 3-4 hours to eat (and if you want to drink) as much as you can. Come prepared – you will leave in pain, but it’s very much worth it. Have a look at my Al Qasr brunch review to see what we are talking about (it was my first brunch and I was in for a surprise).
Brunches on the Entertainer
So armed with my app, I decided to spend some time making a note of some of the brunches available on the Fine Dining Entertainer app and thought it might be useful to share some of my findings to date. I did this so I could get organised for family and friends visiting in terms of where to take them. I think brunches work out good value, but add in the 2 for 1 element and it’s a great option when compared to dinner out. I know there’s those who are not brunch fans so this article might not be for you, but I’ll move onto non brunch options next so watch this space! Note. I realise the below is long but I wanted to share everything I’d looked into. I will also be putting together a short version which will be coming soon.
China Grill – Big Boys Toys Brunch
- Location: The Westin Dubai Mina Seyhani (near Dubai Marina)
- Offer: Package including House Beverages only (450 AED)
- Validity: Until 30/09/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: No, sharing platters
- Overview: Most dishes are brought to your table and there’s a varied and generous selection so don’t worry about getting your fair share.
- Reviews: Mixed – some people love it but there are a few “avoid” reviews on TripAdvisor for this one. Best for a party party brunch.
Guestbook’s message: “Worth trying for a party brunch”
Asia Asia – The Spice Route Friday Brunch
- Location: Pier 7, Dubai Marina
- Packages: All excluding bubbly (House beverages: AED 395, House beverages including sparkly AED 495).
- Validity: Until 3o/12/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: No, unlimited orders from a shorter version menu served at your table
- Overview: A later brunch (2-5pm) providing great views across the Marina with a wide selection of options on offer.
- Reviews: A lot better value than dinner so would recommend if you’d like to try Asia Asia – the views alone are worth it.
Guestbook’s message: “Pick brunch over dinner for better value dining and a chance to sample lots of dishes”
Atelier M – Sunset Brunch
- Location: Pier 7, Dubai Marina
- Packages: Valid on House Beverages (AED 399). Advance booking is required.
- Validity: Until 31/05/17
- Day: Friday (6-10pm)
- Buffet: Small selection of food on offer (from what the reviews say!)
- Overview: An evening brunch with the amazing views that Pier 7 delivers in abundance. Food served to your table for the most part but more limited in selection when compared to other brunches.
- Reviews: Very mixed reviews. Might be worth a try if you fancy a later bite to eat and some drinks. Party atmosphere could make this a good night out option.
Guestbook’s message: “Don’t go for the food, go because it offers a rare evening brunch and go for the party”.
BICE – Friday Brunch
- Location: Hilton, JBR
- Packages: Package including Soft Beverages Only (AED 395 house beverages)
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: No, set menu served to table (various plates to try and main course to self select from options). There is a buffet for dessert.
- Overview: Italian themed set menu brunch.
- Reviews: Very good reviews, especially in terms of the setting and food.
Guestbook’s message: “For a relaxed non-buffet style quality Italian brunch”
A.O.C French Brasserie – Le Grand Brunch
- Location: Sofitel, JBR
- Packages: Packages including Soft Beverages only (AED 345 – House beverages)
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: Yes
- Overview: French themed buffet style brunch
- Reviews: Mixed! Some great reviews, but some questions regarding quality (but then again it is a cheaper brunch).
Guestbook’s message: “Cheaper buffet option in JBR”
Nineteen – Friday Brunch and Saturday Italian Brunch
- Location: The Address Montgomerie (golf course)
- Packages: Packages including Soft Beverages (AED 345 for house beverages package on a Friday or AED 325 on a Saturday)
- Validity: 30/12/17 – Friday (Saturday – 31/03/17 – EXPIRED)
- Day: Friday/Saturday
- Buffet: Yes
- Overview: A small (but excellent) buffet selection including seafood, salads and roasts (as well as a pork station) in a chilled out setting overlooking the golf course.
- Reviews: Good! For the full review see here.
