A Guide to La Mer, Dubai

La Mer is a relatively new area in Dubai to become popular but for very good reason, when I first visited here I was pleasantly surprised by the whole area and the beach vibe it had. It almost felt like you’ve stepped into another city and left the skyscrapers behind. We arrived as the sun was beginning to set and this certainly showed La Mer off in the best light. There were people relaxing from a busy day on the beach while others who’d just arrived were taking in the gorgeous street art and dazzling fairy lights, it was a vibrant atmosphere.

La Mer is split into three parts, you have the central plaza where the taxi is most likely to drop you and where you’ll find the waterpark. You can then head north or south from here, south you will find Sea Breeze beach which is home to plenty of beach huts and sun loungers. If you head north you’ll find Smokey Beach which is more of an established board walk area a little like JBR.

If you’re heading to Dubai soon or even live in the city then I’d suggest getting yourself down to La Mer at the next opportunity and to make sure you know what to do I’ve put together a little guide.

A Guide to La Mer

Where to eat

La Mer is pretty full of restaurants and you won’t be short of choice if you come here for breakfast, lunch or dinner. From the central plaza of La Mer you can head either north or south and both will provide you will a variety of choices. If you’re after a certain spot like the ones I’ve suggested below then check out the map otherwise I’m sure you can’t go wrong with a little wonder to find something.

Breakfast – Le Pain Quotidien

This spot is perfect for breakfast or brunch but their menu is a little more extensive than that. We visited during Ramadan and found they were one of few spot still open, they do however have outdoor seat available for the rest of the year. Inside this place, it feels a little like a French cafe crossed with a farm cafe. It is certainly cute and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Not only is this place a restaurant but also has a little takeaway and shop section.

The breakfast menu has so many choices depending on what takes your fancy. I had the omelette whilst I was here and it did not disappoint but seeing all the other dishes coming from the kitchen I don’t think it would matter what you ordered.

Lunch – Mr Greek

Greek food is probably some of my favourite kind so this stop was a no brainer for me when we were here one lunch time. This spot has perfect beachside views and means you won’t have to walk far from the ocean when you start to feel hungry. The menu has all of the typical things you would expect of a Greek restaurant including fresh fish, souvlaki, gyros and Greek salad. I liked that you were offered a choice of sides with your main menu choices. The menu also has some of the most reasonable priced food in Dubai.

The restaurant itself has a very Greek feel with it’s interior decorated in the typical blue that you’d find in the gorgeous beach side towns in Greece. My only negative about this place is that the service was a little slow during our visit.

Dinner – Stars’n’Bars

This was the first spot we tried in La Mer after seeing it advertised in Timeout Dubai more than once and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The bar is split into two parts, the lower ground is more quiet, chilled and suitable for families while the upper level is for those who want to enjoy a good brunch or evening out in Dubai with some good music and food. We opted for the upper level and loved the atsmopehre. They were playing great music, there were plenty of games for people to enjoy (physical and sport on the TV) and if you opt for the alcohol package you would even pour your own pint.

The food is American style so we both opted for burgers and of course the portion was huge. You can select from the menu or opt to make your own which is exactly what I did to ensure it came without bread and cheese, JP on the other hand went for a pre-made option and it did look fantastic. I’d certainly recommend coming here for a burger, drinks, incredible views and a lively atmosphere.

What to do

La Mer isn’t just about eating and drinking, it’s possible to make it more of a day out by partaking in one of these activities.

Laguna Waterpark

A relatively new waterpark in the city and one that sits right on the edge of the beach. It offers discount deals for UAE residents and despite being smaller than others is packed full of things to do. There’s a lazy river, infinity pool and sun loungers for those who want to relax. For those who want a little more there are a range of slides to keep you entertained.

Beach Rentals

Alternatively, if you’re not a waterpark fan but still want something to do in La Mer then head down to one of the beaches and grab yourself a lounger and umbrella for the day. Of course you could just lie your towel on the sand but I tend to find in Dubai you need an umbrella or shade at some point. There’s a gorgeous ocean to jump in when you need to cool off and even a water sports hut that offers paddle boarding and other fun activities.

Street Art

Another huge part of La Mer is the street art and design of the whole area. It half looks like a set from a theme park and half like the super cool street art spots in London. Just wondering around and snapping some cool shots of the art and designs will take you nearly an hour, especially if you come at sunset.

How to get there

La Mer isn’t near to a metro stop unfortunately so the best options to get there are via taxi or driving yourself. If you opt for the latter then you can get 3 hours free parking if your spend over 100AED and get your ticket validated. If you take a taxi just ask to be dropped in the central plaza area as this makes it easiest to navigate around the area.

Have you been to La Mer? What’s your favourite thing to do there?