Hakkasan Dubai Restaurant at Atlantis The Palm: Cantonese Cuisine with a Michelin Star

An honest review of the menu, prices, service, and atmosphere. We answer the main question: is Hakkasan worth your money and your dream of the perfect dinner?

In Dubai, where restaurants compete in luxury and a new trendy spot opens every week, there are names that don’t need loud advertising. Hakkasan is one of them. This restaurant at the iconic Atlantis The Palm has long since evolved from just another eatery into a true pilgrimage site for foodies. And the Michelin star is merely official confirmation that real culinary magic happens here. This article is your comprehensive guide to Hakkasan Dubai. We’ve created it to help you make an informed decision: whether this restaurant is right for you, exactly what you should order to get the most out of your experience, how to avoid service bottlenecks, and how to prepare financially and organizationally for your visit.

Immersing yourself in the atmosphere: Design and mood

Step off the bustling 'street' of Atlantis The Palm hotel, and you’re enveloped in a cocoon of silence and semi-darkness. Noise and hustle stay behind, giving way to a stylish, mysterious space. The renowned Parisian design firm Gilles & Boissier is responsible for this instant transformation, and their signature style is felt in every detail.

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Your gaze immediately catches the signature 'cages' made from dark American oak. They don’t just decorate the hall—they create a private island of intimacy around each table, an intimate sanctuary. Carved wood is juxtaposed with the cool sheen of white marble, the softness of embroidered leather, and the mysterious glow of blue glass emanating from the illuminated panels. Thoughtful zoning transforms dinner into a personal, almost sacred experience. It’s from these elements—subdued lighting, enveloping lounge music, and a sense of seclusion—that the magic of Hakkasan is born. Here, time slows down. You feel like speaking softly, looking into your companion’s eyes, and forgetting about the world outside the walls. That’s why this place has become almost synonymous with the perfect romantic date or an impeccable business dinner, where nothing distracts from what truly matters.

Star on the plate: What to try at Hakkasan

Hakkasan’s culinary philosophy is modern Cantonese cuisine in its most refined form. Classic recipes here are given new life through contemporary techniques and ingredients of the highest quality, yet they never lose their authentic soul.

To make your dining experience at the restaurant as memorable as possible, be sure to try the dishes that have become its signature offerings and earned rave reviews from guests.

Peking Duck: A hallmark dish perfected to absolute excellence. You’ll be presented with a duck boasting skin so thin and translucent it resembles parchment, with a mirror-like sheen that crackles at the slightest touch. Beneath lies juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meat, served with delicate pancakes and a rich, syrupy plum sauce. This isn’t just food—it’s a ritual.

Supreme Dim Sum Platter: Forget everything you thought you knew about dim sum. Here, it’s masterful craftsmanship: semi-transparent, elastic dough through which vibrant fillings peek—whether it’s the subtly sweet scallop meat, firm tiger shrimp, or savory sea bass. Each dim sum is an explosion of flavor, perfectly balanced and meticulously thought out down to the smallest detail.

Soft Shell Crab: A perfect storm of textures and tastes. The lightest, almost invisible batter bursts with crunch, revealing tender, subtly sweet crab meat. The dish is complemented by a tangy sauce and chili pepper, leaving a long, warming aftertaste.

Wagyu Beef: Pieces of exceptional marbled beef that literally melt in your mouth. Each bite is coated in a glossy, intense black pepper sauce that doesn’t overpower but rather enhances the creamy richness of the meat. This is a gastronomic revelation that makes you rethink the concept of delicacy.

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A little insider tip: Hakkasan’s menu is full of nuances and hidden gems. Your best ally on this journey is the waiter. Don’t be afraid to appear indecisive; on the contrary, share your preferences, and they’ll craft the perfect dinner that you’ll remember for a long time. The ability to engage in this dialogue with the guest is precisely what defines truly premium service.

Service under the microscope: Expectations vs. reality

You expect impeccable service from a Michelin-starred restaurant, and in most cases, Hakkasan fully lives up to these expectations. The staff here are true professionals: attentive, tactful, and expertly guiding you through the gastronomic maze of the menu. Numerous guest reviews confirm this. Stories about waiters who anticipate your desires, "telling you about every dish, taking all our preferences into account, and providing very tactful, unobtrusive service" are not rare here—they’re more the rule than the exception.

However, it’s worth being prepared for one nuance. During peak hours, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings, the restaurant operates at full capacity. Due to high demand and, as some guests note, staff shortages, service may not be as swift as you’d like.

Overall, the service at Hakkasan is professional and meets high standards. Properly planning your visit, taking into account potential crowding, will help you have nothing but the best experience with the service.

Planning your visit: Everything you need to know

Reservations and dress code

Reservations: Getting into Hakkasan without a prior reservation is practically impossible. Booking a table is essential; ideally, do so several days before your visit, and for weekends, one to two weeks in advance. The most reliable method is to call by phone or send an email to the address listed on the official website.

Dress code: The restaurant adheres to a Smart Casual dress code. For men, this means trousers and a shirt (a polo shirt is acceptable), while women should opt for an elegant dress, a skirt with a blouse, or a stylish pantsuit. Beachwear, sportswear, and shorts are inappropriate here—keep this in mind to avoid an awkward situation at the entrance.

Budget and prices

Price level: Let's be honest: Hakkasan is expensive. Very expensive. A dinner for two with drinks can easily exceed a substantial amount, and you should be prepared for that. Prices for beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, also reflect the establishment's premium status.

Value for money: This is one of those cases where you're not just paying for the food. You're paying for a world-renowned brand, its location in Atlantis, Michelin-quality standards, an impeccable atmosphere, and ultimately, that very 'special' memory. And judging by most reviews, this investment in emotions pays off.

Prices are provided for reference only and are subject to change. We recommend checking the current cost of dishes on the official website or when making a reservation.

Getting there and important information

Logistics: The restaurant is located on the grounds of Atlantis, The Palm resort. The most convenient way to get there is by taxi or through services like Uber or Careem. Guests arriving by private car have access to the hotel's parking facilities, including a comfortable valet service.

Information block:

Opening hours may vary on public holidays; we recommend checking the information before your visit.

Final verdict: is Hakkasan worth its star and your money?

So, is Hakkasan worth its star and your money? Our verdict: definitely yes, but under one condition—you must clearly understand what you're coming here for. This isn't just a place to enjoy a delicious meal. It's a full-fledged gastronomic spectacle, and its success depends on your willingness to become both its audience and participant.

Who will definitely enjoy Hakkasan:

• Foodies: Those seeking impeccable Cantonese cuisine, benchmark quality, and willing to pay for Michelin-level standards.
• Couples in love: For organizing the most romantic dinner in an intimate, mysterious, and incredibly beautiful setting.
• Business partners: Those who want to make an impression and conduct negotiations in a prestigious, private, and respectable atmosphere.

Against the backdrop of other premium Chinese restaurants in town, such as Zheng He’s or Shanghai Me, Hakkasan stands out with its unique blend of authentic Michelin-starred cuisine and an exclusive lounge atmosphere that’s hard to find anywhere else.

Hakkasan isn’t about everyday dinners—it’s about a carefully orchestrated experience. It’s an investment in one specific memory that will stay with you long after the bill has been paid. And if your ‘special occasion’ calls for precisely this level of theatricality, impeccable taste, and a touch of magic—you’ve come to the right place.