Secret stores, hidden dens and intimate chef’s tables make for the most exceptional private dining experiences.
With exclusivity often being the name of the game, private dining rooms in Dubai have become the trend de jour in recent years. So, whether you’re looking to hold a birthday party, intimate soiree or celebrate with your nearest and dearest behind closed doors, here are the private dining rooms (and private dining experiences) in Dubai right now.
101 Dining Lounge & Bar
Hosting up to ten guests for intimate celebrations, 101 Dining Lounge & Bar’s private dining room in Dubai offers sea views through its futuristic, coral-inspired cocoon. A customisable LED floor creates bespoke vistas underfoot, perfect for adding a personal touch to your next soiree. Boat arrivals can ‘dock and dine’ at 101’s private marina for an extra special treat.
GO: Call 04 440 1030 for reservations and more information.
Amazónico
Nestled amidst verdant foliage on the upper level of the jungle-inspired Amazónico lies a beautiful private dining room that can seat up to 20 guests. Decked out in vibrant green hues, the comfortable space perfectly complements the rainforest setting whilst affording direct access to the stunning roof terrace.
GO: Visit www.amazonicorestaurant.com for reservations and more information.
BOCA
The FACT award-winning BOCA has long upheld a reputation for good food and sustainable practices. But did you know that a private dining room can be found on the restaurant’s lower level that also doubles up as a wine cellar? The fun space can seat up to 14 people at its central wooden table and is ideal for intimate dining or wine tasting, especially given that the restaurant stocks wine from more than 200 labels.
GO: Visit https://boca.ae for reservations and more information.
CÉ LA VI
When it comes to private dining rooms in the sky, look no further than CÉ LA VI Dubai. Here, you’ll discover an intimate space for twelve people around an oblong-shaped table. Feast on delectable Pan-Asian dishes from Chef Howard Ko including the popular roasted diver scallops, burrata salad, and tagliatelle with burrata and black truffle. A minimum spend of AED 500 per person is required.
GO: Visit www.celavi.com for reservations and more information.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The Dubai outpost of the two-Michelin-star restaurant in London, UK, is now open at Atlantis The Royal. Inspired by historical British cuisine dating back to the 1300s, the restaurant comes to us from Heston Blumenthal, a chef and restauranteur known for his scientific and playful approach to cooking. Diners at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Dubai can expect cutting-edge British cuisine across a menu that encompasses everything from the signature Meat Fruit to Powdered Duck Breast. The private dining room tucked away at the back of the restaurant offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the kitchen.
GO: Follow @dinnerbyhbdubai on Instagram for more information.
Ernst
Dubai’s first Bavarian Biergarten and wirtshaus has been the talk of the town since opening at 25hours Hotel One Central earlier this summer. Decked out in traditional Bavarian décor, including a maypole suspended from the ceiling, the menu offers plenty of pretzels, sausages and German delicacies. Yet the charming private dining room hidden behind wooden panelling outside the restaurant has captured our attention. Among the television screens, bookcases and comfortable armchairs lies space for 20 people to gather comfortably.
GO: Visit www.ernstbiergarten.com for reservations and more information.
GAIA
The Dubai elite has long frequented Chef Izu’s popular Greek restaurant in DIFC, so what better place for a private dining room? Located on the outskirts of the kitchen and with room for just 12 lucky diners, the private exclusive dining space, affectionally referred to as ‘The Chef’s Table’, features white stone walls decorated with copper pans. So for a night of Greek chic – look no further.
GO: Visit https://gaia-restaurants.com for reservations and more information.
Hutong
Contemporary Northern Chinese restaurant Hutong is known for its fiery cuisine and opulent decor on the fringes of DIFC. High above the bows of Hutong’s focal wishing tree and tucked away discretely behind wooden panelling lie not one but two gorgeous private dining rooms (or one larger room, should you wish). Decorated with dark wood and pretty Chinese lanterns, this has got to be one of the most atmospheric dining rooms in town.
GO: Visit www.hutong-dubai.com for reservations and more information.
