Dubai Summer Restaurant Week (DSRW) is back, and with it comes a tantalizing array of dining options across the city’s most celebrated eateries. As the mercury rises, the allure of discounted menus can make dining out more appealing than ever. But is DSRW really worth your dirhams? Let’s dive into the details and see if this event is a worthy culinary investment.
What is Dubai Summer Restaurant Week?
Dubai Summer Restaurant Week is an annual event that brings together a diverse selection of restaurants, offering special menus at reduced prices. Typically held in the heart of summer, this week-long event aims to entice diners with exclusive deals, allowing them to sample high-end cuisine at more affordable rates.
The Breakdown: Dish vs. Discount Prices
To determine if DSRW is a good deal, let’s compare the event’s set menus to regular prices. We’ll examine the value for money based on a typical three-course meal.
1. Appetizers
- Regular Price: AED 90-150
- DSRW Price: AED 60-90
Analysis: On average, appetizers at high-end restaurants in Dubai can cost between AED 90 and AED 150. During DSRW, you might find similar starters for AED 60 to AED 90. That’s a potential saving of 30-40%, making this a significant discount if you enjoy starters as part of your dining experience.
2. Main Courses
- Regular Price: AED 150-250
- DSRW Price: AED 100-150
Analysis: Main courses are often the priciest items on a restaurant’s menu. Regularly, you could spend between AED 150 and AED 250 for a high-quality main dish. During DSRW, these might be priced from AED 100 to AED 150. Here, the discount can be around 25-50%, offering substantial savings while still enjoying a premium meal.
3. Desserts
- Regular Price: AED 60-100
- DSRW Price: AED 40-60
Analysis: Desserts can be a delightful but pricey ending to a meal. Regular prices are typically AED 60 to AED 100, whereas during DSRW, you might pay AED 40 to AED 60. This represents a discount of approximately 33-50%, which is quite generous for a sweet treat.
Total Cost Comparison
Let’s add up the savings for a full three-course meal:
- Regular Total: AED 300-500
- DSRW Total: AED 200-300
Analysis: For a three-course meal, you’re looking at a regular total of AED 300 to AED 500. During DSRW, this can drop to AED 200 to AED 300. This equates to a potential savings of 33-60% off your dining bill.
Additional Considerations
- Restaurant Selection: The value of DSRW also depends on the participating restaurants. If you’re eyeing a high-end venue that you’d typically find out of budget, the event provides an excellent opportunity to experience it without breaking the bank.
- Menu Limitations: It’s worth noting that the DSRW menus are usually fixed and limited to specific dishes. While this can be a great way to sample some of a restaurant’s offerings, it might not always include your favorites.
- Reservations: Popular restaurants can get booked up quickly during DSRW. It’s advisable to make reservations early to ensure you get a spot at your chosen venue.
Dubai Summer Restaurant Week (DSRW) is set to delight food enthusiasts with subsidized set menus across a variety of restaurants from August 23 to September 1. Here’s a quick look at the event’s pricing: breakfast is AED 69, a two-course lunch costs AED 95, and a three-course dinner is AED 150. But are these deals truly worth your dirhams?
We’ve analyzed the original and discounted prices of some of the priciest dishes available this year, and highlighted which restaurants offer the most significant savings.
Savings Over AED 200
En Fuego
The vibrant South American restaurant at Atlantis The Palm features a sea bass tiradito priced at AED 130 and seabream encocado at AED 190 on its à la carte menu. During DSRW, both dishes are included in the set lunch menu priced at AED 95.
Savings: AED 225
Savings Over AED 100
The Beach Grill
At the Address Beach Resort, the à la carte menu lists salmon rillette at AED 98 and pan-seared sea bream with charred broccolini at AED 188.
Savings: AED 191
Shamiana
This fine-dining Indian restaurant at Taj JLT typically charges AED 105 for chicken tikka and AED 125 for Alleppey fish curry. The set lunch also includes a complimentary pani puri amuse-bouche, normally priced at AED 55.
Savings: AED 190
Chival Global Social
Located at La Ville Hotel & Suites in CityWalk, Chival’s shrimp and avocado salad is AED 85 and the lamb rump is AED 185.
Savings: AED 175
Beefbar
At Jumeirah Al Naseem Hotel, Beefbar offers braised Wagyu quesadillas for AED 98 and mains like steak frites, lemon chicken, or sea bass at AED 150 each.
