Canal Views
The rooftop terrace looks across the Business Bay canal and surrounding skyscrapers, giving outdoor diners a strong city backdrop.
Lilly's Bar & Restaurant Business Bay
Business Bay
Lilly’s Bar & Restaurant is a New Orleans-inspired seafood, cocktail and blues venue in Business Bay, with a rooftop terrace beside the pool. Reviews point to it for canal-and-skyline views, evening drinks and dishes such as Arabic mixed grill or pizza for sharing.
Reputation Score
4.6
★★★★★
119 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Poolside Terrace
Outdoor seating beside the pool is repeatedly described as calm, cozy and relaxing, especially in the evening.
Cocktails
Customers specifically praise the cocktails, including one review calling the pina colada among the best they had in Dubai.
Sports Screens
It works as a sports-bar stop too, with customers mentioning a big screen for watching matches.
Food Choice
The menu includes well-liked bar and sharing dishes; Arabic mixed grill, calamari and chicken popcorn were singled out positively.
What to Eat at Lilly's Bar & Restaurant Business Bay 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 Lilly's Bar & Restaurant Business Bay, 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.
These items at Lilly's Bar & Restaurant Business Bay got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 1
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Arabic mixed grill Net +2
“We ordered the Arabic mixed grill and pizza for sharing, and both were delicious and well-portioned. Everything came out fresh and full of flavor.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Arabic mixed grill and pizza for sharing, and both were delicious and well-portioned. Everything came out fresh and full of flavor.”January 2026
“We enjoyed and loved our visit last time. The food was so delicious specially the Arabic mixed grilled, Calamari, Chicken popcorn. The drinks were so good. Everything was amazing. We even enjoyed our drinks from happy hour offer which is buy one get one free. The service also from the staffs was amazing. We’re grateful to Lilly’s team specially Grace, Nitin, Krishna, Kenneth and Islam. These people was so amazing and they’re doing great job to every guests as we observed when we were there. Thank you so much guys! Definitely gonna come back to this place with my friends and colleagues.”October 2022
Honorable mentions (10)
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Bbq chicken wings Net +1
“The BBQ chicken wings are so mouth watering and delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The BBQ chicken wings are so mouth watering and delicious.”July 2024
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Beef burger Net +1
“The beef burger is properly prepared and the patty is fresh and juicy.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The beef burger is properly prepared and the patty is fresh and juicy.”July 2024
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Calamari Net +1
“We enjoyed and loved our visit last time. The food was so delicious specially the Arabic mixed grilled, Calamari, Chicken popcorn. The drinks were so good. Everything was amazing. We even enjoyed our drinks from happy hour offer which is buy one get one free. The service also from the staffs was amazing. We’re grateful to Lilly’s team specially Grace, Nitin, Krishna, Kenneth and Islam. These people was so amazing and they’re doing great job to every guests as we observed when we were there. Thank you so much guys! Definitely gonna come back to this place with my friends and colleagues.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We enjoyed and loved our visit last time. The food was so delicious specially the Arabic mixed grilled, Calamari, Chicken popcorn. The drinks were so good. Everything was amazing. We even enjoyed our drinks from happy hour offer which is buy one get one free. The service also from the staffs was amazing. We’re grateful to Lilly’s team specially Grace, Nitin, Krishna, Kenneth and Islam. These people was so amazing and they’re doing great job to every guests as we observed when we were there. Thank you so much guys! Definitely gonna come back to this place with my friends and colleagues.”October 2022
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Chicken popcorn Net +1
“We enjoyed and loved our visit last time. The food was so delicious specially the Arabic mixed grilled, Calamari, Chicken popcorn. The drinks were so good. Everything was amazing. We even enjoyed our drinks from happy hour offer which is buy one get one free. The service also from the staffs was amazing. We’re grateful to Lilly’s team specially Grace, Nitin, Krishna, Kenneth and Islam. These people was so amazing and they’re doing great job to every guests as we observed when we were there. Thank you so much guys! Definitely gonna come back to this place with my friends and colleagues.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We enjoyed and loved our visit last time. The food was so delicious specially the Arabic mixed grilled, Calamari, Chicken popcorn. The drinks were so good. Everything was amazing. We even enjoyed our drinks from happy hour offer which is buy one get one free. The service also from the staffs was amazing. We’re grateful to Lilly’s team specially Grace, Nitin, Krishna, Kenneth and Islam. These people was so amazing and they’re doing great job to every guests as we observed when we were there. Thank you so much guys! Definitely gonna come back to this place with my friends and colleagues.”October 2022
-
Guacamole Net +1
“P.S. Their guacamole is THE BEST I had in Dubai so far...”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“P.S. Their guacamole is THE BEST I had in Dubai so far...”April 2022
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Pina collada Net +1
“The pina collada is one of the best I had in Dubai.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The pina collada is one of the best I had in Dubai.”July 2024
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Prawns Net +1
“Okay so the restaurant was great and disappointing, 1st time food was fresh and delicious, only problem that super spicy for my white taste food wasn't marked as spicy, neverless it was amazing prawns, nice cocktails and good service.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Okay so the restaurant was great and disappointing, 1st time food was fresh and delicious, only problem that super spicy for my white taste food wasn't marked as spicy, neverless it was amazing prawns, nice cocktails and good service.”April 2024
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Signature food platter Net +1
“You can’t miss lilly’s signature food platter. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here…can’t wait to visit again🫶🏽.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“You can’t miss lilly’s signature food platter. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here…can’t wait to visit again🫶🏽.”January 2024
