Spinaround Dubai with brunch at Al Dawaar

Put simply, mealtime shows don’t get better than one in a revolving restaurant.

Set on the 25th floor, Al Dawaar at the Hyatt Regency Dubai, Deira Corniche, the only rooftop revolving restaurant in town, is your chance to see Dubai in one gradual revolution of about 90 minutes. Which means there’s no need to choose a good table – wherever you sit, you’re guaranteed stunning sights. Which also means there’s really few better spots if you want to impress visitors to Dubai.

Al Dawaar has been revamped as a new restaurant and lounge. And post refurb, it oozes tropical charm; it’s all rattan furniture, palms and green velvets with white louvered shutters – a chic space that can easily make any meal feel like quite the celebration.

And though it’s been a coveted dining spot for years, it doesn’t bank on just its revolving reputation – the food at Friday brunch is equally, deliciously impressive.

Changing vistas – you get old and new Dubai – complement the varying courses. We tucked into fresh salads, smoked salmon, foie gras terrine and lots of cheese with a view of the creek and dhows and ships. We moved onto raw and cooked seafood – think freshly opened Belon oysters, black mussels, poached tiger prawns, Alaskan king crab legs – with a sweeping view of the city. There’s even a sushi and sashimi corner. And as we passed the Burj Khalifa, we had everything from soups, chargrilled kebabs and lamb chops to buttered asparagus, moussaka, barbecue chicken, chicken tikka, beef tenderloin, glazed duck breast, saffron grilled lobster... the buffet is massive, and yet every dish stands out and is scrumptious.

It’s difficult to know where to look when there’s chefs working at lightning speeds at the open kitchen, whipping up some creamy pasta here, carving out chunks of prime rib or grilled sea bass there.

We ended with views of the bright blue sea and so many little cakes we lost count, warm apple crumble, fresh fruits, ice cream, sorbet, tarts, Arabic sweets (yes, there’s Umm Ali) and a chocolate fountain holding pride of place. There’s also two bars – one revolves and one is stationary.

Brunch starts from Dh229 – you won’t regret giving

Al Dawaar a spin.