‘World’s most exquisite’: Inside incredible $120 hotel buffet in Dubai

Dubai is known for its opulence and there is no better evidence of the popular tourist spot’s mission to make everything bigger and better than this hotel buffet.

Dubai is known for its opulence and there is no better evidence of the popular tourist destination’s mission to make everything bigger and better than the most extravagant hotel buffet breakfast most would have ever seen.

Inside Atlantis The Royal – a hotel that Beyonce reportedly got paid $A35 million to perform at its grand opening last year – sits Gastronomy.

It is promoted as the “world’s most exquisite dining food hall” and while it is hard to ascertain without visiting every buffet in the world, I would be inclined to believe it. A breakfast here is included for guests staying at the hotel. For other visitors, it will set you back about $120 (295 AED).

In a jam-packed itinerary to experience Atlantis’ two resorts spanning about 63 hectares in just three days, two hours scheduled at a breakfast buffet seemed like overkill – until I walked in.

An introductory tour is the first sign it must be easy to get overwhelmed by choice.

There is a bakery with fresh bread and dozens of different pastries, a deli with an extensive selection of gourmet cheeses and cured meats, and an orchard section inspired by the idea produce is art, with salad dressings that look like a laboratory – just to name a few.

Gastronomy is a grand food hall with many live cooking stations, including a whole bakery. Picture: news.com.au

A buffet breakfast will set you back about $120. Picture: news.com.au

Each live cooking station is manned by at least one chef, making the dishes customisable.

One of the most popular dishes, eggs benedict, is served just to diners’ liking – with the choice of turkey breast brined for 12 hours and smoked for three hours, veal leg cured for 72 hours and smoked for 11 hours, or Atlantic salmon cured for six hours, then brushed with mustard and smoked for one hour.

This is The Orchard, based on the idea produce is art. Picture: news.com.au

The Greens features Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine. Picture: news.com.au

There is a station that focuses on Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine, a pizzeria, and coffee bar with its own in-house roastery.

The sweets section has its own homemade ice cream shop, lolly bar and melted chocolate varieties on tap.

There is an ice cream shop in the desserts section. Picture: news.com.au

Diners can have has many flavours as they like. Picture: news.com.au

As you would in a regular buffet, diners explore and pick up their own food from each station.

But they are also seated at a specific table and assigned their own waiter, who will refill drinks and replace cutlery and napkins each time diners get up for more.

Tables near the windows have an incredible view over Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah.

In a resort known as a foodie’s paradise, featuring Michelin star and celebrity restaurants, you know the buffet is good when everyone you meet who works at the resort raves about it too.

Even English-born Tom Allen, chef de cuisine of one Michelin star restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, also located in Atlantis The Royal, agreed it was the best breakfast buffet he knew.

It is worth noting the buffet does a surprisingly good job with allergies and dietary requirements, with every dish clearly labelled. Gastronomy caters for gluten-free, nut-free, vegetarian and vegan – including offerings like gluten-free croissants and vegan cheeses.

There is also separate station for vegan and gluten free foods.

Gastronomy is also open for dinner, costing about $130 (325 AED) per person.

This writer was a guest of Atlantis