celebrating-valentines-day-dubai

Valentine’s Day in Dubai Will Make You Fall in Love Even If You’re Not Romantic

Whether we like to admit it or not, we love the idea of falling in love. The romantic dates, the beautiful flowers, the fancy gifts – ah, what’s not to love about that? 

And if there’s one day when you can be as grand as you want to the person you love, it has to be Valentine’s day in Dubai. 

Oh, we know planning a romantic celebration can give you a headache. So, in the name of romance, we scoured the city for the best places to dine and stay, where to shop for gifts and what to do on Valentine’s Day. You’re welcome!

How Is Valentine’s Day Celebrated in Dubai?

The Emiratis love to celebrate this special occasion just like anyone else in the world! Also, since most of Dubai’s residents are foreigners, the city has also come to adapt different practices and traditions during Valentine’s Day.

Perhaps the only difference here is that everything is a little grander – from the beautiful restaurants to the luxurious gifts! After all, Dubai is known to be a city of grandeur and wealth, so you can expect Valentine’s Day here to be extra!

Things to Know

Here are a  few nifty tricks that will help you plan the perfect day while keeping the headache at bay:

Book everything in advance. Whether you’re planning a staycation, a romantic dinner by the beach or a getaway in the desert, you need to book everything at least a month before since Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year in Dubai.
Buy your gift early. Valentine’s Day is like Christmas. If you buy gifts a few days before, you can expect prices to be higher than regular days. So, if you’re on a budget, it’s best to start hunting for gifts as early as possible.
Plan your outfit. You can’t book a fancy restaurant in Dubai and not dress the part. So, if you want to avoid the stress of choosing an outfit on the day, it’s best to have a few choices in hand.

Where to Eat in Dubai for Valentine’s Day

101 Dining Lounge and Marina

Address: One&Only The Palm – Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 50 332 6832

Pricing: $$$

Website

If your idea of a romantic dinner includes amazing views of the water, then you have to book a table at 101 Dining Lounge and Marina for Valentine’s Day in Dubai.

This beautiful riviera-style restaurant has its own private marina where you can park your yacht to really wow your date with a private entrance by the water.

As you settle in, you’ll be treated to the most stunning views of the water while you enjoy the restaurant’s special menu featuring scallops, foie gras and truffles among other things.

The DJ will take care of the music as you enjoy the rest of your night. Pay AED 495 for food only and AED 595 with a glass of bubbly.

La Sirene  

Address: Avani+ Palm View Dubai Hotel and Suites – Al Sufouh 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 604 2220

Pricing: $$$

Website

If you’re both craving good Lebanese food for Valentine’s Day in Dubai, La Sirene combines sophisticated interiors, the perfect ambiance and delicious food for an unforgettable celebration of love.

The five-course Valentine’s meal starts at AED 300 per couple and you get to enjoy authentic Lebanese dishes while looking at the stunning views of The Palm.

NOEPE

Address: Dubai Creek Resort – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 602 1814

Pricing: $$$

Website

NOEPE has one of the most spectacular views in the city. Pair that with good food and a romantic ambiance and you have the perfect Valentine’s Day in Dubai.

For AED 399 per couple, you get to enjoy unlimited beverages for two hours with canapes. Plus, your lady gets a red rose to welcome you on your date. How cool is that?

Piatti by the Beach

Address: Raffles The Palm Dubai – West Crescent – Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 248 8889

Pricing: $$$

Website

If there’s one thing we can say, Piatti by the Beach knows how to do Valentine’s Day in Dubai right.

Think enjoying authentic Italian food with a view while an Italian singer serenades you. What could be more romantic than that? 

The restaurant has two menu options. “That’s Amore” features a set menu especially designed for Valentine’s Day starting at AED 440 per person.

But if you want to go the extra mile for your date, go for the “Couri Al Tramonto” menu that incldues a personal butler at your beck and call.

QWERTY

Address: One Business Center – Media One Hotel – Al Sufouh 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 427 1000

Pricing: $$$

Website

QWERTY is where you go for a more laidback dinner to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Dubai.

Just for this special day, the restaurant has created a three-course set menu for couples at AED 499. But if   you want to throw some drinks in the mix, you can upgrade for AED 799.

What to Do in Dubai for Valentine’s Day

Drink Coffee at the Top of the World

Address: 1 Shiekh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 888 8888

Website

You can’t get more Middle Eastern in celebrating Valentine’s Day in Dubai than enjoying some Arabic coffee with perhaps the most stunning view you’ll ever see in your life.

After all, you’re literally on top of the world in Burj Khalifa, the iconic skyscraper that gives you a bird’s eye view of the entire city.

Now, if your partner is scared of heights, this is your chance to squeeze some snuggles while comforting her.

Cruise Over the Desert on a Hot Air Balloon

Address: Office No. 404 – Al Sufouh 2 – Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 54 531 2909

Website

A hot air baloon ride is already romantic, but when you do it while cruising over the Arabian desert, that takes your Valentine’s Day in Dubai to an entirely different level.

Now, if you’ve been planning to propose to your beloved, wait until you reach 4,000 feet to pop the question with the dunes and the sky as your backdrop. Ah, what could be more romantic than that?

See Jumeirah From Above on a Helicopter

Address: PT10 – The Walk – Jumeirah Beach Residences – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 58 282 7779

Website

Valentine’s Day in Dubai is all about treating your beloved to the most luxurious experiences. Be her Christian Grey as you take her on a romantic helicopter ride above Jumeirah and the entire city.

