A-list favourite African Queen heads from France to Dubai

Located on J1 Beach, the venue fuses together African and French influences.

Dubai, things are about to get regal. African Queen is making its way from France to the UAE. Located in J1 Beach, the concept fuses together African, French and Mediterranean flavours. If you’re looking for a colourful yet chic restaurant, here’s what you need to know. 

African Queen first opened in 1969 in the South of France, and is a dining destination. The original venue has attracted A-list starts including Bono, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Sylvester Stallone. 

African Queen Dubai draws its inspiration from the 1951 Academy Award-winning film African Queen. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, it was adapted from a book of the same name. The romantic comedy follows a British captain and missionary worker who have opposite personalities, but eventually fall in love. 

The décor at African Queen Dubai reflects the adventure of the film and boasts bold designs from the continent. The jungle chic interior includes animal prints, patterned cushions, colourful wallpaper and palm leaves. The colours include deep shades of green alongside soft beige, browns and white. The venue spans two floors and indoor as well as outdoor seats, and includes a beach club, restaurant and bar. Plus, the fun features include a lamp shaped like a peacock, flamingo statues and rattan lamps.

Over the years, the cuisine at African Queen has evolved. Wood-fired pizzas, mixed Niçoise salads, and exotic fruit curries have never left the menu. However, some exceptional dishes have joined them, including locally caught fish and matured Black Angus beef. African Queen’s recipe for success came from a simple ethos: to deliver consistent quality, an immoderate taste for Mediterranean cuisine, and the desire to please the customer.

Check in with FACT for the latest things to do in Dubai. 

GO: Visit www.africanqueen.fr or follow @africanqueen_dubai on Instagram for more information.