Live Music
The live band is a genuine part of the evening, with dancing and salsa performances adding energy beyond the meal.
Rumba Dubai
Palm Jumeirah
Rumba is a Cuban restaurant and bar on Palm Jumeirah, pairing traditional Cuban dishes with colourful Havana-style decor, live music and beachside seating. Fish tacos and the unusual Cuban cigars dessert are two memorable choices, while the live band gives dinner a distinctly social, dance-friendly feel.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
726 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Beach Terrace
The outdoor terrace by the beach offers sea views and works particularly well for sunset dining.
Fish Tacos
Fish tacos are one of the clearest food standouts, with several diners calling them delicious or rating them highly.
Cigar Dessert
The Cuban cigars dessert is soft ice cream with a chocolate core and chocolate coating, rather than an actual cigar.
Cigar Lounge
A dedicated cigar lounge gives cigar fans a separate reason to linger alongside drinks and live music.
Generous Portions
Some dishes come in substantial portions; one table specifically found the tacos, salmon and empanadas quite large.
Group Events
A 200 AED set menu for a birthday group included starters, mains and desserts, with dancers and band interaction afterwards.
What to Eat at Rumba Dubai 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 Rumba Dubai, 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 Rumba Dubai got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 2
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Guacamole Net +4
“Serve delicious tacos, guacamole and ceviche. They serve variety of unique cocktail mixes.”
Positive 4Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Serve delicious tacos, guacamole and ceviche. They serve variety of unique cocktail mixes.”April 2023
“Nice food, attentive staff, pretty location... All added up to a lovely dinner. Lots of food for the two of us... Great Guacomole - not pictured as we ate it too fast!”February 2022
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Fish tacos Net +3
“The evening ambience is quite nice and the food is excellent. Especially the fish tacos are very delicious.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The evening ambience is quite nice and the food is excellent. Especially the fish tacos are very delicious.”May 2024
“- Tacos Pescado (fried fish tacos) 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”September 2022
Honorable mentions (16)
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Arrachera (skirt steak) Net +1
“We ordered Arrachera (Skirt steak) with a side of French fries and a jug of Mojito. Highly recommend it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered Arrachera (Skirt steak) with a side of French fries and a jug of Mojito. Highly recommend it.”November 2021
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Arroz meloso (seafood rice) Net +1
“- Arroz Meloso (seafood rice) 8/10”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“- Arroz Meloso (seafood rice) 8/10”September 2022
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Churros Net +1
“to finalise all amazing food experience was dropped as very good way like street food style a bucket of churros with chocolate sauce yummy”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“to finalise all amazing food experience was dropped as very good way like street food style a bucket of churros with chocolate sauce yummy”January 2023
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Cocoa Net +1
“The desert Cocoa was perfect!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The desert Cocoa was perfect!”May 2022
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Cuban cigars Net +1
“An awesome characteristic are the Cuban cigars which are actually a dessert - it’s a soft ice cream with a chocolate core and the coating is also tasty chocolate.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“An awesome characteristic are the Cuban cigars which are actually a dessert - it’s a soft ice cream with a chocolate core and the coating is also tasty chocolate.”May 2024
-
Empanadas (smoked beef) Net +1
“- Empanadas (smoked beef) 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“- Empanadas (smoked beef) 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️”September 2022
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Friday brunch Net +1
“Turned up and discovered they were promoting their first Friday Brunch, so decided to partake. Kudos to the team for a job well done. As a “guinea pig” for the first brunch, I have to say I walked away very satisfied with the experience, the food, the presentation, the customer service!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Turned up and discovered they were promoting their first Friday Brunch, so decided to partake. Kudos to the team for a job well done. As a “guinea pig” for the first brunch, I have to say I walked away very satisfied with the experience, the food, the presentation, the customer service!”November 2021
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Guaca habanero Net +1
“- Guaca Habanero 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“- Guaca Habanero 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”September 2022
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Hamachi ceviche Net +1
“My favourites were: Guacamole, Hamachi Ceviche and Red Snapper.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My favourites were: Guacamole, Hamachi Ceviche and Red Snapper.”September 2021
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Havana special cocktails Net +1
“Cuban restaurant, great food, best mojito and havana special cocktails.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Cuban restaurant, great food, best mojito and havana special cocktails.”September 2021
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Piña colada Net +1
“Where do I start from : the good staff and hospitality, the good brunch or amazing beverages virgin mojito and piña colada and sangria as my friend was drinking it and she was so happy about. The friendly staff staff from the smile the easiness to make ur stay an amazing memory, they have bar ans restaurant and havana such an amazing place heaven on earth and the indoor one and incredible decor and design cubean spirit is an forgettable We already booked our next visit. 🎉🎉🎉🎉”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Where do I start from : the good staff and hospitality, the good brunch or amazing beverages virgin mojito and piña colada and sangria as my friend was drinking it and she was so happy about. The friendly staff staff from the smile the easiness to make ur stay an amazing memory, they have bar ans restaurant and havana such an amazing place heaven on earth and the indoor one and incredible decor and design cubean spirit is an forgettable We already booked our next visit. 🎉🎉🎉🎉”November 2021
