One of my guilty pleasures when traveling is sampling High Teas around the world. It's such a ridiculous tradition ("Why yes, I'd love an entire tower of cake in the middle of the afternoon. Why not?"), but it's fun anyway. Especially because a full afternoon tea tends to be a lengthy endeavor, and it's rare…
Continue reading: Review: Afternoon Tea At At.mosphere Burj Khalifa Dubai
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I am impressed they gave you the whole bottle of Luc Belaire. I have ordered that bottle before for 75+ dollars at less impressive places.
Awesome! It really seems like something you must try once when in Dubai!
It's expensive, but at the same time, for the amount of food and drinks you get, there seems to be a lot of value out of it. And when you factor in that you typically pay a high price to get to an observatory on top of a high building, without being served any food, the value for the food and drinks is even higher.
Thanks for the review!
I always wondered, Is this a so to speak 'stuffy' place when it comes to attire? I assume it is dress to impress....is a dress code somewhat enforced and if so what is it for guys/gals?
Beautiful pictures! Also great to know they have a veggie option. Always annoyed when I go to an expensive restaurant and find myself confined to the most uninspiring creation on the menu.
Nice review Tiffany! I've been there with my gf earlier this year. I fully agree that its worth the experience. There is a dress code for both men and women (smart elegant), but it is not very strict (as long if you wear long pants and leave your flipflops at home it will be ok). I would recommend to visit this place (highest restaurant in the world!) if you go to Dubai.
Wow, a whole bottle of rose! It actually looks like a better value than afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab. Hmmm...
Great review Tiffany!
I'm more excited for my trip in October now. I'll be having afternoon tea here as well, and at the Burj Al Arab.
Thanks, great review, I will now plan on doing this myself. Am enjoying these posts on Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I hope there are more.
Does having tea there pretty much remove the need to go up in the building otherwise?
@ bob -- Probably more so in the evening. We both wore longer sundresses, but there were plenty of people in what I'd consider "resort wear." All the gentlemen had collared shirts, but some were short sleeved, etc.
@ David W -- Thanks! I think a side by side comparison sounds fun! (hint hint Ben 😉 )
@ Kate -- Thanks! I would think so. I've been to the observation deck, and it's not significantly more interesting, so I wouldn't do both.
Great review! My best friend and I have made a tradition of having afternoon tea on every trip we take. I would love to hear what some of your favorite locations are!
Great review, this looks like something I will have to try if/when I make it out to Dubai. Thank for taking the time to put this together!
Great review. If my feedback is worth anything, I like the inclusion of some experience write-ups in addition to Ben's reviews of flights and hotels.
For what you had in terms of experience, food and beverage, I really don't think that was a bad price. It's a splurge, sure, but you can spend $150 a head for something far less memorable in the US if you're not careful.
So I have to go there - were there any kids? Was there any outright ban on children? My daughter would love this and I'd love to bring her in a couple of years when she could remember it.
Very good review but then your reviews always are very full so no surprise.
Seems like a very odd "Afternoon Tea" to me though. What kind of Tea starts at 12 noon? This is more like an odd Lunch/Tea hybrid. And the "main course"? What's that all about? Plus points for getting all the rose.
Pretty weak selection of teas but everything else looks wonderful. The main does seem a little incongruous. Of course from an Australian perspective the lack of a meat pie and a sausage roll is a glaring omission, with my British hat on, where's the clotted cream?
@ Ed -- There weren't any children, but I don't think it would be inappropriate as long as they're well-behaved. I often see younger children at other "fancy" teas, and it always seems like they're enjoying it.
@ Leo -- Hah, agree it is very early, but having a hot dish isn't unusual for a High Tea. In fact, I had someone at the Hotel Des Indes in Den Haag go on forever about how a "proper" High Tea should have a hot dish, and if it didn't then it was properly called an "Afternoon Tea." They were quite passionate about it, but i have no idea if they were correct.
@ Ed -- Hah, they did bring clotted cream along with the cakes and scones. I just neglected to take picture!
You might be right about the "High Tea" business - my mother used to distinguish between the two, I think it did involve something hot, but I think it was a bit more simple like something toasted. Anyway Tea be it high or afternoon is my favourite "meal" but then I do have a sweet tooth. My vertigo would keep me out of that particular establishment however!
@ Dave D -- Roast beast indeed, with Yorkshire pudding. The second dish had marinated and grilled prawns with a pasta.
I'll be visiting Dubai in January and now trying to decide between High Tea at Burj Khalifa or at the Burj el Arab.
I'll be by myself ... so if they give you and entire bottle of champagne to enjoy at the Burj Khalifia it might be worth it to go there!
Do you get any privileges to visit the observation desk as well before/after your visit for the Tea service? I would doubt it but just curious.
Great review. I'm thinking of visiting UAE, but would be a middle aged woman traveling alone. I'm not easily scared or paranoid, but I am a little anxious about this area, what with all the clothing and alcohol rules. Any tips (other than this spot for tea, which is now absolutely on the list)?
Oh, and please post about Singapore. I'll be there in mid-September, and have no ideas at all of what to do.
Great post! $150 seems well worth it for a splurge when you get such a view and high quality food and drink. And the chance to take Mom: priceless.
Thanks for this trip report Tiffany. I'll be in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai for the first time this November by way of taking the long way home from Sydney in an Etihad First Apt. I have booked tea at the Burj Al Arab based on Ben's review but this series has certainly given me ideas on what else to do. Great pictures by the way. Any special camera or just a point and shoot?
@ Lanny -- Nope, it's run entirely separately, you use different elevators, etc.
@ mbh -- Thanks! Did you happen to see the earlier post in this series? It's not something I worry about too much, to be honest, but I made a few notes there.
@ puckjeff -- Sounds like a fun trip! I just got lucky with the photos, honestly -- these were all with my phone.
Maybe it's just the computer I'm viewing this on, but the text on menu pictures seems smaller and difficult to read when you put them in the image flip thing.
Work reasonably well on normal pictures, but perhaps not on text?
Hi, we had high tea at at.mosphere this past weekend, and it appears they've switched from the rose to a bubly white.
Just stumbled on this excellent review, thank you Tiffany!
I'm planning a stopover in Dubai next September on our honeymoon trip and will definitely make a reservation. One thing I wanted to ask is in order to see the dubai mall fountain show on our way out with good lighting, what time is the best to leave the restaurant? 5.30 like you did or a little later?
Thanks!
@ Leonardo -- My pleasure! I think the first show is at 6PM, but the lighting will depend a bit on the time of year.
Thank you Tiffany! I just checked on the Dubai Mall website and you are absolutely correct, for the evening they start at 6 pm with a show every 30min up to 11pm.
Excellent Review Tiffany, thank you!
I have been trying to find out details on the high tea experience and you have answered all of my questions. Lovely photos too.
Thanks again 🙂