LION in the Sun Dubai is back. From 25 September, the Mediterranean rooftop on the 62nd floor of Mandarin Oriental Downtown reopens for a new season, bringing its open-fire cooking and skyline views back to the top of Wasl Tower.
If you haven’t been yet, here’s everything worth knowing, from the story behind the restaurant to what actually lands on your table.
The Story Behind LION in the Sun
LION in the Sun first opened in Dubai on 25 November 2025, and it’s not a random name. The concept is inspired by the original Lion in the Sun retreat in Malindi, Kenya, a private home turned resort developed by Flavio Briatore, the Italian entrepreneur best known as a Formula One team principal. That original retreat has quietly drawn artists, designers and musicians for years, and the Dubai outpost borrows its warmth rather than copying it outright.
The kitchen is led by Italian chef Lorenzo Buccarini, who has spent over five years cooking across the UAE after stints in Indonesia, Turkey, Morocco and South America. His approach is simple: food should bring people together, which shows in how generously LION plates its dishes for sharing.
The restaurant is run by Majestas Group, and it sits 62 floors above Sheikh Zayed Road, with Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa laid out below.
What’s New This Season?
This season isn’t a relaunch so much as a return. LION closed for the summer and comes back on 25 September with the same open-fire philosophy, just renewed. The kitchen continues to work around a central open-fire setup, with the menu built on seasonality: grilled lobster, king crab, aged cuts and seasonal produce, all cooked with fire doing most of the work.
The idea, according to the restaurant, is to make you feel expected. A remembered order, a table held for you, the small gestures that make a restaurant feel like somebody’s home rather than a hotel outlet.
The Food: Mediterranean, Built Around Fire
LION’s menu moves across the Mediterranean coastline: handmade pasta and paella on one end, fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables on the other. Past seasons have built a reputation on dishes like wagyu tacos, bluefin tuna tartare, gnocchetti with Mazara prawns, and a dry-aged wagyu tomahawk meant for the table to share. Expect the new season’s menu to follow the same instinct: confident technique, generous portions, and ingredients good enough that the fire doesn’t need to do much convincing.
Three-course meals have typically ranged from around AED 250 to over AED 1,000 depending on what you order, so it works both for a relaxed dinner and a proper celebration.
Also Read: Where to Find the Best Afternoon Tea in Dubai Right Now
The Setting: A Home Above the City
Warm wood, woven rattan and amber lighting give the dining room the feel of a private residence rather than a restaurant at height. Floor-to-ceiling windows keep the Burj Khalifa in view without turning the room into a viewing gallery. The terrace takes the same experience outdoors, with Downtown Dubai lit up beneath you.
Indoors, the space seats around 80 guests, with LION Bar carrying the evening from the first drink to the last. The cocktail menu leans on memory and place, built around flavours tied to somewhere specific rather than novelty for its own sake. Between the indoor bar and the open-air terrace, it’s one of the more dramatic bar settings in Dubai right now.
Details at a Glance
- Reopens: 25 September 2026
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 6pm to midnight
- Location: 62nd floor, Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, Wasl Tower, Al Anbaa Street, Sheikh Zayed Road
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, open-fire cooking
- Price range: Around AED 250 to AED 1,000+ for three courses
- Contact: WhatsApp +971 56 573 8283, dubai@lioninthesun.com
- Website: lioninthesundubai.com
- Instagram: @lioninthesundubai
Insider tip: Book the terrace side of LION Bar if you’re going for the view over the food. It’s one of our picks among Dubai’s highest rooftop restaurants for skyline views, and it gets busy fast once the weather cools down, so reserve a few days ahead for weekends.
Why It’s Worth a Visit
Dubai has no shortage of rooftop restaurants, but LION’s pitch is different. It’s not chasing the loudest room in the city. It’s built around feeling recognised, whether that’s your first visit or your tenth. If you’re already comparing options for a special dinner, it sits comfortably alongside our list of romantic rooftop dining spots in Dubai, and LION Bar alone is worth a mention next to our best rooftop bars in Dubai roundup.
FAQs
When does LION in the Sun Dubai reopen?
LION reopens for its new season on 25 September 2026.
Where is LION in the Sun located?
On the 62nd floor of Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, in Wasl Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road.
What type of food does LION serve?
Mediterranean cuisine built around open-fire cooking, including handmade pasta, paella, fresh seafood, grilled lobster, king crab and aged cuts.
Who is behind LION in the Sun?
It’s run by Majestas Group and inspired by the original Lion in the Sun retreat in Malindi, Kenya, developed by Flavio Briatore. The kitchen is led by chef Lorenzo Buccarini.
What are LION’s opening hours?
Monday to Sunday, 6pm to midnight.
How much does dinner at LION cost?
Three-course meals typically range from around AED 250 to over AED 1,000, depending on what you order.
Images: Supplied
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