Terrace Setting
Outdoor seating brings warm evenings, city lights and a pleasant breeze into the dinner.
El Sur Spanish Restaurant
Dubai Marina
El Sur is a Spanish restaurant in Dubai Marina, with tapas, paella and sangria in a relaxed setting at The Westin. It suits diners who want a social meal with an outdoor terrace, occasional live music and shareable dishes such as grilled octopus or seafood paella.
Reputation Score
4.2
★★★★☆
644 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Helpful Service
A staff member checked dairy-free requirements with the chef and followed up before dessert.
Large Paella
The paella can be substantial enough for four or more, so order carefully if also sharing tapas.
Live Entertainment
Live Spanish singing, DJs and themed music can turn a meal into a lively social evening.
Tapas Sharing
The menu works well for groups wanting to sample several small plates, with croquettes and patatas bravas standing out for one repeat visitor.
Valet Parking
Hotel valet parking is available, which makes the Westin location easier for dinner visits.
What to Eat at El Sur Spanish Restaurant How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For El Sur Spanish Restaurant, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of El Sur Spanish Restaurant, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 10
-
Aged manchego Net +1
“Everything from the olives and aged Manchego to the tapas are amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Everything from the olives and aged Manchego to the tapas are amazing.”January 2021
-
Ajillo Net +1
“We had seafood paella, rib steak, and ajillo. It was delicious. It was too salty for me, so I think it could be a little less salty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had seafood paella, rib steak, and ajillo. It was delicious. It was too salty for me, so I think it could be a little less salty.”November 2023
-
Amazing seabass Net +1
“Fresh catch, amazing seabass and risotto, great service, and lovely music.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Fresh catch, amazing seabass and risotto, great service, and lovely music.”October 2025
-
Andalusian olive Net +1
“I can’t complain about their food though. I had the best Andalusian olive there. They’ve got a good variety of Tapas menu. The seafood paella was tasty and savory. It’s for 2 to share.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I can’t complain about their food though. I had the best Andalusian olive there. They’ve got a good variety of Tapas menu. The seafood paella was tasty and savory. It’s for 2 to share.”October 2023
-
Baby lamb shoulder with patata panderas Net +1
“Baby Lamb Shoulder with Patata Panderas - The baby lamb was incrediebly tender and spruced up deliciliously.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Baby Lamb Shoulder with Patata Panderas - The baby lamb was incrediebly tender and spruced up deliciliously.”February 2020
-
Basque cheesecake Net +1
“Our host was very accommodating and gave us complimentary basque cheesecake for the celebration!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Our host was very accommodating and gave us complimentary basque cheesecake for the celebration!”May 2025
-
Black paella Net +1
“Decent food and it goes well with wine. Must try their black paella. Don't look good but very tasty”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Decent food and it goes well with wine. Must try their black paella. Don't look good but very tasty”December 2020
-
Black rice paella Net +1
“Black rice paella was delicious with good portion for 2.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Black rice paella was delicious with good portion for 2.”July 2022
-
Burnt sebastien cheesecake Net +1
“I never leave a restaurant without having dessert, and I finished my afternoon with the burnt Sebastien cheesecake. Absolutely drool worthy.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I never leave a restaurant without having dessert, and I finished my afternoon with the burnt Sebastien cheesecake. Absolutely drool worthy.”February 2025
-
Gambas Net +1
“Tapas place inside westin mina. Service from maria was excellent, patient and attentive. Recommended the gambas, pork belly and huevos with ham and chips. Gambas were lovely paired with the red wine. Nice place. Relaxed. Recommended.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tapas place inside westin mina. Service from maria was excellent, patient and attentive. Recommended the gambas, pork belly and huevos with ham and chips. Gambas were lovely paired with the red wine. Nice place. Relaxed. Recommended.”April 2025
Honorable mentions (16)
-
Grilled octopus Net +1
“Must try the Grilled Octopus — cooked perfectly with amazing smoky flavour that pairs well with the sweet potato.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Must try the Grilled Octopus — cooked perfectly with amazing smoky flavour that pairs well with the sweet potato.”May 2025
-
