No need to miss your show – leisurely enjoy a feed at one of these show-stopper dining venues close to Dubai Opera
Catching a show at Dubai Opera is one of the most exciting things to do in Dubai at night. With a huge lineup of performances throughout the year, ranging from classic opera to musicals and pop artists, there really is something for everyone.
However, with the timing of shows, usually starting around 8:00 pm in the evening, it begs the obvious question, where can you eat before the show starts?
Dubai Opera is in Downtown Dubai, sitting immediately adjacent to the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. It has limited dining venues inside, so with its proximity to Dubai Mall and Business Bay, you’re probably wondering where you can go for a nice sit-down meal and speedy service pre-show.
We’re going to list here some of the closest and best dining options near Dubai Opera, but when you look at the wider neighbourhood, the options are literally endless, depending on how much walking time you want to allow and what sort of budget you have.
Restaurants at Dubai Opera House
Let’s start with the most obvious options, those dining venues actually in Dubai Opera.
Belcanto
Upmarket Italian cuisine can be found at Belcanto, on the top floor of the opera house. Headed up by Tuscan Chef Giacomo Lombardi, this is where to head pre-show at Dubai Opera for an exquisite taste of luxury. Enjoy a three-course set menu perfectly paced to have you ready in time for your show.
They are open Weekdays 6:00 pm to 12:30 am and weekends until 1:30 am.
For information, menus and reservations, visit belcantorest.com
Eden
When it comes to chic al fresco dining in Dubai, Eden is the hottest spot in the city over the cooler winter months. With an exotic tropical garden setting, you’re immediately under the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa.
You’ll again need to head to the top floor of Dubai Opera, operated by the same team behind Belcanto this lush setting is set to become one of the city’s hottest nightlife venues, open nightly until 3:00 AM, well past finishing times for most shows!
The drinks menu here, from bar mastermind Mikhail Melnik is set to be one of the highlights in this newly opened rooftop lounge.
The Lounge
Offering some luxury and sparkle to your Dubai Opera experience, The Lounge serves bubbles and canapes commencing two hours prior to the start of performances.
The Lounge experience includes a welcome mini bottle of bubbles and platter for 225 AED.
You can also grab a la carte bar-sized bites such as sliders for the Dubai Opera Cafe if you are after a quick and easy meal prior to your show commencing.
Restaurants Near Dubai Opera
Only a hop, skip, and jump, we’ve narrowed our list down to those we think can be walked easily within 10 minutes (mind the heels), and at the end, we’ll add a few that seem close but with elevators and large public areas to cross, may take you more than 10 minutes to get door-to-door.
Kohantei Japanese Wagyu Restaurant
One of the closest neighbours to Dubai Opera is Kohantei Japanese Wagyu Restaurant. The only Japanese fine dining ‘Kaiseki’ experience in UAE, this elegant multi-course meal involves a series of hand-crafted dishes. The restaurant itself is quite a masterpiece, and private rooms can be arranged.
Look out for their special pre-theatre menu if you’ll be tight on time for 230 AED.
Where to Find It
- Plaza Unit 6, Opera Dubai, Downtown Dubai
For information, menus and reservations, visit kohantei.ae
Bosporus
A spot of Turkish cuisine can really hit the spot before your show at Dubai Opera. Located adjacent on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, you are mere minutes to the doors of Dubai Opera.
The boulevard branch is open daily 10:00 am to 2:00 am (3:00 am on weekends), so whether you want to munch on some Lahmacun pre-show or return for doner and deserts post-show, Bosprus is a reliable nearby dining establishment
Where to Find It
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
For information, menus and reservations, visit thebosporus.com
THE SIX
For something a little more on the causal dining end of the scale, and brilliant if you’re attending a family show at Dubai Opera, is The SIX, a dedicated board games cafe.
Combining food, games and fun, stay as long as you like and enjoy snacks to a complete dining menu. Entry is 35 AED for unlimited games, plus a really good value a la carte menu.
NB THE SIX operates walk-in only, so no advance booking.
Where to Find It
- Burj Vista, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
For information, menus and reservations, visit thesixcafe.com
Bab Al Mansour
Situated on the opposite side of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Bab Al Mansour offers some of the city’s finest Moroccan cuisine. It’s hard to miss from the outside, with a grand entrance, adorned archways and marble fountains; the decor is as much a part of the experience here as the food.
The Moroccan-inspired menu is sure to please and keep your belly satisfied throughout your show at Dubai Opera, and no need to rush, just one large set of traffic lights to cross puts you at the door to Dubai Opera.
Where to Find It
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dubai.
For information, menues and reservations, visit babalmansour.ae
Other Restaurants Near to Dubai Opera
Whilst this list includes some truly exceptional dining venues, they may be a little difficult to squeeze in “quick dining” before a show, but nonetheless should be on your radar:
At.Mosphere – sitting 122 floors above Downtown Dubai in the iconic Burj Khalifa, there’s no denying this is where you’ll get some of the most spectacular dining views in the world. Those lifts take forever, though, you don’t want to rush your dining experience somewhere so iconic.
Armani/Amal – for something really smart and elegant, some of the finest Indian cuisine in Dubai can be enjoyed on the third floor of Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa
Time Out Market – great for a variety of cuisine and a fabulous view from Souk Al Bahar over the opera house and Dubai Fountains. While it looks very close, you still have a walk either clockwise or anticlockwise around Burj Lake to take into consideration getting to Dubai Opera.
Dubai Mall – there are literally dozens of restaurants in Dubai Mall, from fast food to fine dining. Try and get a restaurant with Dubai fountain views to make your evening extra special!
Your walking time will vary greatly depending on where in the mall you set out from, but expect a 10 to 20-minute walk from dining in Dubai Mall to entering Dubai Opera. Some of the closest restaurants are at the Fashion Avenue end of Dubai Mall, try Din Tai Fung for top-quality Chinese or newly opened Trove for a colourful artsy-treat.
How to get to Dubai Opera
Travelling by private vehicle, there is limited parking at Dubai Opera itself. You can self-park on Level B2 where you see the “P3” Parking entrance on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard.
A paid valet service (currently 70 AED) is operational during show times.
Alternatively, you can park for free in Dubai Mall and walk (allow at least 10 minutes).
By public transport, your closest stop is Burj Khalifa Dubai Mall Metro (allow at least 15 minutes to walk) or simply have a taxi or driving service drop you at the entrance (next to the #dubaiopera sign).
Where to stay near Dubai Opera
Want to make it a complete Dubai Opera experience, stay, dine and be entertained? There are numerous hotels all within walking distance of Dubai Opera (again, depending on how far you want to walk in your finest!).
Some of the obvious, but often rather pricey choices, include:
You can see all your nearby options and compare online pricing platforms here:
NB – if you are happy to head just a block further away into the Business Bay area, you’ll find many more hotels that are about half the price on average for that few minutes of extra walking.
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
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