Sun & West at The Palm

Project Description

Sun & West is a thoughtfully curated gastronomic destination situated along the glittering shoreline of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Inspired by the warmth of the Mediterranean coast and the conviviality of Iberian culture, the restaurant’s architectural and interior composition was designed to evoke both a sense of belonging and escape—sun-drenched comfort fused with breezy sophistication.

The design concept revolves around spatial fluidity and natural materiality, achieved through open-plan layouts, framed vistas, and textured surfaces. From the outset, the architectural vocabulary employs expansive glazing to dissolve boundaries between interior and exterior. Full-height timber-framed glass windows wrap the periphery, embracing the sunlight while framing sweeping views of the aquamarine gulf and sandy promenade. These transparent planes invite daylight deep into the space, transforming it throughout the day—an ever-shifting tapestry of shadows and light.

The material palette is deliberately honest and tactile. Locally sourced timber planks, white-washed to a sun-bleached hue, form the foundational aesthetic. Rustic wood-clad walls offer visual warmth and act as an homage to reclaimed European countryside barns. Neutral concrete floors are softened with vibrantly patterned Mediterranean tiles—used selectively to define seating zones and lend an artisanal feel.

Ceiling beams in weathered oak serve both structural and aesthetic purposes, anchoring the space with architectural rhythm. Above, a dance of pendant lighting in brushed copper and smoked glass evokes the flickering of lanterns in Andalusian courtyards. During evening hours, these fixtures cast an ambient glow across the interiors, echoing the golden hour tones of the Dubai sunset just beyond the glass.

Furniture selections mirror the dual nature of the space—both relaxed and refined. Banquettes in textured cream upholstery nestle alongside custom-crafted timber tables and wrought iron barstools. The outdoor terrace extends this narrative, featuring breezy white drapery, olive trees in terracotta planters, and beach-style bench seating—blurring the line between a seaside retreat and a refined dining room.

Culturally, Sun & West captures the essence of tapas dining—fluidity, movement, sharing. Seating arrangements are modular and varied, enabling flexibility for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings. The bar forms the beating heart of the restaurant, clad in a gabion stone matrix with a live-edge wood counter that curves organically, inviting patrons to engage. A display of artisanal glass bottles, backlit with a mosaic of hand-painted blue tiles, infuses the bar area with a vibrant coastal energy.

Art and adornment are tastefully interwoven throughout the space. Blue-washed shutters, wrought-iron sconces, and vibrant ceramic murals punctuate the white stucco walls, reminiscent of Spanish coastal villages. Floral accents in suspended pots inject freshness and movement, while line-art flamenco figures subtly nod to cultural heritage without overwhelming the architectural integrity.

Sun & West isn’t simply a restaurant; it is a spatial narrative. It tells the story of place, tradition, and shared experience through texture, light, and rhythm. Designed to offer Dubai’s residents and visitors a soulful, sun-kissed dining sanctuary on the shores of one of its most iconic destinations, it is where Mediterranean soul meets Gulf luxury—an architectural tribute to warmth, community, and timeless design.