From Côte d'Azur classics to Yoruba-inspired grills, here’s where to book at J1 Beachfront.
The long-awaited J1 Beachfront is officially complete, and it’s every bit the French Riviera fantasy Dubai was promised. Formerly known as La Mer South, this 500-metre stretch is now home to 13 high-gloss restaurants and beach clubs, from storied Riviera names like African Queen to home-grown concepts like Sakhalin. With direct beach access and a private jetty for boat arrivals, it’s the perfect destination for languid lunches and golden-hour dinners that stretch well into the night. Here’s our guide to eight of the very best restaurants at J1 Beachfront.
Sakhalin
Sakhalin is the brainchild of Michelin-starred Russian chef Vladimir Mukhin – the man behind Moscow’s renowned White Rabbit. Over the years, Mukhin has become something of a celebrity chef in Dubai, and this seafood-forward concept is one of his most compelling. The menu blends Russian, Mediterranean and Japanese influences – think octopus carpaccio in chimichurri, creamy okroshka soup with veal tongues, and whole red Alaskan crab pulled straight from the in-house aquarium. Mycophiles are well catered for, with an entire menu dedicated to rare chanterelle mushrooms – a wild, hard-to-cultivate variety prized for its uniquely fruity, peppery flavour.
By day, beachfront sun loungers, light plates and signature martinis set the tone at Sakhalin. As the sun goes down, the mood becomes more subdued and atmospheric: a twilight nod to its namesake – Russia’s Sakhalin Island – the point where east meets west.
African Queen
Born in 1969 in Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the French Riviera, African Queen made its name as a favourite of film stars and yacht captains, hosting everyone from Brigitte Bardot to Humphrey Bogart. Now at J1 Beachfront, the Dubai outpost channels the same Riviera glamour with crisp white linens, animal-print seating and distinctively warm service. The menu sticks to what it does best: red prawn carpaccio, Provençal-style seafood towers, and crisp zucchini flowers. Perfect for a refined dinner or date night, it’s nostalgic and old-world with just the right amount of contemporary reinvention.
Kaimana Beach and Restaurant
If J1 Beachfront has a hidden gem, it’s Kaimana – a lively, island-themed eatery that channels the spirit of the Pacific with a Japanese-Polynesian menu. The name means “power of the sea” in Hawaiian, and that ethos runs through everything here: wood-fired lobster, king crab dumplings, yellowtail sashimi with a citrus-chili lift. Cocktails are equally sharp, centred heavily around rum-based infusions with sweet tropical flavours. With its resident DJ and seashell-shaped beachside cabanas, it’s easy to linger from day to night in Kaimana. Dress up or dress down for dinner – sandy feet are welcome.
Lúnico
Lúnico has the mood of a private members’ club: dim, design-led, and a little elusive. Inspired by the moon’s cycles, this Spanish fine dining restaurant unfolds in curved lines and soft shadows, with a menu rooted in Iberian coastal traditions. Highlights include albóndigas a la española, langostinos grillados, and a flame-licked Wagyu tomahawk for two. The cocktail list is cerebral and creative, drawing on the ancient civilisations of pre-Columbian America – think mezcal, tepache, and drinks tailored to your star sign. After dinner, the late-night bar comes to life with the percussive strum of live flamenco guitar, a fitting tribute to one of J1’s most authentic Spanish dining experiences.
Al Meyass By The Sea
First established in Beirut in 1996, Al Mayass brings decades of Levantine tradition to J1 Beachfront. This family-run institution honours recipes passed down through generations, expertly blending Armenian and Lebanese influences. Kibbeh nayeh, veal in sour cherry sauce, and stuffed aubergines are all prepared with a clear sense of origin, complemented by a thoughtful list of Lebanese wines. Dinner at Al Meyass aims to comfort more than impress, but it succeeds in doing both. The beachfront setting may be new, but its spirit remains unchanged. Come with company, order generously, and don’t skip the sweet mafrouke with pistachio and lemon petal jam for dessert.
Bâoli
A Cannes favourite with a cult following, Bâoli has always blurred the line between fine dining and nightlife. Its sprawling new J1 Beachfront outpost unfolds across four spaces: the Sun Deck, the Sunset Lounge, the Beach, and – perhaps most alluring – the hidden Moon Room speakeasy. Led by Executive Chef Omar Basiony, the menu leans into East Asian and French-Mediterranean influences, with a focus on shareable plates: robata-grilled Argentinian red prawns, beluga caviar, and truffle boulettes. The interiors at Bâoli are lush and jungle-like, accented with warm mid-century details. When the clock strikes 11pm, dinner gives way to revelry in the Moon Room, with live entertainment, flowing drinks, and a crowd that came to stay late.
Gigi Rigolatto
“Gigi Rigolatto is not an Italian restaurant,” the restaurant affirms. “It’s the restaurant of an Italian named Gigi.” That distinction sets the tone for this dazzling (and yes, Italian) destination – light-hearted and larger than life. Imported from Saint-Tropez, Gigi Rigolatto is about barefoot glamour, with a Bellini bar on the lawn, parasols by the pool, and a menu made for sharing. Dishes like vitello tonnato, gnocchi al pomodoro, and filetto di tonno arrive alongside cold, free-flowing rosé. Children are welcome in the Gigi Circus kids’ club, and there’s a boutique on-site retailing everything from tableware and candles to high-quality beachwear.
INÁ
INÁ is the theatrical centrepiece of J1 Beachfront – a bold, fire-driven concept with otherworldly interiors and a menu guided by open flame. Towering red drapes, soaring ceilings and dark stone lend the space a temple-like ambience, softened by candlelight and curated music. At the heart of the kitchen is the largest open-fire grill in Dubai, turning out everything from charred seasonal vegetables to ribeye, lobster, and whole wild fish. The music, curated by resident DJs Shae Reid and Sané, shifts with the hour – rhythmic and cinematic early on, louder and livelier as night falls. INÁ is not subtle, and it’s not supposed to be. A contrast to J1’s breezier, beachfront energy, this is dinner as spectacle: intense, primal and hard to forget.
