Published: 13 March 2026
Dubai is home to nearly a quarter of a million British expats, many of whom arrived in search of sunshine, opportunity, and a distinctly elevated pace of life. Ask most what they miss about the UK and it probably won't be the grey skies or orderly queues – it'll be a proper Sunday roast with all the trimmings, golden Yorkshire pudding included. Across the city, gastropubs and restaurants are putting their own stamp on the classic Sunday roast, and doing it remarkably well. Whether you’re in search of an upscale dinner by the sea or a relaxed pub big enough to host the whole family, here are some of the best places in Dubai to enjoy an authentic roast.
The Strand, Palm Jumeirah
A Sunday roast by the sea isn't exactly the traditional setting, but that's part of the appeal at The Strand on Palm Jumeirah. Set along the shoreline of Palm West Beach, the restaurant brings a relaxed, coastal energy to what is otherwise a pub ritual. The kitchen keeps the format reassuringly familiar: roast beef, lamb, and chicken, with a few thoughtful additions including salmon and vegan Impossible Meat. All roasts come with the essentials – crisp roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, home-cooked Yorkshire pudding, and proper gravy. It's a simple formula well executed, and the kind of meal that stretches quite easily into a long afternoon beside the water.
The Duck Hook, Dubai Hills Estate
The Duck Hook is a country-style gastropub in Dubai Hills, and it's one of the city's most reliable spots for a family-friendly Sunday roast. Quantity abounds here: plates come stacked high with seasonal vegetables and slow-roasted meats, complemented by a traditional dessert menu of sticky toffee pudding and treacle tart. Vegetarians are well catered for too, with a hearty homemade nut roast. Surrounded by Dubai Hills golf course, the restaurant opens onto wide lawns with fairy-lit terraces – perfect for the kids to burn off some energy after dinner. Dogs are welcome at The Duck Hook, too.
This pub is famously busy and doesn't take bookings in advance. If you can't get a table, Hillside Brasserie sits directly opposite and delivers equally well. The roast is at the same high standard, served in a setting that's slightly more polished and Art Deco than its rustic neighbour.
The Guild, Downtown Dubai
The Guild takes the Sunday roast seriously – perhaps more seriously than anywhere else in Dubai. Tucked inside Gate Avenue, this modern British brasserie feels more Mayfair than DIFC, with dark wood panelling, leather banquettes, and an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work. The concept is led by Chef Jason Atheram and is lauded in both the Michelin Guide and Gault&Millau. Relative to the heaping plates served at The Duck Hook and The Strand, The Guild’s roast is focused on culinary precision over quantity, served across three courses.
The accompanying wine list is extensive, and there's a strong selection of British gins and craft beers. It's a more elevated experience than a traditional Sunday lunch, both in execution and price, but for those seeking an authentic, high-quality roast in a polished setting, it’s well worth seeking out.
Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay, Palm Jumeirah
Gordon Ramsay is the quintessential face of British cooking, and with a track record of 17 Michelin stars, it's safe to say he knows his way around a Sunday roast. Bread Street Kitchen at Atlantis The Palm brings his signature style to Palm Jumeirah: bold, confident cooking in a sleek, industrial-chic setting inspired by the original BSK outpost opposite St. Paul’s in London.
The Sunday roast here doesn't stray far from tradition, and it's executed with the kind of precision you'd expect from a Ramsay kitchen. Roast beef, lamb, and chicken are the mainstays, served with all the trimmings – crispy roast potatoes, root vegetables, Yorkshire puddings and rich gravy. Classic British desserts such as sticky toffee pudding round out the menu, making this one of the more recognisable interpretations of the roast in Dubai.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Palm Jumeirah
Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at Atlantis The Royal delivers exactly what you might expect from the eccentric British chef: meticulously researched, historically inspired British cuisine with a contemporary edge. Originally a Knightsbridge institution, Heston famously collaborated with food historians and consulted the archives at Hampton Court Palace to revive recipes dating back centuries – an approach that carries through every dish on the menu.
The Sunday roast here is focused on superior sourcing, with premium cuts of meat, minimalist vegetable dishes, and tall golden Yorkshire puddings. The wider menu features the brand’s signature dishes, from the iconic Meat Fruit (c. 1500) to the pineapple Tipsy Cake (c. 1810), offering a fascinating glimpse into Britain's culinary history. This is a more formal take on the Sunday roast in Dubai – not the place for a casual family lunch, but ideal for those who want to experience British cooking at its most thoughtful.
The Spaniel, Bluewaters Dubai
Led by chef Will Stanyer, The Spaniel is where to go for a roast with a view. Set at the foot of Ain Dubai, the restaurant pairs wide waterfront views over the Gulf with glittery interiors evoking an old-world European brasserie. The weekend menu centres on slow-cooked meats, including a 10-hour lamb served with mint sauce, and a standout Australian MB4-5 Wagyu beef. The vegetarian options here go well beyond the familiar nut roast and meat substitutes, featuring a salt-baked celeriac roast served with carrot and swede mash.
Bloody Mary enthusiasts will find plenty to explore at The Spaniel. The cocktail list includes inventive variations on this New York classic, from the paprika- and mezcal-infused Mayan Michelada to a rosemary-laced Red Snapper. A strong selection of British craft beers and an approachable wine list make it easy to stretch the meal well into the evening.