Guestbook’s message: “Very relaxed and intimate affair for a chilled out Friday or Saturday brunch in a great setting”
Flow Kitchen, The Fairmont – Ultimate Family Friday brunch
- Location: The Palm
- Packages: Packages including soft drinks only (AED 355 house beverages – note you’ll have to pay AED 100 if you opt for the house beverages package on the Entertainer)
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: Yes
- Overview: Famous for buffets with different offerings available in the week (also on the Entertainer), Flow Kitchen’s brunch is one for the family with a focus on kid friendly activities and food options.
- Reviews: Excellent and highly recommended for families.
Guestbook’s message: “Family friendly brunch option on the Palm”
Imperium, Jumeriah Zabeel Saray – Saturday Blues Brunch
- Location: West Crescent, The Palm
- Packages: Vouchers for both soft drinks only (Blues brunch – AED 275) as well as house beverages (Jazz brunch – AED 395)
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Saturday
- Buffet: Yes
- Overview: A jazz inspired brunch in the very impressive and grand Imperium restaurant. Wide buffet selection with emphasis on roasts as well as a few Louisiana-inspired cuisine options. House band outside playing Jazz.
- Review: Highly rated for the wow factor as well as quality offer. See my review here.
Guestbook’s message: “Definitely a brunch to wow visitors with, the surroundings alone will impress.”
Rib Room, Jumeriah Zabeel Saray – Friday/Saturday brunch
- Location: West Crescent, The Palm
- Packages: Food only voucher for the Friday and Saturday brunch (AED 355), as well as an additional voucher for the Saturday brunch for the house package (AED 375).
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday/Saturday
- Buffet: No, either a tasting menu or a three course pick your own menu
- Overview: This renowned restaurant provides a selection of their best dishes for you to try in this sit down affair with live jazz. House beverage options change weekly.
- Review: Very good! Not your traditional buffet but quality of both the food and wine is noted.
Guestbook’s message: “A great way to sample the food in this popular restaurant and a good option for anyone not a fan of the traditional brunch buffet option.”
Aji, Club Vista Mare – INTI RAYMI Friday brunch or MACHU PISCO Saturday brunch
- Location: The Palm
- Packages: Valid on Soft Beverages (Soft beverages AED 275) – Friday – Saturday offers a different menu and options
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday/Saturday
- Buffet: No, unlimited starters and then a choice on main and a dessert platter (Friday) and canape style options on Saturday.
- Overview: Nod to Peru here with unlimited Ceviche on the Friday option (as well as sushi), followed by a main course and dessert platter. Saturday is a different affair altogether with canape selections of their main course dishes.
- Review: Mixed, some reviews comment that the portions are small for the cost (Friday brunch in particular)
Guestbook’s message: “For a different cuisine and a non buffet brunch this could be worth trying but reviews are mixed.”
Crescendo, Anantara – Cork n Fork Friday brunch
- Location: Anantara, East Crescent – the Palm
- Packages: Valid on Soft Drinks & House Beverages packages (AED 499 House Beverages)
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: Yes
- Overview: A large scale buffet brunch with a number of stations offering foods from around the world as well as a selection of drinks stations.
- Reviews: Very good! Reviews suggest that it is an excellent all rounder with a varied offering. Read my review here.
Guestbook’s message: “Something for everyone here – the buffet is great and it’s good value if you’re looking for a traditional Dubai style brunch”
La Parrilla, JBH – Friday brunch
- Location: Jumeriah Beach Hotel
- Packages: Valid on all packages. House Beverages package (includes sparkling wine) – AED 495
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: No
- Overview: Latin American themed with a selection of tapas style dishes and mains from the grill served to your table.
- Reviews: Very good Latin American focused sit down and be served option with a view of the Burj al Arab and traditional Columbian dancers as entertainment.
Guestbook’s message: “This is top of my list to try for a set menu option with quality food and an amazing view”
Suq, Four Seasons Jumeriah – Friday brunch
- Location: Four Seasons Jumeriah
- Packages: Valid on house packages. House Beverages package (includes sparkling wine) – AED 500
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: Yes
- Overview: Traditional brunch style with a number of stations with lots of options freshly prepared by dedicated counter chefs. Not as extensive as other choices but you won’t be disappointed by the quality.
