Home to some of the best entertainment and dining facilities, it should come as no surprise at all that Dubai has many attractive Shisha Lounges to offer an unwinding experience like no other. Compliment your evening meals and drinks with the flavourful aroma of shisha as you enjoy relaxing with your buddies.
What is Shisha?
Shisha goes by many names, such as hookah, water pipe, narghile or even Hubble-bubble smoking, and they all involve smoking tobacco. This form of smoking was invented around the 15th century and became very famous during the Ottoman Empire.
Nowadays, Shisha smoking is popular in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and North African countries, but recently more Shisha cafes have started opening across the world and becoming very popular with young people.
A typical Shisha consists of different components. The bowl or the shisha head is where tobacco heated with coal is held for the smoking session. A vase at the bottom holds the water attached to a rubber hose that is attached to a mouthpiece.
When the Shisha user starts to suck the air through the hose, heat is drawn in on the tobacco, which sends the smoke down to the water.
Fruit flavours, such as lemon, orange, mango, grapefruit and apple, are sometimes added to the water. This is so that when the smoke subsequently does go up above the water surface in the water base, through the hose to reach the mouth of the user, it has a sweet flavour
Top Shisha Lounges in Dubai
With many shisha lounges to choose from, offering either extensive menus, spectacular views or even both, here are a few top shisha lounges in the city of Dubai offering this relaxing experience.
1. HUQQA
This Turkish venue is one of Dubai’s most well-known indoor shisha lounges for its excellent location. Make your way to HUQQA after some serious retail therapy at Dubai Mall and enjoy indoor shisha while admiring stunning views of the city’s cityscape and Dubai fountain show.
On the menu are a range of exotic shisha flavours to choose from, priced between AED 100 to AED 200, and some delicious Turkish cuisine.
Location: The Dubai Mall, Level 3, Zabeel Extension
Timings: 10:00 am to 12:00 am | 10:00 am to 01:00 am (Thursday to Saturday)
Contact: +971521733376
2. Buhayra Lounge
Not too further away is this Arabian Nights-inspired shisha lounge. The Buhayra Lounge located at the Palace Downtown, overlooks the iconic Burj Khalifa and Burj Park.
Popular for its Bedouin-like experience where you can smoke inside Arabian-style tents, next to a palm-infringed pool. Choose to dine their delectable Arabic cuisine, mezzes and refreshing beverages while enjoying soothing music. Shisha flavours on the menu are priced at AED 115, and their signature 3 flavour blend Palace Shisha is for AED 170.
Location: Palace Downtown, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
Timings: Daily from 8:00 am to 1:00 am, with shisha only available from 04:00 pm
Contact: +97144287961, dineatpalacedowntown@addresshotels.com
3. The Courtyards, One and Only Royal Mirage
Staying on the theme of Arabian tents, The Courtyards is a perfect location for a laid-back shisha evening under the stars and archways of The Palace and Arabian Court. Make yourselves at home with the majlis-style seating with Bedouin tent print cushions and Arabian lanterns.
Serving an array of Arabian dishes, with hot and cold mezzes that you can share with your friends, as you round it off with Arabic tea and different exotic flavoured shishas.
Location: One&Only Royal Mirage, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Dubai Marina
Timings: Open daily from 05:00 pm to 01:00 am
Contact: +9714399 9999 , restaurants@oneandonlyroyalmirage.ae
4. Treehouse Lounge
This urban hideaway above the bustling city is an ideal rooftop escape for shisha lovers looking for an outdoor environment with views. Overlooking the iconic Burj Khalifa and lights of Business Bay, Treehouse offers luxury to the experience.
This stylish lounge offers mouth-watering Mediterranean-Asian cuisine to go with a handpicked selection of creative shisha flavours, cocktails and champagnes. Enjoy these to the music of a resident DJ sure to add groove to your evening.
