Dubai’s 1,500 kilometres of coastline means it’s got no shortage of seductive spots. But you must know where to look if you want to wine and dine your date with an unforgettable experience – both in terms of the setting and the sustenance. So, whether you want a hideaway hotspot offering authentic Japanese cuisine or award-winning dishes with a backdrop of exotic marine life, here are five romantic restaurants perfect for Valentine's Day.
Duomo
Meaning cathedral in Italian, Duomo at The Dubai Edition offers excellent Italian fare, yes, but the main dish here is the 15-metre-high arched ceiling that serves as an immersive digital art show throughout your dining experience. A nod to Italy's own iconic Duomo di Milan, the empty canvas screens an array of impressive scenes, from emotional sunsets to romantic star-filled skies throughout the night.
The Dubai EDITION, 34 Financial Center Rd, Downtown Dubai
With homemade pasta, meat (the Brasato di Manzo – braised black Angus short ribs, smoked mash, leeks, pecorino cheese, chives, and black truffle is a highlight), fish dishes, and authentic pizzas, Duomo's menu is rooted in southern Italian cooking. Combined with the multi-sensory surrounding, a long, leisurely supper here is as dreamy as can be.
Pierchic
Pierchic’s romantic credentials are solid. It’s been the location of dates, proposals, and anniversaries for almost 20 years – not least because of its location on stilts over the azure Arabian Gulf (the ocean views seem almost endless).
Madinat jumeriah, Dubai
The kitchen is headed up by Florence's most celebrated chef Beatrice Segoni, who has looked to the sea to inspire her coastal Italian menu. Handmade pasta, line-caught bass, and grilled lobster are all highlights, but if you're really trying to impress, opt for the six-course blind menu of Beatrice's most impressive experiences, where the chef promises a 'culinary journey of the senses'. Sensual.
Ossiano
With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Atlantis The Palm’s aquarium, it’s no surprise that Ossiano is one of the city's most popular proposal spots. Book a table next to the glass, giving you front-row seats to the 65,000 marine animals, including sharks, rays, and tropical fish.
Crescent Rd, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
And the mastermind behind the food? French chef Grégoire Berger. His ambitious menu has been awarded a Michelin star two years in a row – these are dishes that steal your attention away from the view. There are ten marine-inspired courses spread over three hours, and each is elaborate, carefully curated, and stunningly executed – and the menu changing regularly enough no two experiences at the same.
At.mosphere
If you and your partner have a head for heights, At.mosphere, on the 122nd floor of Dubai's iconic Burj Khalifa, will have you literally dining among the clouds. The combination of French fine dining and 1920s Art Deco-inspired interiors make this a safe spot to impress your Valentine's date – but to kick the romance up a notch, arrive just before sunset for a golden hour cocktail in the west-facing lounge.
57XF+J8R Burj khalifa, 122nd Floor, Downtown Dubai
The menu is packed with variety as well, featuring the likes of wagyu steak, truffle fettuccine, and chicken bao, but you must save room for dessert. Our pick? The At.mosphere Extravaganza, a chocolate sphere with a pistachio and dark chocolate cremaux inside crumbles when molten chocolate is poured over table side. Delicious.
Tomo
Tomo means a long-time friend in Japanese, and this restaurant is just that to the city's in-the-know sushi purists. To find it, head to the 17th floor of Raffles Dubai, where impressive views and some of the city’s most authentic Japanese food awaits.
Exit 56, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai
Start with the sushi and sashimi – they’re some of the best you’ll find in Dubai – and for a romantic twist, share the wagyu sukiyaki, cooked tableside with soy sauce and sweet rice wine. Everything is served by kimono-clad staff, and the mood here is intimate and refined – expect to dine in hushed tones among other quiet couples and visitors from Japan who want a taste of home.
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