Sponsored Content: Burj views? Tick. Contemporary cuisine? Check. Luxe interiors? Absolutely. This Downtown venue might just have it all.
There are plenty of slick al fresco terraces, restaurants with hearty home-cooked food and hip drinking holes in Dubai.
But it’s rare to find a place that delivers on all of the above—however one recently opened venue ticks all the boxes: Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera.
Nestled in the rooftop of the majestic Dubai Opera, Sean Connolly boasts a prime location, but it certainly doesn’t rest on its laurels (and stunning views of the Burj Khalifa).
The surprisingly sprawling brasserie feels atmospherically cosy, yet its nooks and crannies house chic curved booths, sociable bar seating, and a luxuriously large outdoor terrace (so yes, it really does have something for every occasion).
The restaurant is the brainchild of its namesake Sean Connolly, a British-born chef with world-renowned eateries around Australia and New Zealand (and his success there speaks volumes—Antipodeans know good food).
He’s not let his standards slide in his first Middle Eastern venture, with a menu jam-packed full of impressive dishes that have a focus on premium ingredients and uncomplicated cooking.
While there’s an array of fresh oysters, caviar and sashimi, there are also comfort-food plates in the form of wagyu burgers, organic lamb cutlets and duck-fat chips.
In fact, there’s something for everything, whether you’re looking for elegant cocktails for a catch up with the girls, a Dhs155 pre-theatre menu to help you make a real night out of your next show, or a quick yet fresh slice from the pizza oven.
Despite the A-list location, Connolly, who is also a TV host with his own line of premium-quality pantry products, wanted to keep prices commendably affordable for such expertly prepared fare.
Case in point? The Dhs130 business lunch menu, available Sundays through to Thursdays, which includes dishes such as soft shell crab sliders, poke bowls with chilli mayo, and a watermelon, strawberry, tomato and feta salad.
If you’d rather a leisurely affair than a between-meetings meal, then the garden brunch from 12pm to 4pm on Fridays—which starts from Dhs380 per person—could be the answer.
Begin with fresh oysters and shared starters before choosing your main (think sea bass or ocean beef tenderloin) and rounding things off with a dessert such as citrusy lemon tart.
Our top tip? Be sure to book a table in the tucked-away terrace, which feels like a secret garden sitting above the urban sprawl of Dubai.
Whether you’ve got guests in town from overseas or you need somewhere to celebrate a bit of good news (or hey, you just need a night of gossip), Sean Connolly’s venue and menu will wow without overwhelming.
To book a table, call (04) 362 7312 or visit seanconnollydubai.com.
Images: Supplied
