Big drinks and bigger views make this new sundowner spot well worth a visit.
Everyone has their favourite sundowner spot where you go with a drink in one hand, camera in the other and enjoy a spectacular sunset. You know, the sort of place you show off to your friends when they visit. Well, we have found a cool one, which you should put on your radar: Attiko.
Located in the recently opened W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, Attiko is a sleek spot to enjoy the golden hour. First things first: finding the venue. On our visit, the glass door, which is outside the hotel and leads directly to the restaurant, was closed. Instead, we had to go through the lobby, with some help from the staff.
Attiko is located on the 31st floor, and the glass lift helps set the scene. As you whizz up, you have Insta-worthy views of the Ain Dubai. Spanning 6,000 square feet, the décor includes plenty of potted plants, plush pink high chairs and long grey sofas.
Indoors, you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows and tables positioned to face the sights. The outdoor terrace takes your breath away, as wherever you sit, you’ll face a Dubai icon with uninterrupted views. Take your pick from Bluewaters Island, Dubai Marina, Dubai Harbour, Palm Jumeirah, and, of course, that sunset.
We visited during the opening weeks, and it felt like Attiko hadn’t quite found its identity. The venue describes itself as a high-energy bar, but was a serene spot – and all the better for it. The concept is not clear, as the name means attic in Greek, but it serves Pan Asian food. Plus, we’re told that the design is inspired by an Asian garden and the lounge is inspired by Asian nightclubs, which is, quite frankly, such a broad term.
At the heart of Attiko is the bar. Mixologist Andrii Knapik is behind the drink’s menu, which has some fun and flavourful signature cocktails. Bui Vien Street, with gin, Aperol, pandan syrup, lemon and coconut water, made for a good aperitif. Mamuang, with tequila, mango puree, warm spices and yuzu, took us on a sweet and spicy journey. Plus, Contagious Spark, with rum, limoncello, yuzu, lychee, rose and prosecco, was a fitting finale, ending on a sweet note.
Attiko’s food menu from Chef Moon Kyung Soo (who is also responsible for the food at the FACT Award-winning SUSHISAMBA Dubai) is ideal for sharing, as it ranges from sushi to sashimi. As the staff were so friendly and knowledgeable, we were happy to follow their recommendations.
The Eggplant Tempura combined a crispy texture with sweet and soy touches. The Cauliflower Maki was a healthy option, encasing creamy avocado with cool cucumbers. But the highlight was the Aburi Salmon with salmon roe, avocado and lime, which was sliced and seared just so, that it had a smoky yet sweet taste.
Be warned: there are no vegetarian mains, and the portion sizes are small. The mains range from black pepper chicken to spicy Wagyu beef striploin. The Chilean seabass was finished within a few forkfuls, as it was oh-so smooth and soft. Plus, the chef kindly went off-menu and created a vegetarian dish for my guest.
During our night, many of the visitors were hotel guests, happily getting their I’m-in-Dubai-selfie. And while Attiko clearly has some teething problems, which we are confident it will amend. For now, it feels like a hidden gem, as you aren’t competing with crowds. Go – sip and snap the night away.
GO: Visit www.marriott.com for more information.