Hold each other’s hands as you see one iconic landmark at a time including the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah and the Meydan racecourse.

Spend the Night in the Desert

Address: The Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971  58 143 7818

Website

Let’s face it: every girl secretly dreams of going on a magic carpet ride. But while you can’t find one in Dubai, you can still make her feel like Jasmine with a desert camp experience for Valentine’s Day in Dubai.

The best thing is, you can enjoy this experience even if you don’t have a huge budget because there are different options depending on what works for you.

With an overnight safari, you can be as simple as staying in a traditional Bedouin camp or as extravagant as booking a villa in the middle of the desert. 

Treat Yourselves to a Romantic Spa Experience

Address: Level 69 – Marasi Drive – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 607 0757

Website

Sometimes, all we need is a romantic spa getaway to feel refreshed and get the romance back in time for Valentine’s Day in Dubai.

SLS Dubai has the Ciel Spa where you can indulge in a relaxing couple’s massage with a complimentary glass of chilled champange or tea. 

Being on the 75th floor, this spa offers the most spectacular views of the city as you enjoy different treatments together. 

Where to Shop in Dubai for Valentine’s Day

Bella Fleur

Address: JVC – Jumeirah Village – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 52 790 0880

Website

You can’t celebrate Valentine’s Day in Dubai without giving your beloved the best flowers that you can find. 

And there’s only one place to get flowers that will top everybody else’s – that’s Bella Fleur.

Here, the sky is literally the limit because you can go with the classic arrangements or wow your girl with larger than life bouquets and baskets that will surely make her swoon.

Laderach Dubai

Address: LG Floor – The Dubai Mall – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates  

Phone: +971 4 334 4000

Website

Of course, you can’t give your beloved flowers without including a box of the most decadent chocolates. The best store in town to get them is, of course, Laderach Dubai.

The Swiss chocolatier offers everything from chocolate barks to pralines and truffles that are sure to impress your beloved. 

Want to be different from others? You can request for the team to create a special gift set filled with your chocolates of choice.

SugarMoo

Address: DIB Warehouse – 4 318 Road – Al Asayel Street – Al Quoz Industrial Area 4 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 399 7371

Website

If your beloved prefers cake over chocolates for Valentine’s Day in Dubai, there’s only one place in town that locals recommend – SugarMoo.

We know you’ll be overwhelmed with all the choices, but we guarantee that SugarMoo’s cakes will never fail to wow anyone. We especially love the naked strawberry shortcake and poppin’ banana brownie cake.

Gold Souk

Address: Deira – Al Ras – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 800 900

Website

You’re in Dubai, the City of Gold, so it’s only fitting that you give your beloved some gold jewelry for Valentine’s Day in Dubai.

Of course, there’s only one place to get the best – and most affordable – jewelry pieces in town. The Gold Souk has everything you could ever dream of, so make sure you go there with a plan.

Dubai Mall

Address: Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 800 382 246 255

Website

Shopping for the perfect gift? Valentine’s Day in Dubai means finding the right present at the biggest mall in the city.

Dubai Mall has everything you need in one place, whether you want designer brands or local creations. 

Spend a day browsing through the stores here and we guarantee you’ll find the perfect gift for the most special person in your life before the day ends.

Where to Stay in Dubai for Valentine’s Day

The Meydan Hotel Dubai

Address: Meydan Racecourse – Al Meydan Road – Nad Al Sheba – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 381 3333

Pricing: $$$

Book Now

The Meydan hotel Dubai is already known for luxury, but it takes things up a notch on Valentine’s Day in Dubai with a romantic weekend staycation designed for couples.

For AED 849, you’ll be settled in the hotel’s Grand Superior Room with rose petals scattered on the floor, some macarons and a chocolate cake to welcome you and your beloved.

You can even make special requests with additional charges to really crank up the romance in your getaway.

With your staycation, you get a complimentary breakfast for two at Farriers and a candlelight dinner of your choice either at Farriers or the Millennium Lounge. 

Now, if you want to upgrade your dinner, you can pay AED 1,120 for a five-course meal, beverages and a bottle of champagne.

Want to take the party to your room? You can enjoy some fresh strawberries and a bottle of sparkling wine for AED 420.

Anantara The Palm

Address: East Crescent – Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 567 8888

Pricing: $$$

Book Now

Anantara The Palm is the perfect getaway for Valentine’s Day in Dubai where you’ll feel like you’re in Bali without leaving the city.

You can book a room or villa depending on your budget and the staff will deck your room in beautiful Valentine’s Day decor, some delicious chocolates and even your photos to really make you feel special.

After settling in your room, you can start your stayction with some treatments in Anantara Spa followed by a romantic dinner overlooking Palm Jumeirah and the rest of the city.

If you’re willing to pay AED 1,400, you get to enjoy all these offers and more!

Palazzo Versace Dubai

Address: Al Jaddaf – Jaddaf Waterfront – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4 556 8888

Pricing: $$$

Book Now

There’s nothing quite like celebrating Valentine’s Day in Dubai at one of the most beautiful hotels in the city.

Believe us when we say that the hotel’s Versace Romance and Honeymoon package will surely make you sing Versace on the Floor.

For AED1,960 per night, you get o stay in a beautiful suite, wake up to a sumptous breakfast and impress your beloved with a romantic three-course candlelight dinner.

But that’s not all because your staycation also incldues a 45-minute massage at The SPA, a special bath menu and access to the hotel’s Executive Lounge.