The DSCVR guide to dinner and a show

Fine dining amidst aerialists, acrobatics, singers and dancers has become the new Dubai norm. So if you’re looking to take your next dinner up a notch, these 14 options in Dubai are just for you.

53

Pairing a refined culinary approach with world-class nightlife and entertainment, 53 promises to redefine the experiential dining experience in Dubai as it is the brainchild of a team of innovators and distinguished hospitality and event production experts. Boasting stunning interiors with views over the Dubai skyline from its floor-to-ceiling glass windows, 53 invites patrons to enjoy sundowners that will evolve into a night to remember and a unique approach to multicultural cuisine. Here, an experiential dinner show and cocktail bar embraces continuity and purpose, with the ethos of the brand being the balance between the numbers’ 5′ and ‘3’. As a result, 53 blends upscale dining with performance art and live entertainment.

Billionaire Dubai

Pioneering a unique nocturnal dining experience, paired with an opulent and perfectly orchestrated show, Billionaire Dubai presents diners with a masterpiece of entertainment in the heart of Business Bay. Gastronomy reigns supreme at Billionaire, where you can marvel at signature dishes such as the salt-crust baked wild sea bass and live-fire dishes served on the Josper grill, as well as a selection of sushi, sashimi and bao buns. 

DREAM

Featuring eccentric design and spectacular live shows using advanced 3D mapping and showcasing acts from all over the world, guests are transported into another dimension at DREAM. Dubai’s latest dinner and a show concept combines Mediterranean culinary art with an eclectic mix of avant-garde performances, including dancers, singers, acrobats, aerialists and monthly international guest performances. Guests can expect to be taken on a journey from the streets of Paris to an extravagant Broadway musical in New York via the vibrancy of Bollywood while enjoying signature DREAM dishes such as pan-seared scallops, foie gras terrine, roasted chicken breast or the Angus tenderloin.

Flashback Speakeasy Bar & Lounge

Paramount Hotel Dubai is a property where entertainment is part of the fabric of the brand. The movie-themed hotel takes inspiration from the golden age of Hollywood, serving up sheer spectacle like few other places in the city. Tucked behind a discrete bookcase just off the lobby lies the Flashback Speakeasy Bar & Lounge, where beguiling drinks and a sultry atmosphere await those in the know. Inside the intimate venue, you can indulge in a selection of light bites or sink into a comfy chesterfield and enjoy the smooth sounds from an eclectic range of live performers. The venue is also home to Paramount Hotel Dubai’s renowned Murder Mystery dinner on Thursday evenings.

KOYO Dubai

Dubai Marina’s new dinner and a show hotspot showcases traditional Japanese cuisine and entertainment in a whole new way. Spread over two levels, the restaurant is inspired by the beauty and intrigue of Japanese geisha, blending the unique energy of the Tokyo nightlife experience with ‘kabuki’ style entertainment. The KOYO menu has been curated to transport guests to the streets of Japan, segmented into traditional culinary sections, including maki rolls, sashimi, katsu sando and yakitori. Chef’s signature dishes include bluefin tuna Nikkei, monkfish tail robata and Japanese Wagyu tataki. Saturday lunchtimes bring a popular brunch, showcasing visual performances through music and dance.

La Casa del Tango

Tango dancer Enrique Macana has brought the true spirit of La Boca to DIFC. The venue is a first-of-its-kind experience for the region that combines Tango dance shows with a restaurant and bar setting, along with a supporting dance studio and fashion boutique. With classic Argentinian cuisine prepared with authentic ingredients by an Argentinian chef, signature dishes include the chorizo parrillero con provolone (grilled Argentinean sausage with provolone), huevos gramajo trufados (gramajo-style scrambled eggs with truffle) and volcan de dulce de leche (an Argentinean take on a molten cake). On weekends, you can expect a fully immersive tango experience with live music, performances by Tango Dance World Cup winners and Argentinian folk acts.

