On-wheel fine dining: Exploring Dubai’s landmarks with BusTronomy

Lebanese-American entrepreneur combines her love for cooking, and tourism, in this double-decker dining experience

Jonald Jeff Sarmiento serves food to guests during the afternoon tea on a BusTronomy experience in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The Dubai Frame, Museum of the Future, Jumeirah Mosque and Burj Khalifa are some of the emirate's most famous attractions, drawing visitors worldwide. But for those seeking a fresh perspective, BusTronomy offers an innovative way to experience these landmarks: through fine dining on a double-decker bus.

Founder Viviane Zoghbi, an author with a background in tourism, escaped Lebanon's war for stability and a fresh start. Moving to the UAE in September 2024, she turned her passion for cooking and storytelling into BusTronomy, the first experience of its kind in Dubai.

“I love cooking and have experience in tourism, so I thought the UAE would be the perfect place to combine the two things I love,” says Zoghbi,. Within two months, she launched the venture, an idea that had been brewing for years, and one that quickly went viral on social media.

The bus, which departs daily from the V Hotel Dubai, offers three experiences: brunch, afternoon tea and dinner. It comes with curated menus featuring international dishes with Oriental flavours.

An afternoon with BusTronomy

It's 3.45pm and I'm waiting at an RTA bus stop across from the V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton, in Al Habtoor City where the dark blue bus is parked. I'm preparing to experience the afternoon tea on BusTronomy. While departure is delayed by 35 minutes, I soon forgot all about it as I am warmly welcomed by the friendly staff. As we step on board, we're given a choice of green tea or Americano, served promptly. These drinks are refillable throughout the journey.

The bus is divided into two levels. The upper deck is dedicated to dining, accommodating 34 guests with seven elegantly arranged tables along with a tablet, which gives details about 24 landmarks across Dubai, available in five languages. The lower deck functions as the kitchen, ensuring that meals are freshly prepared.

As the bus sets off, sunlight streams through the panoramic glass roof, creating a background ideal for taking selfies. The route passes the aforementioned landmarks, with five-minute stops for pictures and sightseeing. Our guide is knowledgeable and accommodating, even helping assist with snapping photos.

The cuisine served during the afternoon tea experience is presented as finger food, elegantly arranged in a three-tiered stand, referred to as a “cage.” Designed for two people and refillable throughout the journey, it comes with an assortment of savoury bites and desserts.

The chicken avocado tortilla stands out for its creaminess and fresh hint of pomegranate, while the Lebanese za’atar wrap with cucumber reminds me of school lunch boxes, transporting me back to my youth. Meanwhile, the basil tomato toast, made with puff pastry, is a favourite. The crispiness paired with the flavours of basil and sun-dried tomatoes is delightful.

The minced beef bites with a tangy pickled onion touch add a hearty element, and the labneh toast – garnished with mint and Nigella seeds – is a refreshing twist. The crispy salmon toast topped with asparagus rounds out the savoury selection. While the savoury options were good to have alongside my tea, I expected the variety of finger food to be more diverse.

For dessert, the pistachio crepe with bananas steals the show. I enjoy its rich, nutty flavour, which is perfectly complemented by the sweetness of the bananas. Both the raspberry and lemon tart were other favourites – the crusts crumbly and sweet with a firm cookie-like texture and profiteroles adds to the indulgent variety, creating a sweet end to the journey.

BusTronomy is a convenient option for sightseeing and dining as it offers a chance to visit Dubai's famous landmarks for those short on time. However, those choosing the afternoon tea slot should be prepared for potential traffic delays near the drop-off point. While the unique experience is enjoyable, be prepared for potential hold-ups and plan for the three-hour duration.

Ticket prices range from Dh250 to Dh350 per person; brunch is 11am to 1pm; afternoon is 4pm to 6pm; and dinner is 7pm to 10pm; private bookings are also available. For more, call 054 317 4777