J1 Beach Resort: Luxurious Restaurants by the Sea

A comprehensive review of 13 exclusive establishments redefining beachside leisure. We explore what’s replaced the budget-friendly La Mer and how to plan the perfect visit to Jumeirah’s new flagship hotspot.

Forget the La Mer you once knew. Dubai has erased its most affordable beach from the map, replacing it with J1 Beach—a dazzlingly luxurious enclave for discerning hedonists. The cozy casual cafes have given way to heavy artillery: a collection of thirteen world-class restaurants, including concepts from teams with Michelin stars. In this guide, we dissect each resident to ensure you know exactly where to take your date, host the trendiest party, or simply spend the perfect day by the water.

^{Image from}

J1 Beach's key residents: A detailed restaurant overview

Project flagships: restaurants with Michelin potential

Sireo — the Italian Riviera by the creators of Michelin-starred restaurants

Unique selling point: High-end Italian cuisine with a focus on seafood, set in the elegant ambiance of an Amalfi Coast villa. Sireo isn't just dinner—it's a vow of allegiance to the Italian dolce far niente (sweet idleness). The concept, refined by a team with two Michelin stars in its European portfolio, transports you to a private villa somewhere between Positano and Capri. Here, everything is imbued with the essence of sun and sea: from the light-colored interior design to the menu, where platters of the freshest seafood take center stage, risotto in which every grain is infused with the salty sea breeze, and perfectly grilled fish. This is a place for leisurely lunches that seamlessly transition into sunset hours, and romantic dinners accompanied by the soothing sound of waves.

• Cuisine: Italian, seafood.
• Ambiance: Elegant, relaxed, romantic.
• Price Level: $$$$ (High)

Gigi Rigolatto — bohemian chic and the atmosphere of Saint-Tropez

Unique selling proposition: A full-fledged premium beach club featuring pools, a garden, and a restaurant inspired by the French Riviera. Gigi Rigolatto isn't just a place you drop by for an hour to have dinner. It's an entire estate for hedonists, a teleport to the atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur, where it's customary to spend the whole day. The scenario goes like this: you start your morning by one of two pools, leisurely sipping a cocktail. In the afternoon, you head over for lunch at a restaurant offering impeccable French-Mediterranean cuisine. And as sunset approaches and the DJ cranks up the energy, you realize that your laid-back day has seamlessly transformed into an elegant, upscale soirée. Gigi isn’t just a meal—it’s an investment in the perfect day, far more than just a restaurant bill.

• Cuisine: French-Mediterranean.
• Ambiance: Luxurious, vibrant, and cosmopolitan.
• Price Range: $$$$ (High)

^{Image from}

Bâoli — tropical hedonism and pan-asian cuisine

Unique selling proposition: A renowned concept from Miami and Cannes, blending exotic cocktails and contemporary Asian cuisine within an alluring jungle-inspired interior. Bâoli lures you into its velvety embrace, where under the canopy of giant leaves and soft, subdued lighting, a seductive spectacle unfolds. It’s a Miami vibe wrapped in an Asian aesthetic, brought straight from Cannes. The menu features a bold fusion of Japanese, Thai, and Chinese flavors: from rolls with unconventional sauces to spicy woks. But the real magic happens at the bar, where mixologists craft intricate tropical cocktails that are adventures in themselves. Bâoli — the perfect launchpad for a vibrant night.

• Cuisine: Contemporary Pan-Asian (Japanese, Thai, Chinese).
• Ambiance: Mysterious, trendy, hedonistic.
• Price Range: $$$ (High-Mid)

^{Image from}

A gastronomic kaleidoscope: the other residents of J1 Beach

To complete the picture, here’s a quick guide to the other gems in the J1 Beach collection:

