Before COVID I used to travel to Dubai each year to visit my friends who live out there, and given this was my first trip back since before the pandemic, it needed to be pretty special. On the Saturday, Nigel took me to CÉ LA VI for a bottomless brunch. He knew I’d love it, a couple of my other friends had recommended it as well, and it has the most incredible views of the Burj Khalifa from the brunch’s location on the 54th floor of The Address Hotel!
So, are you ready to find out more about CÉ LA VIE brunch on 54? Let’s go!
On my previous trips to Dubai, I’d been to two other brunches, including the famous Saffron brunch at the Atlantis hotel on The Palm. However, CÉ LA VI was without a doubt my favourite one. The busy and buzzing vibe was incredible, the view was breathtaking, and the food was on another level. While CÉ LA VI didn’t have the obscene amount of food stations like Saffron, the quality of food at CÉ LA VI was far, far better.
After ordering our drinks (I started with a Pina Colada, while Nigel chose a gin-based cocktail). We started with the most incredible warm homemade seaweed parker rolls to begin, with European butter with date honey, and Yuzu labneh and pistachio verde. The butter and labneh were so incredible we asked for more bread before the starters had even arrived.
However, the best tip I can give you is…do not order more food. You simply won’t need it. The amount of food you’re given is insane, and if you order extra plates of the intial courses, you’ll be too full for the amazing dessert!
The starters included Beef shank croquettes with truffle aioli (one of my favourite dishes of the whole brunch), Garlic prawns, Grilled tuna tataki (not my favourite to be honest, the fish tasted poor quality and a little ‘off’), and the most incredible Burrata salad.
Our mains featured my favourite dish – the Black truffle ‘sushi rice’ risotto. My goodness. This risotto was just absolute perfection! The Korean BBQ Rib Eye was also exceptionally good, as was the Black Miso Cod. For sides we had roasted brussel sprouts, and a portion of french fries.
Then came the desserts and we instantly regretted ordering extra portions of the bread, the croquettes, and the prawns. It seems our eyes had been bigger than our stomachs, and we really struggled to finish the desserts. Alas, we tried our best, and did pretty well I think!
The desserts were beautiful and were brought out on a CÉ LA VI ‘platter’, and included an assortment of fresh fruit, mango sorbet, lemon madeleine, chocolate and coffee tart, and pistachio mousse cake. It was the perfect ending to a perfect meal!
The atmosphere at brunch was so much fun, people were dancing around their tables, there was a DJ and saxophone player, and of course there’s the famous CÉ LA VI swing for a photogenic moment overlooking the Burj Khalifa.
If you have to chose one brunch to experience when visiting Dubai, make sure it’s CÉ LA VI!
A few questions, answered…
Is CÉ LA VIE brunch bottomless?
Yes! All food and drink from your chosen option is bottomless. They bring out the food on plates, and when you’ve finished each dish, you can ask them to bring more of each particular dish that you enjoyed.
Where is CÉ LA VIE brunch on 54?
CÉ LA VI is a Dubai bar located on the 54th floor of The Address Sky View Hotel in Dubai, right by the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.
What time is CÉ LA VIE brunch on 54?
Brunch on 54 is every Saturday, 12:30pm – 3:30pm.
How much is CÉ LA VIE brunch on 54?
CÉ LA VI bottomless brunch costs AED390 for non-alcoholic, AED490 for House drinks, and AED690 for champagne. These prices are per person, which is incredible value seeing as you get food and bottomless drinks (including Veuve Clicquot champagne for the champagne option, and a gin trolley and cocktails in the House option).
Should I go to CÉ LA VIE brunch on 54?
Yes, you should!