Guide to Valentine’s Day Dining

Ahh, February 14th. Once a year, we have to step up our date game as the restaurant business flutters into a tizzy with numerous Valentine’s offers – it’s just too much narrowing it down sometimes. This celebration of love should be a stress-free one (let’s face it, both you and your partner in crime deserve it) and so we’ve come up with our favourite places to spend this romantic holiday below.

Bā Restaurant & Lounge Valentine’s Brunch

  
Who said you have to go for Valentine’s Day dinner, mamas? Bā Restaurant is putting a spin on their Asian Yum Cha Caban Brunch by setting up private dining cabanas for couples right on their exclusive beach. With a view of the sparkling Arabian Gulf, amazing food and even a cheeky bottle of champers for the lovely couple. Got your heart set on dinner, mamas? No worries, Bā’s doing an absolutely indulgent eight course meal inspired by Yin and Yang including a Peking duck platter, wok-fired wagyu beef and an ice cream filled chocolate sphere for you to share with your partner in crime in their romantic, atmospheric restaurant.

The Yum Cha Cabana Brunch is priced at AED 1376 per couple and is available 12pm-4pm, whereas the Yin-Yang set menu costs AED 888 per couple or AED 1088 with an additional bottle of grape beverage.

Bā Restaurant & Lounge, Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, (+971)(0) 4 457 3338, www.dineatba.com 

BOCA Cellar Experience

Valentine’s Day should be all about you and your loved one mamas and BOCA’s Cellar Experience is a great choice for those wanting privacy, an amazing meal and a splash of naughty grape juice. With an eight course meal paired with eight wines from BOCA’s own cellar (don’t worry ladies, you can grab just the meal if you’re not a drinker for a lower price), we’re particularly loving the fresh oysters, complimentary gift for the ladies and in-house DJ. Did we mention that you’ll be sitting in the wine cellar itself? Pretty cool…

Sharing menu priced at AED 560 per couple, pairing menu priced at AED 760. Available 8pm-10:30pm from 10-20 February. 

BOCA, Gate Village 6, DIFC, Dubai International Finance Centre, Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 323 1833, boca.ae

Cirque D’Amour at Clé Dubai 

We’ve recently headed on down to this gorgeous luxury restaurant (see our full review here) and they’re stepping up their game this Valentine’s Day. Not only has Chef Greg Malouf created an incredible modern Middle Eastern three course sharing menu including standout dishes like tandoori French quail and monkfish tagine, Cirque Éloize have put together a romantic routine just for this special night. And if you’re feeling up for a bit of a slow dance afterwards, their in-house DJ will be spinning music of love all night long.

The Valentine’s package begins at AED 450.

Clé Dubai, Al Fattan Currency House, DIFC, Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 352 5150, www.cle-dubai.com

Romantic Dinner Cruise at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

 
Sail away with your loved one this February 14 on the Boardwalk BBQ Donut. With two cruises organised for 5pm and 7:30pm, what really strikes us is the completely tailor-made menu. The two hour journey will take you along the positively cinematic Dubai Creek – what’s not to love about a bit of bubbly under the stars?

AED 1000 per couple. Sailing times are 5-7pm or 7:30-9:30pm.

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, (+971)(0) 4 295 6000, www.dubaigolf.com/dubai-creek-golf-yacht-club.aspx

Dine Under the Stars at Emirates Golf Club 

  
Our hearts full on bungee jumped out of our chests when we heard about this dining experience. Emirates Golf Club has set up a super romantic and private Valentine’s Day feast, where you and your partner will be whisked off by the Emirates Golf Club’s own chauffeur from your doorstep to a secret set up on the beautiful Majlis golf course. With a private butler to serve you unlimited wine along with your six course banquet, we’re big fans of the gorgeous secluded canopy set up just for you with the lake and iconic fountain quietly glistening in the background.

AED 1900 per couple inclusive of transfer to and from Emirates Golf Club.

Emirates Golf Club, Emirates Hills 2, Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 380 1234, www.dubaigolf.com/emirates-golf-club.aspx

Frankie’s Italian Bar & Grill

Perfect for mamas in JBR, this award-winning Italian resto is pulling out all the stops with a gorgeous five course menu that’ll make any foodie wish it was Valentine’s Day every day. With live music by Kevin and Donovan serenading you in the background, Chef Fabio Nompleggio has come up with a menu of highlights such as a sea scallop tartare, poached turbot fillet with seared foie gras and finally a dessert made for two to share called Mine and Your Heart.

Priced at 650 per couple.

Frankie’s Italian Bar and Grill, G/F, Oasis Beach Tower, Jumeirah Beach Residence, (+971)(0) 4 399 4311, www.frankiesdubai.com

Iris Dubai 

  
This slick restaurant-cum-tropical-paradise is going ruby red this Valentine’s Day. With a gorgeous view of the city from way up in Oberoi Hotel, mamas will be able to score complimentary crimson Cool Shower cocktails between 9-11pm to go with a varied international menu. Sorry boys, you’ll have to grab your own drinks!

Iris Dubai, 27/F, Oberoi Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, (+971)(0) 56 951 1442, www.irisdubai.com

La Porte des Indes 

We adore the refreshing take on Indian cuisine at La Porte des Indes and they certainly know how to do romance this 2015. With both a Valentine’s menu and private dining package, you’ll be able to indulge over a number of courses – we’re way on board for the lobster balchao and the chocolate Sinful Indulgence dessert.