Iberian ham Net +1
“The best Spanish restaurant in Dubai. New chef has changed quality of food. The purpose to go here was to eat iberian ham, but now to enjoy other dishes as well.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The best Spanish restaurant in Dubai. New chef has changed quality of food. The purpose to go here was to eat iberian ham, but now to enjoy other dishes as well.”June 2022
-
Lamb croquette Net +1
“Lamb Croquette - The Best Totally Recommended.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Lamb Croquette - The Best Totally Recommended.”February 2020
-
Lamb jelly with cauliflower pilpil and mushroom dust Net +1
“Lamb Jelly with Cauliflower PilPil and Mushroom Dust - Highly recommended”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Lamb Jelly with Cauliflower PilPil and Mushroom Dust - Highly recommended”February 2020
-
Lamb parfait with manchego cheese Net +1
“Lamb Parfait with Manchego Cheese - Very Good”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Lamb Parfait with Manchego Cheese - Very Good”February 2020
-
Milky rice Net +1
“Milky Rice - This was very good with the combination of rice and cream. LOVED IT!!!!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Milky Rice - This was very good with the combination of rice and cream. LOVED IT!!!!”February 2020
-
Neck terrain with peas cream and manchego foam Net +1
“Neck Terrain with Peas Cream and Manchego Foam - this beautifully plated dish was top notch in both looks and taste.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Neck Terrain with Peas Cream and Manchego Foam - this beautifully plated dish was top notch in both looks and taste.”February 2020
-
Pork belly Net +1
“The recent visit we had the pork belly which was amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The recent visit we had the pork belly which was amazing.”January 2021
-
Reverse lamb sandwich with roasted garlic cream Net +1
“Reverse Lamb Sandwich with roasted garlic cream -This was an unique dish I tried for the first time and i was so astonished with the taste.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Reverse Lamb Sandwich with roasted garlic cream -This was an unique dish I tried for the first time and i was so astonished with the taste.”February 2020
-
Rib steak Net +1
“We had seafood paella, rib steak, and ajillo. It was delicious. It was too salty for me, so I think it could be a little less salty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had seafood paella, rib steak, and ajillo. It was delicious. It was too salty for me, so I think it could be a little less salty.”November 2023
-
Risotto Net +1
“Fresh catch, amazing seabass and risotto, great service, and lovely music.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Fresh catch, amazing seabass and risotto, great service, and lovely music.”October 2025
-
Spanish jamón Net +1
“Spanish music! Spanish tapas! Spanish jamón! Amazing ! Amazing! And Amazing!”
Positive 1Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“Spanish music! Spanish tapas! Spanish jamón! Amazing ! Amazing! And Amazing!”October 2024
-
Spanish lamb Net +1
“The Top of my personal rating! Sucking pig and Spanish lamb are marvelous!!! Service is impeccable. Reasonable prices. Gorgeous choice of wine. Absolutely happy!!!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Top of my personal rating! Sucking pig and Spanish lamb are marvelous!!! Service is impeccable. Reasonable prices. Gorgeous choice of wine. Absolutely happy!!!”November 2022
-
Squid ink paella Net +1
“Especially squid ink paella was delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Especially squid ink paella was delicious.”January 2025
-
Sucking pig Net +1
“The Top of my personal rating! Sucking pig and Spanish lamb are marvelous!!! Service is impeccable. Reasonable prices. Gorgeous choice of wine. Absolutely happy!!!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Top of my personal rating! Sucking pig and Spanish lamb are marvelous!!! Service is impeccable. Reasonable prices. Gorgeous choice of wine. Absolutely happy!!!”November 2022
-
Chicken paella Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Location is nice, food is good but nothing crazy. We ordered one seafood and one chicken paella, fried calamari, jamon and a couple of desserts. Service was a bit mediocre, sangria really overpriced. There is a lot of space for improvement here but it's not a place that can really disappoint you, it is only an average place compared to other competitor restaurants. Sorry guys.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 1
-
Sangria Net +1
“We tried paella and sangria, both was very very delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried paella and sangria, both was very very delicious.”October 2021
What to Avoid (6)
Food 5
-
Paella Net −1
“Additionally, the paella, a dish we were eagerly anticipating, arrived late and did not meet the standards we’ve enjoyed at other Spanish restaurants in Dubai.”
