It is refreshing to take a break from the family kitchen and enjoy a meal out. Dubai is filled with family-friendly restaurants that make dining out something to look forward to. While it may be tempting to fall back on familiar chain restaurants that hand out free colouring sheets, why not venture beyond the usual?
Dubai's multicultural food scene offers a chance to introduce your children to a world of exciting new flavours and textures, without compromising on your culinary style. Today's family restaurants take children's dining seriously, with many of them recognising that little ones (and even teens) will eat more adventurously when given the opportunity. This guide uncovers the best family-friendly restaurants in Dubai for any occasion.
Highly Recommended Family Restaurants
A menu as thick as a novel welcomes diners to The Cheesecake Factory, filled with options that spark curiosity before anyone takes a seat. The Dubai Mall location feels warm and inviting, with round booths where families share plates across the table to taste everything from crunchy crab wontons to fresh pasta. The open kitchen adds to the atmosphere as cooks prepare generous portions. Dessert is always the highlight with towering slices of cheesecake that never fail to draw gasps from the youngest, wide-eyed guests.
Location: Dubai Mall & JBR
At Pavilion, parents can take a back seat while little ones roam. The space feels open and calm, due to large windows that let in plenty of natural light and a terrace overlooking the fountains. Adults linger over coffee as children explore between bites. Inside, comfortable seating encourages families to take their time. The menu changes with the seasons – homemade pasta with fresh tomato sauce, grilled fish with sweet potato mash – dishes that respect young palates without defaulting to chicken nuggets and fries.
Location: Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard
The sizzle of woks and flash of flames fill the air at Wok In's cooking stations. Diners gather close to watch chefs call out orders and toss noodles high, choosing from simple rice dishes alongside milder versions of Asian classics – perfect for children ready to explore new flavours. It's a place where dinner becomes its own entertainment, and young guests are equally mesmerised by the action.
Location: Dubai Marina Mall
Best Breakfast Destinations for Families
The scent of freshly baked bread greets early visitors to Baker & Spice. Parents appreciate the organic ingredients and house-made preserves, while children discover the joy of real maple syrup on fluffy pancakes or honey drizzled over warm pastries. The outdoor terrace at its Jumeirah location offers a peaceful start to the day, with scenic views that encourage families to just one more pastry.
Location: Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1 & Dubai Marina
The Sum of Us is where coffee grinders mingle with quiet conversation. The downtown café's industrial vibe is complemented by a warm aesthetic that sets the scene for wholesome gatherings, where children watch in fascination as bakers work behind glass walls, crafting croissants and morning buns. The menu celebrates both tradition and creativity – thick-cut brioche French toast comes topped with seasonal fruits, while eggs arrive with sourdough bread still warm from the oven.
Location: Burj Al Salam Tower, Trade Centre
Tropical palm trees welcome families to Cafe Bateel, where marble tables and copper details set the scene for a morning meal that complements Middle Eastern tradition. The menu celebrates their signature ingredient – dates, which appear candied on fresh granola and baked into morning pastries, while their specialty dates latte has become a local favourite. Children have their own menu and the attentive staff ensures they feel just as important as their parents.
Location: City Walk, DIFC & Mall of the Emirates
Family-Friendly Dining Outdoors
Restaurants and cafés line The Beach at JBR along the Arabian Gulf, offering casual bites for on-the-go or sit-down meals while watching waves roll in. Tables come out onto terraces, where families enjoy endless sea views or take a stroll along the promenade after dining. The scenery, stretching from sandy beach to the Dubai Eye, makes any meal here feel like a little getaway.
Location: The Beach, JBR
Families gather with plates from different stalls at Ripe Market every Saturday morning. With pastries, hot breakfasts, and coffee for parents, children explore flavours from around the world while local musicians play in the background. The market’s easy-going ambience allows youngsters to move between the playground and their table, making it a cherished weekend for many.
Location: Academy Park, Umm Suqeim (winter) & Times Square Center (summer)
Unique Dining Experiences for Families
122 floors above the city At.mosphere showcases a new perspective of the city's astonishing views. The morning menu features fresh pastries and made-to-order eggs, but it’s the sight of planes gliding past at eye level that leaves a lasting impression on younger ones. The staff here know how to make both parents and children feel welcome, even at such impressive heights.
Location: 122nd Floor, Burj Khalifa
Among the winding lanes of Al Fahidi, Arabian Tea House creates the perfect afternoon pause. The courtyard's old walls and leafy canopy keep families cool while rattan chairs and blue cushions add pops of colour. Parents sip cardamom-spiced coffee as children discover their first taste of karak tea, made gentle for their taste. Plates of warm luqaimat topped with date syrup arrive alongside traditional treats, tempting everyone to try something new. The relaxed setting means children play freely, whilst discovering the taste of old Dubai.
Location: Al Fahidi Historical District, Bur Dubai, near the Dubai Museum
Behind glass walls at The Lost Chambers Aquarium, rays and sharks glide past dining tables. Guests often pause mid-bite, pointing out colourful fish or spotted eagle rays swimming overhead. The menu has quality seafood for parents, thoughtfully selected to ensure it doesn’t include anything they might see swimming past their table.
Location: Atlantis The Palm
Dubai brings families together over food in ways few other cities can. It’s a way to connect, explore, and share meaningful moments. Every meal becomes an experience, reminding families that dining out is as much about the people around the table as the food itself.