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro
FACT favourite Il Borro Tuscan Bistro adds an element of undeniable class to its private dining room overlooking Jumeirah Al Naseem’s tranquil turtle lagoon. The ideal spot for a leisurely lunch or dinner, the ever-so-chic private room is decorated in neutral colours. It opens out onto an outdoor seating area surrounded by greenery.
GO: Visit https://ilborrotuscanbistro.ae for reservations and more information.
Maiden Shanghai
At Maiden Shanghai, inside the Insta-worthy FIVE Palm Jumeirah, diners can pick from three spacious private dining rooms. Carefully designed to offer a highly personal dining experience in the heart of the restaurant, two of the rooms come complete with private outdoor terraces. There’s even a private karaoke room, ideal for a birthday party in true Dubai style.
GO: Visit https://palmjumeirah.fivehotelsandresorts.com for reservations and more information.
MayaBay
Luxe Monaco export MayaBay has taken Dubai by storm since opening in May at Jumeirah Al Naseem. The extravagant venue is decorated with intricately carved wooden panels that segue seamlessly into a spacious private dining room at the back of the restaurant. Here, up to 16 diners can gather to enjoy a menu rooted in traditional Asian cuisine, with signature dishes including the Maya Crispy Duck, Pad Thai, MayaBay Sashimi and Black Cod with miso and honey.
GO: Visit www.mayabayrestaurant.com for reservations and more information.
Miss Lily’s
This popular Jamaican restaurant at Sheraton Grand Dubai features a private dining room for up to 16 guests tucked away behind a stack of Red Stripe crates. The fun space has been designed to resemble a store room with wooden shelves stocked with condiments. You won’t be too far from the action and the infectious Miss Lily’s vibe with music from the main restaurant piped in through a ceiling-mounted subwoofer. If this room was good enough for Rihanna when she dined, it’s good enough for us.
GO: Visit https://misslilysdubai.com/ for reservations and more information.
Mott 32
Located on the 73rd floor of the Address Beach Resort in JBR, Mott 32 offers a wide range of cuisine in a spacious setting, making it perfect for hosting intimate private events as well as extravagant celebrations. Inspired by the design of Arabic courtyard houses and staying true to the essence of Mott 32, the restaurant is divided into distinct areas, each with its own unique character. These spaces seamlessly blend the indoors with the outdoors, allowing the sliding doors to open onto the open-air terrace, which provides views over Bluewaters Island, Palm Jumeirah, and Ain Dubai. For absolute privacy, the Opal Room is ideal for intimate events and celebrations, accommodating up to 13 guests.
GO: Visit www.mott32.com for reservations and more information.
Nobu Dubai
Atlantis, The Palm’s Royal Bridge Suite has been converted into the world’s biggest Nobu restaurant. Located on the 21st floor of the hotel, diners can expect epic views of Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Sea. Tuck into Nobu’s signatures, such as Yellowtail Jalapeño, Wagyu Beef Tataki and Black Cod with Miso from the comfort of one of Nobu’s decadent private dining rooms. Here, sculpted wooden ceilings and sake-lined shelves set the tone for an evening of sophistication.
GO: Visit www.noburestaurants.com for more information.
ROKA
Situated close to the open kitchen, ROKA’s private dining room is undoubtedly a place to be seen in, thanks to glass panels that look out across the atmospheric restaurant space. The room features a 3D statement wall in a fiery red hue and a long banquet table. It’s a luxe choice for a birthday party or evening soiree whilst feasting on the signature robataki dishes such as iceberg salad no wafu and lamb cutlets prepared with Korean spices.
GO: Visit www.rokarestaurant.com for reservations and more information.
Shanghai Me
Seclusion reigns supreme at DIFC’s Shanghai Me, which offers a private dining room for large groups, corporate bookings and celebrations. The hidden space features a private dining table amidst 1930s Art Deco interiors designed by renowned architect Michele Bonan. The venue is even said to have hosted HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
GO: Visit https://shanghaime-restaurant.com for reservations and more information.
