Dubai’s Dreamiest Outdoor Dining Spots – Visit Before the Heat Hits

Caution – may be cool to enter.

As the days grow warmer and the golden hour lingers just a little longer, Dubai’s al fresco dining season is in its final, most glorious stretch. Whether you’re craving Mediterranean bites under twinkling lights or wood-fired pizzas with a sea breeze, this is your cue to soak up the magic before the summer heat chases us all indoors. 

From beachside lounges to lush green terraces, here are some of the Insider team’s favourite outdoor dining spots to hit right now.

101 Dining Lounge & Bar

A glittering gem at One&Only The Palm, this award-winning spot (Time Out’s Best European Restaurant) is romance wrapped in sea breeze. Expect refined Spanish and Italian flavours, best savoured under the stars. The venue closes for Ramadan, so now’s the time to grab that last golden-hour reservation.

One&Only The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, 050 332 6832.

BOCA

Leafy, lively and effortlessly cool, BOCA’s outdoor terrace in DIFC is a secret garden tucked among the skyscrapers. With its fresh Mediterranean flair and privacy-boosting greenery, it’s ideal for a long lunch or an after-work spritz.

DIFC, 04 323 1833.

Bussola

Bussola’s breezy al fresco dining is your final excuse to soak up Italian classics by the sea—before it shuts on June 1 for summer renovations. The fine dining section will get a glow-up, but the beloved pizzeria stays just as you know it.

The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, 04 511  7373.

Cove Beach

With prime beachfront views and a laid-back vibe, Cove Beach is all about stylish lounging. While the full à la carte is served indoors, you can still enjoy a curated outdoor menu paired with sunset cocktails on the sand.

Bluewaters Island,  +971 50 454 6920.

Rhodes W1

British classics meet whimsical flair at Gary Rhodes’ celebrated venue. The terrace offers a peaceful spot for dining outdoors, but even inside, the lush interiors—adorned with butterflies and greenery—create an ‘al fresco’ illusion once summer lands.
Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, 04 317 6000.

Zengo

With beach views and a bold Latin-Asian fusion menu, Zengo is your go-to for flavour-packed dishes and dazzling sunsets. Sip a cocktail from one of its three bars and bask in the last breezes of the season.

Le Royal Méridien, Al Sufouh Road, 04 316 5550

Soon enough, we’ll be swapping terrace tables for AC-cooled booths—but for now, the city’s outdoor dining game is still going strong. So call your foodie crew, book that date night, and make the most of these dreamy Dubai evenings while they last. 

The countdown to summer is on—don’t let it close the curtain on your perfect meal under the stars.