Location: Taj Dubai, Burj Khalifa Street, Business Bay
Timings: 06:00 pm to 02:00 am from Saturday to Wednesday | 06:00 pm to 03:00 am on Thursday and Friday
Contact: +971588272763, reservations@treehousedubai.ae
5. Smoky Beach, JBR
For a unique shisha experience with the coolest vibes, Smoky Beach is your prime location. Located at The Beach opposite JBR, Smoky Beach boasts fantastic views of the vast Arabian Gulf and the famous landmark Ain Dubai.
It is one of the best places for a comfortable and relaxing time with your friends as you enjoy sipping colourful cocktails and healthy smoothies, and digging into a selection of sushi, salads and sandwiches.
As for the shisha by the beach, this lounge serves a variety of exotic flavours starting from AED 100, and have their Smoky Super Shisha for AED 153.
Location: Jumeirah Beach Residence
Timings: Open daily from 12:00 pm to 03:00 am
Contact: +97142703222
6. Nurai
One of the most frequently visited restaurants by shisha enthusiasts, well known for its shisha flavours and refreshing drinks. Located in the busy neighbourhood of Business Bay, Nurai offers one of the best Lebanese cuisines as well as international cuisine. Shisha here starts at AED 73, served with natural coal.
Location: Westwharf Tower, Business Bay
Timings: Open daily 10:00 am to 01:00 am
Contact: +971567982017
7. Pipes Shisha Lounge and Cafe
New on the block and popular with the young crowd is this hip and laid-back shisha lounge located at Al Safa. With their glowing artwork on walls, colourful cocktails, printed coffees and an in-house DJ playing upbeat music, this instagrammable lounge has a cool vibe.
Their choice of shisha flavours includes single classic flavours priced at AED 70 and Pipes Shisha cocktails (AED 100) and Pipes Special Shisha (AED 150), serving an exotic blend of flavours.
Location: Shop 8, Al Wadi Building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Safa, Dubai
Timings: Open daily 11:00 am to 01:00 am
Contact: +971585898588
8. The Exit, Sports Bar
Nothing brings together a group of people like game night, and top indoor shisha is perfect for sports fans. With as many as eight big screens to watch your favourite sports team play, a sports lounge-style menu and an extensive range of drinks, the atmosphere at this gastropub is always lively.
Plus, shisha lovers can grab a shisha to smoke on their outdoor terrace and even enjoy some music.
Location: Mercure Dubai, Barsha Heights, Sheikh Zayed Road
Timings: Open daily from 12:00 pm to 02:00 am
Contact: +97143818889
9. Old Castello Restaurant and Cafe
Regulars have been visiting the Old Castello for more than a decade now, and it’s all down to the excellent environment here. Serving both Indian and Arabic cuisine, the menu has been curated specially for food lovers.
Enjoy live entertainment by stellar bands, and sing to your heart’s content on karaoke nights, not to mention the exotic shisha flavours here are all under AED 80.
Location: Street 10 C, Jumeirah 1
Timings: Open daily 03:00 pm to 01:00 am
Contact: +971529422000
10. ILA Restaurant and Cafe, Al Seef
A contemporary-chic space with a glamorous shisha bar, set against the backdrop of Dubai’s famous Creek. At ILA expect a unique combination of contemporary Arabic and Multicuisine dishes, with a special plant-based menu for vegetarian and vegan customers too.
Enjoy your shisha fix as you chill out against the breezy air of Al Seef complete with their affordable meal deals which include shisha too
Location: Al Seef
Timings: Open daily 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Contact: +971 553995355
Want your own shisha to take home as a souvenir from your time in Dubai? Check out our best Dubai souvenirs guide to pick up your very own to enjoy at home.
Depending on the flavour and blend you choose, prices for Shisha can start from AED 50 and go up to AED 200.
Smoking Shisha is only allowed at Shisha cafes.
Shisha smoking in public spaces, private cars when a child under the age of 12 is present, in houses of worship, educational institutions (such as universities and schools), health and sports facilities is forbidden.
Dubai Municipality forbids smoking shisha in parks, beaches and all public recreational areas in Dubai. It also prohibits pregnant women from entering shisha cafes; regardless of their intention to smoke.
It can be argued that smoking Shisha is much worse than smoking cigarettes due to the high levels of toxic compounds, including tar, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens).
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