Best poolside restaurants in Dubai

Dubai hides its most intoxicating moments above ground, far from the polished lobbies and carefully curated beachfronts. Rooftop terraces hum with deep bass, the pools glow long after sunset, and menus arrive with more attitude than explanation. Locals lean into the heat with chilled cocktails, while visitors drift between sunbeds and soft linen napkins. These places don’t just serve food—they slow things down, stretch hours, and wrap everything in light. Among them, the best poolside restaurants in Dubai don’t follow a formula; they create their own rhythm, and everyone who visits moves to it.

THE PENTHOUSE

Perched atop FIVE Palm Jumeirah, The Penthouse offers panoramic city views. By day, it’s a relaxed poolside lounge featuring glass-walled pools inviting guests for a refreshing dip. The menu includes light bites such as sushi and salads. As evening approaches, the venue transforms into a vibrant nightlife scene with live music and signature cocktails. The crowd is a mix of cosmopolitan patrons, and the interior design showcases contemporary elegance. Outdoor terraces provide alfresco dining options, and special events are hosted regularly. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, with a smart casual dress code. Service is attentive and personalized, offering a blend of relaxation and excitement.

SUMMERSALT BEACH CLUB

Situated within Madinat Jumeirah, Summersalt Beach Club boasts stunning views of the Burj Al Arab. Guests can relax in private cabanas by the infinity pool or enjoy direct beach access for sea swims. The menu is a fusion of international flavors, featuring dishes like truffled octopus and wagyu burgers. A resident DJ provides a serene soundtrack, especially enchanting during sunsets. The ambiance is both luxurious and laid-back, with signature cocktails complementing the dining experience. Service is attentive and discreet, attracting both locals and visitors. Advance bookings are advisable, with a chic beachwear dress code. Overall, it’s a haven for relaxation and indulgence.

NIKKI BEACH DUBAI

Located on Pearl Jumeirah, Nikki Beach Dubai is a haven for sun-seekers and gourmands alike. The venue boasts uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf, offering guests VIP cabanas and expansive leisure pools. Renowned for its themed parties and fashion shows, the ambiance is a fusion of music, dining, and entertainment. The culinary offerings range from gourmet sushi to international favorites, complemented by signature cocktails. Regular events feature acclaimed DJs and live performances, enhancing the vibrant atmosphere. The architecture emphasizes sleek, modern aesthetics, with particularly mesmerizing sunset views. Private beach access adds to the exclusivity, and attentive service ensures a memorable experience. The venue attracts both locals and tourists, making advance reservations advisable due to its popularity.

SAL

Located within the iconic Burj Al Arab, SAL offers a refined dining experience. The poolside terrace provides panoramic sea views, where guests can choose between dining or a beach and pool package. The menu draws inspiration from the Iberian Peninsula, with fresh seafood dishes like the salt-baked catch of the day. The ambiance exudes nautical elegance, and service is impeccable and personalized. Reservations are essential due to high demand, with a smart casual dress code. Sunset dining here is particularly sought after, attracting a discerning clientele. Signature desserts provide a sweet conclusion, with thoughtfully curated wine pairings. Overall, SAL epitomizes luxury dining by the sea.

WHITE BEACH DUBAI

Located at Atlantis The Palm, WHITE Beach Dubai combines relaxation with entertainment. The venue features two Instagram-worthy pools and an open-air terrace offering stunning shoreline views. The menu showcases Mediterranean-inspired dishes with sensibly sourced ingredients. Signature cocktails enhance the dining experience, and regular events feature international DJs. The ambiance is vibrant yet sophisticated, with attentive and friendly service. Advance reservations are recommended, with a stylish beachwear dress code. Sun loungers are available for daytime relaxation, attracting a trendy crowd. Overall, it’s a hotspot for both dining and socializing.

TWIGGY BY LA CANTINE

Situated at Park Hyatt Dubai, Twiggy by La Cantine offers a slice of the French Riviera. The venue features a 100-meter infinity pool, with poolside dining options like poke bowls and lobster rolls. The à la carte menu boasts Mediterranean dishes such as wagyu beef carpaccio and truffle burrata pizza. The ambiance is both chic and relaxed, with views of the lagoon enhancing the experience. Service is polished and welcoming, with reservations advisable, especially for pool access. The dress code is elegant beachwear, and sunsets here are particularly picturesque. The venue attracts a fashionable clientele, with signature cocktails crafted with finesse. Overall, Twiggy offers a luxurious escape within the city.

AURA SKYPOOL

Perched atop The Palm Tower, AURA Skypool is the world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of Dubai’s skyline while basking under open skies. The venue offers a sophisticated ambiance, with a menu featuring pan-Asian flavors. Signature cocktails complement the dining experience, and the interior design emphasizes natural elements. Service is attentive and personalized, attracting a cosmopolitan crowd. Advance reservations are essential due to limited availability, with a smart casual dress code. Sunrise and sunset sessions are particularly popular, offering a serene atmosphere. Overall, AURA Skypool provides an unparalleled poolside dining experience.

TAPASAKE

Tapasake doesn’t wait for you to catch up—it’s already moving, somewhere between Tokyo minimalism and rooftop spectacle. The infinity pool stretches across the horizon like an unfinished sentence, and beneath it, tables flicker under candlelight while something smoky and delicate arrives without a name. It’s not dinner you’re having—more like an interlude with raw fish and gold-edged glassware. By the time the bassline thickens and the sky folds into indigo, conversations begin to blur around you. The menu leans into duality: bold flavors in quiet forms. People come dressed in a way that says they knew exactly where they were going.

HIGH SOCIETY

It isn’t really about food, though the food is there, and precise. High Society doesn’t greet you—it assumes you already belong. Atop The Lana, the city looks quiet from here, even elegant, as if holding its breath. The air is warm and perfumed with something citrus but unnamed. A glass arrives before the menu does. Nothing is rushed, yet everything moves fast. Jean Imbert’s plates land softly, as if interrupting would be rude. Langoustine, mushroom, perhaps both—no one says. You eat with curiosity more than hunger.

The pool glows, untouched. No one swims after dark, but everyone seems to float. Music hums beneath the conversations, stitched into the atmosphere like lining you don’t see but feel. Whether you sit alone or in a group, there’s a sense of being watched in the best way. It feels like velvet, like a whisper told through cocktails. No one checks the time here, not because it’s forgotten, but because it no longer applies. If you look out far enough, the skyline might wink back. Or maybe that’s just the champagne.