Seven Dubai tables for a date night

Date night in Dubai is mostly a question of what you want the evening to be about: the view, the room, the food, or simply not having to think. These seven restaurants each answer one of those questions clearly. All take reservations online, all were checked against their official pages, and none has been visited by us for this guide, so treat the notes as a map rather than a review.

For the view: Thiptara

Thiptara is Palace Downtown's Thai restaurant on the edge of Burj Lake, with sightlines towards the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa. Dinner runs daily from 6pm, the lounge bar opens from 5pm, and there is a published vegetarian and vegan menu. Ask for a lakeside table when you book; the hotel does not promise every table the same view.

For a terrace: Alici

Alici is a Southern Italian seafood restaurant on the Bluewaters boardwalk with terraces on both floors facing the Marina skyline. Raw and cooked seafood, handmade pasta and pizza; weekday service pauses between 4pm and 5pm, weekends run straight through from noon to 11pm. Reservations are through SevenRooms.

For the beach: BeBabel The Palm

A contemporary Lebanese bistro at Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah, split between an indoor room, an enclosed terrace and an open-air deck beside the beach. Open daily from noon to midnight with a full cocktail list. Say which seating you want when booking.

For a late start: Mimi Kakushi

A Japanese restaurant and bar in Restaurant Village beside Four Seasons Jumeirah, styled on 1920s Osaka. Sushi, tempura, grilled seafood and meat, rice pots; the published schedule is noon to 2am daily, which makes it the only table on this list that works after a late show. Bookings through its own SevenRooms page.

For the grill: Rüya

Rüya at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm, cooks across Anatolia's seven regions: mezze, charcoal grill, seafood and larger plates, with the Mekan bar and lounge attached. Dinner is 7pm to 11pm; there is a set Anatolian Experience menu at AED 500 per person and separate vegan and gluten-free selections.

For the room: Il Ristorante - Niko Romito

The signature Italian restaurant at Bvlgari Resort on Jumeira Bay Island, dinner only, Tuesday to Saturday from 7pm with a last seating at 10.30pm. À-la-carte, tasting and vegetarian menus; the pricing is firmly luxury, with mains listed at roughly AED 190 to 580. Book ahead.

For the whole evening: Trèsind Studio

A reservation-led Indian degustation at St. Regis Gardens on Palm Jumeirah, served in two fixed seatings Monday to Saturday (6pm and 9.15pm; closed Sunday). The food price is collected in advance and dietary requirements must be given before the visit, so this is the choice when the evening is the plan, not a stop on it.