Birthdays for me are almost a sacred event. I get most excited when I have to plan and execute surprises for others. Suffice to say I aim to welcome each new year of my life with a blast. This year the husband treated me to the most luxurious afternoon tea Dubai has to offer.

Welcome to At.mosphere in the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa

At.mosphere @ Burj Khalifa

Perched on the 123rd floor of the iconic and imposing Burj Khalifa, At.mosphere offers stunning views and equally impressive food, drinks and service. I had visited At.mosphere for a round of drinks on my 28th birthday (picture above) and made a vow back then to fuel my obsession with afternoon tea by returning to this awesome place.

Afternoon tea @ At.mosphere

The word ‘luxurious’ doesn’t even begin to define afternoon tea at At.mosphere. We had a couple of packages to choose from and we went with the sparkling wine package that includes a bottle of sparkling wine, unlimited hot beverages, amuse bouche, delicate finger sandwiches, a main course and a selection of pastries, cakes and scones. More importantly, this package gives you a seat at a window table that offers 360° views of the city below.

Views from our table @ At.mosphere

The views offered from the expansive windows of At.mosphere are undoubtedly the highlight of any dining experience here (the husband would disagree though claiming that the scones are the highlight of any afternoon tea).

Hospitality @ At.mosphere

From the moment we entered the restaurant, we felt welcomed and honoured by the staff and the manager. They all served us with a big smile and even brought us a small cake for my birthday.

To entertain the guests, At.mosphere has a violinist that serenades guests with melodious music.

Would I visit again?

The husband and I have had the choicest afternoon teas around the world- at Belmond (Cape Town), Sujan Rajmahal (Jaipur),  Habtoor Palace (Dubai) and Palazzo Versace (Dubai). But the afternoon tea at At.mosphere is right there at the top (quite literally). I have made a new vow this year on my birthday- to visit At.mosphere on all future birthdays.