Visiting the Best Brunch Spots in the Dubai Marina
Occupying a two-mile strip of beautiful beaches and glistening skyscrapers, the Dubai Marina is a dynamic and picturesque destination for travelers visiting the city. It’s also a great spot for a delicious brunch.
Fortunately, there’s plenty of mouth-watering places to get a quick and filling meal around the Marina. Whether you want some delicious sandwiches, boxed lunch sets, or something to take on the go, Dubai Marina definitely has something for you.
Al Shorfa Restaurant & Café
If you’re just in need of an amazing and versatile menu capable of catering to a wide variety of palates, then Al Shorfa should be a good spot for you.
Located near the Trident Grand Residence, this restaurant specialises in serving Syrian Halabi cuisine as well as a handful of Western dishes at their big outdoor dining venue.
The restaurant is well-known for their strong Turkish coffee which is just the right blend and energy boost to get us going for the rest of the day. If coffee is not your thing, then you can also choose from a flavourful selection of hot teas and fresh juices.
After that, it’s pretty much up to you. For example, you might play it safe and go with some typical favourites like salmon fillet, chicken cordon bleu or beef stroganoff.
Or you can head on to their grill menu and choose from an assortment of spiced meat and vegetables. Their lamb chops and Halabi kebab are very good and filling and we found the portions to be quite sufficient enough for a quick brunch.
Vegetarians can also enjoy the assortment of seasonal salads made with fresh vegetables and cheeses. We were recommended the Armenian salad which included a nice zest from the lemon and a kick from the capsicum for a delicious treat.
Prices are quite reasonable, costing around AED 200 for a two-person meal with drinks. It’s also open 24/7 so it’s also a great spot for dinner before you turn in for the night.
How to Get to Al Shorfa Restaurant & Café
Visitors taking the bus from Carrefour may take a bus at the Gold Souq Bus Station, riding directly to the Le Royal Meridien Hotel. From there, visitors may walk opposite the hotel to the Trident Grand Residence, where they may find the restaurant at Shop 613.
Things to Do Near Al Shorfa Restaurant & Cafe
Up around Al Mamsha Street is the Plus Point Express Mart where you can get some small groceries and essential supplies in case you’re staying near the area and need a few supplies for later.
Additionally, there’s also some beauty-related services at the Trident Grand Residence near the café such as Chaps and Co. and We Nails. It’s not a bad place to chill out in case you arrive early or while you’re waiting for a companion to arrive.
Café Society
Set in a glamorous 1920’s Manhattan-inspired facade, Café Society aims to deliver a vintage-feel via their Art Deco style furnishings and cosy tables where people are encouraged to socialise with each other.
As for the food, Café Society looks to deliver a bistro-style menu, as well as some quick-to-prepare, quick-to-consume dishes meant to be shared over a nice hot or cold beverage.
Their breakfast menu is quite versatile in our opinion, managing to cater to a wide swath of tastes. You could choose to go with some carbs like French brioche, waffles, and pancakes, or something more filling like bacon and eggs on toast.
Their lunch menu is quite excellent as well, adopting a more varied approach that is able to accommodate all sorts of cuisines from all around the world.
There’s filet mignon, wagyu rib-eye, and diced lamb kebab for big protein lovers, and there’s also a few specialty pizzas meant for sharing if having brunch with a group of friends.
Vegetarians may also enjoy their risottos, with their Portobello Truffle Risotto and Lemon Fuzzili being particular standouts despite the lack of meat. There’s also a mushroom lasagna which we found to be quite filling.
Prices are on the average side, and you can expect to pay around AED 300 for two people at the venue. Not bad for a trip back during the post-Prohibition era US.
How to Get to Café Society
To visit Cafe Society starting from Carrefour, visitors may walk to the Ibn Battuta Metro Bus Stop, and from there take a bus to Mina Al Siyahi. Tamani Hotel Marina is 4 minutes away, where the cafe is located.
Things to Do Around Café Society
The café is surrounded by a lot of residential towers so a lot of the other attractions are a few walks away. You can get to Carrefour Market near the building in case you need to get some quick groceries after your brunch.
You’re also quite close to the water and you should be able to reach the Dubai harbour in just a few minutes of walking. Not a bad place to just chill out by the seaside and take in the breeze.
Additionally, you are close to the Dubai Media City Park complete with a large fountain and an ampitheatre for holding performances. This makes the café a good spot to chill in while you wait for a performance to start as well!
Kimura-Ya
Fancy a filling brunch primarily consisting of the bounties of the sea made with a Japanese flavour? Then Kimura-Ya is a great stop for you.
Located on the second floor of the Habtoor Grand Hotel, this Japanese-inspired dining spot is one of the best places to eat fresh sushi and sashimi here at the Marina.
Food is served quite fast, requiring very little wait times which we think makes it perfect for a weekday brunch. However, that’s not the only thing we liked about Kimura-Ya.
If you’re lucky, you might be able to come in at a prime hour where you’re able to get unlimited food and drink during the lunchtime up to dinner, starting at around 12:00 PM and lasting up to 9:00 PM.
