Tasty weekday lunches to try
Business lunches in Dubai are popular with good reason, as who doesn’t want a top deal at lunchtime?. With meals at top restaurants that are good value and quick, weekday lunches don’t need to be a soggy sandwich at your desk. From bento boxes to three-course French meals, here are some of the best business lunch deals in Dubai.
Akiba Dori
This modern Japanese joint – which also whips up some superb Tokyo-Neapolitan pizzas – has a cracking lunch deal. For Dhs89 you’ll get a burrata salad, fries, a pizza and a soft drink. The only choice is what pizza topping to go for.
Dhs89. Daily noon-5pm. d3, Ras Al Khor Road (04 770 7949).
Amazónico
This cool Amazonian-themed restaurant – and Time Out Dubai’s Best Latin American Restaurant 2021 – has a top business lunch deal to check out. For Dhs125 courses you’ll get three courses or for Dhs148 you’ll get a four-course menu. Dishes include ensalada de sandía, picanha tartare, anticucho, Nikkei marinated chicken, lubina Nikkei, sea bass, estofado, pollo asado, baklava, mocha and more. For a lighter and healthier option, they have also introduced a new sushi lunch menu, Japazónico, with a selection of tiradito, maki and nigiri to choose from.
Dhs125 (three courses). Dhs148 (four courses). Mon-Fri noon-3pm. Gate Village 11, DIFC (04 571 3999).
Armani/Ristorante
Have a chilled-out lunch at this swish Italian restaurant in Burj Khalifa. Get a two- or three-course menu, plus tea of coffee – served up pronto. Dishes include burrata, grilled octopus, lasagne, lobster soup, sea bass, veal Milanese and tiramisu.
Dhs149 (two course), Dhs199 (three course). Daily 12.30pm-3pm. Burk Khalifa, Downtown Dubai (04 888 3666).
BB Social Dining
Tuck into the four B’s behind BB Social Dining for less at lunch. You’ll get baos for Dhs30, bites for Dhs40, bowls for Dhs40, and barbecued dishes for Dhs50.
Prices vary. Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm. Gate Village 8, DIFC (04 407 4444).
BASTA!
This Italian restaurant in Dubai’s Business Bay prides itself on authentic dishes. BASTA!’s business lunch deal runs every week day from noon until 4pm. You’ll get a three-course Italian meal for Dhs135, which includes one antipasti, one main course and one dessert.
Dhs135. Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm. Renaissance Dubai Downtown, Business Bay (04 512 5522).
Beef Bistro
Get a set menu for Dhs99 at this meaty restaurant in Garhoud. Dishes include a choice of salad to start, a beef burger or beef bourguignon for mains and a choice of three desserts.
Dhs99. Daily 12.30pm-4pm. Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Garhoud (04 702 2455).
Bella
This swish spot has super views of Burj Khalifa, as well as a cracking business lunch menu. You’ll get three courses every day of the week, which will change weekly to reflect different regions in Italy. Dishes include pickled fried sea bass, risotto with saffron, bone marrow and veal jus, poached salmon in brown butter, sage, roasted almonds and mashed potato and pizza with turkey, mushrooms, artichokes, olives and parmesan cheese. There’s also frangipane tart for dessert.
Dhs135. Mon-Fri noon-4pm. Grand Millennium Hotel, Business Bay (04 873 3377).
Besh
Skip dining al desko and head to Besh for either two courses and a soft drink for Dhs75 or three courses with a soft drink for Dhs95.
Dhs75 (two courses with one soft drink), Dhs95 (three courses with one soft drink). Mon-Fri 12.30pm-3.30am. Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, Al Barsha (04 377 2353).
Bla Bla
It’s not just about pool days and ladies’ nights at Bla Bla – this lively party haunt in JBR serves up a mean mid-week lunch deal too. Available from Monday to Friday between noon and 3pm, guests can tuck into a two-course set menu featuring Italian and Japanese dishes. Highlights include arancini, artichoke tortellini, maki rolls, porcini risotto, Caesar salad, and pan-seared salmon and the deal also includes water and tea or coffee.
