‘If music be the food of love, play on,’ wrote the Bard – William Shakespeare himself. In Dubai, this sentiment finds elegant form in a collection of venues that pair fine food with a warm, family-friendly atmosphere, ensuring parents need not choose between a polished plate and a polished performance.
The art, of course, lies in proportion. Some may prefer a gentle acoustic line beside a Sunday roast; others, an early programme that delights younger guests before bedtime, allowing families to share moments of genuine connection as the evening unfolds to the sound of live music. What follows is a curated selection of family restaurants in Dubai with live music and a taste not to forget.
Hard Rock Café Dubai, Festival City
At Festival City Mall, Hard Rock Café Dubai brings its unmistakable energy to a vast 2,700-square-metre space. Guitars and tour jackets line the walls, while a full performance stage dominates the main dining hall. Here, live bands play several nights a week, transforming mealtimes into concerts. The menu leans into American comfort food – ribs, burgers, Tex-Mex – balanced by a Captain Messi Kids Menu and student specials that make families feel considered at every level. Parents can enjoy the terrace overlooking the creek while children tuck into familiar favourites, the early evening sets providing music lively enough to delight but timed so younger guests are not overwhelmed.
The Irish Village, Al Garhoud
An enduring Dubai landmark beside the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, The Irish Village blends pub tradition with open-air charm. Its tree-lined terrace and friendly staff make it a family favourite, especially in the early evening when acoustic bands play mellow sets before livelier performances later on. The result is a space that balances local character, music, and an Irish welcome, complemented by a pet-friendly atmosphere that brings together the whole family – often joined by the resident cats, dogs, and ducks that give the venue its unique warmth.
Home by McGettigan’s, City Walk
A brighter, more contemporary take on the Irish pub, Home by McGettigan’s offers easygoing dining for families, with quiz brunches, children’s menus, and outdoor seating. The tone stays relaxed, and while regular entertainment leans towards trivia nights, live acoustic sets appear during holidays and special events, adding warmth without overpowering the setting.
The Black Sheep, Jumeirah Lake Towers
A modern British gastropub with dark woods, leather banquettes, and a relaxed beer garden, The Black Sheep is the Dubai outpost of the classic British local. It is best known for comforting pub staples such as fish and chips, pies and roasts, alongside 14 draughts and generous happy hours. Listed among the best family restaurants in Dubai with live music, the venue’s own page announces sets every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, performed either inside the cosy dining room or out in the garden. The sound remains vibrant yet perfectly manageable for families with prams or those preferring a gentler start to the evening, making early dinner the ideal time to enjoy both the atmosphere and the music.
Wavehouse, Atlantis the Palm
Atlantis’s Wavehouse bills itself as a “one-stop shop for fun, food, and entertainment. The venue combines a two-storey arcade with bowling lanes, a terrace, and a casual diner-style menu of pizzas and burgers. Families can easily spend an afternoon here, and as daylight fades, the stage comes to life. Live bands play Monday to Friday from 7 to 9 pm, with longer weekend sets from 5 to 11 pm. The music carries a festival feel, yet the timing keeps it accessible for children. Images of kids at the bowling alleys make it clear that it combines playgrounds and live performance.
Mezzanine Bar & Kitchen, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Set along the waterways of Souk Madinat, Mezzanine blends brick-and-timber interiors with spacious terraces overlooking the water – and a kitchen serving British favourites from fish and chips to a proper Sunday roast. The venue is explicitly family-friendly, maintaining a non-smoking indoor policy and welcoming guests of all ages, which firmly places it among the best family restaurants in Dubai with live music. Regular acoustic performances and weekend sets create a lively yet relaxed backdrop, while Sundays, centred around the signature roast, attract a convivial crowd. Daytime and early-evening visits remain ideal for families, when the music softens and the canals provide a calm, scenic setting.
The Tap House, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown, Dubai Hills
A contemporary take on the gastropub, The Tap House combines clean interiors with a relaxed beachside spirit – especially at Club Vista Mare, where children can play on the sand as parents unwind with sunset views. Early evenings are calm and family-friendly, complete with children’s menus and high chairs, before live music begins while families are still dining, often starting with soft acoustic sets that keep the mood relaxed. As the night progresses, the tempo rises with bands or DJs on key evenings. The menu balances British favourites such as Nan’s Roast and fish-and-chips with lighter European and Asian dishes, ensuring something for everyone. Families will find the Palm branch particularly welcoming – best enjoyed before sunset, as the first notes of live music begin to fill the air.
Phileas Fogg’s, Emirates Hills
With its shaded, gated playground and Kids-Eat-Free offers during school holidays, Phileas Fogg’s is designed with families in mind. The sprawling terrace and open interiors make it easy to navigate with prams, while the atmosphere stays relaxed until later in the evening. Live music features most weekends – livelier on Fridays, gentler on Sundays – alongside acoustic sets that lend warmth without drowning conversation. For those with younger children, the early evening remains the ideal time to enjoy the music and the view before the night grows busier.
Reform Social & Grill, The Lakes
Dubai’s original British gastropub, Reform Social & Grill pairs comforting roasts and grills with one of the city’s most family-friendly settings. Its garden, complete with a shaded playground, makes it ideal for relaxed weekend meals, while the family brunch brings entertainers and plenty of space for children. Live music is occasional, usually tied to themed events, but the welcoming atmosphere and hearty food make it a dependable favourite for families year-round.
Closing Thoughts
Whether it’s the soft strum of a guitar by the water, a band warming up before sunset, or a lively Sunday roast that ends in applause, Dubai’s restaurant scene proves that family time and live music are among the city’s finest ingredients for connection. Each venue offers its own rhythm – some gentle and acoustic, others bold and festive – yet all provide a setting where parents can unwind, and children feel at home. The harmony between food and music fills the moment with warmth and nostalgia that lingers long after.