Valentine’s Day menu is priced at AED 649 per couple, whereas the private dining package costs AED 4649 per couple.

La Porte des Indes, The Address, Dubai Mall, Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 438 8610, www.laportedesindes.ae

Leopold’s of London 

Now we know Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, so why not bring the kiddos along as well? With a gorgeous selection of Valentine’s meals for the whole family, you can expect Chargrilled Beef Fillets with Foie Gras for mamas and papas whereas the littles will undoubtedly love Leopold’s of London’s signature LOL Pizza, cut into a heart shape for that extra romantic touch. And we can’t forget about the amazing Valentine’s dessert range; raspberry cream chocolate cake, red velvet cookies and biscuits, oh my!

Leopold’s of London, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 430 6841, www.leopoldsoflondon.com

Ossiano 

 
If you’ve never had a chance to head on over to Atlantis The Palm’s underwater restaurant, now’s the time. Effortlessly romantic, this super atmospheric resto is a great call for those wanting fresh seafood with a side of decadence and you’ll even be able to grab a bottle of champers if you’re feeling a little bubbly.

The Ossiano Valentine’s Day menu is priced at AED 995 excluding beverages and AED 2850 including a bottle of champagne.

Ossiano, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 426 2626, www.atlantisthepalm.com/restaurants/barsandrestaurants/ossiano

RIVA Beach Club 

  
Get a little Mediterranean with RIVA Beach Club’s decadent Valentine’s set menu on the Palm Jumeirah. With the Dubai coast serving as the gorgeous backdrop to the one of the most romantic meals of the year, your heart and stomach will be all aflutter with their amazing food, including pistachio crusted foie gras, glazed beef cheeks and more. After dinner, you can even nip up to the shisha terrace for a drink or even go for a moonlit walk along their private beach…

AED 550 for a couple. Available from 6pm-11:30pm.

Riva Beach Club, Building 8, The Shoreline Palm, Jumeirah Dubai, 75870 Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 430 9466, www.riva-beach.com 

Sapori di BiCE 

Not into the swish high end drama? Why not head over to Sapori di BiCE, a more low key yet effortlessly chic Italian restaurant? Loved by foodies all over Dubai, this down-to-earth resto is getting a little dressed up for Valentine’s Day with a lush (yet surprisingly affordable) seven course sharing menu. Want to take the littles with you? It’s pretty child-friendly as well. With braised octopus salad, pan seared sea bream and their magnificent Cioccolato che Passione dessert on the set menu cards, it seems the old adage is true: Italians do know a thing or two about passion.

AED 450 for two people.

Sapori di BiCE, Citywalk, Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 344 2550, www.saporidibice.com
Sapori di BiCE, The Beach, JBR, Dubai, (+971)(0)4 551 6349, www.saporidibice.com 

Tidjoori Biorganic & Vegan Restaurant 

Want to stay on top of your health kick, mamas? Tidjoori Restaurant have opened their doors in Dubai Marina and they’re offering you the chance for a completely vegan Valentine’s Day. While some of you may be rolling your eyes, we can attest that it’s absolutely delicious (honestly, how is it so delicious?) and they’ve whipped up an amazing trio of creme brulee consisting of vanilla, chocolate and orange or a chocolate LOVE cake just for the occasion. Keep an eye out for our review soon!

Tidjoori Biorganic & Vegan Restaurant, Trident Tower, Dubai Marina, Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 386 3131, www.tidjoori.com 

Toko 

Itadakimasu! Luxury Japanese restaurant Toko is being transformed into sweet tooth sanctuary with a dessert-themed take on Valentine’s Day. Wander out onto the terrace for a cheeky drink to soak in the candy décor as well as the pop-up art exhibition by Opera Gallery and Tarsila Schubert – oh, and don’t forget their award-winning menu and a free flute of bubbly for ladies.

Toko, Vida Downtown, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, (+971)(0) 4 442 8383, www.toko-dubai.com

Valentine’s Day Tiki at Trader Vic’s 

Head on down to the Tiki Room, or in this case, Trader Vic’s to celebrate February 14 with your loved one. You’ll be forgiven for think you’ve nipped over to Havana for a night with the fab tropical décor and bespoke Valentine’s menu, which include a marvelous grilled seafood platter, exotic juices, chicken satays and more. And what’s the night without a cheeky impromptu photoshoot in the Tiki Love photobooth?

Trader Vic’s, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 366 5646

Beachside Romance at the Waldorf Astoria 

It all begins with a personal concierge leading the way to the Waldorf Astoria’s private beach, where a private candle-lit cabana awaits you and your loved one. Set against the backdrop of the captivating Dubai skyline and the Arabian Gulf by night, there’ll be an international set menu including mouthwatering delicacies like salmon tartare and beef carpaccio, which can be easily tailored to your tastes. And just imagine all of this under a starry, starry night, mamas.

Set menu priced at AED 1300 per couple.

Waldorf Astoria, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, (+971)(0) 4 818 2222, waldorfastoria3.hilton.com

Have a great Valentine’s Day, mamas!