Garden setting
The open-air garden is repeatedly described as calm, lush, cozy and relaxing, even within the city.
Sunken Garden
DIFC
Sunken Garden is a Lebanese restaurant in DIFC with an alfresco garden setting, Lebanese mezze and grilled dishes, and a wide shisha selection. Reviews make it most appealing for relaxed evenings, drinks, and watching football, though service and entry policies can vary.
Reputation Score
4.2
★★★★☆
520 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Smooth shisha
Several reviews praise the shisha for its flavour selection, smoothness and long-lasting preparation.
Sharing platter
The Grilled Seafood Platter was reported as perfectly cooked and large enough to share.
Grilled dishes
Reviews specifically praise the mixed grill, grilled meats, kabobs and hummus.
Sports atmosphere
Football matches are shown, making the venue a popular evening option for watching games.
Late hours
One regular valued the venue because it was reliably open until late.
Valet parking
Hotel valet parking is available, although one review reminds guests to validate the ticket.
Tips for a Better Visit
Book ahead. Reserve in advance and confirm the policy first: one review says bookings may need 24 hours’ notice, while another recommends booking ahead when busy.
Confirm access. If you are not staying at the hotel, call ahead and ask whether walk-ins are being accepted; entry rules were reported as inconsistent.
Check availability. Ask whether a desired dish is available before ordering drinks; oysters were reported unavailable only after drinks arrived.
Expect noise. Choose another venue or clarify the seating atmosphere if you want a quiet meal, as reviews mention loud music and smoke.
Validate valet. If you use the hotel valet, remember to validate the parking ticket before leaving.
Allow time. Avoid a tight schedule for dinner: one review reported waiting more than an hour for main-course shawarma and shish tawook.
Plan the visit
Practical details
The Ritz-Carlton
Zaa'beel Second - DIFC, Dubai
| Mon | 3:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Tue | 3:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Wed | 3:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Thu | 3:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Fri | 3:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Sat | 3:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Sun | 3:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Entry confusion
Multiple reviews describe guests being refused without reservations or because they were not hotel guests, even with empty tables.
Slow service
Reported problems include long waits, including more than an hour for shawarma and shish tawook.
Inconsistent service
Some visits included inattentive staff, poor coordination and long waits despite the venue not being busy.
Loud smoking
A review found the venue smoke-filled and loud, while another described it as potentially noisy.
Small portions
One diner enjoyed the food and shisha but felt the food portions were too small.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
1000 aed
check for 2 people
“So, this is going to be your 5-star dining experience with 1000 aed check for 2 people:”Google review · December 2024
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Sunken Garden is a Lebanese restaurant in DIFC built around an open-air garden setting, shisha and evening lounging. You can order mezze, grilled dishes and drinks, with reviews specifically mentioning the Grilled Seafood Platter, mixed grill, hummus and grape shisha. Football screenings add a more social, lively reason to visit.
The setting is the strongest draw. Customers describe it as lush, calm and cozy, while others enjoy the music, cocktails and late-night atmosphere. The shisha is often praised as smooth and long-lasting, and the seafood platter was considered well cooked and good for sharing.
Hotel valet parking is available; remember to validate the ticket. Service is much less predictable. Some visits received friendly, attentive help, but others involved long waits, slow bills, inattentive staff or a main course taking more than an hour.
Entry rules have also caused serious frustration: guests have been refused for lacking reservations or not staying at the hotel, even when tables appeared available. Call ahead, confirm whether non-hotel guests can walk in, and ask about dish availability before ordering drinks. The space can also be loud and smoke-filled, so it suits a shisha-friendly evening more than a quiet dinner.