Exploring the Best Brunch Places in the Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is one of the most sought-after destinations in the city, especially around winter time when the shopping season is in full swing. Fortunately, the mall offer some top-tier dining spots for breakfast, dinner, and even brunch.
The best brunch places in Dubai Mall include Walnut Grove, New York Fries, Umami and the Cheesecake factory for some quick and hearty bites. For a more refined experience, we recommend Asma, India Palace Express and Din Tai Fung.
Regardless of your preference or budget level, we’re sure the following restaurants should have something delicious in store just for you!
1. Walnut Grove
Hailing all the way from South Africa, the Walnut Grove aims to recreate the feel of a bright and airy cafe where visitors can come in for a hot cup of coffee alongside a really satisfying brunch meal.
You can start the morning by taking a look at their selection of sweet baked goods as well as a cup of hand-roasted coffee. Their cakes and flatbreads are quite delicious, providing just the perfect jolt of energy to start our day.
Come lunchtime though, and the savoury meals really start to take the centre stage. For example, their beef sliders provide just the perfect variety of flavours that you can either share or eat all by yourself as a filling brunch.
If you brought your young kids along for your shopping, then there’s no need to sweat either. The restaurant also offers some delicious pizzas and pastas ranging from truffle, scampi, and even carbonara.
One other bonus we like is that they also carry some nice vegetarian options. Their Roast Butternut and Squash Soup go really well with their assorted pastries, especially if you’re trying to keep your protein consumption more manageable.
Seating is quite comfortable as well, giving you the option to sit indoors or outside to catch the last whiffs of the morning wind. Of course, there’s also a great view of the waterfall near the corner sofas so we recommend going for that if you can!
2. New York Fries
Can’t get enough of your favourite deep fried potatoes? Head on over to the 2nd floor food court in the Dubai Mall to check out the aptly named New York Fries!
This is the place to check out if you want fresh, hand-cut fries that you can easily take on the go without sacrificing on the flavour. They are served fresh, fast, and hot, making it perfect for our weekday brunch.
You can easily spice up your classic French Fries by adding on some delicious toppings, whether it’s fresh vegetables and cheddar cheese for some Nacho-style action, or one with heaping amounts of gravy for their signature Poutine.
Throw in a hotdog sandwich (which also allows you to add your preferred dressings and toppings), and a large soda and each order becomes a good meal to tide you over until dinnertime.
You might even be lucky enough to catch some of their special promotions where a handful of menu items are buy one, take one, letting you treat your friend or significant other during a nice day out.
As they are part of the food court though, do remember that the place doesn’t offer its own dedicated seating. You’ll have to secure your own spot or get your order for take out so you can eat back at home or at the office.
Still, it is a fast, affordable, and very filling joint which makes it one of our favourite spots for a weekday brunch.
3. India Palace Express
Interested in having a hearty brunch with a nice flavourful kick? Then we recommend checking out the delicious Indian cuisine served at the India Palace Express on the lower ground floor.
It is a very versatile dining spot offering a wide array of Indian food ranging from traditional chicken tandoori to a variety of garden salads that we think is great for those with a vegetarian palate.
As for brunch, we particularly like their selection of kebabs. You can choose to go with chicken, seafood, and even vegetarian in case you want to get your protein somewhere else.
Should we want something heavier, we also opt for their delicious biryani thanks to its fragrant flavoured rice and generous helping of nicely cooked mutton chops for a complete afternoon meal.
Order some of their desserts as well if you want something sweet to cap off your brunch. Their Shahi Brownie is particularly good and is something that we definitely recommend trying.
It’s not as fast as your typical fast-food joint but, we definitely recommend India Palace Express for those looking for something more substantial both in terms of quantity and in flavour.
4. Din Tai Fung
Fancy some Chinese cuisine for brunch? If you have the time and the means to try something a bit more fancy, then you can check out Din Tai Fung near the lower ground level of the Dubai Mall.
The food here is very filling, offering their take on some favourite Chinese staples. We particularly enjoy their broth dumplings though you have to be careful not to scald your tongue at the tasty hot soup inside!
Additionally, we also enjoyed their take on sweet and sour pork, noodles, and a few new things such as their chicken truffle dimsum which was quite savoury and filling.
We find this location to be a very nice place for an afternoon date as well. It is set close to the fountains, giving us a decent view of the Burj Khalifa.
It is definitely on the pricier side however. Still, service was quite fast and snappy and the food was very filling, making it the perfect energy boost before a day of work or shopping in the area.
5. Asma
Asma is a Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant with a contemporary approach to their meal. It is located on the first floor and provides guests with a decent selection of classic dishes and street food in the region.
