Thiptara Royal Thai

Lonely Planet review

The prices are as high as the adjacent Burj Dubai, but if you're looking for a reason to linger long beneath the world's tallest tower, Thiptara's elegant interpretations of classic Thai dishes and its location in a lakeside Thai-style pagoda provide just the excuse. The note-perfect som tum (green-papaya salad) is as good as we've had in Bangkok; the smoky-hot ka pohn nau (beef in spicy brown sauce) is intensely spiced with on-the-vine peppercorns.

Alas, the interior is too austere (sit on the deck) and the plates look Ikea-cheap, but the solicitous service by an all-Thai staff and the exceptional cooking make up for it. Note: budgeteers, order the around Dh50 pad Thai.