Papillon

Papillon by Layla Kardan cultivates a fashion-forward escape from reality, with a provocative storyline that perfectly encapsulates the flight of the female. The first venture co-created by the Iranian singer-songwriter is rooted in sensual liberation and ecstasy, hosting an exploratory performance and dining experience like no other in town. Papillon is an experience that indulges its audience through fine dining – with chef Tiger Chen of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon fame having bought his team over from the Michelin-starred outpost in Taipei to be a part of the Papillon dining team. Dinner here is created with an artistic eye, where diners are presented with a choice between the tasting or à la carte menu.

Play Restaurant & Lounge

As the name suggests, Play has created an atmosphere of effortless indulgence combined with refined live entertainment. A sanctuary for everyone who approaches life more playfully, Play looks to redefine the world of fine dining and entertainment, allowing guests to celebrate in an elegant environment that stimulates the senses. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays offer diners then Play LIVE experience featuring musicians, dancers and singers, alongside an Asian-inspired menu.

Q’s Bar & Lounge

Known for its intimate ambience, unmatched acoustics, innovative cocktails and a delicious a la carte menu, Q’s Bar and Lounge at Palazzo Versace Dubai offers a late-night venue that showcases performances from emerging artists handpicked by Quincy Jones himself. Singer Tarion Taylor is the current artist in residency, presenting a soul-infused set that ranges from gospel to pop. With its intimate living room space, Versace designed lush leather couches, mahogany tables and unmatched acoustics, there is no better place for live music in Dubai.

Soho Garden Palm Jumeriah

Strategically situated on the rooftop of Nakheel Mall, the new nightlife, entertainment and dining destination continues to create unforgettable nights with the arrival of a dinner and a show experience inspired by intelligence officer James Bond. Building on the success of sell-out shows at its permanent Bloomsbury Ballroom location in the UK, The London Cabaret Club has made Soho Garden Palm Jumeriah its second home with its hit show, London Never Dies. The entertainment combines singers, choreographed dancers, dazzling costumes and fine dining with themed cocktails, often served by somersaulting waiters.

Sublimotion

Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai has extended the residency of Dubai’s most exclusive dining experience until 4 May 2022, before returning to Ibiza for the summer season. This unique dining experience is only available to 12 diners each evening and features levitating dishes, a course served in virtual reality and awe-inspiring theatrics throughout. Diners will be taken on an immersive culinary journey from a sushi bar in Tokyo to a jazz club in New York City with plenty of surprises along the way. Priced at AED 5,000 per seat, you may need to save up for this one.

Taikun Restaurant & Lounge

The flavours of East and West meet in a delectable combination of style, presentation and theatre at Taikun. Located in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, this luxury lounge is a great place for dinner, dancing and shisha. With a menu of Japanese delights combined with world-class entertainment, the team of Taikun performers will take you on a sensory adventure, resulting in an unexpected night out. 

The Theater Dubai

Directed by the Middle East’s very own showman, Lebanese-Armenian musician, composer and pianist, Guy Manoukian, The Theater Dubai promises a show-stopping experience with a lineup of dynamic and live performances. Each show is performed by a lineup of artists from across the globe, including vocalists and aerial dancers, with a stage stretching into the audience. Complemented by exquisite interiors, guests can expect a bold and unique dining concept featuring an international menu of Beluga and Oscietra Caviar, beef gyoza, lobster linguini and the signature slow-cooked Wagyu Tomahawk with shaved truffle. The venue is also home to multiple bars, including a retro-style speakeasy.

WHITE Dubai

With skyline views from its lofty location in Meydan, WHITE is a nightlife hub and restaurant that serves a selection of seductive signature cocktails. The nightly entertainment is a spectacle crafted with a clubbing-meets-cabaret tone, featuring DJs, international acts and a duo of vocalists from Britain’s Got Talent all clad in Broadway-esque costumes and ready to give you the night of your life.