• Sakhalin: A Moscow-based delicacy landing in Dubai. The renowned project by Boris Zarkov and White Rabbit Family brings its "mediterrasian" concept— a fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine—to Dubai. Head here for Kamchatka crab, sea urchins, and black caviar, all enjoyed in a luxurious setting with direct views of the Burj Al Arab.
• Gitano: A teleportation to Mexican Tulum. Bohemian jungle ambiance, flickering candlelight, electrifying rhythms, and contemporary Mexican cuisine. This spot is tailor-made for lively gatherings, romantic dates, and dancing late into the night with a mezcal-based cocktail in hand.
• African Queen: Another hit from Saint-Tropez. Imagine an elegant yacht club on the French Riviera, but infused with subtle African accents in both cuisine and décor. A haven for those who appreciate time-honored classics and impeccable service.
• Chouchou: Chic without unnecessary pretension. This laid-back beach club with a French flair is the perfect choice for those who want to spend a day by the water in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere. Expect light snacks, rosé, and a sense of eternal summer.
• Almayass by the Sea: The Aristocracy of the Levant. This renowned Lebanese-Armenian restaurant offers a refined take on Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s the place for connoisseurs of impeccable hummus, juicy kebabs, and intricate mezze served with exquisite finesse.
• INÁ: Fire and Meat. This steakhouse with a Latin American soul puts high-quality, open-fire-cooked meat at the forefront. The atmosphere here is as fiery as the grill—energetic, vibrant, and perfectly suited for a hearty dinner.
• La Baia: Italian Classics by a Maestro. Another representative of Italy, but with a focus on classic recipes from the Campania region, prepared by a chef with Michelin-star experience. Expect impeccable pasta, dishes featuring the freshest seafood, and the warm, welcoming ambiance of a premium family-style restaurant.
• Lúnico: Spanish Temperament by the Bay. The spirit of Ibiza and Barcelona all in one bottle. This spot is designed for large groups gathering around a massive paella, an array of tapas, and pitchers of sangria, to bid farewell to the sun to the rhythm of Spanish guitars.
• Mūn: Asian Luxury. A conceptual restaurant where Asian fusion meets Dubai chic. An interior inspired by lunar landscapes, combined with an original menu, makes Mūn the ideal venue for a special occasion.
• Kaimana: A Polynesian oasis. Exotic flavors and an atmosphere of a tropical paradise. Here, dishes inspired by Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures are served, and rum-based cocktails with tropical fruits instantly transport you to distant islands.

How to choose the perfect spot: A comparison of J1 Beach restaurants

Your visit to J1 Beach: A practical guide

Table reservations

All establishments at J1 Beach are extremely popular. Reserving a table, especially for the evening or weekends, must be done well in advance—ideally several days or even weeks ahead. This can be done through the restaurants' official websites or popular Dubai reservation services.

How to get there

• By Taxi/Car: The most convenient option. Enter "J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1" into your navigation system. The complex offers ample parking, including valet parking services.
• By public transport: The nearest bus stops are located on Jumeirah Beach Road. From there, you'll need to walk a short distance.

Budget and prices

J1 Beach is a premium complex. Be prepared for correspondingly high prices.

• Average dinner bill (excluding alcohol): from 400–500 AED per person at mid-range restaurants to 800–1000+ AED at fine dining establishments.
• Cocktails: 70–100 AED.
• Beach club sunbed rental: from 300 AED per day (often this amount serves as a deposit towards food and beverages).

Dress code and etiquette

During the day, beach clubs embrace a relaxed "beach chic" vibe—think flowing tunics, linen shirts, and stylish hats. But as the sun sets, J1 Beach transforms. The evening dress code at most restaurants is Smart Casual, and it's taken very seriously here. Forget about shorts and flip-flops if you don’t want to feel out of place. For men, this means lightweight trousers or premium jeans paired with a shirt; for women, a dress or an elegant top with trousers. Remember: in Dubai, at places like these, people dress not so much for comfort as for becoming part of this magnificent spectacle of luxury.

What does J1 Beach mean for Dubai? Outcomes and prospects

The transformation of La Mer into J1 Beach is far more than just a change of sign. It’s a mirror reflecting Dubai’s very own evolution: a shift away from universal spaces “for everyone” toward the creation of highly targeted, impeccably curated worlds tailored for a discerning audience. J1 Beach isn’t merely selling food or access to the sea—it’s offering a fully crafted script for a luxurious day, where every single detail serves one singular purpose: to impress. And judging by the buzz surrounding it, the city has embraced these new rules of the game wholeheartedly. The question is no longer whether J1 Beach will become Dubai’s new signature landmark. The question now is: have you already booked your table to experience it firsthand?