The Palm Fountain in Dubai is dotted with a number of restaurants with views of the water, light and sound show.
The Palm Fountain in Dubai is dotted with a number of restaurants with views of the water, light and sound show.
The Palm Fountain in Dubai is dotted with a number of restaurants with views of the water, light and sound show.
The Palm Fountain in Dubai is dotted with a number of restaurants with views of the water, light and sound show.

Restaurants with the best views of Dubai's Palm Fountain at The Pointe


Janice Rodrigues
  • English
  • Arabic

The Palm Fountain is all set for its launch event on October 22. On the day, representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand at The Pointe in Dubai to assess whether the fountain, which spans 14,000 square metres, is indeed the world's largest.

Between 7pm and 9pm, the fountain will come alive with more than 3,000 LED lights and music.

The free tickets on PlatinumList are now sold out, and ticket holders must also reserve a seat to watch the show by booking a table at one of the many restaurants located on The Pointe.

If you’re unable to make the opening event, fret not – the Palm Fountain will run year round, playing at 30-minute intervals after sunset.

If you’re looking for some of the best seats in the house for the colourful water show, here are the restaurants with the best views.

On the west side

Kyo Restaurant and Lounge

Kyo is one of the more upscale venues in the area
Kyo is one of the more upscale venues in the area

The fine-dining Japanese restaurant is located on the far west side of The Pointe, and serves a variety of maki rolls, teppanyaki and more. Outdoor seating is available on the ground floor and the first floor terrace.

Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 3pm-midnight; Friday, 1pm-midnight; Saturday 2pm-2am; Monday 3pm-2am; West Marina, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; 04 557 5182; www.kyorestaurant.com

Chuan

Located beside Kyo, this Chinese restaurant specialises in seafood delicacies. Sit outdoors on the ground floor or on the upstairs terrace, which features lounge-style seating, wicker furniture and pops of blue.

Open daily; noon to midnight; West Marina, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; Dubai; 04 564 3888; www.chuanseafood.com

Le Pirate

Another seafood joint with an outdoor seating area, Le Pirate features nautical-themed interiors across the ground and first floors. The restaurant has a number of seafood and meat options, including fish with Tunisian fried peppers and eggs, lamb couscous and spaghetti lobster.

Open daily; 5pm-2am; West Marina, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; 04 242 5585; www.lepirate.ae

Grove Road by Bystro

Launched by the team behind Bystro in Dubai, Grove Road is located on the upper deck of The Pointe, and serves a range of salads, tacos, burgers and rolls. Plus mains such as cauliflower steak, veal Milanese, chicken Kiev and fish 'n' chips. Guests can sit on the terrace for views of the Palm Fountain.

Open Sunday-Wednesday, 4pm-11pm; Thursday, 4pm-midnight; Friday, noon to midnight; Saturday, 11am to midnight, Sunday closed; Level 2, the West zone, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; Dubai; 04 564 9874; www.groverd.com

Al Safadi 

The Lebanese chain is known for its authentic manakeesh, shawarma and barbecued meats. Its location at The Pointe has seating across two floors, with both the outdoor areas offering great views of the dancing fountain.

Open daily, 9am-1am; Zone A, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; 04 241 4846; www.alsafadi.ae

Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe

While the menu includes sandwiches, salads and mains, this is ultimately a chocolate cafe, so expect freshly baked pastries, waffles, tarts, ice-cream concoctions and more. The ground floor outdoor seating area offers good views.

Open Sunday-Wednesday, 9am-11pm; Thursday-Saturday, 9am-midnight; ground floor, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; 04 587 6518

Bareburger

The burger chain is known for its unique offerings – including camel, venison and lamb burgers. More than a third of its menu is vegetarian and there are gluten-free options too. The indoor seating area offers cosy booths, while the outdoor seating area is a relaxed place to lounge while tucking into gourmet burgers.

Open daily, Saturday-Wednesday, noon-11pm; Thursday-Friday, noon-midnight; The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; 04 557 5514; www.bareburger.ae

Starbucks

If you prefer to stick to tried-and-tested favourites, you can always head to the Starbucks branch at The Pointe for coffee, sandwiches or baked treats, and enjoy views of the fountain from the outdoor seating.

