Dunes Café is the all-day-dining restaurant at the Shangri-La Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road. Located in the lobby on the right as you enter its décor is very much a continuation of the hotels, and as such, is a very pleasant place to dine. The Dunes buffets and Friday brunches have made quite a name for themselves and are considered one of the better culinary offering on the Sheikh Zayed strip. Benjarong at the Dusit Thani on the opposite side of the highway being the notable other. I was at Dunes to try their breakfast buffet with a friend who was staying at the hotel.
Egg station 
Dim sum station 
Dining area 
The noodle station
Being at the Shangri-La meant there was going to be an Asian bias to the buffet, and I was not disappointed in this regard. Fresh dim sum and noodle stations were just two of my favourite spots along the winding buffet. Being a buffet in Dubai meant there were sections which covered something for the Middle Eastern, Western and Desi pallets as well. I ordered myself a lovely bowl of breakfast noodle soup, spiking it with some fiery chilli sauce for that little extra wake me up. Goooood morning Dubai. Everything on this buffet is of the highest quality.
Service at all Shangri-La venues is excellent, and Dunes Café was no different. In addition to being genuinely friendly, I found their staff attentive and accommodating. Dunes has themed nights for dinner almost every night, the crown jewel of which is their surf and turf Lobster, Seafood and Wagyu Beef Buffet which at AED 475 minus drinks isn’t cheap but I hear its excellent. Themes vary so be sure to call ahead to find out before coming. Is the breakfast worth AED 150? If you’ve got an Emirates NBD card it certainly is because you get 25% off. I think all Shangri-La venues are worth a visit, including this one.
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companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts
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