Rhodes W1 Brunch Review: Is This One of Dubai Marina’s Best Brunches?

We recently checked out the Rhodes W1 Brunch,.

If you’ve spent any time on my blog, you’ll know I love a good brunch, but only the ones I’d genuinely recommend ever make it on here.

We picked Rhodes W1, inside Grosvenor House in Dubai Marina, for my birthday. We’d been before for their Sunday roast and it was incredible, I’d seen plenty of glowing reviews, and the Buy One Get One Free offer on The Entertainer definitely helped make the decision.

So the real question was simple. Was the food actually good, was it worth the price, and was it a birthday brunch worth booking?

Rhodes W1 Restaurant & Atmosphere

First impressions definitely count, and Rhodes W1 gets them spot on.

he restaurant is bright, elegant and full of character, with quirky artwork of glamorous ladies dressed as vegetables lining the walls, alongside its impressive Michelin Guide accolades. There’s also a gorgeous terrace overlooking Dubai Marina, which I can only imagine would make the experience even better, once the weather cools down.

Unfortunately, we visited in the middle of summer, so we stayed inside. Thankfully, the atmosphere was just as enjoyable, with a DJ creating a lively vibe without making it impossible to have a conversation, the perfect balance for a relaxed brunch with friends.

The Drinks – Cocktails Worth Ordering

Let’s talk cocktails. Because quite frankly the cocktails were great, they completely exceeded our expectations.

The presentation was beautiful, but more importantly, they actually tasted as good as they looked. That’s saying something because our group has its own little cocktail club, so we’re a pretty tough crowd! Everyone was impressed.

Rhodes W1 Coconut Ice Cocktail — Coconut Ice Cocktail

My favourite was the Coconut Ice, which tasted like a grown up Piña Colada. The wines and beers were just as enjoyable, but one of my favourite touches was the staff bringing over freshly chilled glasses before every refill.

The Starters – Every Dish Was a Winner

The starters were most definitely one of the highlights of the Rhodes W1 Brunch.

Rhodes W1 Brunch Starters — Red Pepper Hummus & Bang Bang Chicken

The Bang Bang chicken was packed with flavour, the prawns were perfectly juicy with a fresh lemon and herb salsa, and the mac and cheese croquettes were everything a croquette should be. So many brunches get them wrong, serving them dry and disappointing, but these were crispy on the outside and wonderfully creamy in the middle.

The portion sizes were generous too. By the time everything had arrived, the table was completely covered with food, and every dish looked just as good as the last.

Rhodes W1 Main Courses – Ten Choices!

One thing I really appreciate at brunch is being able to choose your own main course. Usually, you’re given three or four options and that’s your lot.

Not here.

Rhodes W1 Brunch offers ten different mains, which is almost unheard of. From sausage and mash to fishcakes and other classic British favourites, there was something for everyone.

Around our table, people ordered everything from the black cod to the braised beef cheeks, and every single person was enjoyed their meal.

Well… almost everyone.

I chose the pork belly bap and, although it was cooked perfectly well, it just wasn’t really my thing. That’s completely down to personal taste rather than the quality of the food.

Desserts – Classic Comfort Food

Dessert arrived as a selection of British classics, served in smaller sharing portions, which was the perfect way to finish after such a generous meal.

The sticky toffee pudding, apple crumble and lemon cream were all delicious and rounded off the brunch beautifully. The smaller portions meant we could enjoy a little bit of everything.

Service – The Little Details Matter

Great food is one thing, but exceptional service is what turns a good brunch into a memorable one.

The team at Rhodes W1 couldn’t have looked after us better. Everyone was warm, friendly and attentive in the best possible way. Drinks were topped up regularly, fresh chilled glasses appeared before refills, and nothing ever felt like too much trouble.

It’s those thoughtful little touches that make such a difference and are what truly separate good restaurants from great ones.

Rhodes W1 Brunch – A Birthday to Remember

Sam Rhodes at Rhodes W1 — Sam Rhodes Chatting to us.

The most memorable part of the afternoon actually wasn’t the food.

Sam Rhodes himself wished me a happy birthday and spent time chatting with us about his father, the legendary Gary Rhodes, who founded the restaurant and was such a huge part of many of our childhoods through watching his TV shows.

It was such a lovely personal touch and something I’ll remember long after the last bite of brunch.

We also had the chance to speak with one of the chefs who had worked alongside Gary, which made the whole experience feel even more special.

The team even surprised me with flowers and an espresso martini… although I have to admit, I may have slightly shamelessly played the birthday card for that one!

Is Rhodes W1 Brunch Worth It?

Without a doubt, yes.

If you’re looking for a Dubai brunch with exceptional food, excellent service, fantastic cocktails and beautiful surroundings, then Rhodes W1 Brunch ticks every box.

Add its on the The Entertainer Buy One Get One Free offer, and it becomes fantastic value for money too.

It’s rare to find a brunch where almost every dish impresses, the service is flawless, and you leave already planning your next visit. But that’s exactly what happened here.

Thank you, Rhodes W1, for the perfect birthday brunch. If you want to book this brunch you can do so as we did here Rhodes W1

A quick note: This was not a gifted meal or a collaboration. We paid for our brunch ourselves (well… my hubby did, as it was my birthday after all!). As always, my reviews are based on my honest opinions and experiences.

If you love discovering great brunch spots in Dubai.