Downtown Dubai restaurants hike rates for New Year’s Eve revellers

Downtown Dubai restaurants hike rates for New Year’s Eve revellers

It would not be December in Dubai without a flurry of announcements of exhilaratingly-priced seats at restaurants near one of the centrepieces of the emirate’s New Year’s celebrations – the Burj Khalifa and its iconic dancing water feature, the Dubai Fountain.

It has become a tradition for residents and visitors alike to wait for the extraordinary cost of eating dinner in proximity to one of the city’s iconic fireworks displays.

Most restaurants with ample views of the firework and fountain festivities offer a set menu which includes dinner, drinks, many of which are alcohol free due to the licensing laws, at a price which far exceeds the usual.

Among this year’s offerings for dinner with views are Vietnamese Foodies, which is selling seats for AED 1,500 ($408) per adult sitting outdoors, AED 750 indoors, with payment to be made in advance. Children under 12 pay half price and children under three are free.

For those wishing to party at Dubai Opera and make their way outside to watch the fireworks at midnight, tickets start at AED 1,850 per person according to listings and ticket sales website Platinum List, with VIP tables nearest the stage going for AED 32,500 for a group booking 10 people.

Fast