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New Year’s Day brunch in Dubai serves a clear purpose. After late closures on 31 December and a slower start to the first morning of the year, many people look for a considered meal that bridges breakfast and lunch. It’s a dining window shaped by later wake-ups, lighter schedules, and the preference for plans that don’t stretch the day too far.
That’s why the city offers distinct settings for the morning. Some tables are designed for structured, seated dining, others for long conversations, shared plates, or simply being outdoors. From elevated rooms overlooking the fountain to hotel buffets built for groups, canal-side terraces, rooftops, and beachfront tables, each place offers a distinct way to start the year.
The difference lies in choosing well. Not every brunch suits 1 January, and not every venue adapts to the day's expectations. Doing it right comes down to timing, setting, and choosing a place that understands the pace of the first day of the year.
At a Glance:
New Year’s Day often starts later than usual, with no clear plan for the morning. People look for a meal that fits that gap; substantial enough to replace breakfast and lunch, but relaxed enough not to take over the day.
The places that work best recognise this balance. They open earlier or extend service, allow tables to be occupied longer, and keep menus familiar rather than experimental. When timing, setting, and service align, the first meal of the year does what it needs to do: it settles the morning and gives the year a clear start.
Starting the year with a luxurious brunch is often about slowing things down after a crowded night and choosing one meal that feels settled and complete. DOORS Dubai’s Luxe Brunch is designed for that kind of afternoon, with a seated format and paced courses that let you stay at the table without watching the clock.
Led by internationally acclaimed Chef Kemal Çeylan, the set menu brings together premium meats, seafood, fresh salads, and desserts. Served on Level 4 of the Dubai Mall with direct views of the Dubai Fountain, it offers a calm, considered way to begin the year.
What sets it apart becomes clear once you sit down.
For those seeking the most exclusive experience, the Presidential Table offers a 17-course set menu served with theatrical presentation, golden tableware, and dedicated attention from a personal butler and runner.
Average Spend Per Person: AED 400+
Brunch Timings: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
New Year, and the calendar already feels noisy with reminders, meetings, promises you are not sure you meant. MINA Brasserie is where a particular kind of Dubai resident presses pause: someone who still wants to be in the middle of DIFC but needs an hour to place an order before the year takes over.
The room is composed rather than showy; French‑Mediterranean plates arrive with that same restraint: truffle eggs, eggs royale, precise pastries, strong coffee; overlooking the canal from Four Seasons' terrace perch.
Average Spend Per Person: AED 625
Brunch Timings: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
New Year's dawn sometimes hits, and the hangover fog thickens after Dubai's endless countdown parties, and all you want is a quiet corner to nurse regrets with something simple yet flawless. Brunch & Cake Wasl 51 pulls you in; its sunlit domes and open kitchen offering eggs Benedict that cut through the haze without fanfare.
Locals drift here post-revelry, drawn by truffle notes on reliable plates and gluten-free reprieves amid the calm.
Average Spend Per Person: AED 200 TO AED 400
Brunch Timings: 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Some places make catching up feel natural, and Tasha's Jumeirah is one of them. Its open terrace at The Galleria has long been a draw for people who value conversation as much as the food, making it an easy choice when you want to sit, stay, and reconnect.
The atmosphere remains polished without being performative. South African-inspired plates arrive generously, from free-range eggs royale to quinoa-beetroot salad and fried chicken burgers.
Average Spend Per Person: AED 150
Brunch Timings: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Also Read: Dubai Christmas Brunches Wrapped in Festive Cheer
New Year’s morning rarely runs smoothly in shared homes, and that’s where Le Murooj Restaurant makes sense. Set within Swissotel Al Murooj, it’s built to accommodate families, visiting relatives, and mixed preferences without strain.
An expansive buffet replaces decision-making, with Arabic mezze, Indian curries, roasts, pastries, and eggs to order. The spacious indoor–outdoor layout lets everyone settle in and start the year without friction.
Average Spend Per Person: AED 400 to AED 600
Brunch Timings: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Local Waterfront suits mornings when staying inside feels like the wrong decision. Set along the Business Bay canal, the terrace offers open air, water views, and space to sit without committing to a long meal.
The crowd is mixed and easygoing; families, couples, and small groups drop in for eggs, rotating international dishes, or coffee. With a low-key sports screen and flexible dining, it works for easing into the day rather than planning it.
Average Spend Per Person: AED 400 to AED 600
Brunch Timings: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Couples seeking a more personal setting will find the Romance Table setup at DOORS Dubai thoughtfully detailed, with a live rose, chocolates, rose petals, and candlelight enhancing the mood without altering the pace of the morning.
Thia Skylounge appeals to those who prefer height over hustle. Set on the rooftop of the Dubai EDITION, it places you above Downtown’s street-level movement, with a poolside terrace and direct Burj Khalifa views framed by cabanas.
The offering is deliberately light. Mediterranean plates, coffee, cocktails, and shisha are served in a space designed for short stays or slow starts, without crowds or structured dining.
Average Spend Per Person: AED 400 to AED 700
Brunch Timings: No dedicated brunch event. Daytime pool access with light fare runs daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On New Year’s morning, when the city feels heavy, and the water feels lighter, Spica Dubai makes sense. Set at Marine Beach Resort in Jumeirah 1, it’s where the day starts after a walk by the shore, not a schedule.
The space moves easily between inside and out, with light international plates, seafood, and coffee served without structure. It suits solo diners or pairs who want sea air, quiet efficiency, and a table that lets the day start on its own terms.
That easy pace continues across the city, with Festivals of Dubai highlighting other seasonal experiences worth exploring.
Average Spend Per Person: AED 400 to AED 800
Brunch Timings: 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
*Timings are indicative and may vary on New Year’s Day, so it’s best to check directly with the restaurant before planning your visit.
New Year’s Day brunch works best when it removes friction. One location, clear service, a defined menu, and enough time to sit without watching the clock. That’s why structured, seated brunches have become the preferred way to start the year in Dubai.
DOORS Dubai meets that need consistently. Its set-menu format, paced service, and elevated location above the Dubai Fountain reduce crowd pressure and decision-making. The experience settles into place through attentive hospitality, comfortable seating, and a sense of quiet luxury that lets the meal unfold without interruption.
Securing a table ahead allows the morning to stay focused on the meal, not the logistics.
Most venues listed begin brunch service between late morning and early afternoon, with many extending service until mid or late afternoon. Arriving within the first hour of service offers the calmest experience, especially at seated or set-menu venues.
No. The list includes a mix of formats. DOORS Dubai and MINA Brasserie focus on seated, set-menu dining, while Le Murooj Restaurant offers a full buffet. Others, like Brunch & Cake, Tasha’s, and Spica, operate à la carte with flexible pacing.
DOORS Dubai offers a Romance Table setup with subtle personal touches, while rooftop and waterfront venues like Thia Skylounge and Spica Dubai naturally allow for more spaced-out seating.
Yes. Elevated or structured venues such as DOORS Dubai and MINA Brasserie reduce crowd movement through seated dining and paced service. Rooftop and waterfront locations like Thia Skylounge and Spica Dubai also avoid dense foot traffic.
While some casual venues accept walk-ins, reservations are recommended for seated or premium experiences like DOORS Dubai, especially given extended brunch hours and limited table availability on 1 January.
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