This quieter, resident-focused beachfront delivers a calmer, more understated counterpoint to the Palm’s typically high-octane scenes
West Beach is known as the Palm’s glossy, high-energy show pony – all basslines, branded beach clubs and the occasional queue for a sun lounger – but Vista Mare is the calmer, better-adjusted sibling. Sitting on the east shoreline of the Palm’s trunk, this resident-leaning stretch has always had good bones, but lately the line-up feels particularly solid.
Less see-and-be-seen, more show-up-and-eat-well. Think dog owners, happy hour catch-ups, weekend lunches, and a more laid-back beach club crowd.
BeBabel
Flanking the top end of Vista Mare, BeBabel is Lebanese dining that knows how to dress for the beach without dumbing itself down. This is a more relaxed, Palm-friendly offshoot of the Babel name, polished but easy, social but not scene-y. The menu sticks close to crowd-pleasing territory: excellent hot and cold mezze, generous platters of grilled meats, and comforting classics like beef shawarma done properly. It works just as well as a location for a long family lunch as it does for sunset drinks with shisha.
BeBabel, Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, daily noon to midnight. Tel: (0)4 331 6770. @bebabeldubai
Canary Beach
The Maine’s sister brand has also slipped into Vista Mare, bringing a hit of laid-back Cali cool with it. Canary Beach is breezy and tactile, all warm tones and natural textures. The menu globe-trots without apology – yakitori here, crudo and sushi platters there, alongside sharing-friendly T-bones and paellas – all pitched squarely at the table-in-the-middle crowd. Coastal, crowd-pleasing food, yes, but it’s the atmosphere that really seals the deal. It’s stylish and fun, with the option to dine right from sun loungers on the sand.
Canary Beach, Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, daily 11am to 1am. Tel: (0)4 584 5999. @canaryclubdxb
Ibn Al Bahr
Ibn Al Bahr remains one of the Palm’s most straightforwardly good seafood restaurants, and its refusal to overcomplicate things is precisely the point. Nautical touches (ropes, anchors, even a boat) set the scene, but the real action happens at the fish counter, where you pick your catch and choose how it’s cooked. Grilled, fried or baked, the flavours are clean and confident. It’s a proper family gathering spot, which means big tables, bustling energy and, these days, a fairly tight squeeze. Nab a terrace table if you can, and enjoy.
Ibn Al Bahr, Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, daily 9am to 2am. Tel: (800) 42625 2247. @ibnalbahr
Limonata
Limonata brings a hit of Italian sunshine to the Vista Mare promenade, leaning hard into colour and charm. All yellow-and-orange, it’s family-friendly without feeling childish, relaxed without being forgettable. You can dine inside, on the terrace, or from a lounger on the sand – very la dolce vita, Palm edition. The menu keeps things crowd-pleasing with antipasti, salads, pizzas and pasta.
Limonata, Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, daily noon to midnight (1am Fri, Sat and Sun). Tel: (0)58 140 5777. @limonatadubai
Logs and Embers
Logs & Embers is unapologetically about meat, with big flavours and American smokehouse energy. Think smoked hot dogs, burgers and Texan-style sharing platters built for groups. It’s ideal for low-effort evenings when you want something simple but hearty by the beach, and the weekday happy hour doesn’t hurt either.
Logs and Embers, Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, Mon to Thur noon to midnight, Fri noon to 1am, Sat and Sun 10am to 1am. Tel: (0)4 514 3778. @taphousepalmjumeirah
The Maine Beach House
All hail Vista Mare’s newest addition: The Maine Beach House, the first beach club outing for the now-legendary homegrown brand. Expect New England comfort food translated for Dubai’s shoreline without losing its soul – lobster rolls, oyster plates and well-executed classics, backed by reliably good service. The mood is relaxed and family-friendly (think more Studio City than Business Bay), with an unfussy charm that makes it easy to settle in. Whether you’re on the terrace or stretched out on a lounger, this one’s a fail-safe.
The Maine Beach House, Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, daily noon to midnight. Tel: (0)4 3265 545. @themainedxb
The Tap House
Vista Mare’s pub, and a very competent one at that. The Tap House brings its award-winning gastropub credentials to Vista Mare with one of the region’s best craft beer selections and a solid menu. Burgers, pub classics and comfort food hit the spot, while Sunday roasts (Nan’s British Roast is a firm favourite) make this a weekend staple for Palm residents.
The Tap House, Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, daily noon to 1am (2am Fri and Sat). Tel: (0)4 514 3778. @taphousepalmjumeirah
Images: Supplied and Instagram
