Luchador Roof Cantina & Lounge — Restaurant in Dubai

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It is for reviews like these that I wish Zomato still provided half star ratings - boo.

This review is based on the Friday brunch at Luchador where a group of 8 of us sat inside during the cooler Dubai months to tuck into their Latin American (but Mexican leaning) brunch.

HIGHLIGHTS: THE VIEW.  This panoramic view of the Dubai coastline is enviable from its position deep within the East Crescent of Palm Jumeirah.  On this strikingly clear day, we had an uninterrupted view of iconic Dubai landmarks like the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah hotel, beaches and even the Burj Khalifa with yachts, jet skis and more.  If you have visitors, this view is the moneyshot.  I think you would lose something if you came here at night.

THE PRICE.  395 for a bubbly package and cheaper from there for house beverages is very good value for the location, view, drinks, service and food.  You will easily pay double this at other brunches in big name hotels for less or equivalent.

THE SERVICE.  Fast, efficient, polite.  You need to be quick with the food order though as the kitchen does get backed up as you canter through the set a la carte list of items.  This is very good for large groups and they are able to manage big groups efficiently as we were one of three large groups including a table of 12 and another of 6 together with multiple tables of 2-4.

THE FOOD.  This is a brunch; it's not fine dining, it's not a diverse lunch menu.  It is a sneak peak of the kitchen's abilities for a wide audience.  In this respect I thought some of the dishes were notable including the guacamole, the beef tacos, seafood rice and the churros - oh yes those cinnamon crisp cooked-to-order sugar dipped churros.  Other plates were good including their fish tacos (most of our table reordered those 3 times so 15 portions) but the others were notable.

LOWLIGHTS: LOCATION.  Unless you live on the Palm or you are staying in the hotel, this is a fair schlep to go for a brunch.  It's worth it and get your taxi booked.

WAITING.  The kitchen does get backed up as you move from the hot starters to the main courses.  We waited 30 minutes in between each which - to be honest - was a welcomed break for most of those on our table.

3 HOURS.  It seems a little short as we were told drinks orders stopped at 3.30.  Many brunches go to 4 or even 4.30 so I was surprised.  That said, now you know.

SEASONING: I think the kitchen could be braver with the spice and with the seasoning.  For mass groups I know they want to place it safe but this is Latin American food and I don't remember anything being a spice challenge or a sharp punch of citrus in the guacamole.  I suggest the restaurant sets up a hot sauce stand or other extras like fresh chopped coriander or lime wedges to allow people like me to step up the dishes.  It could be fun.

Now would I go back?   Yes absolutely especially if you have visitors in town and you want to take them out.

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Extremely rude staff!

When we arrived the manager told us that we can only sit outside, as the place is fully reserved. The bar tender then advised the manager to give us a nice table in the corner. Over the next three hours only three other tables were occupied.

Before wanting to leave, the staff was too lazy to split the bill. When we wanted to pay they told us to pay the whole bill by one person and split amongst ourselves later. As we didn’t accept, we waited one hour until they sorted this out internally. Further the manager made a comment, saying that we won’t probably remember which items we had. When then receiving the bill we found that the discount of us as hotel guest was not considered. The staff then tried to tell us that this discount does not apply to us. Only after speaking to the hotel shift manager the restaurant granted us the discount, but again only in certain items (which was not mentioned to us at any point). While then splitting the bill, we found that items had been added to the bill that we didn’t order and/or consume. After 1,5 hours we were tired of nonsense, rude and useless discussions and just payed.

In summary the restaurant is located nicely and some of the bar tenders were quick and friendly. Yet, in the payment process the restaurant showed its very ugly face. Especially the manager was extremely rude, but then got offended after we insisted on our rights. This restaurant entirely ruined our...

Ambiance was good. Live music and dance, very vibrant. View was good too. Food was horrible. Forget about getting a taste of authentic Mexican, it was tasteless. Feels like they throw all the ingredients in a pan, mixed it and put it on a plate. Service was horrible. It took a while to get menus and then give out our orders even though the house was less than 1/3. After the food and drink was delivered, no one; literally no one checked on us throughout the duration of our stay. We had to serve ourselves to bring cutlery and tissue. The waiter saw me walking down to bring tissue from their stand but didn’t approach at all. We finished our bottle of wine pouring ourselves. If you look all the reviews, it has very similar comments regarding their service personality. Wine was good. If I do come back next time, I will make sure I will fill up my stomach and just have a drink, enjoy the view and music. The restaurant wasn’t busy as we expected on Friday and from the sound of the receptionist when we book a table. They are trying to crowed it with bunch of people that are paid to make the restaurant busy. Not against of the idea; every restaurant does that but it gives you a feeling of that you are invited to someone’s home as a side guest. It was a large group on a long table having generic food and drink and not from menu. Sometimes it’s good to see what others order to...