Skyline Views
The 19th-floor setting gives diners clear Dubai skyline views, with sunset singled out as an especially good time to visit.
Joe's Backyard
Dubai Festival City
Joe’s Backyard is a barbecue-focused restaurant on the 19th floor of the Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City, with Dubai skyline views and a relaxed day-to-night setting. Reviews point to flame-grilled favourites such as chicken wings and Sunday roast, alongside drinks, brunches and outdoor seating.
Reputation Score
4.5
★★★★★
3,001 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Group Hosting
A group of 60 reported that food arrived on time and the evening was handled smoothly, making the venue workable for large gatherings.
Brunch Value
One reported 299-for-2 brunch included food and drinks flowing throughout the night, and was described as strong value.
Outdoor Seating
Comfy seats and an outdoor area give guests an option for drinks with the view, particularly around sunset.
Sunday Roast
The Sunday roast review specifically praised both beef and lamb, plus vegetables and Yorkshire puddings.
Drink Choice
Reviews mention beers on tap and a broad spirits selection, including single malts, cocktails, wines and whiskies.
What to Eat at Joe's Backyard 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 Joe's Backyard, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. We still have more reviews to analyze, so the scores may change. 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.
These items at Joe's Backyard got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 7
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Chicken wings Net +3
“The best food and amazing ambience! We always get that delicious chicken wings every time we visit.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The best food and amazing ambience! We always get that delicious chicken wings every time we visit.”March 2026
“Good selection of beers on tap & tasty wings.”June 2026
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Brunch Net +1
“We recently had brunch at Joey's Backyard, and it was fantastic! The food was excellent—everything was fresh, delicious, and perfectly cooked.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We recently had brunch at Joey's Backyard, and it was fantastic! The food was excellent—everything was fresh, delicious, and perfectly cooked.”December 2025
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Nachos Net +1
“Nachos were very tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Nachos were very tasty.”August 2025
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Signature ribs Net +1
“Every dish—from their signature ribs to the tender chicken wings—is bursting with flavor and cooked with care.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Every dish—from their signature ribs to the tender chicken wings—is bursting with flavor and cooked with care.”April 2025
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Steak Net +1
“Got the steak and salad was definitely a good choice”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Got the steak and salad was definitely a good choice”May 2026
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Sunday lunch Net +1
“Went for the Sunday Lunch and was really good. Nice quality and substantial amount of food.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Went for the Sunday Lunch and was really good. Nice quality and substantial amount of food.”February 2026
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Sunday roast Net +1
“The Sunday roast at Joe’s Backyard was super yummy! Got one beef and one lamb. Veg was good, Yorkshire puds were perfect! An excellent deal because it’s on The Entertainer too. Loved it, will be back for more!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Sunday roast at Joe’s Backyard was super yummy! Got one beef and one lamb. Veg was good, Yorkshire puds were perfect! An excellent deal because it’s on The Entertainer too. Loved it, will be back for more!”March 2026
What to Avoid (1)
Food 1
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Shrimp po boy Net −1
“The shrimp wasn't the best on the po boy so probably won't order that again.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The shrimp wasn't the best on the po boy so probably won't order that again.”August 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Book Ahead. Reserve before arriving, especially for spontaneous evenings: one hotel guest struggled to get a table without a reservation.
Confirm Packages. If booking brunch, confirm the package and inclusions beforehand; a guest said Premium drinks were not served as promised.
Try Sunset. For the strongest view, plan drinks around sunset, when a reviewer specifically enjoyed the Dubai skyline.
Check Shisha. Ask about seasonal shisha availability before visiting: one review says it is available only in winter.
Avoid Rush. If quick ordering matters, consider avoiding rush hour, when one guest reported waiting to find a server.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Al Kheeran - Dubai Festival City - Dubai
Al Kheeran - Dubai Festival City, Dubai
| Mon | 1:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Tue | 1:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Wed | 1:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Thu | 1:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Fri | 1:00 PM – 3:00 AM |
| Sat | 1:00 PM – 3:00 AM |
| Sun | 1:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Booking Issues
One guest said a confirmed alcohol-free reservation was cancelled without permission after the venue prioritised other bookings.
Package Gaps
A brunch review reported delayed booking communication, incorrect details and Premium package drinks not being served as promised.
Rush Delays
During a busy period, one guest found there were too few servers and had to wait to order.
Cigarette Smell
Because the venue is open space, one reviewer said cigarette smoke spread throughout the venue.
Seafood Cooking
One review found the fish and prawns undercooked to their taste, while another did not enjoy the shrimp po’ boy.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Joe’s Backyard is a 19th-floor barbecue restaurant at Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City, built around skyline views, a relaxed atmosphere and a lively evening scene. Reviews give visitors several clear reasons to come: chicken wings, steak and salad, a Sunday roast with beef or lamb, and brunch packages with flowing food and drinks. The setting works for more than a quick meal.
There is outdoor seating, sunset views and a drinks-led bar atmosphere, while the rooftop-style space can become energetic during events and busy brunches. Shisha is mentioned as a winter-only option, so check availability if that is part of your plan. Large groups are a genuine strength in the reviews: one party of 60 said dishes arrived on time, and another hosted a surprise celebration successfully.
That said, booking administration is not consistently smooth. Guests reported delayed replies, incorrect booking details, an alcohol-free reservation cancelled without permission and Premium brunch drinks not being served as promised. Prices are described as fair by some diners, but another calls the venue expensive, and service can slow at rush hour.
The open-air layout also means cigarette smell may spread through the venue. Booking ahead and confirming package inclusions should make the visit more predictable.