Signor Sassi
Nestled in a serene corner of the FACT award-winning ‘best Italian restaurant in Dubai’, the Anfiteatro private dining area offers an idyllic setting for intimate gatherings and celebrations. Enveloped by lush greenery and sheltered beneath an elegant pergola, the serene space is complemented by indulgent sharing menus and an exquisite selection of cocktails and wines, ideal for a birthday, wedding celebration, product launch, or corporate dinner.
GO: Visit https://signorsassidubai.com for reservations and more information.
Studio Frantzén
The UAE is home to world-class restaurants, from MICHELIN-starred menus to celebrity chefs. Now, one of the world’s most celebrated chefs, Björn Frantzén, has opened Studio Frantzén in Atlantis, The Palm. The menu showcases Asian and French food, and includes Nordic influences. The Candy Room offers an interactive dessert experience, while the bar serves a specially curated Nordic cocktail menu. If you love to watch the chefs at work, there are 20 front-row seats by the kitchen counter. Plus, there is a private dining room for 14 guests.
GO: Visit www.atlantis.com for more information.
SUSHISAMBA Dubai
Our love for SUSHISAMBA knows no bounds, and this atmospheric private dining room on the 51st floor of The Palm Tower is just another excuse to visit Dubai’s most in-demand restaurant (that is, if we can get a reservation). The private dining room boasts a curved bamboo ceiling, an abundance of foliage and floor-to-ceiling windows affording views of Ain Dubai, Bluewaters Island, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeriah. The venue also plays host to SushiSamba’s monthly Edomae sushi masterclass, which teaches you how to make sushi like a pro.
GO: Visit www.sushisamba.com for reservations and more information.
Tàn Chá
Offering an intersection of contemporary Hong Kong and provincial China, Tàn Chá at JW Marriott Marquis recently received MICHELIN recognition with a Bib Gourmand Award. The highly sensory dining experience is the result of contemporary Chinese dishes complemented by live music and art installations. If that’s a bit too much for you, the Table 8 private dining room is available. Here, guests enter via illuminated portals and a mirrored ceiling that forms an enchanting tunnel. Inside, a large dining table that comfortably seats 12 diners sits in the centre of the room. A special chef’s table menu is coming soon…
GO: Visit https://tanchadubai.com for reservations and more information.
Wakame
Designed for privacy but bursting with charm, the private dining room at popular Japanese restaurant Wakame on the third floor of Sofitel Dubai Downtown can accommodate up to 22 diners. Tucked away on an elevated plinth at the rear of the swish restaurant, the glass-walled dining room features Japanese detailing while affording views across the buzzing restaurant floor. Tailored menus are available upon request.
GO: Visit https://wakame.ae for reservations and more information.
ZUMA
Holding the most FACT Dining Awards on record, Zuma Dubai is renowned for delivering extraordinary dining experiences, the latest of which is the Ishigaki Wine Room. The intimate private dining room offers a selection of over 700 wine labels and 65 sakes, thoughtfully curated over 17 years. Guests can indulge in rare vintage wines, exclusive imports, and special collaborations with some of the world’s most prestigious winemakers. Each dining experience is elevated by personalized service, with a dedicated waiter and sommelier guiding guests through a bespoke five-course menu featuring cho toro, wagyu, and langoustine.
GO: Visit https://zumarestaurant.com for reservations and more information.
For those who prefer a private dining experience:
FZN
Atlantis, The Palm has welcomed chef Björn Frantzén’s new restaurant. FZN is the culinary sister to Zén in Singapore, and the three MICHELIN Starred Frantzén in Stockholm. FZN offers a 27-seat fine dining experience. This space includes 13 seats around the open kitchen and a view of the chefs at work. FZN showcases a modern European tasting menu with Japanese as well as Nordic influences. Dishes include Chawanmushi with smoked beef broth, Duck BBQ with yuzu, and Kampot Pepper with foie gras. The menu brings together fine, seasonal ingredients from across the world. Plus, the soundtrack features 300 songs curated by Björn himself and ranges from Guns N’ Roses to The Smiths.
