SAONA is scheduled to open at voco Dubai The Palm in December 2026.
Executive Chef Richie Richards will combine Caribbean roots with modern Peruvian influences.
Handcrafted cocktails and DJ entertainment will take the atmosphere from dinner into the evening.
Chef Richie Richards, formerly of Miss Lily’s, will lead the kitchen at voco Dubai The Palm.
Palm West Beach is adding a little island life to its destination dining lineup. SAONA is scheduled to open in Dubai in December 2026 on the first floor of voco Dubai The Palm, offering Caribbean-inspired cuisine, modern Peruvian influences and DJ sets to the Palm Jumeirah shoreline.
Taking its name from Saona Island in the Caribbean, the restaurant draws inspiration from the destination’s turquoise waters, sandy beaches and relaxed pace. The idea is to carry that sense of escape into a venue where dinner, drinks and entertainment form part of the same evening.
Executive Chef Richie Richards will lead the kitchen at SAONA in Dubai. Born in Jamaica, he brings more than two decades of international experience, including time at Dubai’s FACT award-winning Miss Lily’s. His Caribbean roots will shape a menu that also explores modern Peruvian cooking, combining traditional ingredients with contemporary techniques.
The interiors will make an impression from the entrance, with a dramatic corridor leading into the restaurant. Inside, layered textures, warm lighting and contemporary architectural details will create the backdrop for evenings that move between dining and socialising.
SAONA Dubai has been designed to accommodate 244 guests across several distinct spaces. The main dining area will sit alongside a dedicated VIP lounge and expansive outdoor areas. As dinner gives way to drinks, music will play a big role in the atmosphere. DJ sets and handcrafted cocktails will support the transition to a livelier evening, encouraging guests to stay on long after their meal.
SAONA will join an established dining lineup on Palm West Beach, where February 30 serves Mediterranean and Japanese flavours, and KYMA Beach brings Greek cooking to the waterfront. La Plage by La Maison Ani channels the French Riviera with its French-Mediterranean menu, pool and beach club. Whether you’re in search of leisurely lunches, sunset cocktails or lively dinners, the stretch of sand offers plenty of reasons to make a day of it.
Where: SAONA, voco Dubai The Palm, Palm West Beach, Dubai
Contact: saonarestaurant.com