J1 Beach: Dubai’s dazzling new beachfront venue
The highly anticipated J1 Beach is set to open to the public shortly after this summer, becoming Dubai’s latest hotspot for leisure, dining and entertainment. Situated in the heart of the emirate, this vibrant destination promises to be a bustling hub for both locals and tourists. With its crystal-clear waters and pristine white sands, J1 Beach offers the perfect setting for dining, shopping and entertainment. Let’s explore what makes this exciting new attraction a must-visit in Dubai.
What to expect from the J1 Beach in Dubai?
As we already know, La Mer is now called the J1 Beach. The project is developed by Merex Investment Group, a joint venture of Dubai Holdings. The dazzling new leisure destination is going to welcome visitors some time in September 2024 and we couldn’t be more excited!
The new destination is located on approximately 500 metres of impressive beachfront in Jumeirah 1. It comprises two sections of Dubai Development Authority (DDA) plots with a total covered area of 103,550 sq. m.
New Beach Clubs and Restaurants
The J1 Beach, a new flagship beach resort, will feature three exclusive beach clubs and ten high-end restaurants with unparalleled sea views. So far, several brands have confirmed spots at the new location – Gigi Rigolatto, Baoli and Sirene Beach by Gaia to name a few!
NINIVE BEACH
For all the curious travels intrigued by Mesopotamian mythology, Ninive is a must-visit. This restaurant will serve regional dishes as a homage to Mesopotamian mythology and its associated culture and fables—the restaurant’s concept centres around blending different cultures and stories over time.
The aim is to present authentic regional dishes to curious visitors who are interested in food and learning about the region’s legends and history. It’s about offering a cultural and culinary experience tied to ancient traditions of the Middle East and North Africa.
ALMAYASS BY THE SEA
Craving a taste of the Mediterranean with a unique twist? Almayass by the Sea will offer its celebrated Lebanese-Armenian fusion cuisine at J1 Beach in Dubai. Established in Beirut in 1996, Almayass by the Sea boasts a legacy of generation-old recipes reimagined with modern touches.
Once open, the restaurant will offer a delightful spread of mezze-style dishes and much more. Tantalise your taste buds with manti dumplings, kabab karaz skewers, kibeh karaz pastries, sujuk flambe and warak enab in yoghurt.
LÚNICO
Prepare to explore tempting Spanish-Mediterranean cuisine at J1 Beach! LÚNICO promises an immersive dining experience with live entertainment. Once open in September 2024, this eatery is expected to be a popular destination for a memorable night out. Get ready for a lively addition to the beachfront scene!
GIGI RIGOLATTO
Gigi Rigolatto hails from Saint Tropez France. This stunning location will feature a gorgeous restaurant at J1 Beach resort with an ardent garden, two terraces, a swimming pool, a kids’ circus, a wellness section and a Bellini Bar. The outlet will have direct beach access as well.
KAIMANA
With a cuisine inspired by Asian-Polynesian flavours, Kaimana will surely be a beachfront haven that tempts taste buds with dishes like flame-broiled pulehu short ribs and refreshing tropical salmon salad. Unwind with a dip in their private pool or soak up the sun on their exclusive beach.
BAOLI
Craving a taste of East Asian cuisine? Baoli is another restaurant at J1 Beach resort to look forward to. This one will be a retreat-style and jungle-themed space that will offer patrons a chance to indulge in authentic flavours from Japanese cuisine.
SIRENE BEACH BY GAIA
Another restaurant will be the Sirene Beach by Gaia, a home-grown brand inspired by fresh and exotic Greek Mediterranean cuisine.
GITANO
Hailing from the lush jungles of Mexico, Gitano brings its vibrant energy and elevated Mexican cuisine to J1 Beach.
Prepare to be transported with immersive dinners, dazzling dance experiences and a taste of Mexico’s rich culinary heritage. Just like its name, which translates to “gypsy” in Spanish, Gitano promises a free-spirited escape unlike any other.
AFRICAN QUEEN
African Queen at J1 Beach promises a relaxed and casual atmosphere for diners. Led by the acclaimed Chef Thierry Paludetto, the restaurant promises to offer a delightful twist on classic Mediterranean cuisine.
Prepare to savour dishes like artichoke with a zesty vinaigrette, parmesan cheese, tableside preparation of salade niçoise featuring succulent tuna belly and perfectly seared filet au poivre.
CHOUCHOU
Chouchou, the brainchild of WithLove Hospitality group – a family venture built on love for guests and exceptional service – marks their first concept restaurant in the world.
This haven boasts a stylish living room, rooftop terrace and a signature pool, perfect for a day of relaxation. Indulge in culinary delights like signature seafood towers brimming with oysters and caviar, or enjoy the salt-crusted chicken and fish alongside romanesco.
SAKHALIN
J1 Beach will also feature Sakhalin. This restaurant offers a deliciously unique “MediterrAsian” cuisine – a fusion of local, Far Eastern, Mediterranean and Asian flavours.
Curated by Chef Alexey Kogay, the menu boasts signature dishes like the goldfish roll, golden nori, bluefin toro, akami, truffle, black caviar and Sakhalin tiramisu.
Patrons can relax on the beachside terrace with its central fountain and shimmering roof, enjoying the breathtaking day and night views.
MUN
Dine at one of the most exquisite restaurants at J1 Beach La Mer with a French beach garden setting. The special menu at Mūn offers a wide range of refined delicacies. It is the first outlet in the UAE and the second globally after its branch in France.
FACILITIES AT J1 BEACH DUBAI
The new J1 Beach will have ample parking space and valet parking facilities. Visitors will have direct access to the beach and shuttle golf carts, making it easy to commute within the destination from one location to another.
FAQs
IS LA MER CLOSED FOR GOOD?
Yes, Dubai’s La Mer South is now redeveloped into the J1 Beach project with new attractions. The entire La Mer and La Mer South is demolished.
WHEN WILL J1 BEACH DUBAI OPEN?
The J1 Beach opening is expected some time in September 2024.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE LA MER OUTLETS?
La Mer was home to many famous eateries, including SALT and P.F. Chang’s. Most of these have already been closed due to construction. Some of the restaurants might be moved to other Merex locations like The Beach and City Walk.
IS ROVE HOTEL IN LA MER OPEN?
No, Rove Hotel La Mer has closed its doors permanently.
That’s all we have for the new J1 Beach replacing La Mer. We’ve kept a close eye on the progress and we’ll be back with more updates as soon as it’s open to the public.
Similar to J1 Beach, Expo City in Dubai is a leisure, dining and entertainment district that allows you to rediscover the magic of Expo 2020 and more.
Cover image credit: Merex Investments official website