Savings: AED 153
Casa Mia
The Italian restaurant at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre usually charges AED 70 for spinach salad and AED 175 for corn-fed chicken.
Savings: AED 150
Sirali
The Turkish restaurant at Al Habtoor City lists its gavurdag salad at AED 59 and lamb chops at AED 173.
Savings: AED 137
Isola
This Italian eatery offers burrata at AED 92 and agnolotti pasta with tuna and zucchini cream at AED 122.
Savings: AED 119
The Boardwalk
Located at Dubai Creek Marina, The Boardwalk charges AED 80 for salmon carpaccio and fried calamari. Mains like corn-fed chicken and fish n’ chips are usually AED 130.
Savings: AED 115
Andaliman
The Indonesian restaurant at One&Only One Za’abeel offers dishes such as asinan pindang seafood strips at AED 75 and ayam bakar spicy whole chicken at AED 135.
Savings: AED 115
Bellini Cafe
Situated at Mr C Residences Jumeirah, Bellini Cafe prices its endive salad at AED 105 and pappardelle Bellini at AED 100.
Savings: AED 110
Palm Kitchen
At Taj Exotica, Palm Kitchen’s gnocchi dumplings and shish tawook are each AED 85, and the Angus beef burger is AED 120.
Savings: AED 110
Roaring Rabbit
Also at Taj Exotica, Roaring Rabbit’s loaded nachos and garden salad are usually AED 80 each, with mains like the black Angus burger and lamb hotpot at AED 125.
Savings: AED 110
Savings Over AED 50
11 Woodfire
This Michelin-starred restaurant offers seabass carpaccio for AED 85 and boneless chicken thigh with Asian spices at AED 105.
Savings: AED 95
Sal’s Bistro
Located in Jumeirah Islands Pavilion, Sal’s Bistro offers salmon salad at AED 90 and Bistro Angus burger at AED 95.
Savings: AED 90
Motorino Pizzeria
At JBR, Motorino Pizzeria lists each of its three appetisers (prawn Caesar salad, fritto miso, buffalo mozzarella) at AED 85, and spicy soppressata picante at AED 98.
Savings: AED 88
Soon
The Japanese restaurant in JLT offers prawn gyoza at AED 55 and mud crab udon at AED 120.
Savings: AED 80
Ballaro
At Conrad Dubai, Ballaro’s cheesy arancini costs AED 65 and Risotto alla Milanese is AED 95.
Savings: AED 65
Savings Under AED 50
Pascal Tepper
The French bakery on Sheikh Zayed Road serves Caesar salad with turkey bacon and chicken breast for AED 55 and beef steak with herb butter and steak fries for AED 88.
Savings: AED 48
Long Yin
Located at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Long Yin charges AED 50 for chicken wantons and AED 85 for hammour fillet.
Savings: AED 40
Lila Wood-Fired Taqueria
The Mexican restaurant on Jumeirah Beach Road lists chips with salsa and guacamole at AED 60 and skirt steak tacos at AED 75.
Savings: AED 40
BB Social Dining
Within Time Out Market, BB Social Dining offers salmon crispy rice at AED 53 and black cod bao at AED 69.
Savings: AED 27
Reif Japanese Kushiyaki
At Time Out Market, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki prices seafood gyoza and salmon maki at AED 50 each, with the chicken katsu sando at AED 68.
Savings: AED 23
Arabian Tea House
In Dubai’s Al Fahidi neighborhood, Arabian Tea House serves mixed sambousa for AED 37 and lamb machboos for AED 75.
Savings: AED 17
Conclusion
Dubai Summer Restaurant Week provides a fantastic opportunity to enjoy fine dining at a fraction of the regular price. With significant savings across many high-end restaurants, it’s an excellent chance to explore new culinary experiences or revisit your favorites without spending a fortune. Whether you’re looking to indulge in a gourmet lunch or a lavish dinner, the event offers compelling value for money.
Dubai Summer Restaurant Week offers a compelling opportunity to enjoy high-end dining at a fraction of the cost. With potential savings of 30-60% on a three-course meal, it’s a worthwhile event for food enthusiasts who want to explore new culinary horizons or revisit favorite spots. Just be mindful of the limited menus and book early to make the most of this summer dining experience.
So, if you’re ready to savor some exquisite cuisine without the usual price tag, DSRW might just be your ticket to a summer of gastronomic delights!