This makes it a great place to hang out and chill with some friends or colleagues in our opinion. The hot pot and barbeque courses are great for sharing and chatting as you wait for the food to cook.
If you didn’t make it in time for one of these deals, then don’t fret. Their rice dishes topped with well-cooked beef or your choice of sashimi slices are also quite filling, especially when paired with a hot miso or beef soup.
Prices start at around AED 250 for two people but, you can get a lot of the platters for sharing as well, giving you and a companion more variety in dishes. It’s definitely one of our favourite dining spots when we’re out with friends.
How to Get to Kimura-Ya
Starting from Al Marhabani Mandi, visitors may take a bus from the Mall of Emirates Metro Bus Stop, heading to Al Barsha, Al Waseer Compound Villas.
From there, they may transfer to another bus at the Jumeirah Beach Residence Station 2 to ride towards the Le Royal Meridien Hotel, walking from there to the Habtoor Grand Resort where the restaurant is located at the ground level.
Things to Do Around Kimura-Ya
Pet lovers may enjoy exploring near Al Seyahi St. as it is near a local dog park where you can enjoy a quick walk with your furry companion. After all, a stroll down the Marina Walk should be a lot more enjoyable with a friend right?
If a quick walk is not your style, then you may also want to walk just a bit further to find the Byky Sports cycle renting company. Rent out a bicycle and just feel the cool Marina wind as you pedal on your own two feet.
Fitness buffs may also enjoy gathering for some exercise routines near the SkyDive Dubai sign just a stone’s throw away from the restaurant. Of course, it’s also a great place to seek out adrenaline but make sure you don’t throw up your lunch!
Perfetto Pizzeria
Of course, who can forget our cravings for fresh and savoury Italian cuisine? Food offered at places like Perfetto Pizzeria is just perfect for more high-powered activities such as during the sports season.
The whole place offers a very warm atmosphere, making it perfect for some casual dining and a quick and hearty brunch in our opinion. Colours are bright, and the overall atmosphere is quite breezy as well.
Start with some tomato and basil soup or chicken minestrone soup to warm your stomach for the day ahead. Vegetarians may also appreciate their Mediterranean salad made with fresh rocket and tomatoes.
As for the main event, we like how Perfetto Pizzeria gives us a choice. You can choose to order from their selection of pastas or create a mix for yourself, choosing your preferred protein, vegetable, and sauce.
The same concept applies to their pizza, allowing you to craft a pie that is sure to match your preferences. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with choosing their Classic Pepperoni or Fisherman’s Catch if you want to save yourself the hassle.
No problem if you can’t make it yourself as well. Perfetto Pizzeria has a delivery service ensuring hot food gets to your office desk or home.
Prices are quite affordable as well, sitting at around AED 140 for two people. Definitely a great spot to have a satisfactory and filling brunch here at the Dubai Marina.
How to Get to Perfetto Pizzeria
From Carrefour Market, visitors are only a 17 minute walk away from Perfetto Pizzeria. Heading southwest on Al Mamsha street, Visitors can take the 1st exit at the roundabout onto Al Sayorah St. before turning left towards the Marina Promenade.
Al Majara building will be on the right, where the restaurant is located.
Things to Do Around Perfetto Pizzeria
The pizzeria is just near the Xclusive Yacht Rental service in Dubai, which could make for a memorable experience on the water after you’ve had a particularly filling brunch.
You can also burn off some of the calories you’ve gathered by walking or jogging down the Marina Promenade, feeling the cool seaside breeze on your body.
Alternatively, you can also check out the Dreamworks Spa just near the Marina Residences if adrenaline isn’t for you and you just want to take a breather and relax after a nice meal.
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes
A burger can be a very good lunch meal in itself. And in the Marina, one of the best places to eat the iconic sandwich is at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes near the Rixos Premium Hotel.
As per their name, Black Tap is a rather interesting place, offering some burger combinations you may not always find in your run-of-the-mill burger joint.
For example, you can choose between a traditional beef burger or a vegan burger depending on your preference. These vegan burgers come in either a blackbean patty or one of the newer ‘Impossible Meat’ varieties.
After that, feel free to experiment with their themed burgers. For example, their ‘Mexico-themed’ sandwich has pickled jalapeños and Pepper Jack cheese, while their ‘Turkey’ burger comes with smashed avocado, truffle mayo, and potato roll.
These sandwiches are also huge, easily filling up our stomach especially when paired with their phenomenal crispy fries.
Those with a sweet tooth will also find plenty to enjoy here as their Crazyshakes deliver both in terms of the looks and with the flavour.
For example, their ‘Cake Batter Shake’ is pure decadence, coming in with a vanilla-frosted rim, lots of sprinkles, and a Funfetti cake slice. Chocolate-lovers will also enjoy the Brooklyn Blackout thanks to all the chocolate chips.
It is a bit more expensive than other places though, costing around AED 340 for two people. Still, we think the portions are big enough for sharing, especially if you don’t intend to completely fill your stomach at this time.
