A Local’s Guide To Date Night In Dubai

If you and your babe are feeling a little fancy, Dubai is full of incredible fine dining restaurants. We’ve picked out a few of our favourites for this list.

Location: 15th floor, South Tower Emirates Financial Towers

Cuisine: Indian

Located in the perfect spot to get a view of the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, Mint Leaf Dubai is a famous fine-dining spot that locals swear by. This dreamy lounge offers a soft, artsy vibe with offbeat cocktails and the freshest ingredients available to create their own twist on popular Indian dishes.

Location: Pier 7, 7 & 7M Floor, Dubai Marina

Cuisine: Mediterranean with Japanese influence

Atelier M is one of Dubai’s most romantic spots, and that’s not just because they regularly host weddings. They’re located in a breathtaking Art Deco-style building on the Dubai Marina and offer a range of dining experiences - an inner restaurant, an intimate lounge, and a rooftop terrace with a view that will blow your mind at night.

As for cuisine, Atelier M’s palate is refined and elegant, offering Mediterranean and Japanese fusion cuisine that wouldn’t look out of place in an upscale food magazine. If you and your loved one are foodies of any kind, Atelier M is a must-visit for your Dubai date night bucket list.

Location: Lobby Level, Palace Downtown Hotel

Cuisine: Royal Thai, Bangkok-style seafood

Thai lovers rejoice at the finest Thai cuisine in Dubai at Thiptara. Located in the 5-star Palace Downtown Hotel, this award-winning dining experience is a must-try for locals and visitors alike.

Often appearing on lists of the top 20 most romantic restaurants in Dubai, Thiptara also offers a spectacular water show and views of Dubai’s waterfront, making the restaurant the ultimate destination for special occasions or impressive first dates.

Dubai is a high-class city, so if you’re planning on taking your sweetheart to any of these classy establishments, you’d better have something high-class in your suitcase.

You can’t go wrong with a silk dress like the Marea Mini Blossom Dress from Baobab. The inner fitted silk dress underneath the flowing wrappings of this piece ensures that it’s flattering no matter what your body type is, and the soft silky fabric evokes a sense of elegance and timelessness. Pair it with a pair of classic pumps or strappy sandals and your favourite statement earrings for a date night look that will have you fitting in at even the swankiest establishment.

Live music is an excellent way to spend date night - from taking in a show with a cocktail to dancing the night away, there are plenty of venues in Dubai for you to make live music a part of your weekly date night.

Location: Meydan Grandstand, adjacent to the Ticket Sales Office

Cuisine: Fusion

If you’re looking for a live music spot that encompasses everything that’s hip and edgy in Dubai, look no further than Iris. Featuring an amazing al fresco menu and a cocktail selection that you’ll be talking about for weeks, Iris is the beating heart of Dubai’s live music scene, featuring both established and upcoming DJs and musicians for an unforgettable date night!

Location: Level 54, Address Sky View Hotel, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashind Blvd, Tower 2

Cuisine: Contemporary Asian

If you're an experienced globetrotter or simply interested in the world of fine food, then you might be familiar with Ce La Vi. With award-winning locations in Taipei, Tokyo, Singapore, and now Dubai, this contemporary Asian powerhouse has become one of the trendiest date night restaurants in the world.

The interior design is inspired by Asia's deeply creative, artistic temples, and its aesthetic can only be described as eclectic. Whether you're hoping for a relaxing evening in their premium shisha bar or taking in a live performance by one of Dubai's best DJs, Ce La Vi is a must-experience for lovers in Dubai.

Live music venues tend to be a bit more casual in terms of dress codes than some of the other venues on this list, giving you a little room to experiment with your date night look. A flowy top is the perfect statement piece, and we’re in love with the Keyhole Off Shoulder Blouse from Camilla. We’ve always been in awe of Camilla’s unique prints, and the print on this blouse (Nomadic Nymph) is an incredible blend of fierce animal print and delicate, sensitive florals.

The flowing sleeves and cheeky keyhole straps at the neckline make us think of flirty first dates and being the centre of attention on the dance floor; pair it with a simple pair of skinny jeans or a daring mini skirt to create a variety of date night looks.

Romance is everywhere in Dubai - from the city lights to the shimmering marina, there are tons of spots to get cosy with your significant other.

Location: Jumeirah Al Qasr

Cuisine: Asian - Thai

If your ideal romantic date is a boat ride and a bit of alfresco dining, then Pai Thai is the place to be. The restaurant is only accessible by abra, making it a unique experience right off the bat - if you’re trying to think of a place to take a first date that will wow them, give this one a try! Once you’re there, the light aromatic flavours of their signature Thai cuisine are the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening. Our particular favourite is the crispy sun-dried beef, but there’s truly something for everyone.

Location: Park Hyatt Dubai, Boardwalk, Dubai Creek

Cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian, Seafood

Yet another water-themed location for a dreamy date night, The Boardwalk is an award-winning restaurant inside the Park Hyatt Hotel in Dubai. The restaurant is located on three large decks that jut out over the creek, offering breathtaking views alongside their five-star dining experience. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or starting something new, the fresh seafood menu is to die for!

