Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Main day | Saturday (the UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday). Some venues also run Friday, Sunday or evening brunches. |
| Typical hours | A fixed slot of about three hours, commonly 1pm to 4pm for Saturday afternoon brunches |
| Price range | Soft-drink packages at listed Saturday brunches ran from about AED 145 to AED 500 per adult in 2026; drinks packages cost more |
| What's included | Unlimited food for the slot plus the drinks in your chosen package |
| Alcohol | Only in licensed venues and only for guests aged 21 or over; ID may be checked |
| Booking | Book ahead, especially for popular hotel brunches in the cooler months |
What a Dubai brunch is
A Dubai brunch is a fixed-price, fixed-time meal, usually on a Saturday afternoon, where you pay one package price for unlimited food and the drinks included in your package for about three hours. It is closer to a long weekend party lunch than a late breakfast. Most brunches run in hotel restaurants and licensed venues, with buffets, live cooking stations or dishes brought to the table, and often a DJ or live band.
Brunch used to be a Friday event because Friday was the first day of the old UAE weekend. Since the UAE moved to a Saturday and Sunday weekend in 2022, most big brunches now run on Saturday, with a smaller number on Friday afternoon or evening and on Sunday. Always check the day on the venue's own page before you plan around it.
This page explains how the format works. If you already know the format and want venue picks by type (family, soft-drink, beach, luxury), go to our best brunches in Dubai list.
Brunch packages: soft drinks vs alcohol
Almost every brunch sells the same food at two or more price levels. The only difference between packages is what you can drink.
| Package | Drinks included | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Soft drinks (sometimes called non-alcoholic) | Juices, soft drinks, mocktails, water, tea and coffee | Non-drinkers, families, under-21s |
| House beverages | Soft drinks plus house wine, beer and basic spirits | Most adult groups |
| Sparkling or bubbly | Everything above plus sparkling wine | Celebrations |
| Champagne or premium | Everything above plus Champagne or premium labels | Special occasions |
Names change by venue, so read what each tier includes rather than relying on the label. As an example, the Saturday Bubbalicious brunch at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi listed four adult packages in 2026, from AED 475 (non-alcoholic) to AED 795, with children aged 6 to 12 at AED 300 and under-6s free. Saffron at Atlantis The Palm listed its adults-only Saturday brunch from AED 525 (house beverages) to AED 775 (Champagne) in late 2025. Treat these as examples of how pricing is structured, not current offers.
How much a Dubai brunch costs
Price depends mainly on the venue and your drinks package. Based on 2026 brunch listings published by Time Out Dubai:
- Budget: casual restaurants and bars run Saturday brunches with soft-drink packages from around AED 145 to AED 200 per adult.
- Mid-range: hotel and beach-club brunches commonly sit between about AED 250 and AED 400 per adult.
- Luxury: large resort brunches with Champagne packages can cost AED 500 to AED 800 or more per adult.
Check whether the price already includes VAT and service charge, and whether children pay a separate rate. Prices change often and many venues run seasonal or summer offers, so confirm on the venue's official page before booking. Our Dubai trip cost guide shows how a brunch fits into a daily budget.
Not sure which package or day suits your group? Send us your dates and group size.
Ask about brunch days and packagesBooking a brunch
- Book directly: use the hotel or restaurant's website or reservation link, or call the venue. The official page shows the current day, time and package prices.
- Book early for Saturdays: popular hotel brunches fill up, especially from October to April when the weather is cooler and tourist numbers are higher.
- Check the time slot: most brunches have a firm start and end time, and drinks service usually stops at the end of the slot.
- Tell the venue about children and diets: ask about child pricing, age limits and halal, vegetarian or allergy needs when you book.
- Read the cancellation terms: some venues take a deposit or card guarantee. Terms differ, so check them at booking.
Alcohol rules at brunch
The legal drinking age in Dubai is 21, and alcohol is served only in licensed venues, which is why most drinks brunches are in hotels. Venues can refuse service and may ask for ID. Being drunk in public, and drinking outside licensed premises, is against the law, so plan a taxi home and never drive after drinking. Our guide to alcohol laws in Dubai covers the rules in more detail.
During Ramadan many brunches pause or change format, and daytime dining rules for tourists are different. Read our Ramadan rules for tourists if your trip falls in that month.
Dress code and etiquette
- Hotel brunches expect smart-casual clothes: dresses, smart trousers or shorts, shirts or blouses.
- Beach and pool brunches are more relaxed, but most still want a cover-up rather than swimwear at the table.
- Avoid sportswear and flip-flops at indoor hotel brunches unless the venue says otherwise.
- Arrive at the start of the slot: the time does not extend if you are late.
- Pace yourself. Brunches are long, and behaviour that causes a public nuisance can lead to fines or worse.
After brunch
Many groups follow a Saturday brunch with a beach or pool afternoon, or an evening out. Pool or beach access is included only if the venue says so, so check before you pack swimwear. For evening plans, our Dubai nightlife guide covers bars and clubs and the rules that apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day is brunch in Dubai?
Most Dubai brunches now run on Saturday, because the UAE weekend has been Saturday and Sunday since 2022. Some venues also hold Friday, Sunday or evening brunches. Check the venue's own page for the current day and time.
How does a Dubai brunch work?
You book a table and pay one fixed price per person for a set time slot, often about three hours. The price covers unlimited food plus the drinks in your chosen package, from soft drinks only up to Champagne.
How much does a Dubai brunch cost?
In 2026 listings, soft-drink packages at Saturday brunches ranged from about AED 145 to AED 500 per adult, with alcohol packages costing more and luxury Champagne packages reaching AED 800 or more. Prices change often, so confirm on the venue's official page.
Can I go to a Dubai brunch without drinking alcohol?
Yes. Most brunches sell a soft-drinks package with the same food as the alcohol packages at a lower price. It suits non-drinkers, families and anyone under 21.
Are children allowed at Dubai brunches?
Many hotel brunches welcome children and charge a reduced child rate, often with under-6s free. Some party brunches are adults-only, for example Saffron's Saturday brunch at Atlantis The Palm is listed as over-21s. Confirm the age policy when you book.
What should I wear to a Dubai brunch?
Smart-casual is the safe choice for hotel brunches. Beach brunches are more relaxed, but most venues still expect a cover-up rather than swimwear at the table.