Portions served at Asma are primarily designed for sharing so we immediately think that it also makes for a great date spot as well as a place to get a hearty, Middle Eastern brunch.
Start with a serving of their delicious Tandoor Lafa or Al Quds bread as well as a selection of dips ranging from hummus to chicken liver to beetroot depending on what tickles you’re craving at the time.
After that, it’s up to you and your partner. You can choose to get some light but flavourful beef skewers or kebab pita or opt for something like green prawns and octopus should you suddenly miss the bounties of the sea.
If you’re travelling with some very picky kids then there’s no need to worry as well. Asma offers some chicken tenders and fries combo to ensure there’s something available for everybody.
It is a bit pricier than other brunch options but we guarantee the flavours are so worth it. So if you’re after some hearty Arabic fare, then definitely give the place a visit on your next lunch out.
6. Umami
With their fast, efficient, and of course, delicious food offerings centred around popular Japanese dishes and staples, Umami ranks among our favourite Dubai Mall dining spots for a quick brunch.
Come in for a quick serving of sushi and donburi: flavourful toppings of meat, chicken, egg, and beef on hot steamed rice and vegetables. You can even add a small bowl of miso soup to make your quick brunch a lot more complete.
Of course, if you have the time to spare, you can also try a bowl of hot ramen, which is a perfect afternoon and even evening meal accompanied by a cold drink.
They even have vegetable ramen and vegetable tempura options for vegetarians and vegans looking for a dining spot that matches their preferences.
And of course, those looking for a quick yet varied meal that they can take on the go will find plenty to like with Umami’s boxed lunches. It’s a collection of small but multiple, varied portions that can really spice up your brunch hour.
Umami’s dishes are also quite affordable, making them a great option for budget diners who are looking for a varied selection of flavours to appease their palette. We definitely recommend you check them out.
7. The Cheesecake Factory
Of course, if you visit with a big group each with their own preferences, then you should definitely check out the Cheesecake Factory located at the ground floor of the Dubai Mall.
It is possibly one of the most famous restaurants in the area. After all, this American brand not only offers some delicious cheesecakes but is also able to attract all manner of diners with their over 250 different dishes!
You are definitely spoiled for choice in this establishment. Whether you want a flatbread pizza or pasta for some Italian fare, or something quick like a sandwich or hamburger, the Cheesecake Factory has it for you.
It’s definitely a fun visit with a lot of friends as it basically gives us a glimpse as to what kind of food our companions crave on a particularly busy or even leisurely afternoon out.
Prices are quite affordable too and the portions are quite good, making for easy mixing and matching without feeling too bloated to move around afterwards.
Of course, being so popular in Dubai, there might be a small line when you visit. Nonetheless, the Cheesecake Factory is always guaranteed to be a safe pick for whatever craving so we definitely recommend checking it out.
The Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in the city. It’s a popular destination in downtown Dubai, serving over 100 million visitors, both local and international, every year.
It’s an exciting destination by itself, boasting over 1,200 different retail outlets and 200 dining experiences offering both international and local cuisines in the region.
How to Get to Dubai Mall?
BY METRO:
The Burj Khalifa Metro Station is a walkable distance from the Dubai Mall, but you’ll need to cross the Metro Link Bridge.
BY BUS:
To get to the Dubai Mall by bus, visitors may take either of two buses– one from the Deira Gold Souk station on Route 27, or one in Ghubaiba station on route 29. These buses will drop them off at the drop-off area on the Lower Ground Floor of the Dubai Mall, in front of the Grand Drive Entrance.
BY CAR:
Visitors coming by car will be able to see the road to Dubai Mall on the right-hand side of Financial Centre Road, after taking the first interchange from the centre of Dubai. Alternatively, visitors coming from Abu Dhabi may take the first exit to Financial Centre Road from the interchange.
Do you find the mall a bit too big at times and would just like a guide that can show you the destinations you want to check out? Try the Dubai Mall App for both iOS and Android.
In addition to providing a decent map of the premises, you can also use it to create your own shopping list, get rewards that you can use for different dining or shopping establishments, and see what is going on in the cinemas and entertainment venues.
A lot of these features are especially handy for those who expect to spend a lot of time in this area.
Additionally, the app is also free to install for both platforms so even travellers visiting for the first time can use it as a handy guide to make their trip more efficient.
Still, this isn’t mandatory to access the mall and all of its services. There’s nothing wrong with just going in blind and seeing where your own feet and sense of adventure takes you.
With over 150 different restaurants, each offering their own gastronomical delights, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything in the Dubai Mall that doesn’t make your mouth water.
The best part about this variety is that every day can be a delicious adventure by itself, making your next trip more memorable for your stomach as well. So regardless of your preferences, make sure to check out the dining places here at the Dubai Mall!