Dubai has long been known as the city of gold, thanks to its history of trading the precious metal. But spend enough sunsets here, and you’ll find another reason why it deserves this moniker. The city’s year-round sunshine brings with it plenty of gorgeous golden hours, best enjoyed, in our opinion, with your toes in the sand at one of the many bars and restaurants that make the most of their prime sunset views. From beachside tavernas to rooftop terraces, these are the the best sundowner spots in Dubai.
1. SoBe
Perched on the rooftop of W Dubai – The Palm, SoBe offers views on all sides. In one direction, the Marina skyline and fronds of Palm Jumeirah, and on the other, the open Arabian Gulf, over which the sun sets, casting the whole space in stunning golden light. Towering palm trees wrapped in lights line the rooftop, dotted with low sofas and curved orange booths. During the week, this is a chilled venue where hotel guests and locals head for casual drinks and shisha, but during the weekend, it becomes one of the city’s most lively sunset spots, popular with the post-brunch crowd. Pick your vibe wisely.
Address: W Dubai - The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
2. Cana by Tamoka
The Ritz Carlton’s private stretch of beach at the foot of JBR offers premium sunset viewing, and on its sands sits Cana, the hedonistic little sister of beachside restaurant Tamoka. Reached via a winding wooden path that snakes across the sand, this circular palapa-style beach bar pumps out a steady soundtrack of laidback house from a central DJ booth flanked by a wooden sun. The vibe here is decidedly rustic; a cluster of mismatched wooden lampshades hangs from the ceiling, shaded by military-style netting that lets glimmers of light cast various shapes across the decking. On the surrounding beach, rope hammocks are strewn with pillows, and beanbag loungers beneath macrame umbrellas look out to the water and Bluewaters Island beyond, with towering Ain Dubai front and centre. As the sun begins to dip, the music tempo rises, seamlessly taking the vibe from day to night. Drinks come served in branded coconuts and Latin-inspired street food is served from a nearby “Canavan”. Order the Q-Van sandwich, washed down with a classic salty margarita, and have your camera at the ready for a perfect golden hour shot.
Address: Ritz-Carlton Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residences
3. Fish Beach Taverna
Down a polygonal stone pathway past whitewashed walls and creeping fuschia bougainvillea, you’ll find Fish Taverna, a longtime favourite with Dubai’s sunset chasers. This picturesque beachside garden feels as if it was plucked straight from the Greek isles, with its shabby-chic white wooden tables and blue painted shutters. Views from this private plot of beach in a quiet corner of Le Méridien Mina Seyahi look out across Palm Jumeirah and the new Dubai Harbour, with its shiny tower blocks that glow golden as the sun begins to dip. This is the kind of spot the calls out for an afternoon Aperol Spritz.
Address: Le Méridien Mina Seyahi
4. Koko Bay
The original Palm West Beach restaurant, Koko Bay brings a slice of Bali’s beachfront to Dubai’s shores. Not only does this laidback locale offer front row seats to the sun dipping below the horizon of the Arabian Gulf, once darkness falls, it’s one of the best places to take in the towering Marina skyline as it comes to life. For the true Bali experience, settle down on a bean bag on the sand or in a softly swaying hammock, or head for the rope swings that surround the bamboo beach bar. As golden hour fades, bamboo torches dotted across the beach begin to flicker, casting a romantic glow. Cocktails here are fun and theatrically presented, and the extensive menu takes inspiration from South East Asia, with colourful salads, flavoursome curries and grilled seafood on offer.
Address: West Beach, Palm Jumeirah
5. Bungalo34
Located at the idyllic Nikki Beach Resort on Pearl Jumeira, Bungalo34 looks out over white sands and rolling waves. This beachside terrace is shaded by a canopy of candy striped umbrellas and towering palm trees, which sway gently in the ever-present sea breeze. This is among the most peaceful spots in the city to catch the sunset, with uninterrupted sea views and its location on Pearl Jumeira remote enough to leave the city soundtrack behind. Bungalo34 is the newest venue from prolific restaurateur Natasha Sideris, inspired by (and named after) her hideaway in the Greek Riviera. Interiors here are bright and playful, and on the menu you’ll find some of her best work (the Amalfi lemon pasta is a must). Make sure to ask for a beachside table, and soak in the setting with a Bungalo Spritz.
