World's highest restaurant opens in Dubai

The world's highest restaurant has opened its doors to the public in Dubai this week. (Click here for photos)

Diners keen to get a booking at the 442m-high At.mosphere in Burj Khalifa  will have to spend a minimum of AED450 ($122) a head.

Those wanting to book the luxury restaurant’s private dining area will be expected to fork out at least AED650 ($176.9) per guest, while afternoon tea comes in at nearly $100 (AED350).

For drinks and snacks in the lounge area, guests must spend AED200 ($54.45) per head.

Marc Dardenne, CEO of Emaar Hospitality Group and Emaar Hotels & Resorts, said the glass-walled restaurant raised the bar for Dubai’s hospitality industry.

“I think it’s going to set new standards for Dubai and maybe the world and even give people the opportunity to see something different when they stay in Dubai,” said Dardenne.

The prices don’t appear to be deterring the punters. The restaurant is booked out for its first two days of opening, and Dardenne is confident its popularity will continue.

“[The feedback] has been tremendous; we are already fully booked for tonight. A lot of people insisted on being there for the first night,” Dardenne said.

“We have 80 seats in the restaurant so it’s not a very large restaurant and 120 in the lounge. It’s [fully booked] today and tomorrow and I’m sure as soon as others hear about it they’ll be a lot of phone calls.”

At.mosphere is located on the 122 floor of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower. The restaurant spans 1,030 sq m, and is 92m taller than the world’s second highest eatery– the revolving 360 Restaurant in Toronto’s CN Tower.

The restaurant features a grill, which seats up 80 diners at any one time, a lounge area and a private dining area for up to 12 people.