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Spicy curly fries Net +1
“Delicious spicy curly fries 😋”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Delicious spicy curly fries 😋”January 2024
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Unique cocktails Net +1
“Unique cocktails, delicious food and live music, they’ve got it all.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Unique cocktails, delicious food and live music, they’ve got it all.”July 2023
Drinks 1
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Cocktail Net +1
“It's the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a refreshing cocktail.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It's the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a refreshing cocktail.”September 2023
What to Avoid (6)
Food 6
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Buffalo chicken wings Net −1
“I ordered “buffalo chicken wings” and a chicken/steak skewer. Not only was the chicken NOT Buffalo, it as also unseasond and lacked any sort of taste. They have me BBQ sauce on the side, and I tried to use that for the seasoning but ultimately it was bland.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I ordered “buffalo chicken wings” and a chicken/steak skewer. Not only was the chicken NOT Buffalo, it as also unseasond and lacked any sort of taste. They have me BBQ sauce on the side, and I tried to use that for the seasoning but ultimately it was bland.”December 2023
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Butter chicken Net −1
“When you have things like, Butter Chicken, Thai curry, Pizza, Pasta etc this becomes a continental restaurant.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“When you have things like, Butter Chicken, Thai curry, Pizza, Pasta etc this becomes a continental restaurant.”July 2022
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Chicken/steak skewer Net −1
“I ordered “buffalo chicken wings” and a chicken/steak skewer. Not only was the chicken NOT Buffalo, it as also unseasond and lacked any sort of taste. They have me BBQ sauce on the side, and I tried to use that for the seasoning but ultimately it was bland. The steak and chicken skewers were also unseasoned and unsalted.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I ordered “buffalo chicken wings” and a chicken/steak skewer. Not only was the chicken NOT Buffalo, it as also unseasond and lacked any sort of taste. They have me BBQ sauce on the side, and I tried to use that for the seasoning but ultimately it was bland. The steak and chicken skewers were also unseasoned and unsalted.”December 2023
-
Grilled chicken Net −1
“Second time food tasted like warmed up in a microwave, service also was not welcoming anymore, grilled chicken was unedible pasta wasn't great either, that's why i give average rating.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Second time food tasted like warmed up in a microwave, service also was not welcoming anymore, grilled chicken was unedible pasta wasn't great either, that's why i give average rating.”April 2024
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Tacos Net −1
“Adding 3 tasteless tacos to your menu does not make your restaurant Mexican.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Adding 3 tasteless tacos to your menu does not make your restaurant Mexican.”July 2022
-
Thai curry Net −1
“When you have things like, Butter Chicken, Thai curry, Pizza, Pasta etc this becomes a continental restaurant.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“When you have things like, Butter Chicken, Thai curry, Pizza, Pasta etc this becomes a continental restaurant.”July 2022
Tips for a Better Visit
Choose Outdoors. For the calmer atmosphere described by customers, ask for outdoor poolside seating and consider an evening visit.
Confirm Views. If the Burj Khalifa skyline matters to you, confirm the current view before booking; one recent review says it is gone.
Check Offers. If using a happy-hour deal, check the bill carefully: one customer expected buy-one-get-two-free but was charged differently.
Ask About Spice. Ask which dishes are spicy before ordering, since one customer said the food was not marked for heat.
Time Your Visit. Allow extra time during busy promotions such as ladies night, when one review reported especially slow service.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Canal Central Hotel
Business Bay, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 PM – 2:45 AM |
| Tue | 12:00 PM – 2:45 AM |
| Wed | 12:00 PM – 2:45 AM |
| Thu | 12:00 PM – 2:45 AM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 2:45 AM |
| Sat | 12:00 PM – 2:45 AM |
| Sun | 12:00 PM – 2:45 AM |
Common Concerns
Loud Music
One outdoor visit was cut short by very loud, banging music and coloured lights that caused a headache.
Slow Service
Several reviews report slow or inattentive service, including long waits for drinks, menus and payment.
Hot Interior
A customer found the indoor area uncomfortably hot and said the manager was rude and dismissive.
View Changed
A more recent review says the Burj Khalifa view is no longer available, despite older reviews mentioning it.
Pricey Visit
One customer felt the experience was expensive overall, particularly alongside the music and outdoor-area issues.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
45 dirhams upwards
ladies night
“It is budget-friendly, their ladies night offers 3 free drinks with any main point ordered, so it will only cost you 45 dirhams upwards - great deal”Google review · February 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Lilly’s is a rooftop bar and restaurant in Business Bay where the main draw is the outdoor setting: poolside tables, views over the canal and a skyline backdrop. It suits an evening with friends, drinks or sports on a big screen more than a quick, tightly timed meal. Older reviews mention the Burj Khalifa, but a 2025 review says that view is no longer available, so check before booking if it matters.
The menu has broad bar-and-restaurant appeal. Customers mention Arabic mixed grill, calamari, chicken popcorn, pizza for sharing and spicy curly fries, while the pina colada and other cocktails receive particularly warm comments. One reviewer also praised the guacamole and said the kitchen adapted a meal from fried to grilled, though food quality is not perfectly consistent: another visit found warmed-up food, bland skewers and an unmarked spicy dish.
Atmosphere depends heavily on the night. Many guests describe the terrace as chilled and relaxing, with live music or a good DJ, but one visit ended early because coloured lights caused a headache and the music was too loud. Service reviews range from attentive to very slow, with a reported happy-hour billing dispute.
Check promotions and your bill carefully, and consider outdoor seating in the cooler evening weather.