BREAKFAST
It’s hardly surprising given Dubai’s long hot summer, that there isn’t really an outdoor café breakfast culture to speak of in the city. All is not totally lost, however. Your hotel will offer breakfast, and the victuals supplied at the high-end establishments are more than suitable for early morning deal making. And there are is a smattering of independent eateries that will do just the trick.
More Café
Located in both Garhoud and the Al Murooj hotel complex, More is a great choice for the first meal of the day. Expect great coffee and big servings of all the breakfast favourites (the standout of which is the delectable eggs benedict) in a very comfortable setting.
Garhoud (04 283 0224) and Al Murooj Rotana complex (04 343 3779) Open daily 8am-11pm. All major credit cards accepted.
Lime Tree Café
The Lime Tree is a little more laid back than the other cafés on the list, but the location (opposite the Jumeirah beach) and the food makes it worthy of a mention. The menu changes daily and the food is fresh, wholesome and well-priced.
Beach Road, near Jumeirah mosque (04 349 8498). Open daily 7.30am-6pm. All major credit cards accepted.
French Bakery
Open 24 hours, the French Bakery is brightly lit and spacious. Although the interior is a little dated, it is home to authentic continental patisserie and bakery products and quality coffee and tea. Simple and easy.
Sheikh Zayed Road (04 343 6444), open 24 hours. All major credit cards accepted.
Pronto
Pronto gets it’s inspiration from the cafés you find on the streets of Rome or Paris. It’s not the cheapest on the list, but it’s great for a quick coffee, pastry and catch up before heading to the trade show, which is just across Sheikh Zayed Road via the overhead footpath.
Fairmont Hotel (04 311 8316), open 7am – 11pm. All major credit cards accepted.
Dunes Café
Located in the airy lobby of the Shangri-La hotel, Dunes serves an outstanding a la carte or buffet breakfast. Clean, efficient and delicious, this is a business breakfast staple.
Shangri-La Hotel, 04 405 2703, 6am – 10.30am. All major credit cards accepted.
Paul
Yes, it’s a chain, but with the it’s fresh and crunchy pastries, excellent coffee, and efficient service, it’s definitely worthy of a mention too. The generous tabletops are also great for doubling as a workspace, signing contracts and the like.
Paul, Garhoud (04 283 2304). Open daily 8am-11.30pm. All major credit cards accepted. Other locations BurJuman (04 351 7009 ), Deira City Centre ( 04 295 8404 ), Mall of the Emirates ( 04 341 4844 ), Mercato Mall ( 04 344 3505 ).
The Boardwalk
Built on a wooden terrace overlooking the Creek, it’s still cool enough at breakfast time to sit outside and enjoy the view of abras and yachts floating by while planning the day ahead with your colleagues. Expect all the usual breakfast offerings.
The Boardwalk, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club (04 295 6000). Open daily 8am-12 midnight. All major credit cards accepted.
LUNCH
Many of Dubai’s most popular restaurants only serve the dinner crowd. However, there are a number than open up for the midday break. Here are our favourites.
Café Chic
French
This French bistro is interminably popular with the business lunch crowd. And it’s no wonder. It’s a classy joint that offers an excellent three course set menu with some of the finest Gallic food in town.
Café Chic, Le Meridien Dubai (04 282 4040). Open daily for lunch 12.30pm-2.45pm. All major credit cards accepted.
Amwaj
Seafood
An exceptional restaurant, Amwaj is a buzzing piscine palace. Here’s the place to head to shuck some oysters, crack some crab legs and get that business deal done – all in style.
Shangri-La Hotel Dubai (04 343 8888 ). Open Sun-Fri 12 noon-3pm, 7pm-12 midnight. All major credit cards accepted.
Vu’s
European Fusion
Located on the 50th floor of the Jumeirah Emirates towers, the nomenclature speaks for itself. The views from this restaurant are second to none in Dubai, but once the food arrives you’ll find it difficult to focus your attention on anything but your exceptional meal.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers (04 319 8088). Open daily for lunch 12.30pm-3pm, 7.30pm-11.30pm.
Traiteur
European
The restaurant, situated in the open and airy Park Hyatt, is a pleasant exercise in understatement, with an amiable terrace where you can watch the boats bob along the Creek. The food is mostly outstanding, and the ambience lends itself to discussions of the business variety.
Park Hyatt Dubai (04 602 1234). Taxi Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Open daily for lunch 12 noon-3.30pm.
ManhattanGrill
Steakhouse
If you and your associates have a carnivorous bent, look no further. The steaks at the Manhattan Grill are soft in texture and smoky in flavour. Opt to sit in a booth for making secret deals and alliances and one of the grand tables for impressing your clients.
Grand Hyatt Dubai (04 317 1234). Open daily for lunch at 12.30pm-3pm. All major credit cards accepted.
Spendido
Italian
Splendido is largely every bit as good as the name – and indeed the refined, tastefully-lit decor, punctuated by trendy, conceptual art prints – suggests. Italian is always a brave business lunch choice (we’re thinking spaghetti whiplash and paper bibs), but who dares wins, right?
The Ritz-Carlton Dubai (04 399 4000). Open daily for lunch 12.30pm-5.30pm. All major credit cards accepted. Average price of a meal for two with a glass of house wine Dhs400-500.
For in-depth bars and restaurants reviews visit www.timeoutdubai.com.
Follow us on