- Reviews: Excellent but not that many reviews – it’s slightly under the radar on the brunch scene but it’s one of my favourites. See the full review here.
Guestbook’s message: “Quality food and amazing surroundings. My favourite in the cooler months with a chilled out vibe and saxophone player outside. Perfect brunch.”
Hoi An, Shangri La Hotel, SZR – 50 flavours of Vietman
- Location: Shangri La Hotel, Sheik Zayed Road
- Packages: Valid on house packages. House Beverages package (includes sparkling wine) – AED 295
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday/Saturday
- Buffet: No
- Overview: Vietnamese food. Wide selection of dishes brought to your table which you can then reorder depending on your favourites. Great way to try a wide variety of dishes.
- Reviews: Good although not a lot of reviews on this but recommended for something a bit different from your traditional brunch. See the full review here.
Guestbook’s message: Quieter, more intimate brunch – but great food and selection as well as excellent value (especially with bubbles included!)
Al Grissino Restaurant & Lounge, DIFC – Friday brunch
- Location: DIFC
- Packages: Valid on premium beverages – AED 270
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: No
- Overview: Italian a la carte selection with live music and a view of the Burj Khalifa.
- Reviews: Very good but not one of the well known brunches so not many reviews. Those that have reviewed see it as a hidden gem though!
Guestbook’s message: “For a set menu Italian brunch with views over Downtown we have Al Grissino on our list. It’s also excellent value.”
INTERSECT BY LEXUS, DIFC – Friday brunch
- Location: DIFC
- Packages: All packages (House beverages – AED 295)
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: No – set menu
- Overview: Healthy (as brunches go) option with served starters and mains including lots of fresh ingredients in a modern setting with easy listening live music.
- Reviews: Limited reviews but the ones that are there are great and this seems to offer a refreshing break from the party party, over indulgence options (although we like them too).
Guestbook’s message: “On our list to mix up the brunches with something bordering on healthy in DIFC.”
Okku – Friday brunch
- Location: H Hotel, Sheik Zayed Road
- Packages: All packages (House beverages – AED 295)
- Validity: 30/12/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: No – set menu
- Overview: Japanese. The party sister of the amazing Delphine (also in the H Hotel), Okku offers small and large dishes of Japanese fair to a party sound track.
- Reviews: Mixed – a bit like China Grill in this sense (difficult balance between food and party), but the majority are positive.
Guestbook’s message: ‘I will be going for the food as well as the party when some of my friends come to visit. Definitely one for the party lot.’
Giardino – Friday brunch
- Location: Versace Hotel
- Packages: House (House beverages – AED 550)
- Validity: 01/09/17
- Day: Friday
- Buffet: Yes
- Overview: In the beautiful Versace hotel, this brunch also includes pool access (which might help you justify the price and the location).
- Reviews: There’s limited reviews on this new addition to the hotel and brunch scene but they are positive despite the cost. Pool access is a good addition too.
Guestbook’s message: “I’m interested to visiting the Versace Hotel so this would be a perfect excuse. I’m expecting good things based on the reviews and reputation so would make a day of it with the pool too!”
Other options on the Entertainer
The list is extensive with new options being added on a monthly basis so keep a look out. As well as some of the ones I’ve picked out above there’s also additional brunch offers at the following:
Emirates Golf Club: Le Classique
Meydan: Farriers
A wide selection in Souk Al Bahar, Downtown: Ewaan, KANPAI, Karma Kafe & Patiala
DIFC: Mint Leaf of London, Bazxar, Flavours on Two, Dusty’s & Gaucho
Ps. It’s worth noting that the above were identified from typing “brunch” into the search functionality on the Entertainer but this means you do miss some of the other great weekend buffet options such as El Sur Friday and Saturday tapas. So bear in mind that there are a few others that might have sneaked out of the list due to this!
Happy brunching!