Decadent Friday brunches
For the residents of the United Arab Emirates, Friday is like Sunday in the west – a quiet, lazy day of rest. On the first day of the weekend, restaurants try to outdo each other with delectable gourmet brunch buffets. Oysters served on shaved ice, crab, lobster and crispy Peking duck are among just some of the delicacies offered. Decadence is a virtue, as it is after all the most festive meal of the week.
After a long workweek from Sunday to Thursday, families, couples and groups of friends come out in droves on Friday to enjoy a festive brunch in one of the city’s top restaurants. Many restaurants charge a set price for the Friday brunch, ranging from 20 euros p.p. without alcoholic beverages to 135 euros p.p. including generous helpings of pink Moët & Chandon champagne. 3 of the best brunch locations in Dubai are listed below.
Fairmont Dubai
The Friday brunch has long been a tradition in the United Arab Emirates, but the 5-star Fairmont Dubai hotel was the first to promote the idea of celebrating this Friday feast outside of the home. Today, the Friday brunch at restaurant Spectrum on One is still considered one of the best in Dubai. The lavish buffet consists of sushi and sashimi, crispy Peking duck, crab, lobster and oysters amongst other things and guests can choose from 4 accompanying drinks offerings, ranging from non-alcoholic beverages to unlimited pink champagne.
View on the map
Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre District, Dubai, www.fairmont.com/dubai
The largest: Madinat Jumeirah
Everyone who enters the Madinat Jumeirah for Friday brunch receives a map. This might seem a bit peculiar, but really isn’t when considering that − with its 800 place settings − the brunch takes up the entire ground floor of the Al Qasr, one of the 4 hotels in the complex. The maze-like buffet is divided over 3 restaurants and 37 cooking stations, ranging from Wagyu burgers at the barbecue station to grilled red snapper at the fish station or delicious foie gras prepared by a French chef. The price ranges from 90 euros (non-alcoholic beverages) to 110 euros (includes cocktails, wine and champagne).
View on the map
Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh Road, Al Sufouh, Dubai, www.jumeirah.com