Dhs99 (two courses). Mon-Fri noon-3pm. The Beach, JBR (04 584 4111).
BOCA
The cool Mediterranean restaurant in DIFC has a business lunch deal that changes weekly. There will be eight dishes to choose from, starting from Dhs30 a dish, or you can go for a burger combo for Dhs90, two-course meals for Dhs95 or three courses for Dhs125.
Dhs90 (burger combo), Dhs95 (two course), Dhs125 (three courses). Mon-Thu noon-5pm. DIFC (04 323 1833).
Brasserie Boulud
Enjoy a two-course French lunch for Dhs125 at this swish restaurant at Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. The restaurant from the Michelin-starred chef has modern French dishes with a twist.
From Dh125. Mon-Fri, 12.30pm-3pm. Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, Oud Metha (04 281 4020).
Café Belge
Take a midday break and head to this Belgian spot where you’ll get two courses and a hot drink for Dhs135, or three courses for Dhs155.
Dhs135 (two course), Dhs155 (three courses) per person. Mon-Fri noon-3pm. The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC (04 372 2323).
Cafe Isan
The super-cool street food joint with two branches in Jumeirah Lakes Towers offers a three-course business lunch for Dhs89 on Mondays to Fridays from noon to 3pm. Sample Thai cuisines including satay, papaya salad, dim sum, tom yum soup, pad thai, curries, mango and sticky rice.
Dhs89. Sun-Fri noon-3pm. Armada Blue Bay Hotel (licensed) and Cluster B (unlicensed), Jumeirah Lakes Towers (058 529 1003).
Cé La Vi
Hot foot it to Cé La Vi of a lunchtime and as well as fabulous views, for the not so princely sum of Dhs140 you’ll be rewarded with a three-course set menu featuring the likes of crispy calamari with chill and lime, marinated baby chicken on coconut peanut rice and lemon yuzu tart with strawberry sorbet. Water, tea and coffee are also included.
Dhs140, Mon-Fri 12pm-2.30pm. Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai (04 582 6111).
Crown & Lion
If you’re looking for a cheap bite for lunch, get a main course and pint for just Dhs65 every weekday.
Dhs65. Daily 11am-5pm. Byblos Hotel, Barsha Heights (04 448 8000).
CLAP
There’s no better way to keep morning motivation high than with the promise of a stellar lunch and the brand-new offering at modern Japanese restaurant CLAP certainly delivers that. Delectable dishes on the set menu at this swanky spot include various sushi rolls, the signature CLAP salad, black miso cod, tofu teriyaki, three types of ramen and more.
Dhs115 (select from a choice of two starters and one main course), Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm. Gate Village 11, DIFC claprestaurant.com (04 569 3820).
Eat & Meat
Looking for an express business lunch along Sheikh Zayed Road? Eat & Meat’s “express buffet” offers a load of seasonal salads, a choice of main (featuring lots of meats, of course) and plenty of desserts.
Dhs99 (salad, main course and dessert), Dhs125 (soft drinks). Mon-Fri 12.30pm-3.30pm. The H Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 501 8630).
Fi’lia
Enjoy a three-course set menu of Italian-Mediterranean classics at this all women-led restaurant in Business Bay. Dishes include rocket salad, feta al forno, margherita pizza, sea bass with a feta crust, roast chicken, tiramisu and more.
Dhs99. Mon-Fri noon-3pm. SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences Dubai, Business Bay (04 607 0757).
Indochine
This super-cool Asian restaurant has a slick business lunch deal in Dubai’s DIFC. You’ll get two courses for Dhs90 or three courses for Dhs120. Dishes include spicy squid salad, fried imperial rolls, vegetable summer rolls, chicken sticky rice, beef pho and a selection of bahn mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) served with taro chips and pho or pomelo salad.
