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Dubai’s dining scene goes well beyond the food on the table. Across the city, restaurants are combining dinner with live singers, dancers, musicians, theatrical performances, and late-night entertainment, turning a meal into a full evening out.
From soul and live music on Palm Jumeirah to theatrical productions in JBR and DIFC, these six Dubai restaurants offer different takes on the dinner-and-show experience.
1. Billionaire Dubai
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Billionaire Dubai combines upscale dining with a full theatrical production at Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai. The venue is located on the 61st floor, giving the restaurant a high-rise setting above Sheikh Zayed Road.
The food combines Italian and Japanese influences, while the entertainment features singers, dancers, acrobats and visual effects. Its current production, Up in the Sky, puts the performances at the centre of the evening rather than treating them as background entertainment.
Where: Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai
When: Tuesday to Sunday
Time: 9 pm to 3 am
2. DREAM
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DREAM at Address Beach Resort in Jumeirah Beach Residence is built around the combination of fine dining and immersive theatre.
The restaurant uses large-scale projection technology to transform its interior during the performances, with singers, dancers, acrobats and other acts appearing throughout the night. The current show programme also includes a late-night DJ set, extending the experience beyond dinner.
Mediterranean cuisine forms the basis of the menu, with vegan choices also available.
Where: Address Beach Resort, JBR
When: Wednesday to Sunday
Time: 8 pm to 3 am
3. Aretha
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For diners who prefer live music to large-scale cabaret, Aretha offers a different style of evening.
Located at St Regis Gardens on Palm Jumeirah, the restaurant draws inspiration from the music of the 1960s and 1970s. Live performers bring soul, rhythm and blues to the central stage while guests dine and enjoy drinks.
The restaurant can also transition into a more energetic late-night setting, making it suitable for visitors who want dinner followed by music and dancing.
Where: St Regis Gardens, Palm Jumeirah
When: Dinner shows Tuesday to Sunday
Time: First show from 8:30 pm
4. Antika
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Antika brings a distinctly Arabic character to Dubai’s dinner-show scene.
The Dubai venue is located at 25 Jump Street at 25hours Hotel One Central and takes its inspiration from the restaurant’s Beirut origins. Its dining experience focuses on Levantine flavours, while live Arabic music, singers and traditional-style performances provide the entertainment.
The combination makes Antika particularly suited to diners looking for an evening centred on Middle Eastern food, music and performance rather than a conventional restaurant meal.
Where: 25 Jump Street, 25hours Hotel One Central, Trade Centre
When: Friday and Saturday
Time: 9 pm to 3 am
5. Babylon DIFC
Babylon takes the dinner-show concept into Dubai International Financial Centre, with a dramatic setting at Gate Village 5.
The restaurant serves an international menu that includes Japanese-inspired dishes alongside pasta, seafood and other contemporary options. Live musical performances form a central part of the evening, with the atmosphere becoming increasingly energetic as dinner progresses.
Its late opening hours also make it an option for diners who want to continue their night in DIFC after the meal.
Where: Podium Level, Gate Village 5, DIFC
When: Tuesday to Saturday
Time: 9 pm to 3 am
6. Scandal
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Scandal occupies the 53rd floor of the Sheraton Grand Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, combining city views with a theatrical dinner experience.
The venue’s main dinner show brings together singers, dancers, cabaret-style performances and acrobatics, while international DJs continue the entertainment later in the night.
Its menu takes a broad approach, incorporating influences from Latin American, Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is designed for an evening that can move from dinner into a late-night party without changing venues.
Where: 53rd floor, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
When: Daily
Time: 7 pm to 3 am
Dubai’s dinner-and-show scene
These venues offer noticeably different experiences, from live soul music and Arabic performances to large-scale theatrical productions. For Dubai residents and visitors planning a special night out, the choice largely comes down to the type of entertainment they want alongside dinner.
As opening hours and performance schedules can change, checking the venue’s latest programme when booking is recommended.