THE RETURN OF THE TERRACE
Dubai The classic. Wooden decking, beach beds, live music, that quiet upper floor and the threat of being thrown in the pool; Barasti is back. Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai, daily 11am to 2am. Tel: (04) 3993333. www. lemeridien-minaseyahi.com
Caramel
As the temperature comes down, so do the walls that have enclosed BEST Caramel’s outdoor FOR terrace. Enjoy this AFTERrare slice of alfresco WORK fun in the heart of the financial district. DIFC, Dubai, Sun to Thurs 11am to midnight, Fri 5pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 4256677. www.carameldubai.com
Calabar
This downtown bar is nothing without its multi-level outdoor area, complete with beanbags, waiter service and Burj Khalifa views. Time to rediscover Calabar. The Address Downtown Dubai, daily 6pm to 2.30am. Tel: (04) 4368888. www.theaddress.com
Thai Kitchen
Not only is this one of the best value brunches in Dubai, the lovely dining terrace is perfect for long evenings spent sampling Thai-style tapas with friends. Park Hyatt Dubai, brunch Fri 12.30pm to 4pm, dinner daily 7pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 3172222. www. dubai.park.hyatt.com
Bubbalicious
A table on the terrace at The Westin’s Friday brunch, but it’s worth the wait. Fab food, entertainment and candlyfloss cocktails in the sun. Happy days. The Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai, Fri 1pm to 4pm. Tel: (04) 5117136. www.starwoodhotels.com/westin 18 WHAT’S ON OCTOBER 2010
Belgian Beer Café One of our perennial favourites opens its large balcony in autumn so you can go all continental with some moules and something hard to pronounce from the beer menu. The skyline view, afterwork drinks that go long into the night and a warm breeze. Sounds good to us. Crowne Plaza Hotel, Festival City, Dubai, daily 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 7012222. www.crowneplaza. com/dfc
Al Qasr
eer Caf e B n a i lg e B
BEST FOR BRUNCH
The darling of the brunch scene is packed yearround, but when the mercury drops you better book ahead. Way ahead. A table in the sun within earshot of the live band is guaranteed to impress visitors and jaded Dubai dwellers alike. Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, brunch Fri 12.30pm to 4pm. Tel: (04) 3666730. www.jumeirah.com
Belgian Beer Café – Barsha Belgian beers in Barsha, rather than Bruges, is a nice surprise, with cosy corners inside and a winning alfresco space for you to while away the waffles on. Grand Millennium, TECOM, Dubai, daily noon to 1am. Tel: (04) 4234111. www.millenniumhotels.com
Shades
,
Barasti
Mezze, martinis and music in the Marina, plus a huge pool under the stars and vast vistas of the skyscrapers. Genius. The Address Dubai Marina, daily 9am to midnight. Tel: (04) 4367777. www.theaddress.com
k Left Ban
Shades
Left Bank Madinat For a lazy weekend lunch of fish ‘n’ chips at the wooden tables or a few sundowners while people watching, you’ll struggle to find a better spot that Left Bank. Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, daily noon to 2am. Tel: (04) 3686171
Rivington Grill
FEATURE ED
GARETH’S Any closer to the PICK Dubai Fountains and you’ll need swimming goggles. Perched elegantly over the lake, The Riv’s balcony gives you a front row seat for a watery rendition of Time To Say Goodbye, not to mention a serving of top British nosh. Souk al Bahar, Downtown, Dubai, daily noon to 11pm. Tel: (04) 4230903. www.rivingtongrill.ae