A club you don’t need to join
The name is a statement of intent. In colonial India, a gymkhana was a private sporting and social club: polo, cricket and long dinners in panelled rooms, with entry decided by the membership committee. Gymkhana Dubai brings that idea into a restaurant. The difference is that a reservation gets you through the door.
The concept comes from London. The original Gymkhana in Mayfair, run by JKS Restaurants, built its reputation on that same members’-club look and has collected Michelin stars along the way. Dubai is a newer branch. It arrived with plenty of attention and has kept it.
The room and the service
Expect a room that feels closer to a jewellery case than a dining hall. The interiors are rich, layered and dense with colour and detail, designed to be looked at as much as eaten in. This is a dinner for dressing up, not a quick curry before the cinema.
The service is the other half of the draw. Staff run the room the way an old club steward would: attentive, formal and confident with the menu. The format is a sit-down, table-service evening, so plan for a long meal rather than a single course.
What we can’t give you is a dish list. The Dubai menu is new, and we won’t guess at it. Read the current menu on the restaurant’s official channels before booking, especially if you have dietary needs.
Getting a table at Gymkhana
The reservation is the hard part. Gymkhana Dubai is one of the buzziest dinner bookings in the city, so walking in on a weekend evening is a gamble you will probably lose.
- Book early. Use the restaurant’s official website or booking platform and treat weekend dates as scarce.
- Be flexible. Earlier sittings and weeknights are where a busy restaurant usually has space, because the after-work and weekend rush lands elsewhere.
- Reconfirm. Hours at newly opened restaurants change in the first months. Check the listed times and address on the day.
- Dress the part. Dubai’s upscale dining rooms lean smart. Choose collared shirts and closed shoes over beachwear, and check for a posted dress code.
- Read the bill. Many Dubai restaurants add a service charge. Check whether it’s already included before you leave anything extra. Cards are standard at this level.
- Mention occasions when booking. Club-style service handles birthdays and anniversaries better with advance notice than with a surprise at the table.
Fitting it into a Dubai evening
Think of Gymkhana as the main event, not a stop between plans. Leave a full evening for it, and arrange your taxi or ride-hailing pickup before dessert; Dubai’s restaurant districts get congested late at night.
Time it with the season. From November to March, Dubai evenings are mild enough for a walk before or after dinner. In summer you’ll want to go door to door in air conditioning.
If you’ve eaten at the London original, come with an open mind. The club concept carries over, but a new kitchen in a new city settles into its own rhythm, and that is part of what people are queuing for.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation for Gymkhana Dubai?
Yes, in practice. It's one of Dubai's most in-demand dinner bookings, so reserve through the official website or booking platform well in advance, especially for weekends.
What kind of food does Gymkhana Dubai serve?
Indian food in a formal, sit-down setting. The concept follows the colonial-era Indian gymkhana clubs, as at the original Gymkhana in London's Mayfair. Check the current Dubai menu on the official channels, because it's new and may change.
Is there a dress code?
Plan on smart dress. This is an upscale room with club-style service. Check the restaurant's site for any posted dress code before you go.
How long should I set aside for dinner?
A full evening. It's a multi-course table-service meal, and the room is part of the experience, so don't squeeze it in before other plans.
What are the opening hours?
Confirm them directly before visiting. Newly opened restaurants often adjust their hours, so check the official website or booking page on the day you go.
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