A dear friend was organising his birthday do with the troupe, and Trader Vic’s was the spot. Tiki Hula Hula Brunch it’s called – happening every Saturday at Hilton Dubai Jumeirah. They had been there just a few weeks prior and loved it so much for the food and party vibe that he decided to pick the same spot. Now that’s what you call a good brunch isn’t it?
Here’s our review of the brunch.
Where exactly is Trader Vic’s?
You are probably more familiar with the first branch, located in Souk Madinat Jumeirah. This one is on the mezzanine floor of Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, aka Hilton JBR. The escalators from ground floor will get you straight there.
There is free valet if you are driving.
How’s the place like?
The last time we did the Trader Vic’s brunch (Oct 2020) – it was completely different. That was post-covid – no music, restricted number of people per table, no buffets allowed. What a completely change it has been – for the better!
We got there half an hour late and the place was already packed and buzzing. Full house, I dare say. The band was playing, there were mainly tables of large groups of adults with very few there for a date brunch.
How is the food like? Is it buffet? Ala Carte?
There are food stations across the venue.
Ceviche station (with fresh salmon!), bao station, dim sums, and lots more. They do bring the starters to the table – spring rolls and fried chicken – which I do recognise from our previous trip there.
And if that’s not enough, they bring all the mains to the table. Coconut rice with grilled tiger prawns (yum!), steak with roasted veges. I am sure there was more but I apologize – I was too full and having too much fun to remember.
And drinks?
If you know Trader Vic’s, you will know their legendary Tiki Puka Puka which is absolutely lethal. Well, guess what? That’s included in the brunch under the house beverages package. Hooray. There’s Mai Tai’s, Mango Tai’s and lots of other cocktails too. So good that I didn’t even ask for wine this time …. hee hee.
What’s the overall vibe like? Is there music, entertainment?
Their in-house band Kontrol Latino was playing for most of the afternoon.
At one point they had the staff pouring drinks (Tiki Puka Pukas, can you believe it?) down this ice statue thing (what do you even call that thing?) and guests drink from a straw out of the ice bowl. Everyone was cheering on, it was crazy.
The band then gets everyone dancing – doing the Macarena, and other latino dance moves. So so fun. And of course, everyone gets into a train dance.
When we were there, there were some that had ‘a few too many’. That’s where the bouncers come into the picture…. haha.
Are kids allowed?
When I rang them to ask – they say that typically kids are not allowed in the brunch but just for the summer season, they can come.
Personally, if you can get someone to babysit, I would suggest you don’t bring them along. Just so a) you can have a really good time and b) the crowd does get quite……. crazy. If you know what I mean 😉
Overall Thoughts
Tiki Hula Hula Brunch is one fun, party brunch. Go there for a celebration – birthday, hen’s do, stag do, a happy do. You will have fun – a lot of fun. The food for me was good enough – though I do think the brunch is more about the overall package – the cocktails, the dancing, the music. Just one big fun party 🙂
Gotta mention as well – it is Buy 1 get 1 free on the Entertainer, for 225 AED for the house package – that’s a steal!
- Tiki Hula Hula Brunch
- Trader Vic’s, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
- Website
- Every Saturday 1-4pm
- Price : 450 AED House Package, 550 AED Bubbly
- Deals : Buy 1 get 1 free with the Entertainer
Disclaimer :
- My husband and I were guests of Trader Vic’s.
- If you are in any of the photos and would like me to remove it, please let me know.