From Breakfast to Dinner Dates: Why Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab Is Your New Go-To Dining Spot
Think of it as a culinary world tour, minus the jet lag
Starting your day with a croissant freshly baked by Paris’s patisserie legend, Pierre Hermé, and ending it sipping a mocktail under the stars – beside a marina glittering with superyachts – is no longer something you need to charter a private plane for. It’s just a taste of what you get at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Dubai’s newest luxury playground that opened its doors to customers last week.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab’s exploration of foreign flavours begins at The Fore. This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a culinary chameleon of sorts. By morning, it’s an Instagram-perfect breakfast spot, complete with views of the Burj Al Arab. Come lunch, it shape-shifts into four distinct dining worlds.
Fancy slurping ramen in an intimate izakaya? Umi Kei’s head chef Yukou Nishimura has you covered. Craving Peking duck carved tableside? Madame Li (headed by Mehmet İpar) delivers, with drama and dumplings on the side. There’s also Mirabelle, where Sacha Enjalbert’s French Riviera menu will have your mouth watering with oysters and Poulet Roti, and The Bombay Club by Chef Manav Tuli – a love letter to India’s vibrant palate with curries so rich, you’ll forget every other butter chicken and garlic naan you’ve ever ordered.
The real star, however, is The Fore Bar. Picture a floating pearl centrepiece, shelves lined with leather-bound books, and cocktails that’ll make you rethink your usual order. It’s the kind of place where you’re sure to linger for “just one more drink”.
New York-based firm AVROKO has woven storytelling into every corner at The Fore. Here’s a fun tidbit: each of the four restaurant hides a symbolic animal in its décor. Spot the peacock at The Bombay Club (a nod to India’s national bird) or the crane folded into Madame Li’s wallpaper – a subtle hat tip to longevity in East Asian culture. The UAE’s national animal isn’t missing either; you’ll find the oryx paying homage to Arab culture at The Fore Bar.
Venturing past The Fore might not seem like something you would want to do, but there’s even more to see when it comes to the menus at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. If you prefer your lunch with a side of sea breeze, Iliana’s Greek-inspired seafood platters and mouth-watering Greek grills by Chef Andreas Gkipalis and sunset rooftop views are pure Mykonos magic. For aperitivo hour, Rialto’s 1950s Venetian vibes and Roberto Rispoli’s northern Italian cuisine will transport you straight to The Gulf of Poets. And if you’re after something lighter, Chef Stephanie Haywood’s Orizonta has tuna tataki and lamb chops with baba ghanoush, straight out of a Mediterranean daydream.
It doesn’t come close to ending there. Tucked beside the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab Adults’ Pool, Kinugawa is where Japanese tradition gets a French makeover. Head chef Em Konstantin plays matchmaker between Tokyo and Paris here – and it’s a love story worth tasting. And speaking of Paris, Pierre Hermé – the man France calls the “Picasso of Pastry” – brings his legendary viennoiseries to Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. His croissants alone (flaky, buttery, possibly life-changing) are reason enough to book a table.
As for the Commodore Club – Chef Nathan Rueff nails that “elevated comfort food” angle, whether it’s a gooey cheeseburger or a seared scallop. It’s the kind of place where you’ll end up sharing fries with strangers-turned-friends by sunset.
Six third-party restaurants can be found across Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab’s Marina Promenade. SALT’s legendary burgers and shakes are here, alongside Feels Café’s plant-based smoothie bowls. Meat the Fish does a killer ceviche, while Heaf’s baristas treat coffee like a science. Cutfish brings a modern twist to the Japanese fare with a sophisticated ambience while Public is the perfect spot for casual nights out with friends.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab isn’t just raising the bar for Dubai’s dining scene – it’s rewriting the rulebook. Whether you’re here for a romantic dinner at Kinugawa’s poolside spot or a lazy Saturday browsing through The Fore’s global menus, one thing’s certain: you’ll leave with your next visit in mind.