Positive 3Negative 4
Critical review excerpts
“Additionally, the paella, a dish we were eagerly anticipating, arrived late and did not meet the standards we’ve enjoyed at other Spanish restaurants in Dubai.”February 2026
“But the paella wasn’t really good. And the poor seafood topping is kind of just thrown on top, not really cooked together.”March 2021
-
Calamares fritos Net −1
“The calamares fritos, patatas bravas, and croquetas were just okay, nothing memorable.”
Positive 0Negative 1Neutral 1
Critical review excerpts
“The calamares fritos, patatas bravas, and croquetas were just okay, nothing memorable.”February 2026
-
Mussel entree Net −1
“The mussel entree was average; a little on the bland side. The staff who served us there was friendly at least.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The mussel entree was average; a little on the bland side. The staff who served us there was friendly at least.”August 2022
-
Padrón peppers Net −1
“The padrón peppers were a total fail as they were way too big, not grilled enough, and lacked that crispy, dry texture I was hoping for.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The padrón peppers were a total fail as they were way too big, not grilled enough, and lacked that crispy, dry texture I was hoping for.”February 2026
-
Sunday siesta brunch Net −1
“Had Sunday Siesta Brunch , it was great ambience, good service and friendly staff, appetisers were very tasty but Paella 🥘 was below expectations , definitely was not the best paella I tried in dubai ,”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Had Sunday Siesta Brunch , it was great ambience, good service and friendly staff, appetisers were very tasty but Paella 🥘 was below expectations , definitely was not the best paella I tried in dubai ,”February 2025
Drinks 1
-
Draft beer Net −1
“The reason of 4 stars is draft beer quality. The taste of draft beer was bit sour which is already not flesh.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The reason of 4 stars is draft beer quality. The taste of draft beer was bit sour which is already not flesh.”June 2022
Tips for a Better Visit
Reserve Ahead. Reserve a table, especially for busy dinner periods; one diner said it gets quite busy.
Confirm Brunch. Confirm the brunch entertainment and sharing rules before arriving, as one advertised entertainment plan was not available.
Check Portions. Ask about paella size before ordering: one review says it can feed four or more after tapas.
Discuss Allergies. Raise dietary needs clearly and ask the team to check with the chef rather than accepting an uncertain first answer.
Request Happy Hour. Ask for the happy hour menu directly; a reviewer said it was not brought without a request.
Use Valet. If driving, use the hotel's valet parking, which a reviewer noted is available at the Westin.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Lobby level The Westin
Marsa Dubai - Dubai Marina, Dubai
| Mon | 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
| Tue | 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
| Wed | 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
| Thu | 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
| Fri | 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
| Sat | 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
| Sun | 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
Common Concerns
Paella Inconsistency
Several diners found the paella plain or below expectations, including complaints about sparse seafood.
Order Errors
One family reported a missing starter, incorrect orders and dishes arriving at different times.
Uneven Service
Service reviews range from attentive to poorly informed, with one guest receiving drinks after the starters and no food recommendations.
Brunch Limits
A brunch guest was told that two people had to share one main course, making the set menu feel poor value.
Dining Noise
The terrace can pick up music from surrounding restaurants, while some visits have been noisy or crowded.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
175 AED per person
Sunday brunch
“We came here to try the Sunday brunch, which starts at 175 AED per person with a decent-looking menu”Google review · September 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
El Sur is a Spanish restaurant in Dubai Marina at The Westin, built around tapas, paella, sangria and a relaxed dinner atmosphere. It is a good fit for groups who want to share several plates, or for a date or celebration where the terrace, music and polished setting matter as much as the food. Grilled octopus, croquettes and black rice paella are among the dishes reviewers specifically recommend.
The experience is strongest when the atmosphere and hospitality come together. The outdoor terrace has city lights and an evening breeze, while Sunday brunches and special events can include live Spanish singing or a DJ. Valet parking is available through the hotel.
Book ahead when it is busy, and confirm exactly what a brunch package includes: one guest was told two diners had to share a single main, while another arrived to find promised entertainment unavailable. Food feedback is mixed, particularly around paella. Some diners found the seafood topping sparse or the dish plain, while others praised its generous portions and flavour.
Service also varies, from attentive dietary checks to delayed drinks, missing starters and incorrect orders. Prices are hotel-restaurant level rather than budget dining, so checking the menu and sharing portions is sensible.