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Queso fundido (beef) Net +1
“- Queso Fundido (beef) 7/10”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“- Queso Fundido (beef) 7/10”September 2022
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Red snapper Net +1
“My favourites were: Guacamole, Hamachi Ceviche and Red Snapper.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My favourites were: Guacamole, Hamachi Ceviche and Red Snapper.”September 2021
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Rumba salad Net +1
“We were pleased with everything we ordered and ate, I recommend to try the Rumba Salad and the Salmon Ceviche, very distinguished and special.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We were pleased with everything we ordered and ate, I recommend to try the Rumba Salad and the Salmon Ceviche, very distinguished and special.”March 2022
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Salmon ceviche Net +1
“We were pleased with everything we ordered and ate, I recommend to try the Rumba Salad and the Salmon Ceviche, very distinguished and special.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We were pleased with everything we ordered and ate, I recommend to try the Rumba Salad and the Salmon Ceviche, very distinguished and special.”March 2022
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Short rib croquettes Net +1
“Located at the Club vista mare, Rumba’s Food was great(Fish Tacos, short rib Croquettes and the guacamole). Drinks were priced fairly and the ambience was amazing. Highly recommend this place.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Located at the Club vista mare, Rumba’s Food was great(Fish Tacos, short rib Croquettes and the guacamole). Drinks were priced fairly and the ambience was amazing. Highly recommend this place.”October 2021
Drinks 2
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Mojito Net +2
“I could write a 300 word essay about why everything was good but I will just summarize it in the sentence: I felt home🇨🇺❤️. Thanks to all Cuban staff: hostess, waiters and manager who made it possible. Definetely coming back for more Mojitos”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I could write a 300 word essay about why everything was good but I will just summarize it in the sentence: I felt home🇨🇺❤️. Thanks to all Cuban staff: hostess, waiters and manager who made it possible. Definetely coming back for more Mojitos”April 2023
“Cuban restaurant, great food, best mojito and havana special cocktails.”September 2021
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Sangria Net +1
“Where do I start from : the good staff and hospitality, the good brunch or amazing beverages virgin mojito and piña colada and sangria as my friend was drinking it and she was so happy about. The friendly staff staff from the smile the easiness to make ur stay an amazing memory, they have bar ans restaurant and havana such an amazing place heaven on earth and the indoor one and incredible decor and design cubean spirit is an forgettable We already booked our next visit. 🎉🎉🎉🎉”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Where do I start from : the good staff and hospitality, the good brunch or amazing beverages virgin mojito and piña colada and sangria as my friend was drinking it and she was so happy about. The friendly staff staff from the smile the easiness to make ur stay an amazing memory, they have bar ans restaurant and havana such an amazing place heaven on earth and the indoor one and incredible decor and design cubean spirit is an forgettable We already booked our next visit. 🎉🎉🎉🎉”November 2021
Tips for a Better Visit
Book Ahead. Reserve on weekends, when reviews say the venue gets busy and tables can be hard to secure.
Choose Sunset. Ask for outdoor seating if you want the beach view and sunset atmosphere rather than the noisier indoor band area.
Check Promotions. Confirm ladies’ night conditions before ordering, including the drink deadline and whether the food discount applies to your whole table.
Try The Bar. If indoor heat is a concern, ask whether the bar area is available; one review found it noticeably cooler than the main hall.
Expect Noise. Sit away from the band if conversation matters, as indoor seating can become noisy during performances.
Check Schedule. Verify the current entertainment schedule before booking; one review singled out Monday band nights and Saturday dancing.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Vista Mare - Unit 7, Club
The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Common Concerns
Weak AC
Several reviews report very weak air-conditioning, especially in the main dining hall, making indoor visits uncomfortably hot.
Slow Service
Service can become slow when the restaurant is busy; one review described the venue as understaffed and waiters as difficult to find.
Uneven Food
Food opinions vary sharply: some diners loved it, while others felt dishes sounded better than they tasted.
Promotion Clarity
A ladies’ night visit led to confusion over the drink deadline and an undisclosed all-women condition for the food discount.
Noisy Indoors
The indoor dining area can be loud near the band, which may not suit a quiet meal.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
149 AED
snacks and five drinks
“It was ladies' night, so they had this deal where you get some snacks and five drinks for 149 AED from 7 to 11 pm”Google review · April 2024
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Rumba is a Cuban restaurant and bar on Palm Jumeirah where the main draw is the full evening setting: colourful Havana-style decor, a beachside terrace and live music that can turn dinner into dancing. It works especially well for birthdays, brunches and group nights. Food feedback is mixed, but there are clear favourites.
Fish tacos, guacamole, empanadas, ceviche and crab dumplings all receive specific praise, while one guest rated the fried fish tacos and Guaca Habanero 10/10. Portions can be generous: a group found tacos, salmon and empanadas large enough to require care when ordering. Cocktails, mojitos and margaritas are recurring strengths.
The live band and salsa dancers are central rather than background decoration; inside can be noisy, while the terrace gives you sea views and a sunset option. Cigar fans have a dedicated lounge, and the “Cuban cigars” dessert is soft ice cream with a chocolate core and chocolate coating. Two practical cautions come up repeatedly: weak air-conditioning in the main dining hall, and slow or understaffed service on some visits.
Check the evening’s entertainment and any promotion before arriving; one ladies’ night guest disputed the five-drink time limit and learned the food discount required an all-women table. Weekend bookings are advised.