Howzit. Nothing quite replaces a proper Sunday lunch back home, but Dubai's brunch scene gives it a decent run. Whether you're after a wild party, a chilled pub session, or something easy with the kids in tow, here's where to book this season, cheapest to priciest.
Quick reference:
- PizzaExpress Live, from AED 145 (soft package), kid-friendly
- Five Iron, from AED 195 (soft package), not kid-friendly
- CLAW BBQ, from AED 199 (soft drinks package), kid-friendly
- McCafferty's JVC, from AED 229 (house), not kid-friendly
- Cavo, from AED 249 (house), not kid-friendly
- McGettigan's JLT, from AED 279 (house), not kid-friendly
- Viva Brasilia at Mama Zonia, from AED 315, not kid-friendly
- The Roast at Bubbalicious, from AED 315 (soft package), kid-friendly
- Naughty Noodles at Maiden Shanghai, from AED 350, not kid-friendly
- COYA, from AED 390 (plus 7% tax), not kid-friendly
1. PizzaExpress Live
Easy, affordable, good for the kids.
Unlimited starters, mains, and drinks with live entertainment, without the big price tag. A solid pick if you've got little ones with you.
Where: PizzaExpress Live, Dubai When: Saturdays, 1pm to 4pm From: AED 145 (soft package), AED 175 (house package), premium available Kid-friendly: Yes Book: +971 4 566 5722
2. Five Iron
Brunch with a golf simulator on the side.
Bites and bottomless drinks while you work on your swing. A good one for the golf-mad bru's in the group.
Where: The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, Al Sufouh When: Saturdays, 2pm to 5pm, or 8pm to 11pm From: AED 195 (soft package), AED 345 (house), AED 495 (house plus simulator access) Kid-friendly: No Book: 04 396 6867 Web: fiveirongolf.ae
3. CLAW BBQ
All-American, two locations.
Solid plates of seafood and grilled meats, with a separate kids' price that makes this an easy one to bring the little ones along to.
Where: Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, or The Pavilion, JBR When: Saturdays, 12:30pm to 4pm From: AED 199 (soft drinks), AED 299 (house), AED 399 (premium), AED 99 (kids 6 to 12) Kid-friendly: Yes Book: 04 230 0054 (Palm) or 04 577 4357 (JBR) Web: clawbbq.com
4. McCafferty's JVC
Classic Irish pub fare.
A relaxed one for anyone after good pub food without the production.
Where: Circle Mall, JVC When: Saturdays, 1pm to 5pm From: AED 229 Kid-friendly: No Book: 058 599 3623 Web: mccaffertysbars.com
5. Cavo
Nikkei flavours, party from the first course.
The DJ starts early and the crowd doesn't sit still for long. Cavo leans into Nikkei cuisine (Japanese-Peruvian fusion) with energy that builds through the afternoon.
Where: Ramee Dream Hotel, Business Bay When: Saturdays, 1pm to 5pm From: AED 249 (house), AED 349 (premium), AED 699 (bubbly) Kid-friendly: No Book: 055 600 5358 Insta: @cavodxb
6. McGettigan's JLT
The easy, no-fuss option.
Unlimited drinks, proper pub grub, and a live band that gets the room going as the afternoon wears on. No frills, just a relaxed session with the crew.
Where: Cluster J, JLT When: Saturdays, 1pm to 4pm From: AED 279 (house), AED 349 (sparkling) Kid-friendly: No Book: 04 351 8324 Web: mcgettigans.com
Saffa tip: easiest one on the wallet if you just want a catch-up, not a production.
7. Viva Brasilia at Mama Zonia
Carnival energy, Peruvian flavours.
Think Rio meets Lima. Live samba performers, a packed dance floor, and bold Peruvian dishes, all inside Mama Zonia's jungle-themed dining room at Pier 7.
Where: Mama Zonia, Pier 7, Dubai Marina When: Saturdays, 1pm to 4:30pm From: AED 315 Kid-friendly: No Book: 04 240 4747 Insta: @mamazoniadxb
8. The Roast at Bubbalicious
Sunday roast, Dubai size.
A scaled-down sibling of the famous Bubbalicious Saturday spectacle, this one trades the big production for a proper Sunday carvery with all the trimmings, a seafood station, curries, and a dessert table that's hard to walk past twice. Kids get their own corner with face painting and craft activities, so it's an easy one to bring the whole crew.
Where: Mina's Kitchen, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, Al Sufouh When: Sundays, 1pm to 4pm From: AED 315 (soft package), AED 385 (house), AED 485 (bubbly) Kid-friendly: Yes Book: 04 511 7373 Insta: @minaskitchen_dxb
9. Naughty Noodles at Maiden Shanghai
The wildest brunch on this list.
This is the one you book when you want to make a full day of it. Gourmet Chinese plates, live performers, and a DJ that doesn't let up, then everyone heads up to the rooftop afterparty for sundowners with skyline views.
Where: Maiden Shanghai, FIVE Palm Jumeirah When: Saturdays, 1pm to 4:30pm (afterparty runs to 7pm) From: AED 350 Kid-friendly: No Book: (04) 455 9989 Insta: @naughtynoodles_brunch
Saffa tip: round up the bru's, this one's built for big groups who want to make a day of it.
10. COYA
The brunch that's stayed on top for 8 years.
COYA's been doing this longer than most, and it still pulls a crowd. Ceviche, anticuchos, clay pot mains, and a steady stream of churros, set against the beachfront at Four Seasons. Lively without tipping into chaos.
Where: COYA, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach When: Saturdays, 12:30pm to 3pm From: AED 390 (plus 7% tax) Kid-friendly: No Book: 04 316 9600 Insta: @coyadubai
Sharp, that's the lineup for now. This page will get updated as new brunches pop up around the UAE.