8 Indoor Dubai Lunch Spots for Sketching This Summer

There’s something nice about slowing down during lunch, soaking in your surroundings and noticing the little things you might usually overlook.

Dubai has plenty of restaurants with gorgeous interiors and delicious plates flying out of the kitchen, all of which can inspire a little sketch. We’re not talking about a fancy paint setup - just a sketchpad, a pencil and some time to look around.

Batliwala & Co. 

The bold lettering and vibrant patterns make Batliwala & Co. a fun place to sketch over lunch. Inspired by childhood summers in Bombay, the space is full of colourful details and quirky touches, giving you lots to capture between bites. 

Running until the end of August, the summer activation brings a playful sense of nostalgia to Dubai, with kulfi lollipops in flavours including pista, malai and kesar, alongside chilli-salted dried mango and classic Indian sweets.

Visit: batliwaladxb

XU

A true visual feast, XU brings the energy of modern Asian cities into a dramatic dining space. The interiors combine rich textures, refined materials, sculptural forms and accents, with a cinematic quality that makes the restaurant feel almost like a scene from a film.

For the sketchbook, look at the details that give XU its character. The strong lines and shapes, shadows and atmospheric lighting offer plenty to play with, whether you want to capture one striking corner or let the page build from a collection of smaller details. Come for lunch, take your time and see where your pencil takes you.

Visit: xurestaurantdubai

Barrafina Dubai

A lively spot for lunch, Barrafina Dubai has the kind of energy that makes you want to keep your sketchbook open. The open kitchen puts the action right in front of you, with chefs preparing Spanish tapas-style dishes behind the counter and the room constantly moving around them. Full of little moments to catch.

For the sketchbook, forget perfect lines. Capture the curve of a glass, a passing face or the details of a dish as it lands on the table. It’s about drawing the rhythm of lunch as it happens, rather than trying to capture everything at once.

Visit: barrafinadubai

Lana Lusa

Inspired by Portuguese architecture and coastal landscapes, the space has a warm, easygoing feel that makes you want to stay a little longer.

For the sketchbook, look closer at the ceramics, table settings and beautifully presented dishes, or pick out a detail in the room that catches your eye. It’s the kind of place where a leisurely lunch can easily turn into an afternoon of drawing – and don’t forget to order the pastel de nata!

Visit: lanalusadxb

Soul Kitchen

Soul Kitchen's interiors make you feel at home, there's enough detail around the room to keep your eye moving without feeling too polished or formal. It’s a welcoming spot for a long lunch, whether you’re there solo or meeting someone for a casual date.

For the sketchbook, keep it loose. Capture the striking chandelier, the bar area of a kinetic installation of migrating birds, or whatever catches your eye. It’s less about getting every line right and more about capturing the feeling of the space as lunch unfolds.

Visit: soulkitchendxb

Jun’s

At Jun’s, polished interiors come with a playful edge. Known for its “third culture cooking”, the restaurant is a firm favourite with Dubai foodies. Look out for the striking lighting, varied textures and playful details dotted around the space – there’s plenty here to keep your eye busy while lunch unfolds.

For the sketchbook, begin with the amazing mesh lighting above, then notice the details around you – a nicely presented dish, an interesting corner, or the person sitting across from you. There's lots to capture, so let your eyes wander and see what makes it onto the page.

Visit: junsdubai

Eugène Eugène

A true gem for a leisurely lunch, Eugène Eugène brings a touch of the French countryside to Dubai. Inspired by European greenhouses and traditional market halls, the space is filled with lush greenery, palm and olive trees, woven textures and natural materials, creating a relaxed and elegant setting with plenty of details to discover.

For the sketchbook, this is all about observation. Follow the shapes of the plants, the lines of the furniture, the textures across the room or the details on the table in front of you. Take a seat, order lunch and see what makes it onto the page. 

Visit: eugeneeugenedubai

Above Eleven Dubai

Above Eleven Dubai is the one to choose when the view is part of the experience. Perched above the city, it pairs panoramic views across Palm Jumeirah with stylish interiors and Peruvian-Japanese dining. There’s a lovely sense of space here, making it an easy place to settle in for a long lunch and take your time.

For the sketchbook, start with the view. Follow the lines of the skyline, Palm Jumeirah or the architecture around you, then turn your attention to the dishes on the table. It works just as well for a solo lunch as it does for a date with a little more time to linger.

Visit: aboveelevendubai