Dhs90 (two courses), Dhs120 (three courses). Mon-Fri noon-4pm. DIFC (04 208 9333).
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
This fancy yet cool restaurant in DIFC has a business lunch where you’ll get a starter main and dessert for Dhs125. More of a savoury fan? Opt for two starters and a main for the same price. Dishes include aubergine mille-feuille with mozzarella and basil, salmon tataki, gyoza, chicken Milanese, spaghetti of the day and dessert of the day.
Dhs129 (three course). Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm. Gate Village 11, DIFC (04 297 7729).
La Cantine Du Faubourg
This chic French restaurant has a business lunch deal in Dubai for Dhs110 for two courses. Plus you can add a glass of grape for an extra Dhs40 and a dessert for Dhs20. Dishes on the menu include tomato carpaccio, kale salad, beef carpaccio or cod fish cakes to start, grilled lamb chops, roasted sea bream, cauliflower risotto or bavette for main course and then white chocolate and walnut brownie or fruit salad for dessert. A top business lunch deal in Dubai to check out whether you’re taking a lunch break from work or just want to try one of the best French restaurants in Dubai for less.
Dhs110. Mon-Fri noon-3pm. Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 352 7105).
La Casa del Tango
This lively spot in DIFC has a business lunch every weekday from Dhs99. Dig into a Buenos Aires-inspired two-course rotating menu that includes both a starter and a main. Dishes include empanadas, aubergine salad, short-rib, steaks and more.
Dhs99 (without steak and side dish), Dhs149 (with steak, side dish and soft drinks). Mon-Fri noon-3pm. Gate Avenue, DIFC (04 583 0412).
La Farine Café and Bakery
Break up the day with lunch at the French café and bakery at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai in Business Bay.
Dhs89 (two course), Dhs99 (three course). Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm. JW Marriott Marquis Dubai (04 414 0000).
Larte
The business lunch offering here is not only a steal (Dhs59 for two courses), the daily-changing menu more often than not features pizza, which is always a bonus in our eyes. To add to that, the outdoor terrace is spot on at this time of year and for an extra Dhs25 you can sip a glass of vino with your lunch (we won’t tell if you don’t).
Dhs59 (two courses. Dhs10 extra for dessert or coffee). Mon-Fri 1pm-3pm, Studio One Hotel (04 581 6870).
La Serre
The Rendez-vous lunch menu lays on a two or three-course menu every weekday lunchtime. Dishes include red bream ceviche marinated in tiger milk with tomato confit and chilli, grilled prawns with spinach cream, or a cherry tomato salad with goat’s cheese and hazelnut to start. Main courses include fish of the day served with crushed potato, asparagus and lobster sauce, chicken supreme with mashed potato, green beans and Périgueux sauce or gnocchi with endive and blue cheese sauce. Dessert is blueberry panna cotta topped with pecans.
Dhs135 (two courses), Dhs150 (three courses). Mon-Fri noon-5pm. Vida Downtown, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai (04 528 3779).
Loca
Get a selection of Mexican appetisers plus a main course including fajitas (chicken, beef or veggie), burritos (chicken, beef or veggie) or tostada salad (chicken, beef or shrimp) for Dhs75. Plus opt for the business lunch deal and you’ll get drinks at happy hour prices too.
Dhs75. Mon-Fri noon-4pm. Dubai Marine Resort Beach Resort & Spa, Jumeirah (04 346 1111).
Lola Taberna Española
Get a tasty lunch every weekday at this Spanish restaurant in Barsha Heights. The deal runs every weekday from 1pm until 4pm and is Dhs65 for two courses or Dhs89 for three courses including water. You’ll get a starter and main, or main and dessert and there are loads of dishes to choose from in the menu del dia.
Dhs65 (two courses), Dhs89 (three courses). Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm. Tryp by Wyndham Dubai (04 247 6688).
