Dubai’s beach clubs have become adept at stretching the day into the night. At J1 Beach, formerly La Mer South, a cluster of venues is designed for that purpose. One of them is Gitano, which means gypsy in Spanish, a Tulum-born modern Mexican restaurant and beach club that brings the relaxed Yucatán aesthetic to the private Jumeirah beachfront.

The décor creates a sense of escape from the city, with pink glass chandeliers and foliage throughout the venue, leading up to the Jungle Roof, where sweeping views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai skyline come fully into view. Outdoors, the atmosphere shifts to a laid-back bohemian rhythm, with an oversized disco ball scattering light across the terrace. Poolside cabanas, dressed with cushions and towels in soft shades of pink, blur the line between indoor glamour and outdoor ease.

The highlights

We chose a poolside cabana with a table just in front for that toes-in-the-sand feel. Sitting by the pool, our first order was naturally fresh, creamy guacamole with crisp corn totopos. An Heirloom tomato and watermelon salad followed, notably fresh and sweet, sharpened by Fresno chile and tajín. One of our favourites was the crispy Tuna botana featuring creamy yellowfin tuna on crisp rice, spiced with serrano chile and smoky chipotle mayonnaise.

For something more substantial, the three crispy Fish tacos arrive as a generous portion, each soft taco topped with golden-fried seabass, cabbage and pico de gallo, offering satisfying textures. The Wagyu tostada is an indulgent bite. Constructed like a mini club sandwich with flat crisp tortilla chips, it’s packed with richly marbled beef tartare and topped with caviar and chives.

Gitano’s concoctions express the Mexican spirit through tropical, citrus, and spicy notes, with Kisses in the Car and Jungle Fever as ideal companions for a sun-drenched afternoon that drifts into golden hour.
After a stroll along the beach and dips in the pool, we finished with piping-hot churros, served with a smooth caramel for dipping.

Book now

Visit gitano.com/dubai for reservations.