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In a city like Dubai, where overabundance and extravagance reign, it is not easy to attract the spotlight. And yet the new Atlantis The Royal hotel has done just that: last Saturday, January 21, the hotel opened its doors with an opening ceremony featuring Beyoncé, who delighted those present with an hour-long concert.
But, to tell the truth, the astonishment was not (at least not only) of the famous artist, because the building is striking in itself: located on the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah, it is a huge structure (500 meters long and 178 meters high, with 43 floors) built in horizontal blocks (it seems to emulate a game of jenga) that deconstructs the traditional skyscrapers of the emirate, the work of the study Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF).
The ultra-luxury Atlantis The Royal is not to be missed: its 795 rooms, 93 swimming pools or its jellyfish pond, the largest in the world (with 4,000 of these animals), prove it. And its incredible gastronomic offer, too: the building is home to 17 world-class restaurants and 8 of them are captained by celebrity chefs. “From Michelin-starred concepts to gastronomic successes, the world has yet to see culinary mastery until Atlantis The Royal,” reads its website. Below, all of them.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The owner of The Fat Duck (three Michelin stars) offers here (and there…) an avant-garde vision of the historic British cuisine. How? Through some of his most iconic dishes: there is that Meat Fruit, a tangerine and chicken liver parfait, and the so-called Tipsy Cake, a dessert of roasted pineapple on a spit dating back to 1810. But also through new recipes and drinks inspired by the ingenuity of historical events, as well as ingredients and formulas from medieval Britain.
Ling Ling by Hakkasan
Located on the 23rd floor, Ling Ling is more than just a dining experience. The establishment, which brings Hakkasan’s exclusive lounge concept to Dubai, features a dining room, ultra-lounge club and outdoor terraces. And, of course, it is committed to contemporary Asian cuisine, from morning to evening. Stylish décor and eclectic soundtrack – its highlight? Panoramic views of the Palm and the Arabian Sea. Of course, you must be 21 or older to enter.
Nobu by the Beach
Acclaimed chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, better known as Nobu, runs a total of 50 restaurants. And this is one of them: a beach and pool club that offers inventive Japanese-Peruvian bites, signature cocktails and live music. It also boasts private cabanas and exquisite personalized service. All of this, facing the sea.
Estiatorio Milos by Costas Spiliadis
Greek and Mediterranean recipes land in the emirate thanks to Costas Spiliadis, the owner (and chef) of one of the best seafood restaurants in the world. More than just an exquisite experience, dining here is conceived as an act of sharing. “Each dish, from fresh fish and wild Greek oysters to ceviches and tzatziki, is presented in its purest form with a sprinkling of Aegean rock salt or a drizzle of olive oil from centuries-old Koroneiki olive trees, accentuating the natural flavors and freshness of the ingredients,” they explain.
La Mar by Gastón Acurio
Exploring the authentic flavors of Peruvian cuisine is their raison d’être. Gastón Acurio always bets on exclusive bites that translate into classic cebiches, delicate tiraditos, traditional potato causas and even freshly grilled anticuchos, the favorites of street food. As a finishing touch (of course…), a glass of pisco sour. A word to the wise: from its open-air terrace you can watch the incredible sunset.
Jaleo by José Andrés
Created by José Andrés, chef recently chosen by this publication as one of the most influential chefs in gastronomy in 2022, Jaleo advocates dishes to share and enjoy with friends. Exclusive tapas, abundant paellas, sangrias, cheeses, wines, sherries… formulas that delicately recreate the chef’s favorite Spanish recipes. “Legacy and fantasy in one bite,” they say.
Ariana’s Persian Kitchen
To evoke the aromas of a traditional Persian home, pastry chef Ariana Bundy draws inspiration from family recipes passed down from generation to generation and combines meats, grains and vegetables with fruits, nuts and floral fragrances. As a result, the menu of her restaurant (run by women, by the way) features classics of Iranian gastronomy with some modern touches. A play of textures, spices and flavors in a most charming place.
Little Venice Cake Company by Mich Turner
Mich Turner, also known as the queen of couture cakes, is a pioneer in the baking world. The entrepreneur, also the author of a total of 7 books, founded Little Venice Cake Company in 1999 and, even today, her cakes continue to inspire many. Celebrities such as Paul McCartney, Emma Thompson, Gordon Ramsay and David Beckham, to name a few, have tasted her genius. And now anyone who visits Atlantis The Royal can try them too.
Atlantis The Royal: other casual dining, beach bars and clubs
The luxury accommodation’s gastronomic offer is rounded off by 5 other casual restaurants: Gastronomy, the buffet restaurant at Atlantis The Royal; Malibu 90265, the typical American diner inspired by the West Coast; The Royal Tearoom, which serves snacks and tea in collaboration with pastry chef Christophe Devoille; Food Marquet, which focuses on street food; and House of Desserts, home of the “best artisanal ice cream in Dubai”. Not to mention its various beach bars and clubs: Nobu by te Beach, Cloud 22, Resonance by Heston Blumenthal and Elements. Wow, a real luxury.
