New Year's Eve in Dubai: Chilled out dinners and parties to book

Here’s where to book for dinner and drinks this New Year’s Eve in Dubai…

If dancing until 3am to a superstar DJ isn’t your idea of a great night out, why not book one of these more relaxed, dinner and drinks New Year’s Eve deals in Dubai.

Yes, there’s something for everyone (although there’s still no avoiding that prices are hiked up on the biggest night out of the year). Ooh, and bookmark this list, as we’ll keep adding to it as we get closer to the date…

1. A FRENCH BISTRO MEAL: Couqley

Where: Laguna Tower, JLT

We dig this Beirut import that serves up classic French fare, and their NYE deal is a bargain. For a three-course menu serving steak frites and pain perdu and an open house bar you pay just Dhs499, you’ll pay Dhs359 for just the food.

Laguna Tower, Mövenpick Hotel, Cluster A, Jumeirah Lake Towers, 8pm to 1.30am. Tel: (04) 5149339. More info on Facebook.

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2. DRINKS ON A JETTY: The Jetty Lounge

Where: One & Only Royal Mirage 

This gorgeous location is hosting a party under the stars for New Year’s Eve (it will be a great spot to watch the Palm fireworks from). There will be a resident DJ providing tunes, but we expect the vibe to be quite laid back. You pay Dhs375 per person to enter the party, and then you can order a la carte drinks and food. Or, for Dhs650 per person you get a glass of bubbly and will secure yourself a seat.

The Palace, One & Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh, 9pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 399 9999. Tram: Media City. More info on website. 

3. THE PIZZA PARTY: Bussola

Where: The Westin

You can’t get a more laidback New Year’s Eve than pizza on the Bussola Terrace – for Dhs750 you’ll get a three-course set menu (which, yes, includes pizza) and all-you-can drink sparkling and house drinks. You’ll get good views of the fireworks over the Arabian Gulf too. Children aged six to 11 will dine for Dhs450 a head.

The Westin, Al Sufouh, Dubai, 8pm to 1am, Dhs750. Tel: (04) 511 7139. Tram: Mina Seyahi. More info on website.

4. A MIAMI-STYLE FIESTA: Palm Grill

Where: Ritz Carlton JBR

The oceanside Palm Grill will be serving a five-course seafood menu to ring in 2017 – there will be a live comedian, a magician and great views of fireworks. You’ll pay Dhs1,450 for the five-course meal plus one glass of bubbles, and the food as part of the package will finish at 11pm, but you can stay on and order more to watch the fireworks at the strike of midnight.

Palm Grill, Ritz Carlton JBR, Jumeirah Beach Residence, 7pm to 11pm, from Dhs1,450. Tram: JBR. Tel: (04) 318 6150. More info on website.

5. A SEASIDE MEAL: Fish

Where: Le Méridien Mina Seyahi

This new Aegan fish restaurant is already famous for its special seafront location, and so if you want to celebrate NYE with an accompanying chilled sea breeze, this is a great option. Dinner here on the big night will cost you Dhs1,200 with free-flow sparkling and Dhs1,500 with free flow premium bubbles (this particular night will be for those 21 and above only, a fact that will annoy some of you and delight others).

Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, Al Sufouh, Dubai, 8pm to 1am, from Dhs1,200. Tel: (04) 511 7373. More info on Facebook.

6. GREAT GATSBY PARTY: St Regis Dubai

Where: Al Habtoor City

An entire floor of the St Regis is going to transform into a Great Gatsby-style soirée, with French spot Brasserie Quartier offering a buffet and then a set menu being served at the swanky J&G Steakhouse. There will also be a cocktail party and sabering ceremony at Sidra and Champagne Lounge. What does it cost? Well at Brasserie Quartier it’ll be Dhs550 for food and a glass of bubbles on arrival and Dhs800 with a house-beverage pouring package, and at J&G you’ll cough up Dhs650 for food with a glass of bubbles and Dhs900 for your meal and house drinks.

St Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor City, Sheikh Zayed Road, from Dhs550. Tel: (04) 435 5555. Metro: Business Bay. More info on website.