Address: Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, Pearl Jumeira
6. Attiko
The view from the terrace at Attiko, which sits on the 31st floor of the W Mina Seyahi, is spectacular enough, encompassing Bluewaters Island, Dubai Harbour and Palm Jumeirah, but come sunset, it’s pretty hard to beat. This stylish pan-Asian spot transforms into a sultry lounge after dark, but it’s worth making time to get there early for a pre-dinner drink. From a booth on the terrace, resident DJs spin a soundtrack of mellow house, while attentive waitstaff offer recommendations from a list of punchy Asian-inspired cocktails. If you like miso black cod, you'll love the Chilean sea bass. Though modest in size, it’s melt-in-the-mouth delicious.
Address: W Mina Seyahi
7. Twiggy
If Twiggy was not already one of the chicest addresses in the city, come sunset, it is bathed in a golden glow, making it sparkle just that little bit more. This beach club-come-restaurant surrounds Park Hyatt Dubai’s stunning lagoon pool, which looks out over the serene waterways of Dubai Creek, with the Downtown skyline on the horizon beyond. Whether from a plush cream lounger after a sun-bathed day by the pool, or from the mezzanine restaurant tucked away above, a tranquil sunset cocktail here is a Dubai must. Served by painfully immaculate wait staff, many of whom have been flown in straight from the French Riviera, the menu here is classically Mediterranean. Order a chilled glass of rose and the heirloom tomato salad, served with fresh feta, and watch the sun slip behind the city in the distance.
Address: Park Hyatt Dubai, Dubai Creek Resorts
8. Jetty Lounge
Jetty Lounge has long reigned as one of Dubai’s best beachfront addresses, and for good reason. Tucked away in a private corner of the gorgeous One&Only Royal Mirage, it sits beneath the famous Marina skyline, with Palm Jumeirah stretching out ahead. The vibe here is laidback luxury, with beach sofas and beanbags scattered among palm trees of varying heights. Guests can stroll out along a private jetty that juts out towards Dubai Harbour, which, as the sun sets, offers a picture-perfect moment.
9. Noepe
Noepe’s Marina-side terrace, decorated with blue and white diamond floor tiles, sits beneath strings of swaying frayed wicker lampshades and warm bulb lights. Here, tables with built-in fire pits overlooking berthed yachts spring to life once the sun sets behind the Downtown skyline just beyond. It’s an impossibly cosy scene, and one that’s equally popular with long-time Dubai residents and visitors alike. Set among the whitewashed walls of Park Hyatt Dubai, go for a late weekend lunch that goes on until sunset.
Address: Park Hyatt Dubai, Dubai Creek Resorts
10. Folly
Folly is something of a Dubai institution, located within one of the city’s most recognisable addresses, Madinat Jumeirah. On the rooftop of this modern European restaurant is a multi-levelled terrace, full of cosy nooks, each offering spectacular views of the traditional dhow boats that navigate the winding waterways of the Jumeriah complex below, which glows golden come sunset. There’s only one thing to order for a sundowner here – Folly Pop, a glass of Prosecco that comes perfectly chilled thanks to a fruity ice lolly. We recommend the blood orange.
Address: Madinat Jumeirah
11. Zeta Seventy Seven
For a record-breaking sunset view, head for the 77th floor of Address Beach Resort at JBR. There, you'll find Zeta Seventy Seven, which sits alongside the world's highest infinity pool. This rooftop bar overlooks Bluewaters Island and sprawling JBR below, offering a bird's eye view as the sun dips below the horizon of the Arabian Gulf below. If you can stomach the heights, opt for a table next the the glass fronted edge for the best views, or for a more laid-back setting, request one of the round sunken booths by the infinity pool. Zeta Seventy Seven offers one of the most sought-after happy hours in the city, so make sure to get there in good time if you want to catch the sunset.
Address: Address Beach Resort, JBR