Where to Spot a VIP in Dubai

Location: J1 Beach, Dubai

Tel: +971 4 393 1233

Open daily 6PM–2AM
Instagram: @gitano.dubai

Step into a barefoot dream where soft sand replaces tile, palm trees sway in candlelight, and the air is laced with the scent of mezcal and sea breeze. Gitano Dubai is a slice of Tulum in the desert, a chic sanctuary of wicker chairs, vintage tables, and glowing lanterns.

It’s more than a restaurant - it’s a vibe. Expect bohemian glamour, slow conversations, and the occasional star sighting. Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Bob Sinclar - they come here for the vibe, the crowd, and the kind of slow, sultry night you can’t fake.

Must-try: Truffle guacamole tacos, tuna tostadas, and the signature Gitano Jungle Punch - a cocktail that’s less of a drink and more of a tropical adventure.

Location: Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina

Tel: +971 4 317 6000
Sun–Thu: 7PM–1AM

Fri–Sat: 7PM–2AM
Instagram: @buddhabardubai

Buddha-Bar isn’t just dinner. It’s an event. Red-and-gold tones, a towering Buddha statue, live DJ sets, and a kind of theatrical luxury that makes every meal feel like a performance.

The décor? Sophisticated with a whisper of mystique. The food? Elevated pan-Asian fare with artistic flair - think truffle rolls, lobster dumplings, and wagyu steaks. The bar? Cocktail alchemy with a glam twist.

Celeb sightings: Will Smith, David Guetta, Gigi Hadid. It’s not unusual to spot a billionaire sheikh sealing a deal over sushi or a fashion icon sipping sake in the shadows.

This isn’t just a residential area - it’s where global power meets understated glamour. Emirates Hills is home to private palaces disguised as villas, manicured lawns that look straight out of a lifestyle magazine, and a level of privacy that draws in some of the world’s most high-profile residents.

Take a morning stroll, and you might just pass Aishwarya Rai or Abhishek Bachchan enjoying coffee on a terrace. Spot Lindsay Lohan walking her dog. The neighborhood feels like a gated dream - and if walls could talk, they’d have some very A-list stories.

Access is invitation-only. But those who manage to step inside its exclusive gates quickly understand why this place is such a magnet for the elite. Luxury here is in the silence, the privacy, the sense that you’ve made it.

Location: J1 Beach, Dubai

Tel: +971 4 558 6381

Open daily 10AM–2AM
Instagram: @baoli.dubai

Bâoli Dubai is where French finesse collides with Asian mystique. Step into a space that feels both lavish and laid-back - soft lighting, rich textures, and a carefully curated ambiance that whispers exclusivity.

Every corner here is Instagrammable, every detail intentional. Sit on the terrace, let the sea breeze tangle your hair, and take in the glittering views of the Gulf. The menu is a symphony of flavors - think miso-glazed seabass, truffle-laced sushi, and cocktails that feel like poetry in a glass.

A-listers from the worlds of film, fashion, and music gather here not just for the food, but for the atmosphere - one that blends privacy with just the right dose of spectacle.

Location: Fashion Avenue, The Dubai Mall

Tel: +971 4 347 7444

Open daily 10AM–2AM
Instagram: @thetrove

Trove is where art steps off the walls and onto your plate. A riot of color, creativity, and culinary innovation, this place turns dining into a visual and sensory journey.

The décor pops with modern art installations, bold hues, and a touch of flamboyance - designed to surprise and delight. Each dish is plated like a canvas, each cocktail crafted with show-stopping flair.

You’re as likely to see Jason Derulo or Travis Scott snapping photos of their plates as you are to stumble upon a spontaneous meet-and-greet with Kevin Hart. Trove isn’t just about food - it’s about being part of a living, breathing art show.

Location: 5th Floor, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road

Tel: +971 4 356 2900
Mon–Thu: 7PM–2AM

Fri–Sat: 7PM–3AM

Sun: 7PM–1AM

A tropical escape with reggae rhythms and spicy aromas, Miss Lily’s is the kind of place that grabs you by the hips and doesn’t let go. Bright colors, vinyl records on the walls, cozy booths - everything here is dripping with island soul.

It’s loud, it’s warm, it’s full of character. Think jerk chicken that bites back, cocktails that flirt with your tastebuds, and a soundtrack that instantly teleports you to Kingston. This isn’t just dinner - it’s a mini vacation.

Celebs like Rihanna and the Hadid sisters have been known to swing by when they’re in town. And if you’re lucky, your night out might come with a story worth retelling.

Location: Pearl Jumeirah, Dubai

Tel: +971 4 376 6000

Open daily 11AM–8PM
Instagram: @nikkibeachdubai

Imagine lounging on a white sunbed, glass of rosé in hand, while DJs spin chill beats and bronzed models strut by poolside. That’s Nikki Beach. It’s where fashion meets sun-drenched hedonism.

With its all-white aesthetic, panoramic Gulf views, private cabanas, and beach-chic vibes, this isn’t just a place to tan - it’s a stage. You’re as likely to catch a fashion show as you are to spot a Premier League footballer.

Expect champagne showers, artful sushi platters, and Instagram moments served on a silver platter.

Location: 50th Floor, The Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah

Tel: +971 4 422 4242

Open daily 10AM–7PM
Instagram: @auraskypool.dubai

Perched 200 meters above the city, Aura offers the world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool - and views that are simply surreal. The design fuses sleek modern elegance with organic textures, creating a sanctuary above the clouds.

Swim. Sip. Gaze at the horizon. This is where the city’s elite - including Cristiano Ronaldo and Martin Garrix - come to disconnect from the frenzy below.

It’s serene, cinematic, and seriously photogenic. Don’t forget your sunglasses - or your sense of awe.

Location: 1st Floor, The Dubai Mall

Tel: +971 4 587 1000

Open daily 10AM–1AM
Instagram: @amayadubai

If fashion week had a restaurant, it would be Amaya. Drenched in bold hues, contemporary art, and runway energy, this place makes every meal feel like a curated experience.

The interiors blend glamour with edge, the menu walks the line between indulgent and inspired, and the people? Equally fabulous. From designer-clad influencers to off-duty pop stars, the room is as much a spectacle as the food.

Names like Bobby Shmurda, Lil Durk, and Ne-Yo have all made appearances - often seated just a table away from starstruck diners.

Location: Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

Tel: +971 4 407 4100

Open daily 12PM–12AM
Instagram: @wearenusret

It’s not just dinner - it’s theater. At Nusr-Et, every meal comes with a side of drama, courtesy of the one and only Salt Bae. With a flick of the wrist and a glint in his eye, he turns steak slicing into an art form.

The restaurant itself is luxurious yet inviting, all warm tones and plush textures. The service? Impeccable. The meat? Legendary.

No wonder Leonardo DiCaprio, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all pulled up a chair. Here, the sizzle isn’t just on the grill - it’s in the air.

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into the same scene as your idols, Dubai makes it possible. Here, celebrity isn’t just an idea - it’s part of the everyday. And the best part? It could happen when you least expect it.

So pack your camera. And maybe an autograph pen. Just in case.