London Dairy Cafe
There’s a power lunch deal for Dhs75 at London Dairy, where you’ll get a soup, main and a coffee every weekday from noon until 6pm. Dishes on the menu include rib-eye steak sandwich, kale salad or fusilli with prawns. Plus for an extra Dhs7 you can round off your meal with a scoop of ice cream.
Dhs75. Mon-Thu noon-6pm. Various locations including DIFC, Dubai Media City, Sheikh Zayed Road, www.londondairy.com.
LPM Restaurant & Bar
Time Out Dubai’s Best French Restaurant 2020 does a top business lunch deal in Dubai’s DIFC. The Le Petit Menu promises two courses served within 60 minutes, for Dhs135 per person.Some of LPM’s most raved-about dishes are featured, too. Diners can choose from a selection of starters, such as burrata with tomatoes and basil, warm prawns with olive oil, and a salad of the day. Mains include the restaurant’s signature roast baby chicken marinated in lemon and seam bream en papillote with confit lemon, cherry tomatoes, capers, sweet pepper and olives. Fancy something a bit more decadent? LPM’s Déjeuner d’Affaires lunch menu is also still available, if you fancy a more leisurely midday outing. For Dhs180 per person, you’ll get two starters (each!), one main course and round off with the ice cream of the day.
Dhs135 (Le Petit Menu), Dhs180 (Déjeuner d’Affaires). Mon-Fri noon-3pm. LPM Restaurant & Bar, Gate Village 8, DIFC, Dubai (04 439 0505).
Marea
Much like the place itself, the lunch menu at Marea brings with it an underlying note of sophistication. Top notch dishes destined to brighten up your day include grilled octopus with fregola, apricots and black olive oil, a seafood spaghetti dish gleaming with clams and calamari and homemade veal-stuffed ravioli. Finish the meal on a lighter note with a sorbet.
Dhs120. Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm. DIFC, Gate Village 7 (04 583 6366).
Nova Restaurant & Lounge
Whether you’re planning a client meeting and need to impress, want to give your team a treat or just feel like you deserve some fancy pants midday scran, the sophisticated three-course menu at Nova will see you right. This Dhs115 deal includes dishes such as chicken liver mousse, steak with sauce au poivre and the restaurant’s creamy signature cheesecake. It might be a sleepy afternoon back in the office…
Dhs115 (three course set menu). Daily 12pm-4pm. Address Dubai Marina. (04 578 4444)
OSH
Fancy trying something a little different? This Uzbekistani restaurant has a business lunch that runs Sunday to Thursday from 1pm until 4pm. There are three deals – depending on how hungry you are, and are Dhs75, Dhs99 and Dhs125. You’ll get a start, main and dessert on each of the three menus, plus soup on the latter. Dishes including chicken shaslik, cheese chebukek, hummus and Napolean ice cream.
From Dhs75. Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm. La Mer, Jumeirah 1 (055 963 6756).
Qwerty
If you’re a Media City-type you’ll no doubt be familiar with Qwerty, the laidback Media One hangout with enough weeknight drinks deals to delay your return home from work significantly. For middle of the day eats, the business lunch package is well worth a try, with two-courses for Dhs90 and the option to add dessert for an extra Dhs10.
Dhs90 (two courses, plus a cup of tea or coffee. Add Dhs10 for dessert). Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm. Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City (04 427 1000).
ROKA
ROKA Dubai has a new business lunch premium menu that includes four starters to share including salmon tartare with yuzu den miso, black cod and king crab dumplings with roast chilli. You also get a main per person, including sea bream fillet, ryotei miso and red onion or lamb chops with Korean spices and sesame cucumber. There’s also the regular business lunch deal that’s Dhs115, which includes four starters and a choice of main.
Dhs115 (regular menu), Dhs175 (premium menu). Mon-Fri noon-3.30pm. The Opus by Omniyat, Business Bay (04 439 7171).
