The Cullinan: A Diamond of a Dinner

Located on the first floor of the newly opened Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, The Cullinan reveals itself gradually, from the quiet elevator ride to the moment you step out and notice the striking white sculpture greeting you on the right. We arrived fashionably late for our 9:30 PM reservation (blame midweek traffic…..classic Dubai, but were quickly swept into a space that felt both sculpted and serene. From there, we were escorted to our outdoor table, framed by a skyline that needed no filter: the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab glowing against the night sky, with the serene Arabian Gulf stretching beyond.

We were dressed for the occasion, of course. I had picked up my gold, hand-beaded floral top by PatBo from OUNASS just earlier that day, because that’s just Dubai life for you. Spoiled, spontaneous, and always a little bit fabulous. I paired it with tailored Jacquemus trousers and my golden Jimmy Choos. My dinner date, Irnada, looked radiant in a flowing orange floral Zimmermann dress, though she did side-eye the neckline once or twice. A little more cleavage than she bargained for, but I told her it was non-negotiable. She wore it, she owned it, and she looked fabulous.

The ambience was everything it needed to be: chic, moody, and quietly luxurious. The architectural language of The Cullinan is soft yet intentional, inspired by the sleek, sinuous lines of a luxury yacht. Curved walls, warm-toned stone, and floor-to-ceiling glass lend the space a sense of flow and lightness, an effortless blend of modern refinement and coastal calm.

Hand-Painted Bar Wall By de Gournay At The Cullinan Dubai

What elevates it further is the restaurant’s striking collaboration with de Gournay, the globally renowned design house famed for its hand-painted wallpapers, porcelain, and heritage detail. It’s not just décor, it’s storytelling. The women’s restroom, with its rich velvet textures and delicately embroidered fish motifs, felt like stepping into a whispered conversation between tradition and fantasy. The men’s room? Classic elegance, with hand-painted palm trees and golden accents, spilling into the adjacent Wine Wall, a bespoke creation inspired by the UAE’s Talli technique, featuring hand-sewn raffia, pearls, coral, and gold.

The pièce de résistance, though? A hand-painted, gold-gilded bar wall where a radiant sun spreads warmth over waves and whistling winds…..a gilded nod to Dubai’s coastline and its maritime legacy. It was while admiring this glowing centerpoint that I struck up a conversation with Dolshan, the barman, who shared the meaning behind the name: The Cullinan, a tribute to the largest diamond ever discovered. Rare. Brilliant. Unapologetically refined. A name that sets the tone, and delivers.

(Also, let’s not gloss over the toilet seat that lifted gracefully the moment I stepped into the ladies’ room. I mean…..what can I say? It’s the little things.)

The Cullinan, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

The service throughout was warm and polished. One of the more unexpected highlights came just before our mains arrived: a lacquered presentation box was brought to the table, lined with a curated selection of steak knives. We were invited to choose our own—each one different in weight and design. A ritual, a detail, a wink.

We began with two salads: the Baby Gem & Semi-Dried Tomato and Tomato & Stracciatella. Each one arrived like a sculpture: bowls that looked like ceramic blossoms, colors that could’ve come from a Matisse palette. The Wagyu Carpaccio followed, layered with truffle cream, pickled onions, and egg yolk cream – rich, silky, indulgent. Then came the Gambero Rosso Tartare, poured tableside in a vivid coral-hued sauce. I’ll admit, shrimp’s not usually my thing, but I gave it a go. Irnada? She licked her lips and called dibs on the last bite.

For mains, I had the Saroma Japanese Wagyu Sirloin, cooked to a perfect medium-well (though next time, I’ll go medium to let the marbling sing). Irnada went for the Stone Axe Ribeye, a bold, satisfying cut. Paired with a chilled glass of rosé, the flavors lingered like good conversation.

Dessert was a refreshing wind-down: raspberry sorbet for me, lemon for her. Light, clean, and enough to make you consider staying for just one more course.

From The Menu of The Cullinan Dubai

But The Cullinan is a curated journey, and not just a restaurant. Under the umbrella of FoodFund International, a group known for cultivating people-focused dining experiences globally, The Cullinan stands out as a love letter to precision, heritage, and the art of dining well. From skyline to silverware, from hand-painted walls to hand-picked knives, it’s the kind of place you dress up for, lean into, and leave already planning your return.

And if you’re lucky, like us, you’ll stay just a little too long. After all, diamonds were never meant to be rushed.