Open daily; 7am-1am; The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; 04 815 4345; www.mena.starbucks.com

On the east side

Chicago Meatpackers

The Chicago Meatpackers serves steaks and gourmet burgers
The Chicago Meatpackers serves steaks and gourmet burgers

The meat-lovers' paradise specialises in steak and gourmet burgers. Vegetarians and vegans won't feel left out either, as the venue offers Chicago dogs made with a Beyond Meat sausage and meatless short ribs. The interior has an upscale American diner vibe – think brick pillars and cosy booths – while the outdoor seating area has cushioned wooden seating overlooking the fountain.

Open Sunday-Wednesday, noon-midnight; Thursday, noon-1am; Friday, 11am-1am; Saturday, 11am-midnight; East Marina, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; 04 580 7983; www.meatpackers.ae

Chalet Berezka

Feast on honey cake, borscht and pelmeni at this Russian restaurant, with eclectic art-filled interiors, an open kitchen and a two-level outdoor area. Fountain views aside, the latter benefits from a cosy ambience, with plush cream cushions and tiny lamps on every table.

Open daily, 5pm-2am; East Marina, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; 052 156 7405; www.berezka.ae

A Cappella

Located along the first floor, this licensed tapas spot offers one of the best seating options overlooking the fountain. The menu includes dishes from around the world, including pani puri, chicken tikka masala, kung pao, cheese burgers, lamb kebab, patatas bravas, wasabi prawns and risotto.

Open daily; 4pm-1am; East Wing, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; 058 971 9542; www.acappelladxb.com

Amira's Deli

A combination of an American deli and a European bakery, this menu includes a range of pizzas, pastas and burgers. It has ground floor outdoor seating that is minimalistic and located right beside the fountain.

Open daily, 8am-midnight; The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; 04 587 6772

Fnajeen Restaurant & Cafe

Located beside Amira’s Deli, Fnajeen is a charming venue set across two levels. The restaurant specialises in Iraqi cuisine, so expect plenty of kebabs, grilled meats and mezzes. The interiors are well-lit, with dining and lounge-style seating available outdoors. The upstairs terrace is spacious and offers good fountain views.

Open daily; Sunday and Wednesday, 10am-1am; Monday, 9am-1am; Tuesday, 10am-1am; Thursday, 9am-2am; Friday-Saturday, 10am-2am; The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah; 04 589 3300

Il Passaggio

Il Passaggio channels the Amalfi Coast
Il Passaggio channels the Amalfi Coast

A home-grown Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, Il Passaggio serves soups, salads, burgers, pizzas and pastas. The upscale interiors feature a black-and-white colour scheme and marble tabletops. Meanwhile, the outdoor seating area, featuring plenty of wicker furniture, is designed to transport guests to the Amalfi Coast.

Open Sunday-Thursday, 9am to 10pm; Friday-Saturday, 8am to 10pm; The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; 04 587 3111; www.ilpassaggio.com

The biog

Favourite hobby: I love to sing but I don’t get to sing as much nowadays sadly.

Favourite book: Anything by Sidney Sheldon.

Favourite movie: The Exorcist 2. It is a big thing in our family to sit around together and watch horror movies, I love watching them.

Favourite holiday destination: The favourite place I have been to is Florence, it is a beautiful city. My dream though has always been to visit Cyprus, I really want to go there.

Results

4pm: Maiden (Dirt) Dh165,000 1,600m
Winner: Moshaher, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).

4.35pm: Handicap (D) Dh165,000 2,200m
Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

5.10pm: Maiden (Turf) Dh165,000 1,600m
Winner: Rua Augusta, Harry Bentley, Ahmad bin Harmash.

5.45pm: Handicap (D) Dh190,000 1,200m
Winner: Private’s Cove, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav.

6.20pm: Handicap (T) Dh190,000 1,600m
Winner: Azmaam, Jim Crowley, Musabah Al Muhairi.

6.55pm: Handicap (D) Dh190,000 1,400m
Winner: Bochart, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

7.30pm: Handicap (T) Dh190,000 2,000m
Winner: Rio Tigre, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav.

