Dubai certainly isn’t short of ‘special occasion’ restaurants, whether you fancy fine dining or something a little ‘cooler’. Whatever your tastes, we’ve got you covered.

But every so often the occasion demands things be cranked up another notch or two. So stopping short of hiring a celebrity chef to come to your own, you need to take a peek behind the curtain and take a seat in a private dining room. And in a city as glamorous as ours, you’ll be unsurprised to hear there’s a hatful of top choices.

From the ornate basements to practically on top of the chefs in their kitchen, you can choose your spot, sit back and enjoy one of the most exclusive dining experiences you’re ever likely to have.

At mosphere Lounge

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Dining on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa is unique in itself, but holding a get-together or business lunch up in the clouds is just something else. The views from At.mosphere, which holds the record for the being the highest restaurant in the world, are simply breath-taking and Chef Jitin Joshi’s European food menu is of a similarly high standard.

Minimum spend of Dhs6500 excluding beverages.

Screenshot_3Contemporary European,Steakhouses  Screenshot_404 888 3828  Screenshot_5Downtown Dubai

BOCA

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In simple terms, Boca is a tapas restaurant with French, Spanish and Italian finger food, traditional in style but daring in flavour and presentation. The venue’s vibe and decor is as cool it gets without feeling pretentious. Boca’s cosy private dining room, The Cellar, is tucked away downstairs in the basement. If you book, you and your private party will sit at a beautiful, long, wooden table on high chairs surrounded by racks of bottles and crates. The pairings of European grape and dishes such as braised oxtail tortellini, grilled octopus and seared scallops are fabulous.

Dhs550 per person, Dhs330 per person food only.

Screenshot_3Mediterranean  Screenshot_404 323 1833  Screenshot_5DIFC

Cocktail Kitchen

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The bar that’s on everyone’s lips in Dubai right now also has a hidden private party spot, appropriately dubbed the Back Room. It can host up to 15 guests for separate dining, drink making masterclasses or just a fun private bash with friends and colleagues. Top perk? You’ll get your own personal bar and barman no matter what the occasion is.

Experiences start at Dhs185 and set menus at Dhs225.

Screenshot_3Bar Food,Contemporary European  Screenshot_4056 828 0727  Screenshot_5Armada BlueBay Hotel – Jumeirah Lakes Towers

La Cantine du Faubourg

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La Cantine’s Le Salon Prive has an ultra-stylish marble table which seats between eight and 12 guests. The décor is notably feminine, from the delicate chandeliers dangling overhead to the white Carla lilies adorning the room, making it the perfect spot for a sophisticated hen party or birthday.

Minimum spend of Dhs4000.

Screenshot_3French  Screenshot_404 352 7105  Screenshot_5Jumeirah Emirates Towers – Sheikh Zayed Road

Marina Social

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Offering panoramic views through its floor to ceiling windows, Marina Social’s private dining room seats up to 16 people and offers the culinary delights of Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton.

Dhs450 to Dhs650 per person.

Screenshot_3British  Screenshot_404 446 6664  Screenshot_5InterContinental Dubai Marina – Dubai Marina

Miss Lily’s

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Right next to the kitchen, this separate dining area has the laidback vibes and communal feel you’d expect from a beach shack-meets-Jamaican diner. Themed like a vintage store room, the space seats a party of 16 at the ‘chef’s table’, with ingredients stacked on the shelves behind being constantly brought into the mix. Reggae, jerk chicken and plenty of soul: what’s not to love about Miss Lily’s?

Minimum spend on Dhs250 for group of 12+, on consumption basis or fixed menu.

Screenshot_3Caribbean  Screenshot_404 354 4074  Screenshot_5Sheraton Grand Hotel – Sheikh Zayed Road

Okku

Nestled away behind elegant silk sliding doors, Okku’s tatami rooms are like mini party palaces where friends can pile in, share platters of Japanese food and go slightly wild when the DJ takes over.

Screenshot_3Japanese,Sushi  Screenshot_404 501 8777  Screenshot_5The H Dubai – Sheikh Zayed Road

Reform Social & Grill

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Another top venue offering “the classic British experience”. Reform Social & Grill is an exquisitely decorated gastro pub in The Lakes with an equally stylish private dining room. It holds up to 14 seated guests or 20 standing for canapés and bubbly (minimum of eight people to rent out). If you’re an even bigger party, there’s even the option of holding weddings and other festivities by the lakeside.

Minimum spend of Dhs200.

Screenshot_3British,Contemporary European  Screenshot_404 454 2638  Screenshot_5Emirates Hills

Traiteur

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This classy French restaurant on the banks of the Creek at Park Hyatt, has a hidden private dining room named Cave Privee (private cellar). The backdrop is spectacular: a wine cellar with more than 4,000 bottles. The food is decadent, including treats such as oysters and foie gras.

Dhs300 to Dhs450 per person, plus drinks.

Screenshot_3French,Vegetarian  Screenshot_404 317 2222  Screenshot_5Park Hyatt Dubai – Deira

Zuma

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A multiple award-winner and established force at the top of Dubai’s Japanese fine-dining scene, Zuma hardly needs introduction. Its private dining room, dubbed ‘Wabi and Sabi’, has an impressive teak master table which can seat up to 20 guests. Located on the second floor, it’s a space that oozes maturity and class, the glass wall offering excellent views of the main dining area downstairs.

No minimum spend at lunchtimes. Varied menu offerings, average of Dhs350 for group of 12+ guests.

Screenshot_3Japanese  Screenshot_404 425 5660  Screenshot_5DIFC

Source: timeoutdubai.com