The weather is now cooler in Dubai, gone are the days when you start sweating like a pig as soon as you walk out of air-conditioned buildings. Gone are the days when the people of Dubai would much rather stay in the comfort of their homes to avoid getting fried out in the city. And most specially, gone are the days when the AL fresco bars and restaurants are closed as they have now opened their doors once again to us without those annoying big fans blasting hot air right smack into our faces. YAY! I love al fresco dining as the ambiance is always better if you’re outside – breathing fresh air and you’re not confined within the walls of an air-conditioned room. Having a view is just the cherry on top of the cake and that’s almost always the case of the al fresco restaurants here in Dubai – they’ve all got great views.
And because I’m very smart and quite lazy to do my own research, I’ve asked a few of Dubai-based bloggers about their favorite al fresco restaurant in the city to get some tips on where to go. And because I’m very generous, I will be sharing them all to you my dear readers. While you’re at it – why don’t you follow their blog and like their Facebook pages as well? You’ll thank me for doing so. You’re welcome. 
Here’s the list of what I’ve gathered from the lovely bloggers of Dubai. I really can’t wait to try each and every single one of them.
Villa Beach in Jumeira Beach Hotel by The Real Geordie Armani
Why is this her favorite al fresco restaurant in Dubai? It has the best views of Burj Al Arab.
Oh yes! I do agree with her.
She recommends citrus cured salmon with apple, yogurt, baby spinach, blinis and blossom honey.
Absolutely delightful, the combination of tastes and textures was fabulous.
The Real Geordie Armani’s Website
The Real Geordie Armani’s Facebook page
Arabian Tea House at Bastakiya by Lady and Her Sweet Escapes
Why is this her favorite al fresco restaurant in Dubai? Arabian Tea House in Bastakiya is a sweet surprise. It is a whimsical garden cafe hidden inside the walls of a classic Arabian structure in Old Dubai district.
Lovely!!!! The place and the lady.
She recommends the chocolate mint tea.
The Chocolate Mint Tea was far beyond perfect! It has a great blend of mild chocolate taste, fresh mint and relaxing tea.
Lady and her Sweet Escapes’ Website
Lady and her Sweet Escapes’ Facebook page
101 at One and Only The Palm by The Hedonista
Why is this her favorite al fresco restaurant in Dubai? It’s a series of boardwalks and pontoons at the marina end of the crescent, and despite the shwanky hotel and setting, it’s remarkably laid back. Of course it’s not particularly cheap, but there are decent snacky options on the menu, and the wine list is not drop-dead-unaffordable. It’s a super special place – one I always take visitors, but also reserve for date-night night-caps.
Photo taken from: the palm.oneandonlyresorts.com
THIS. LOOKS. AMAZING!!!!! The Hedonista will be doing her Top 5 Al Fresco Restaurant soon so you might want to watch out for that, I will.
The Hedonista’s Website.
The Hedonista’s Facebook page.
BBQ-ing in Al Safa Park by Mrs Ann
According to Mrs Ann, this is her favorite way to dine outside during winter. Well do you really need an explanation for that? It looks fun and a very inexpensive way to enjoy the weather these days. I will definitely try it!
Mrs Ann’s Website
Rivington Grill at Souk Al Bahar by Foodiva
Why is this her favorite al fresco restaurant in Dubai? With a stunning backdrop of the world’s tallest tower Burj Khalifa (and the world’s largest shopping mall), the dancing music, Bocelli’s Con Te Partiro in particular, never ceases to amaze me and the visitors I religiously drag there.
Yes, that’s a sure winner if you’d like to have a view of something nice, no something GREAT! It’s Dubai after all, where everything must be superlatives.
Foodiva’s Website.
Foodiva’s Facebook page.
Irish Village in Garhoud by Pear Tree Diaries
Why is this her favorite al fresco restaurant in Dubai? The Irish Village was my first al fresco dining experience growing up in Dubai and till date a firm favorite situated in now what is famously known as “Old Dubai”. The outdoor seating is spacious and surrounded by trees planted years ago that provide the well needed shade and a cooling breeze. The food, atmosphere and music are fantastic, so is is my all-time favored bangers and mash dish. If you’re lucky, you can catch a sight of the ducks waddle their way around your table and try their best to sneak food off your plate.
I’m a big fan of both – bangers and mash and (peking) duck. :p
Pear Tree Diaries’ Website.
Pear Tree Diaries’ Facebook page.
Pai Thai at Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah by Stuff by Rhey
Why is this her favorite al fresco restaurant in Dubai? You have 3 choices on how to get from the Lobby to the restaurant. You walk (long walk), take one of those buggies or take the abra (an Arabic boat). The resort areas are all linked by waterways, which contributes much to its beautiful ambience.
courtesy of http://www.goboogo.com, timeoutdubai.com and chowdubai.com
I definitely prefer the abra and I can’t wait to book our table for a dinner in this restaurant.
Stuff by Rhey’s website.
Fiesta Bistro Cafe at Spinneys Burjuman by Find Me a Break
Why is this her favorite al fresco restaurant in Dubai? It is an impressive al fresco gem in the heart of Karama.
She recommends their breakfast meals and oh! the coffee here is refillable.
I looooOOOVVEE breakfasts and I love anything that’s refillable so, woot woot for me.
Find Me a Break’s Website.