'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Our legal advisor

Rasmi Ragy is a senior counsel at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Prosecutor in Egypt with more than 40 years experience across the GCC.

Education: Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 1978.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8

Power: 611bhp

Torque: 620Nm

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Price: upon application

On sale: now

Richard Jewell

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley

Two-and-a-half out of five stars 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Destroyer

Director: Karyn Kusama

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan

Rating: 3/5 

UAE release: January 31 

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
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  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
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  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
%3Cp%3EBy%202030%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%20aims%20to%20achieve%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2039.3%20million%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20nearly%2064%25%20up%20from%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20Dh90%20billion%20contribution%20to%20GDP%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2084%25%20more%20than%20Dh49%20billion%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20178%2C000%20new%20jobs%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20bringing%20the%20total%20to%20about%20366%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2052%2C000%20hotel%20rooms%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20up%2053%25%20from%2034%2C000%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%207.2%20million%20international%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20almost%2090%25%20higher%20compared%20to%202023's%203.8%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%203.9%20international%20overnight%20hotel%20stays%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2022%25%20more%20from%203.2%20nights%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Four-day collections of TOH

Day             Indian Rs (Dh)        

Thursday    500.75 million (25.23m)

Friday         280.25m (14.12m)

Saturday     220.75m (11.21m)

Sunday       170.25m (8.58m)

Total            1.19bn (59.15m)

(Figures in millions, approximate)

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The biog

First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974  
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work

How Voiss turns words to speech

The device has a screen reader or software that monitors what happens on the screen

The screen reader sends the text to the speech synthesiser

This converts to audio whatever it receives from screen reader, so the person can hear what is happening on the screen

A VOISS computer costs between $200 and $250 depending on memory card capacity that ranges from 32GB to 128GB

The speech synthesisers VOISS develops are free

Subsequent computer versions will include improvements such as wireless keyboards

Arabic voice in affordable talking computer to be added next year to English, Portuguese, and Spanish synthesiser

Partnerships planned during Expo 2020 Dubai to add more languages

At least 2.2 billion people globally have a vision impairment or blindness

More than 90 per cent live in developing countries

The Long-term aim of VOISS to reach the technology to people in poor countries with workshops that teach them to build their own device

Company name: Farmin

Date started: March 2019

Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi 

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: AgriTech

Initial investment: None to date

Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs 

The major Hashd factions linked to Iran:

Badr Organisation: Seen as the most militarily capable faction in the Hashd. Iraqi Shiite exiles opposed to Saddam Hussein set up the group in Tehran in the early 1980s as the Badr Corps under the supervision of the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The militia exalts Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei but intermittently cooperated with the US military.

Saraya Al Salam (Peace Brigade): Comprised of former members of the officially defunct Mahdi Army, a militia that was commanded by Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr and fought US and Iraqi government and other forces between 2004 and 2008. As part of a political overhaul aimed as casting Mr Al Sadr as a more nationalist and less sectarian figure, the cleric formed Saraya Al Salam in 2014. The group’s relations with Iran has been volatile.

Kataeb Hezbollah: The group, which is fighting on behalf of the Bashar Al Assad government in Syria, traces its origins to attacks on US forces in Iraq in 2004 and adopts a tough stance against Washington, calling the United States “the enemy of humanity”.

Asaeb Ahl Al Haq: An offshoot of the Mahdi Army active in Syria. Asaeb Ahl Al Haq’s leader Qais al Khazali was a student of Mr Al Moqtada’s late father Mohammed Sadeq Al Sadr, a prominent Shiite cleric who was killed during Saddam Hussein’s rule.

Harakat Hezbollah Al Nujaba: Formed in 2013 to fight alongside Mr Al Assad’s loyalists in Syria before joining the Hashd. The group is seen as among the most ideological and sectarian-driven Hashd militias in Syria and is the major recruiter of foreign fighters to Syria.

Saraya Al Khorasani:  The ICRG formed Saraya Al Khorasani in the mid-1990s and the group is seen as the most ideologically attached to Iran among Tehran’s satellites in Iraq.

(Source: The Wilson Centre, the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation)

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets