King Charles III’s official coronation ceremony will take place on May 6 at Westminster Abbey. Brits in Dubai, or fans of Netflix’s The Crown, can watch the historic ceremony live at these Dubai venues that promise to transport you to Blighty through food, fanfare and festivities. Sadly, that commemorative bank holiday on Monday, May 8 isn’t on the cards for us lot. But royal enthusiasts in the UAE can look forward to a weekend of pomp and pageantry at these 12 places.
1. Cafe Gray
Does it get any more British than High Tea and His Royal Highness’ investiture? Newly opened Cafe Gray at the Dubai Hills Mall is celebrating the coronation with Coronation Day-themed afternoon tea from May 5-12. Finger sandwiches stuffed with Coronation chicken, sticky buns, scones with jam and clotted cream, and all other quintessentially British teatime delights make the menu. Besides that, you can also tuck into a sharing menu (AED 220) for two featuring British classics such as shepherd’s pie, English berry trifle and a complimentary Pimm’s berry mocktail, inspired by that ultimate nostalgic summertime British fix.
From 3pm-6pm; AED 237 for two people. Call 056 5098697
2. Speakeasy Dubai
Watch the screening live in a pub (but of course), when you pop down to Speakeasy Dubai. The JBR watering hole will be hosting a live screening of the coronation of King Charles III on May 6 and May 7 on gigantic indoor and outdoor screens. This little shindig goes all in by handing out crowns, British flags and face masks of the British royal family to visitors and has cheeky games like ‘Pin the crown on the King’. While the King’s Procession parades on, you can march through the menu of All Day Royal Breakfast, bangers and mash, fish and chips or shepherd’s pie. Raise a toast to the Britannia’s new king with themed cocktails such as the Pimm’s Royal and The Pimmlet.
From 1pm; call 04 439 8881 or visit www.speakeasydubai.com
📍 Delta Hotels by Marriott Jumeirah Beach
3. The Croft
British eatery The Croft is serving up a special family-style lunch on May 6 to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III. You might have to skive off work for this one or call in a long lunch break. Tune into a live stream of the royal festivities in Westminster Abbey at this Dubai Marina joint between forkfuls of Coronation chicken pie, herb and lemon baked cod packed, Queen’s mutton pie, Chocolate Battenberg cake and more.
From 12pm-4pm; AED 150 per person. Call 04 319 4000 or email eatatharbour@marriott.com
📍Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites
4. QE2
To fully immerse yourself in British grandeur, while you watch a historic coronation, step aboard the storied ocean liner -turned-floating hotel the QE2. The once-upon-a-time warship that’s now docked at Port Rashid was named by its namesake and the current British King’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. The historic cruise ship is hosting a glitzy Coronation Charity Gala Dinner on May 5 at the Queen’s Room ballroom. Come dressed to the nines in black tie and formals; proceeds from the dinner go to Gulf For Good and Larchfield Children’s Home, Tanzania, so you know you’re following the humanitarian footsteps of the new monarchs.
From 7:30pm until late; AED 750 per person. Call 600 500 400 or visit www.qe2.com/en/coronation
5. Barasti
One of Dubai’s oldest beach clubs is hosting a dressed-down celebration to mark the coronation. A cinema-sized screen will be set up on their middle deck on May 6, where you can watch all the regal excitement unfold in nippy London while you’re soaking up sun and feel the sand beneath your feet. Of course, you’ll be snacking on British nibbles and drinks the whole time. It’s the free entry though that takes the crown!
Call 04 318 1313
6. Yalumba
Done up in red, white and blue from top to toe, this Aussie restaurant in Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre will be baking up biscuits with merrymakers during their family-style Sunday Blunch on May 7. Besides Union Jack-themed props, this Royal Affair of a brunch will also host a ton of activities for kids and adults, ranging from painting stations, petting zoos, bouncy castles and more.
1pm-4:30pm; from AED 225 per person. Call 04 702 2455 or email www.restaurants.lmd@lemeridien.com
7. The Roast by Bubbalicious
Brits in the city seeking a touch of nostalgia should sit down to a hearty roast dinner at this epic Sunday brunch that’s considered one of the city’s most decadent; a feast fit for a King. This coronation-themed edition on May 7 will serve up coronation chicken sandwiches, afternoon tea staples like scones and Sunday roast dishes all in a cheery garden party setup. Live music, free-flowing G&Teas – a clever mashup of the gentry’s two favourite drinks. Participate in a cake decorating competition as a nod to the King and Queen’s favourite show British Bake Off. Or put your craftiness to good use making commemorative buntings.
From 1pm-4pm; starting AED 295 per person. Call 04 511 7373 or visit www.minaskitchendubai.com/specials
8. Dubliner’s
On May 6 and 7, this Irish pub that’s served as a friendly local for Dubai residents from not just the Emerald Isle but all of the British Isles too, mammoth HD TVs will be be set up to watch the epic coronation ceremony in all its glory. Good craic and great grub such as classic pie and chips will recreate the Big Smoke’s festive vibes right here in Dubai.
Call 04 702 2455 or email restaurants.lmd@lemeridien.com
9. The Pavilion Emirates Golf Club
A pretty swish afternoon do is brewing in time for the royal coronation amidst the lush lawns of the Emirates Golf Club. On May 6, as the ceremony unfolds on the big screens raised for the occasion, you can gorge on a regal British afternoon tea, Queen’s mutton pie, roast with Yorkshire puddings and all the trimmings as well as Eton mess for dessert. It’s no coronation concert by Katy Perry and Take That, but a live singer will try to match the grand gig’s vibes with some celebratory tunes.
From 1pm–4:30pm; AED 395 per person. Email emiratesdining@dubaigolf.com
10. Address Boulevard
The Downtown venue’s signature eatery The Restaurant is going all out on May 6 with a brunch bursting with succulent roast beef. There’s also the option of dainty pastries and premium fine-leaf teas and exotic coffees that will sit pretty in The Lobby as part of a themed Afternoon Tea marking the official crowning of King Charles.
Brunch starts at AED 300 per person; from 1pm-4pm. High tea starts at AED 250 per person, from 3:30pm- 6pm. Call 04 561 8152 or book here
11. Reform Social & Grill
At his gastropub in The Lakes, it’s not just breakfast that’s ‘Full English’. On May 6, this neighbourhood favourite turns up the Britishness with a brunch, entertainment and activities and a live screening of King Charles ascending to the British throne.
12. At.mosphere
The palatial restaurant inside the Burj Khalifa is an ideal place to watch the new British monarch’s cloud nine-moment while you’re sat high up amidst the clouds. A themed afternoon tea featuring British dishes and classic decor will set the mood on May 6 and 7 while you enjoy the live screening of KinG Charles’ coronation ceremony.
From 12:30pm -3:30pm; AED 350 onwards per person. Call 0 4 888 3828