Al Dawaar

Dubai's only rotating restaurant puts us in a spin 9 Reviews

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Every table of this revolving restaurant offers a constantly changing view, and over the course of a two hour meal, you’ll get a couple of chances to see the whole of Dubai.

We started looking out to sea, then moved round to Deira with Sharjah in the distance, followed by Garhoud, Rashidiya and finally Sheikh Zayed Road. Since Dubai was enveloped in its usual haze, we couldn’t see much beyond Burj Al Arab.

Although we visited Al Dawaar recently to check out its refurbishment, we had to revisit to focus our attention on the view this time. We’re glad we did, it is one of Dubai’s best.

It’s worth noting that it is only the floor of the restaurant that revolves, while the walls, windows and ceiling stay still. This causes a couple of problems: first, you find yourself intermittently warmed and chilled as you pass under air-conditioning vents.

Secondly, you can easily see your keys and mobile phone disappearing towards your neighbouring diners if you mistakenly leave them on a window ledge.

Fridays, we discovered, is a busy day at Al Dawaar. As we have noted in previous reviews, you have to go for the buffet. The presentation is attractive, with mostly small quantities of food on a frequently replenished display. This keeps it looking good and tasting fresh.

Our first courses of sushi followed by salad and cold Arabic mezze were both good choices but the mini carvery had not survived so well. We tried some very dry ouzie (Arabic style whole baked baby lamb) and roast duck, which was cold. There were some insipid potato wedges, which were also cold, and were not crispy. A substantial choice of hot Asian and oriental dishes were also on offer.

The dessert display was incredibly tempting; a utopia of Arabic and European desserts and pastries. We paced ourselves very carefully for the first few courses so as not to spoil our appetites for pudding.

Other patrons were tucking into every course with great gusto and still finding room for mountains of calorie-laden treats.

Friday lunch is definitely a family affair; serious eating combined with boisterous and vocal kiddies. Dining in the evenings is a much more elegant and sophisticated experience.

The service was a little indifferent but, that said, it can’t be easy for the waiting staff when their tables keep moving.

By Carolyn Robb

• Previous reviews
  • 22 March,2012- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 14 August,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 24 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 17 August,2009- reviewed by Daisy Carrington
  • 01 November,2001- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: Rizvin Ali on 09 Feb ' 11 at 09:54

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

When we heard that my wife's uncle and aunt, from Canada, are visiting us, we decided to take them out for lunch.

However we were in a fix on where to take them, since we did not know exactly what kind of cuisine they would prefer and also they had already visited Atlantis, Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.

We were looking for a restaurant which serves variety of cuisines along with a good ambiance. With the help of Timeout and the reviews I shortlisted Al Dawaar. I just loved the whole experience.

To begin with, the reservation was very easy since it was just an online booking. Once we reached Hyatt Regency Lobby, we were escorted to the elevator and guided to the restaurant. The view which we saw the moment we stepped out of the elevator was one of the best views after Burj Khalifa.

The staff was very warm and we were ushered to our table. My wife's relatives were very impressed and excited by the view and could not stop clicking pictures.

The food was amazing and for the price of Dhs.160 per person for Lunch, it was a very impressive spread. Ranging from Sushis to Indian to Continental to Arabic. We all just loved the Salads, Main Course and the Dessert.

After over 2 years in U.A.E this was the first time we went there and it was an amazing experience and most of all our relatives were the happiest.

All Cheers for the staff and Chef. We would definitely be visiting soon.

Posted by: almayer on 02 May ' 10 at 11:22

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Been there 10 days ago with family, the venue is really nice, the view is superb. Unfortunately the food is not up to the place, quality is so-so, it's a buffet that focuses more on quality than quantity (as an example, the sushi, which looked as if the fish had died of age in the restaurant). Pity.

Posted by: CK on 26 Apr ' 10 at 10:23

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I went last Saturday to celebrate the birthday party of a Very Special person and i find the place Romantic. the view is Simply Amazing... definitely i'll be back again and bring some friends coz the total Experience i had with Al Dawaar Revolving Restaurant is quite Superb. :-)

Posted by: Dr. Raji Mathew on 14 Apr ' 10 at 16:30

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Been here 3 times, last time was on 1st May which happens to be my wife's and my sister-in-laws birthday. So, my brother and I decided to treat our families for dinner. Incidentally, my brother works for the Hyatt group and had once worked at this same place for many years.

The location and the ambience wins half the battle for an enjoyable outing. The revolving bit lends itself to the conversation especially as the scene outside keeps changing.

A very decent array of buffet food though not as extensive as I would have expected. There is the sushi and sashimi at one end and a carvery station at the other. A very nice fruit cocktail juice accomanied the food. We had arranged for a bithday cake which was brought towards the end.

Recommend it for one of those special outings.

Posted by: ALEX on 06 Jan ' 10 at 10:58

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I LIKED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS RESTAURANT. FOR A WHILE I WAS I DILEMA WHERE TO TAKE MY FRIENDS FOR MY BIRTHDAY DINNER BUT AT THE END MY CHOICE WAS AL DAWAAR. FOOD WAS FRESH AND TASTY AND THE SERVICE WAS EXCELLENTE. DEFINITELy I'll GO BACK.

Posted by: leele on 10 Oct ' 09 at 09:08

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

every thing is great except calling a waiter, very difficult to call a waiter, some other restaurant offer table buzzer to call for service.

Posted by: Liliane on 08 Oct ' 09 at 10:29

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

My husband & I went to Al Dawaar last Monday. I loved the ambience, very quiet and the fact that being a revolving restaurant is an invitation to enjoy more the ambience and excellent food.

Posted by: Sohan on 15 May ' 09 at 14:23

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The buffet was extremely good. They have a good selection of fresh seafood, including sushi, mussels and large succulent steamed prawns, and a good roast carving table. The salads, entrees and desserts were also generally good. There was one instance of bad service, which was quickly apologized for and generously rectified. Otherwise, service was very good too. Ambience, of course, could not be better. Overall, a good and memorable experience.

Posted by: T.A on 04 Feb ' 09 at 23:29

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I went to Al Dawaar on a Tuesday night with my mother. I thought it was a fabulous restaurant! I'm surprised to see the service listed as "indifferent" in the review. We had impeccable service; the level of which I have never seen at home in London or elsewhere in my country. Anyway, we had a buffet service. The food was good, not mind-blowing but very nice, regardless. The dessert was great though.