Joe's Backyard — Restaurant in Dubai

We grabbed a bite at Joe’s Backyard while waiting for an event at the hotel to finish, and I wish I could say it was a pleasant experience. It wasn’t.

We were seated at a table with no “reserved” sign. A staff member approached, asked if we had a discount, and when my companion mentioned he was an IHG member, the menus were dropped on the table—no greeting, no acknowledgment, just a dismissive gesture. I brushed it off, thinking maybe he was having a bad day. But it was a cold, off-putting start.

We placed our order around 6ish, food arrived at around 6:55, and not long after, a hostess—possibly named Caterina/ Katrina —walked over and told us, without warning or courtesy, that the table was reserved and we had to leave by 7:30. No apology, no alternative options, just: “This table is reserved. You need to leave.”

We hadn’t even finished our meal. We asked if we could be moved, and she replied vaguely that she’d “see what she could do,” then walked away. The whole interaction was dismissive, and the tone made it clear—we didn’t seem like the type of guests they wanted to accommodate. We were casually dressed, we’re Asian, and sadly, it felt like assumptions were made based on that.

One of the waiters noticed our discomfort, apologized sincerely, and said he’d escalate the issue. The outlet manager eventually came over, but as soon as we began explaining what happened, she cut us off and defensively repeated, “The table is reserved.” Her apology was superficial at best—she claimed not to know what happened, but made no effort to show genuine concern or accountability.

Then came the final insult—before 7:30 even hit, another staff member asked if we could move again because guests might arrive. So we moved. Moments later, the same hostess returned with other guests and seated them at that same table. At that point, any pretense of professionalism or fairness was gone.

What made this worse is learning afterward that this same hostess has appeared in other reviews with similar complaints. Rude. Dismissive. Unbothered. That seems to be her consistent style—and it’s concerning that it hasn’t been addressed. Kindly go through all the lowest reviews and you’d see her being highlighted repeatedly.

The service we received from both the hostess and the manager was not only unprofessional—it was discriminatory. The manager later saw us in the venue and didn’t even offer a follow-up or a proper check-in. Just a passing look that only added to the sense of judgment. When even their own staff are commenting that the management tends to protect each other because they're "from the same region"—it says a lot.

If we weren’t so tired, we would’ve left as soon as it became clear how this evening was going. We lost our appetite. The night was ruined.

We left feeling embarrassed, judged, and completely unwelcome. This wasn’t just poor service—it was a complete lack of hospitality, from people who are supposed to represent an IHG brand.

A shame, really. Because this experience didn’t just ruin our evening—it changed the way we...

Joe’s Backyard, two mains, three sides, 3 soft drinks, AED330 (with entertainer voucher, AED240)

Joe’s Backyard was on my ‘check this out’ list for some time; friends frequent this for brunch, others go for Thursday nights post work week ‘medicating’ and other bloggers provided feedback. None of these inputs were a deterrent and the core message is: come for a good time and party hard. So step forward a sober lunch-time during a relaxed Saturday in Dubai’s quiet summer season.

The 19th floor view overlooks the Dubai Downtown skyline in the distance but with a view overlooking IKEA and Ace Hardware on the other side. The inside is most urban with industrial oversized light bulbs dangling like modern Christmas lights from the copious jungle-like greenery throughout. A match of sofas for large groups, tables for fours with outside patio seating and inside seating surrounding the bar split between smoking and non-smoking areas.

It’s a meaty menu: multiple grilled steak, chicken, salmon, burger options. The starters include crab cakes, sliders, fried mac n cheese with a small section for salads too.

The butcher’s steak is 250g and cooked medium rare (ordered) nicely seasoned and served with a mild chimichurri that adds a little zest and warming garlic. This is a good portion size for a relatively lean steak. The 8 hour brisket is coated in a slick slightly Asian flavoured sauce reminiscent of a tamarind bbq sauce. The brisket despite the 8 hour smoking leaves the brisket softer than cotton candy but not cooked long enough to fully render the fat content which is still very present in every bite - some longer cooking would help render this cut down more. The baked mac and cheese (is not actually macaroni) and is a pleasant balance of cheesy indulgence without being cloy also topped with a toasted breadcrumb that brings a much needed subtle crunchy texture.

The service is attentive.

Would I come back to Joe’s Backyard? Yes, my take is that this is still a party place. It screams good time with its views, generous bar size and pumping music. The food is enjoyable and - for a party brunch - would be better than you would expect in comparison to some other party...

Joe's Backyard in Festival City. This isn't your hushed, romantic dinner spot, think more like a pumped-up sports bar that's had a stylish makeover. The view of that Downtown Dubai skyline? Pretty spectacular, especially when the sun dips, casting a warm glow over the city lights. And they've got a cracking outdoor area, a proper terrace vibe that just begs for long evenings with good company and cold drinks when the Dubai weather decides to cooperate. It seems Joe's has cultivated a loyal following, a mix of sports fanatics glued to the screens and savvy diners in on their wallet-friendly daily deals. It’s the kind of place where the atmosphere is always buzzing, a lively hum of conversation and cheering.

The food? Surprisingly good for a spot that could easily just rely on the view and the happy hour. Those Chicken Wings? Crispy, perfectly sauced in both that tangy chipotle and classic buffalo, with a blue cheese dip that’s creamy and moreish. The Grilled Cajun Prawns? Fresh, plump prawns with a lovely spicy kick, served on a hunk of bread soaking up all that vibrant chimichurri goodness. Then came the mains: the Veal Schnitzel – a truly colossal piece of perfectly fried veal, crispy on the outside and tender within. And the BBQ Back Ribs? A proper Flintstones-sized portion, slathered in a rich, smoky BBQ sauce, the meat practically falling off the bone. Don't even get me started on their cocktails – clearly someone behind the bar knows their stuff. Our server Jane was an absolute star, always attentive and with a smile. And the Friday night Afrobeat DJ? That just elevates the whole experience to a proper weekend vibe.

If you're after a fun night out with mates, where you can catch the game, take advantage of some seriously good deals on food and drinks, and actually enjoy what you're eating, Joe's Backyard is a solid shout. It’s unpretentious, it’s lively, and it delivers on flavour without emptying your pockets. Definitely one to add to your Dubai...