GO: Visit www.sevenrooms.com for reservations and more information.
Hōseki
You know you’re in for an exclusive dining experience at Hōseki, as only nine people can dine at once. Here, sushi master, Masahiro Sugiyama, creates an intimate dining experience unlike anything else in Dubai. We recommend opting for the Omakase menu, as it leaves the food selection up to the chef. It’s no wonder this sleek restaurant at Bulgari Resort Dubai was recently awarded with one MICHELIN Star.
GO: Visit www.bulgarihotels.com for reservations and more information.
Kokoro
Dubai, it’s time to roll with it. The city has welcomed its first-hand roll sushi bar, Kokoro. Located in Alserkal Avenue, the seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and currently does not take reservations. The design is simple yet sleek, from the wooden door with a discreet logo to the floor-to-ceiling windows. If you want the full experience, we recommend grabbing a countertop seat and watching the chefs at work in the kitchen. Kokoro’s menu boasts fresh fish and the options include Bluefin Tuna with pickled cucumber, Ikura, Janpachi, Madai, Salmon with white ponzu, Scallop with orange, Seaweed Salad, Shima Aji, and Uni.
GO: Follow @kokoro.dxb on Instagram for more information.
Moonrise
In recent months, there has been much fanfare surrounding Moonrise and its young chef Solemann Haddad. Located on the rooftop of Eden House on Sheikh Zayed Road, Moonrise features seasonally changing tasting menus that span Japanese and Middle Eastern flavours, ingredients and cooking techniques. Exclusivity is the name of this game, as two seatings accommodating only eight diners are available each night. The experience comprises a multi-course menu decided by the chef, with dishes prepared directly at the counter in front of guests.
GO: Visit www.moon-rise.xyz for reservations and more information.
Row on 45
Row on 45, the newly crowned two-Michelin-starred restaurant from British Chef Jason Atherton, has launched a new menu crafted for just 22 discerning guests per seating. The 17-course haute cuisine menu features Amaebi (sweet shrimp served with Amela tomato jelly), Frøya Scallops and a delightful duck dish. Presented in three acts, this memorable meal begins in the Champagne Lounge and ends in the Chef’s Library of this penthouse-inspired restaurant. AED 1,145 per person.
GO: Visit www.rowon45dubai.com for reservations and more information.
Smoked Room
Created by Chef Dani García, Smoked Room pays homage to the fire style of cooking. The FACT award-winning Smoked Room is the sister restaurant to Leña and draws inspiration from its original restaurant in Madrid, which holds two MICHELIN Stars. The venue has only 14 seats and offers an exclusive and personalised fire omakase dining experience. The dishes, which include charcoal grilled pigeon, crowned with maitake mushrooms and celeriac, have been created using smoke and embers to add depth to the flavours. Smoked Room’s Fire Omakase experience starts from AED 950 per person.
GO: Follow @smokedroom.dubai on Instagram for more information.
The Experience by Reif Othman
Dubai old-timers will remember The Experience by Reif Othman (TERO) from its days on the upper level of The H Hotel. So we’re excited to confirm that the FACT award-winning TERO can now be found at the licensed branch of Reif Japanese Kushiyaki in Dubai Hills Business Park. Here, cosy décor accommodates chef Reif’s tasting menu for up to twelve diners. The 12-seat venue can be booked as a private dining room for a group gathering or individual covers.
GO: Follow @terobyreif on Instagram for more information.
The Heritage Room
The Heritage Room is a secret space inside the MICHELIN-starred 11 Woodfire. Here, Head Chef Brando Moros draws inspiration from his Columbian heritage and culture to create a special six-course menu for just six guests per sitting. The space will also be open to chefs who want to explore their own cultural heritage through the medium of food. The debonaire dining room feels like a cross between a chef’s table and a kitchen with seats for only six people, and dishes include beef, fish and a flame-grilled fig topped with gold.
GO: Follow @11woodfire on Instagram for more information.
