Al Muntaha

If your idea of ‘the Dubai experience’ involves dropping mega dirhams on a meal out 5 Reviews

Meal Deal

Friday brunch

An international buffet selection that changes each week, usually including pasta, sushi and foie gras stations. Dhs550 (food only) Timings: 10am-3.30pm (Friday)

1

© ITP Images

 

• 
• Picture 1 of 2
• 

From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2009

The ultimate in Dubai-style splurging has to be wolfing down Dhs595 wagyu steak on the 27th floor of the Burj al Arab. It’s hard to justify the extortionate prices – a meal for two costing the equivalent of a small sofa – but the experience is, as Mastercard would doubtless say, priceless.

The service is superb, the lounge singer accompanied by a tinkling piano adds sophistication rather than cruise ship chintz, and the decor is luxurious, if garish. The evening is consequently one of pure, unashamed decadence. Each dish is a masterpiece.

However, like many works of art, these masterpieces can be bizarre. Damien ‘cow in formaldehyde’ Hirst would be impressed with the chef’s slightly sadist degustation menu; scallops with a spicy apple tang and a fishy concoction encased in white chocolate do put diners’ stomachs to the test.

However, each ingredient is cooked to perfection, the top of the crop being the wagyu. The view from the restaurant is disappointing at night (mostly just the dark emptiness of the sea) but parts of The Palm are visible. For a better outlook, it’s worth wandering over to the neighbouring Sky View Bar, and if you’re not done with extravagance, why not try the Dhs27,000 cocktail? Or maybe not.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 17 March 2009

• Previous reviews
  • 24 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 04 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 11 January,2009- reviewed by Daisy Carrington
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 04 April,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 30 April,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai
  • 16 January,2006- reviewed by Matthew Lee
  • 01 September,2002- reviewed by Carolyn Robb
  • 01 May,2002- reviewed by Carolyn Robb

• Share | |
• E-mail:
• 
• Print:
• 

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: Siddharth on 10 Jan ' 12 at 12:46

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: archie on 31 Jul ' 11 at 11:57

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Wanted to visit the Burj whilst in Dubai, so decided to take the family to the Al Muntaha, we have children and this resturant is not for kids, they moan at you if the kids are a little excited which obviously they will be, food is all hyped up with lots of sauce splashed around plate to make it look good and attractive, and standard of service lacks too, would not go again

Posted by: David Howells on 11 Oct ' 09 at 19:22

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I took my girlfriend here on 22nd September 2009 for the experience of eating at the Burj Al Arab. We have dined in many michelin starred restaurants together around the world and appreciate good food. The service at Al Muntaha is second to none and you are made to feel very special. The ambience is also wonderful. However, while the food was quite good, it was certainly not anywhere near the standard you would expect at a 7 star hotel. Our bill came to 2450 dhs, for two of us having three courses and two glasses of wine each, you expect a premium on price at an establishment such as this but it did not represent good value.

Posted by: hahu on 08 May ' 09 at 17:11

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

bad...bad....bad

Posted by: Jill Higham on 12 Jan ' 09 at 12:22

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I have been to this restaurant many times as we take family and friends there when they are out here on holiday. Everytime i have gone the price has gone up and the quality of food has gone down! Very expensive but have to do it once for the view.