Find Me a Break’s Facebook page.
I’ve always been curious about the next restaurant as my favorite food is Mexican. I haven’t tried this one yet and I’ve been wanting to dine there for the longest time.
Maria Bonita by Hashtagcake.me
Why is this her favorite al fresco restaurant? I used to live in a villa compound right opposite when I was a child, so we used to walk across at least once a week for a taste of Mexico. Being in my early twenties, and often on a rather tight budget, a lot of high-end al fresco restaurants tend to be out of my price-range the majority of the time, so quirky little restaurants like MB work perfectly. It may be unlicensed, but they serve a delicious range of Mexican mocktails. Now in terms of food – I don’t have the hugest appetite, and they serve complimentary nachos with fresh salsa anyway – so I usually bypass the starters…although they do whip up a cracking fresh guacamole right in front of you which, as a self confessed avocado addict, I love!
She recommends grilled steak quesadilla.
I always go for the grilled steak quesadilla. The portions are HUGE, so I usually take home half for lunch the next day! Value for money or what! I always take guests to Maria Bonita when they visit, because it’s rather refreshing in contrast to the the glitz and glam of everyday life in the Dubai bubble.
Hashtagcake’s Website.
TOMO at Raffles Hotel by DolceNDiana
Why is this her favorite al fresco restaurant in Dubai? I love al fresco dining with the weather now especially in a nice setting with a view, but I love it more at night. It’s more magical that even the traffic of cars on the road and the buildings are more beautiful with their lights!!! I recently discovered TOMO restaurant in Raffles Hotel. And instantly it’s my favourite!!! It’s Japanese, they serve drinks, you can sit outdoors and enjoy the panoramic view of the Burj Khalifa and the whole city.
That view looks amazing!!! She’s right, the car lights from the traffic below adds more beauty to the view. And here’s Dianne having her Geisha Martini.
Now the last two bloggers recommended the same al fresco restaurant in Dubai and I’d have to agree with both of them as I really do love this place. Meat Co. has a branch as well in Souk Al Bahar but the one in Madinat Jumeirah just has a different vibe to it. If I am to choose my favorite al fresco restaurant, I’d also have to choose this one but that’s just because I haven’t been to any of the abovementioned restaurants yet. Maybe I’ll have a change of heart if I get to try all the others above.
Meat Co. at Madinat Jumeirah by Mitzie Mee
Why is this her favorite al fresco restaurant in Dubai? My favorite spot for al fresco dining is The Meat Co in Madinat Jumeirah. The Meat Co is renowned for high quality steaks and good wines, but they also have some excellent seafood alternatives. From the tables outside, you have stunning views of Burj Al Arab, so remember to bring your camera.
Mitzie Mee’s Website.
Mitzie Mee’s Facebook page.
Meat Co. at Madinat Jumeirah by What I Just Love
Special thanks to What I Just Love for giving me this fantastic post and review! She gave me permission to use all these texts and photos so here it is. My sincerest gratitude for her for putting all these together for me.
I love the Madinat Jumeirah as a whole, I love the atmosphere, the souk, the architecture, the lakes with cute little abras, I love the sea right there, I love the restaurants and the night life. Now Dubai has a beautiful temperature and sitting outdoors is something you don’t want to miss.
In Madinat I have a few favorites but the one that we visit more often is Meat & Co- a south African restaurant with the best meat in town. Honestly, all the meat is amazing! They also have salads and fish so it has a very balanced menu if you are not feeling meaty on that day.
My husband and me lived in South Africa some months and we learnt to appreciate the meat as a very important part of their culture. You can see people doing BBQ every day and boy! It is indeed a very delicious meat. I guess it’s the quality with the way they prepare it because no matter what I try, it doesn’t taste the same.
Because I am a blogger my camera comes with me all the time and this is what we ate last time. As starters and to share, Calamari with Salt and Pepper and some yummy sauce.
As mains, I had a salad -Rocket, Apple, Walnut (attention they are a bit spicy!) with Parmesan cheese on top and my husband had a Classic burger.
All of it was very nice and we sat outside in a jetty over the lake and having a beautiful view of the Burj Al Arab and enjoying the breeze and the sun. It was indeed a glorious day and a perfect lunch! At dinner time is even better as the Burj Al Arab changes colors and it is indeed an spectacle on its own right.
I hope you like my review and if you come to Dubai visit the Meat & Co, subscribe to my blog whatijustlove[dot]com and like the facebook page.
The lovely blogger behind What I Just Love, Lil.
What I Just Love’s Website
What I Just Love’s Facebook page.
What I Just Love’s Twitter Account
What I Just Love’s Instagram account
What I Just Love’s Pinterest Acount
So tell me, which of the above restaurants are you going for this weekend? Don’t forget to thank the great minds behind these recommendations. Go ahead and follow their blog/Facebook page, if you haven’t yet.
P.S. My sincerest thanks and gratitude to all the bloggers who contributed to this post.
Filed under: Life in the sandpit Tagged: 101 at one and only the palm, al fresco restaurants in dubai, al qasr, arabian tea house, bastakiya, dining in dubai, dubai bloggers, fiesta bistro cafe, irish village, jumeira beach hotel, madinat jumeira, maria bonita, pai thai, rivington grill, souk al bahar, the meat co, villa beach, winter in dubai