Rumba Cuban Bar & Kitchen
The all-new weekday offering at Rumba promises to inject some colour into your afternoon and plenty of Latin American flavour and flair into your lunch. Take a trip Havana way with a set menu made up of much-loved favourites, think empanadas, croquetas, guacamole or tiradito to start followed by fish tacos, slow-cooked ropa vieja or golden sticky barley rice.
Dhs110. Mon-Fri 12pm-4pm. Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah (.04 570 8111).
Salero Tapas & Bodega
Feast like a Spaniard with Salero’s business lunch menu, which is made up of chef’s favourites and frequently includes a selection of tasty tapas and the paella of the day. The really great thing about this one though is the extended hours; rock up at 4pm and you can still avail the deal (perhaps you won’t make it back into work afterwards though).
Dhs150. Mon-Fri noon-3pm. Kempinski Mall of the Emirates (04 409 5999).
Señor Pico
Fancy a seaside lunch mid-week? If you have time off, or work in the area, pop across to Palm West Beach to tuck into a three-course lunch every weekday for Dhs79. The fun-loving Mexican has dishes on the menu including a chicken bowl, shrimp tacos, ceviche tostada, guac and chips, plus churro bites with chocolate.
Dhs79. Mon-Fri noon-3pm. Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah (04 568 2502).
Shanghai Me
Head to this swish Asian restaurant and you’ll get a soup, starter or dim sum and a main for Dhs120. Dishes on the menu include miso soup, hot and sour soup, spicy edamame, veggie spring rolls, grilled teriyaki salmon, barbecued chicken, grilled silver cod with miso sauce, steamed prawn and truffle dumplings and more.
Dhs120. Sun-Thu noon-2.30pm. Gate Village 11, DIFC, www.shanghaime-restaurant.com (04 564 0505).
Stars ’N’ Bars
Visit this all-American restaurant in La Mer from Monday until Friday from noon until 3pm and you can get a special lunch deal. You can choose from a burger, salad pizza or quesadilla at the restaurant, paired with fries and drink for Dhs59. Plus you can upgrade to a house beverage for an extra Dhs10.
Dhs59. Mon-Fri noon-3pm. La Mer, Jumeirah (04 349 9903).
The Scene
Head to this British restaurant from TV chef Simon Rimmer for an express lunch deal during the week. You’ll get a salad and drink for Dhs75, or a burger and a drink for Dhs99. Dishes include fish finger sandwiches or a cheese and onion jam toastie. Salad-wise you can dig into chickpea and lentil, Thai beef salad and more.
From Dhs75. Mon-Thu noon-3pm. Pier 7, Dubai Marina (04 422 2328).
The Restaurant at Address Sky View
Enjoy a health lunch for just Dhs80 every day of the week. Check out salad buffet with loads of exciting options, or go for a bento box from Dhs110.
Dhs80 (salad buffet), from Dhs110 (bento box). Sun-Thu noon-3pm, Fri-Sat 12.30pm-3pm. Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai (04 873 8888).
TJ’s
JLT’s neighbourhood sports café is offering free-flowing lemonade, a choice of soup or salad and a selected main course for Dhs59 every weekday.
Dhs59 (two course), Dhs109 (four course). Mon-Fri 11am-4pm. Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers, JLT (04 574 1111).
Wakame
Choose one of six Bento Boxes – including a vegan option every day from noon until 5pm at this Asian restaurant in Downtown Dubai if you’re after a little bit of everything at lunchtime.
From Dhs85. Daily noon-5pm. Sofitel Downtown Dubai (04 224 6663).
Zuma
This world-famous chain has one of the best business lunch deals around. For Dhs137 you’ll get two dishes – think sushi, gyoza and robata – plus miso soup. An excellent way to sample the super cuisine if you’re tight for time.
Dhs137. Sun-Thu noon-2pm. Gate Village 6, DIFC (04 425 5660).