7. A DESSERT FEAST: Bab Al Shams

Where: Bab Al Shams, near Dubai Endurance City

If you want to get away from the city (but also see fireworks) then Al Hadheerah at Bab Al Shams is a great option. This beautiful venue will have a huge buffet, Arabian singers, a Tanoura dancer, a horse show and a camel caravan. Proper Arabian Nights stuff. The price is Dhs1,110 for adults with soft drinks, Dhs1,600 for adults with an open bar (all night), Dhs350 for children aged five to eight and Dhs750 for children aged nine to 17.

Bab Al Shams, Bab Al Shams Desert Road, Dubai, 8pm to 3am, from Dhs1,110. Tel:(04) 809 6194. Taxi: Bab Al Shams. More info on website.

8. INDIAN DINNER: Junoon

Where: Shangri La Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road

This excellent Indian restaurant is offering a four-course dinner (veg or non-veg options available) for New Year’s Eve, with the party rounding out at their lounge bar. You’ll dine on everything from chicken curry to ocean trout, and the dinner is priced from Dhs625 with soft drinks, Dhs825 with house drinks or Dhs1,200 with premium beverages.

Shangri La, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 7pm to midnight, from Dhs625. Tel: (04) 405 2717. Taxi: Shangri La. More info on website.

9. BURJ KHALIFA-VIEW BUFFET: Ewaan

Where: The Palace, Downtown Dubai

This is one of the city’s most underrated brunch spots – and the Oriental buffet for New Year’s Eve is sure to be lavish (there will be a particular focus on seafood). If you want to sit outside you’ll have to pay Dhs2,500 for the premium bubbly package, or Dhs1,800 for soft drinks: why so much? Well you’ll have great Downtown and fountain views. For an indoor seat you’ll pay Dhs1,600 with soft drinks and Dhs2,000 with premium bubbly. Children aged six to 11 will pay Dhs900 to sit outside and Dhs800 for indoor seating (children under five dine for free).

The Palace, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, 8pm to 3am, from Dhs1,600. Tel: (04) 428 7806. Metro: Burj Khalifa. More info on website.

10. A SCOTTISH SHINDIG: Copper Dog

Where: Double Tree Hilton, JBR

Stepping into this Scottish restaurant and bar (the original is in Craigellachie Hotel in Speyside) is as close as you’ll get to a Hogmanay celebration in Dubai. For New Year’s Eve they’re putting on a Scottish five-course feast (that’s very meaty) – this will set you back Dhs995 with house wine and spirits or Dhs550 with soft drinks. Or you can opt for just a beverage package (and dine at home beforehand) for Dhs495 from 8pm to 1am or Dhs195 from midnight to 2am. There will be no little kids allowed at the dinner table, though, as all guests on the night must be 16 years and over.

Copper Dog, Double Tree Hilton, JBR, 8pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 559 5355. Tram: JBR 2. More info on website.

11. PARTY IN THE PARK: Park Hyatt

Where: The Park Hyatt

The Park Hyatt is pooling all of their restaurants’ talent together for one big party – with a buffet from Traiteur, The Terrace and Thai Kitchen. They’re also promising an epic dessert spread too. You’ll pay Dhs1,295 with free-flowing premium beverages and Dhs645 for children aged six to 12 (kids five and under dine for free).

Park Hyatt, Dubai, Deira, 8pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 602 1814. Taxi: Dubai Creek Golf Club/Park Hyatt. More info on website. 

12. A BEACH PARTY: Cove Beach

Where: The Jumeirah Beach Hotel

The gorgeous Cove Beach has three packages running over New Year’s Eve – and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel location means it has enviable Burj Al Arab fireworks views.

You can opt for a BBQ on the beach at the spot’s Rosé Bar – and for Dhs695 you’ll get to munch on a gourmet BBQ, and sip on unlimited house beverages (there’s a good variety) from 7pm to 3am. This is a mill-about night out because it’s standing tables only. This is certainly one of the more affordable ways to have a fancy and fun night out with premium fireworks views.

Pay Dhs995 and you’ll get to eat your way through a five-course menu before heading to the shoreline to see the fireworks as the clock strikes midnight. The meal runs the gamut from seared scallops to wagyu short rib (yum). Or you can plump for the VIP Sea Lounge with sea-view seating and premium beverages from Dhs1,000 a person. Call 800 Cove to customise your package if you’re after this one.

Cove Beach, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Al Sufouh, 7pm to 3am. Tel: (800) 2683. More info on website.

We’ll be updating this list to bring you more deals, so keep checking back! 

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