Inside the new-look At.mosphere, Dubai's highest restaurant on floor 122 of Burj Khalifa


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

It’s been six months since Dubai’s highest restaurant, At.mosphere, closed its doors for a much-needed refresh, and it’s now ready to show off the results.

The lift up to Burj Khalifa’s 123rd floor is filled with the same familiar sensation of popping eardrums, but when the doors open, everything feels new.

The reception area at At.mosphere features dark wood and gold accents. Photo: At.mosphere
The reception area at At.mosphere features dark wood and gold accents. Photo: At.mosphere

A refreshed reception area, at the bottom of At.mosphere’s grand spiral staircase, features mosaicked floors, gold accents mixed with dark wood, and botanical-themed wallpaper — bridging the key design elements that run through the restaurant and lounge on either side.

To the left, the more relaxed lounge area has undergone a complete overhaul. Gone are the dark wood tables, beige leather chairs and brown carpets and in their place, pink floral wall panels, a central bar with a crystal chandelier ceiling overhead, and teal cushioned chairs pulled up at grey marble tables.

To the back of the bar, a circular hole in the wall offers a glimpse at a discreetly positioned DJ, who spins a soundtrack that provides a cool vibe without overpowering. A separate smoking lounge features mirrored ceilings, green floral wallpaper, and towering Birds of Paradise plants, continuing the lounge’s botanical theme.

The updated bar menu features light bites and sharing dishes, albeit not your average bar fare. On the menu, expect billionaire sliders, braised wild mushroom and oysters on ice. Behind the bar, mixologists are offering theatrical creations, designed to be photographed.

The lounge area now features plush blue seating with botanical accents. Photo: At.mosphere
The lounge area now features plush blue seating with botanical accents. Photo: At.mosphere

Back through the reception area, visitors looking for a more formal fine-dining experience will find an updated restaurant and dining room. White-clothed tables line the floor-to-ceiling windows at the room’s parameter, while larger square tables fill the centre of the room.

The restaurant’s design is sleek and classic, with dark wood, burgundy and midnight blue accents throughout, with low lighting adding to the intimate vibe. A large square bar sits at the restaurant’s entrance, while at the back on the room, a private dining space can accommodate large private parties, who want to make the most of At.mosphere’s views.

The French-inspired menu is set to change regularly, working with seasonal ingredients, but expect the likes of foie gras, sea bass served with caviar and yuzu foam, and A5 Wagyu ribs Rossini.

The restaurant has had a contemporary update, with burgundy and midnight blue themes running throughout. Photo: At.mosphere
The restaurant has had a contemporary update, with burgundy and midnight blue themes running throughout. Photo: At.mosphere

“The reopening of At.mosphere is a momentous occasion for us all,” said Mark Kirby, head of Emaar Hospitality. “Our aim was to redesign the concept to create something truly fascinating and we believe we have achieved this and more.

“The elegant interiors, unbeatable views and cuisine all combine to create a remarkable venue, worthy of its prime location in the iconic Burj Khalifa. We look forward to welcoming guests back to experience the new and improved At.mosphere and partake in an elevated level of fine dining brilliance like nowhere else in the city.”

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SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

The Freedom Artist

By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)

What is a Ponzi scheme?

A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.

Company profile

Name: Dukkantek 

Started: January 2021 

Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani 

Based: UAE 

Number of employees: 140 

Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service) 

Investment: $5.2 million 

Funding stage: Seed round 

Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office  

MATCH INFO

Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)

Man of the match Harry Kane

The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk


Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)

Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

Updated: February 08, 2023, 2:05 PM