Condé Nast just dropped a list of the best restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah, and you’re eager to get on the road to the northern emirate on a weekend to try a few of the dining destinations mentioned.
For the best and smoothest dining experience, secure Ras Al Khaimah restaurant reservations before your trip. You shouldn’t wait until the weekend, when you’re in transit or already in Ras Al Khaimah, to book your table.
Here are our insider dining booking tips for UAE residents. These are worth trying when you need ideas on how to get a table during busy weekends in Ras Al Khaimah.
Key Takeaways
- Secure dining by choosing staycation offers that include lunch or dinner at your target restaurant.
- Ask the hotel concierge to make reservations for you, even at outside venues.
- Reserve for off-peak hours (like earlier or later slots) or aim for Sunday instead of Saturday to avoid crowds.
1. Book a Half-Board Staycation
The best hack for securing a dining spot, even during Ras Al Khaimah’s peak weekend dining, is to book a staycation that includes lunch or dinner at your target restaurant. Just make sure to let the property know, at the time of booking, when you plan to redeem the included lunch or dinner, and confirm your restaurant reservation before arrival.
The offers in RAK Moments are a good starting point. Currently, the following hotels and resorts in Ras Al Khaimah have staycation packages that make an excellent shortcut to in-demand Ras Al Khaimah restaurant reservations.
Note: Shore House Restaurant and Karma Kafe by Buddha-Bar RAK are both in Condé Nast’s recent list of the best restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah. By booking a package that includes lunch or dinner, you won’t have to separately book restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah for the weekend.
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2. Book an All-Inclusive Stay
All-inclusive resorts and packages also automatically guarantee access to dining. That said, you may still have to make individual lunch or dinner reservations.
For instance, if you get the All-Inclusive option at Rixos Bab Al Bahr, your stay includes anytime, no-reservation-required dining at the main buffet restaurant, Seven Heights, plus food and drinks at the on-site à la carte restaurants, bars, and pubs, including:
- L’olivo Restaurant
- Fishbone/Aja
- Lalezar/Meat Point
- Isla Bar
Note: Your Rixos Bab Al Bahr all-inclusive fee covers all food and house beverages. However, you still need to make reservations at your preferred à la carte restaurants. Some restaurants may also charge extra for premium cuts of meat or special dishes.
The best time to reserve Ras Al Khaimah all-inclusive packages is during the off-peak or low season. Fewer guests mean less competition for dinner reservations, even on weekends.
3. Let the Concierge Work Their Magic
A hotel and resort concierge is a staff member who makes things happen for hotel guests. Guests go to them when they need a new dress, a tour, a limo, or a restaurant reservation.
If you are staying at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, and you want to have a dry-aged steak dinner at Lexington Grill & Bar, talk to Waldorf Astoria’s concierge instead of calling the restaurant directly. This can help secure you a seat even during a Ras Al Khaimah peak weekend dining rush.
This still works even if you’re staying at a different hotel. For instance, you may be a guest at Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort, but wish to dine at Ula in Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island. In this case, you can call Mövenpick’s concierge.
You can even call Ananatara’s concierge and let them make arrangements. Wherever you may be staying, and regardless of where you want to dine (whether it is affiliated with your hotel or not), it will always be a good idea to ask your hotel concierge to arrange your Ras Al Khaimah restaurant reservations.
4. Adjust Your Timing
Instead of booking a table for 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., get reservations for an earlier or a later time slot. For instance, if the restaurant’s dinner service starts at 6:00 p.m., make your reservation for 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can also try for a spot after 9:00 p.m.
Restaurants are more likely to have a table available just after opening or in the latter half of the evening.
5. Call the Restaurant One Day Before or on the Day
What if you suddenly crave the gastro-pub offerings of NoHo Bar and Grill at InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa? Since it’s not planned, you won’t have advance reservations.
Don’t lose hope, though. The restaurant could have last-minute cancellations, so it wouldn’t hurt to call its reservations number to check if they could give you a table.
6. Book for Sunday Instead of Saturday
UAE residents who are in Ras Al Khaimah to try popular dining hotspots are likely to be out and about on Saturday. By the afternoon or evening of Sunday, many of them may already be traveling home to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or other parts of the UAE.
Therefore, there may be less demand for dinner reservations on Sundays than on Saturdays, making Sunday the best time to reserve in Ras Al Khaimah during weekends.
7. Sit at the Bar
You may not even need reservations if you’re okay dining at the bar lounge or counter. Check if a restaurant has a bar with bar seating, and verify if the establishment offers the full restaurant menu at the bar.
If yes, you may be allowed to walk in, request a seat at the bar, and order your food from there.
8. Book One Month Ahead
Booking in advance remains the best practice for Ras Al Khaimah restaurant reservations during busy weekends. Give yourself a lead time of at least 48 to 72 hours, but reserving a table at least one month before your target date is even better, especially for dining hotspots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to book restaurant tables for weekends?
The best time to reserve Ras Al Khaimah tables for a Friday or Saturday is 48 to 72 hours in advance, especially for popular spots along the water in Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra. Ramadan weekends and UAE public holidays require even earlier reservations, sometimes weeks or even a month in advance.
Which dining areas fill up first?
The best dining areas that fill up first in Ras Al Khaimah restaurants, especially during dinner on a weekend, are outdoor terraces with sea and sunset or desert views. This is followed by picture-window tables that offer the same outdoor views in air-conditioned comfort.
How do I plan a dinner route that avoids long drives?
To avoid long drives, choose a hotel in the same area as the restaurants you wish to try. Al Hamra, Al Marjan Island and Mina Al Arab each have enough accommodation options and dining variety to keep you within a single area for the full night.
What are smart backup options if a venue is full?
Always shortlist two alternatives in the same area before heading out. Hotel all-day dining restaurants often have more availability than their signature outlets and are a reliable fallback. Calling ahead rather than walking in also helps; staff may be able to accommodate small parties at the bar or suggest an earlier or later seating.
What should you confirm before arriving (dress code, parking, policies)?
Before arriving at the restaurant, call or send a message to ask if they have strictly enforced dress codes, on-site parking, and other policies, such as how long they hold reserved tables for latecomers. If you have dietary needs or a celebration, flagging them in advance helps avoid surprises on arrival.
Book Restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah: Weekend Reservation Tips
Restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah can fill up quickly on weekends. If you’re planning to go on a short weekend trip to Ras Al Khaimah, don’t just book your hotel or resort stay. Get your lunch and dinner reservations in advance.
Better yet, get a staycation package that combines accommodation and a curated or signature dinner at one of Ras Al Khaimah’s dining hotspots.
Ready to plan your visit to Ras Al Khaimah? Check out our staycation offers on RAK Moments.