How to Get to Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes
At the FGB Landside Metro Bus Stop, visitors may take a 10 minute bus ride to Quoz Industrial Area 3 to transfer to the Jumeirah Beach Residence Station 2.
From there, it is a 35 minute ride to Jumeirah Beach Residence Station 1, where the Rixos Hotel is only a 7 minute walk away. Black Tap is on the ground level.
Things to Do Around Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes
There’s plenty of fun to be had near Black Tap! For one, it’s just a stone’s throw away from JBR Beach where you can choose to take a swim in the water or play summer ball games on the warm sand.
You can also try grabbing a ride at the Flying Cup; an amazing ride reaching up to 40 metres above sea level, offering you a unique panoramic view of the Marina and the JBR.
Go down the street a bit more and you can find Le Platine Salon for some beauty treatments, or enjoy a good movie at the Roxy Cinemas at the Beach JBR.
Operation Falafel
Sometimes, you just want something light to take with you as you walk along the Marina. In that case, we definitely recommend trying out Operation Falafel.
Centred around delivering a fresh take on an Arabian classic, Operation Falafel uses authentic and traditional ingredients in order to deliver a modern take on street food in the area.
Their menu is centred around a delicious falafel; deep-fried patty balls made from chickpeas and fava beans as well as fresh herbs and spices.
From there, you can choose how you wish to consume this tasty treat. Vegetarians may want to mix it with a traditional garden salad, giving some much needed crunch and texture to their healthy greens.
Alternatively, you may enjoy the way we do; on its own in a bowl coupled with some freshly-made hummus for a light yet satisfying snack. We find the flavours to work really well in this case.
Vegetarians and vegans should enjoy the selection here in our opinion. Even when some of the dishes have animal products mixed in, there’s a decent selection of purely vegan food to choose from.
And of course, there’s plenty of variety for traditional meat eaters to choose from as well. There’s something for everyone so feel free to dig in!
Prices are quite affordable as well, with most meals starting at just AED 20. Not bad for a light snack that you can enjoy on the go as you explore the area eh?
How to Get to Operation Falafel
Travelers hoping to visit the restaurant may drive from the Dubai International Airport, taking the Jebel Ali/Abu Dhabi exit. After crossing Al Garhoud Bridge, they may take the Dubai Marina/Jumeirah exit, going left at the T-intersection after the second traffic light.
After that they may simply follow the JBR signs until they reach the second half of Jumeirah Beach Residence. The restaurant is located near Sofitel Hotel, and a 6-minute walk from the Jumeirah Beach Residence Station 2.
Things to Do Around Operation Falafel
Like Black Tap, Operation: Falafel is just a few steps away from the Marina Beach which is famous for its stunning views and exciting watersports.
You can also cross over to the other side of the water towards Dubai Marina Mall; a top-tier shopping destination with an excellent view and atmosphere.
Additionally, you can also visit TEPfactor just pass the roundabout at the Walk and see how well your problem-solving skills hold up inside this cavelike recreation space in Dubai.
About the Dubai Marina
The Dubai Marina is an exclusive neighbourhood that is set near Dubai’s popular beaches. It is a well-known stop with plenty of seaside attractions to occupy your time.
There’s plenty of things to do and see at the Dubai Marina Walk, where a lot of recreational activities are located such as cycling, allowing you to just walk in and have a quick go at what’s available.
Otherwise, the beach is also an amazing place to just chill out at, offering plenty of water-based activities by day, and a thriving party atmosphere at night.
Of course, it’s also a great place to catch a yacht that will give you a luxurious tour of the stunning sights of the cityscape near the iconic skyscrapers of Dubai. Larger boats also have their own facilities to drink and dance the night away.
With so many places for you to exert your energy, it’s no wonder so many formal and casual dining spots have chosen to set up shop here, giving its visitors and residents plenty of options for filling their stomachs.
There’s plenty of options to enjoy here, from a simple European-style breakfast, Japanese bento and tempura, and even classic Italian pizza. If you’re craving it, then the Marina should have it.
Commuting to the Dubai Marina
By Metro
Take the train traveling to the JAFZA/Limitless Station at the Dubai Metro Red Line. Alight at the DAMAC Properties Metro Station, turn right onto Al Emreef Street and cross the pedestrian overpass.
You can then head to the Dubai Marina Tram Station from there.
By Bus
Travelers starting at the Ibn Battuta Metro Bus Stop may wait for Bus 8 at the Gold Souq Bus Station, riding to Mina Al Siyahi, Le Meridien Hotel, afterwards walking over the pedestrian overpass to reach the Tram Station.
By Car
Travelers starting from Motor City may first take Detroit Rd, continuing onto Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E311. After exiting Garn Al Sabkha St. D59, they may now continue towards Al Yahoom St. and reach the Dubai Marina.
As a hub of activity from both locals and tourists alike, it’s no wonder that the dining spots along the Dubai Marina are equally as diverse. No matter your preference, you’re sure to find an experience that will be memorable for your palate.
Entertain your curiosity and step inside one of these interesting brunch spots during a day’s walk. Your next culinary adventure may just be waiting around the corner.