Location: One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Dubai Marina

Cuisine: Provençal

Indulgence is the name of the game at Drift Beach, an exclusive, upmarket eatery nestled on a private beach at the One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel. Their mind-blowing menu is based on Mediterranean Provençal cuisine, featuring a delicious selection of seafood and share platters like the delectable le chateaubriand. Having dinner on the terrace and watching the stars from their artsy cabanas is a dream date that will have your significant other totally enchanted.

You say romance; we say maxi dress! Timeless and effortless, the right maxi dress can create the ultimate romantic vibes for date night. We particularly like the vibe of the Fantasy Maxi Dress from Seven Wonders - the shimmering copper fabric is flattering on a range of skin tones and the ruched sweetheart bust is just the right kind of flirty for a sensual night out. Pair it with a flowing shawl for a soft romantic look or a leather jacket to add a little bit of edginess to your vibe!

Location: Level 43 Sky Lounge, Four Points by Sheraton, Sheikh Zayed Road

Cuisine: Elevated comfort food

If you’re a visitor to Dubai, the Level 43 Lounge is a must-visit. It offers panoramic views of the city, including landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, and the Jumeirah coastline. Whether you’re just out for a laid-back cocktail or looking for a delicious comfort food dinner as evening falls, the open-air terrace and modern decor make Level 43 the best place to rest and enjoy the city.

Location: The Palace, One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel

Cuisine: Beach bar

Often touted as a mix between an upscale resort and a laid-back luxury venue, The Jetty Lounge is one of Dubai’s hottest beach bars. Located in an exclusive resort, it offers a lounge experience right on the beach, making it the ideal locale for a lunch date to soak up some rays or a sunset drink to really turn up the romance.

The point of going to a lounge bar is to relax, so we picked the ultimate relaxation outfit - a playsuit! These effortless one-pieces have come back into the spotlight in recent years, and the Lola Playsuit from Melissa Obadash embodies all of the reasons why we love them. The ultra-lightweight knit fabric and timeless v-neck silhouette make it the ultimate closet champion - you can dress it up with heels and clutch or dress it down with sneakers and sunglasses for a variety of looks that can match the vibe of any laid-back date night.

Dubai is home to the tallest building in the world, and it stands to reason that the city's filled with views that are unrivalled for their majesty. We've rounded up some of the best views in Dubai to round out our list of date night gems.

Location: Taj Dubai Hotel, Burj Khalifa Street, Business Bay

Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Treehouse is perhaps one of Dubai’s most popular rooftop restaurants, and with good reason. Offering an amazing view of the Burj Khalifa and the lights of Downtown Dubai, the cosy rooftop bar offers comfortable sofas and tons of fairy lights that create an intimate atmosphere that’s ideal for first dates and thousandth dates alike. Be prepared, though - booking a table is essential for ensuring that you and your companion get to take full advantage of the views.

Location: Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, Dubai Marina

Cuisine: Classic bar fare

Looking to impress your date? Try out a 360-degree panoramic view of the city at The Observatory Bar & Grill. Take in the city and enjoy the restaurant’s incredible grill house menu. This is no Outback Steakhouse, either - The Observatory’s award-winning kitchen is managed by creative chefs that elevate classic dishes and add new twists to old favourites.

Location: Fifth Floor, W Dubai - The Palm West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah

Cuisine: Asian fusion with Japanese and Korean influences

Excitement and adrenaline reign at Dubai’s trendiest hot spot, Akira Back. This restaurant truly stands out from its peers in experience alone - from the striking vortex entrance to the stunning views over the Palm and the projected images of clouds on the ceiling that make you feel like you’re sky high. The evolving fusion menu is managed by award winning famous chef Akira Back (for whom the restaurant is named) and every visit is different.

Location: Burj Khalifa

Cuisine: Seafood

We can’t talk about incredible date night experiences in Dubai without mentioning At.Mosphere. This oh-so-trendy restaurant is the highest in the world, located 442 metres up in the iconic Burj Khalifa. Turn the romance up to 11 by getting your reservation at sunset to watch the horizon from an unforgettable perspective. True to form, the menu matches the restaurant’s unique, upscale vibe.

Fresh oysters shucked to order and a famous seafood platter that includes tiger prawns, mussels, sea bass, and of course, lobster amongst its high-class fare. It’s guaranteed to go down as one of your most memorable date nights ever.

With views as breathtaking and ethereal as these ones, we knew that you needed a date night look that makes you feel like a goddess. Of course we turned to Eres for the solution - their Georgie One Shoulder Long Dress is just the right piece for a date night in the sky. The draped one-shoulder silhouette reminds us of Greek statuettes, and the simple black luxury fabric makes it a perfect cousin to the little black dress that most of us would be reaching for in the event of a date night. We love pairing this magnificent piece with a chunky necklace and elegant stilettos for a look that can wow everyone in the room.

Did you find your new favourite place to take your favourite person in this article? Let us know with #SawItOnSandDollar!